The Funny Farm in Hobøl: Where small joys become big experiences
It’s no secret that children love animals. At The Funny Farm in Hobøl, you’ll find all the animals a petting farm is allowed to have. Come and join us for a farm visit! (Paid partnership with Ille bra blogg)
It’s when I hear the girls’ excitement in the backseat of the car on our way home from The Funny Farm that it really hits me: how big small joys can feel when you’re a child. After a mere 45-minute drive, we’ve arrived at a farm paradise. The girls are buzzing with joy, singing about horses and animals all the way home.
Imagine how much happiness meeting animals, stroking them, and chatting with the owners can bring. This is something we adults must not forget when planning our holidays. We don’t always have to travel far or spend a lot. Østfold has local attractions offering fantastic experiences for children, and The Funny Farm is one of the best. Truly!
The farm doesn’t just have horses but also cows, sheep, pigs, donkeys, cats, dogs, hens, roosters, ducks, peacocks, turkeys, rabbits, llamas, and alpacas. And there are even more animals that we probably missed in the moment.
The farm is run by Pernille and Pål, two wonderfully warm-hearted people who genuinely care for animals and visitors. Their farm is well-kept and inviting. Hens roam freely, and you can walk into the sheep’s pasture. Suddenly, a horse and a donkey amble out of the stable onto the courtyard, mingling with delighted guests.
The animals have plenty of space to roam, and most can move freely around the farm. Visitors can interact with many of them.
We meet our host, Pernille, as she strides across a paddock with two baby goats, Knut and Erik, trailing closely behind. “If I stop now, I won’t be able to get them moving again. I’ve got to keep walking,” she laughs, striding ahead. The baby goats hop and prance after her, so charming that your heart melts.
They’ve been grazing for the first time and have had more than their fill of grass. Later, we find them sitting on the steps outside a cosy little shop where Pål and Pernille sell local produce. It’s like a mini farmer’s market, with flowers, rugs, eggs, juices, jams, and other delightful treats for sale.
It’s such a joy to roam freely among the animals. We spend ages with the sheep, greet the adorable miniature pigs, feel the soft fur of the rabbits, and laugh as I clumsily attempt to catch a fluttering hen for a photo. There’s a first time for everything!
A few words about the hosts: Pernille and Pål bought Karlstad Farm seven years ago. Three years later, they opened the petting farm, now one of the most popular family attractions in Indre Østfold.
When they took over, the farm hadn’t housed animals in over 50 years. They rolled up their sleeves and set about realising their dream. From the first weekend in March until mid-December, they now welcome visitors every Saturday and Sunday.
Pernille and Pål are a charming couple, full of love for their animals, guests, and each other.
Pernille proudly shows us the fantastic 1950s-style diner they’ve created. It feels like stepping into the café from Grease, where Danny and Sandy have their date. Here, you can buy delicious cakes, focaccia, ice cream, hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks, and waffles. Honestly, I wish they served milkshakes—it would fit perfectly on the menu! 😉
“You’ve got to try kayaking while you’re here!” Pål says so convincingly that we can’t refuse. Before we know it, all four of us are paddling up the Hobøl River in a kayak. It’s not something we ever imagined doing before arriving.
Along the riverbanks, birds are chirping. I encourage the girls to listen to the stillness and the serenity of the forest. The sound of the paddles hitting the water and dripping as we lift them is soothing. While our eldest found it a bit too quiet, we adults thoroughly enjoyed the connection to nature.
As we paddle back to the dock, I feel a longing to go further. It was so wonderful. Maybe next time? We could bring a packed lunch, a picnic blanket, some coffee and juice, and take a longer trip.
Back at the farm, the girls hop onto the little tractor train Pål drives around the property. It’s their fourth ride already. We suggest, perhaps a bit strongly, that it might be enough for the day.
But before we can protest further, the girls are off again, seated in the wagons, laughing as they ride past clucking hens and crowing roosters, with a grinning Pål in front.
“I’ll drive them to the car!” he chuckles as the kids cheer.
The visit has been a joy—not just for the children but for us adults too. We buy fresh farm eggs to take home, still speckled with down and straw. The hens who laid these eggs must be some of the happiest in the world. Thank you for hosting us and for the lovely summer memories—we’ll cherish them.
(PS: If you’d like to stay near the farm, they have a small Airbnb house for rent. You can find the link here 😉)
Watch the video below to join us on the farm: