If you are wondering what to do in Portimão, and more specifically about activities for children, the two-hectare Portimão Educational Farm offers an array of attractions: native species, crop-growing areas, vegetable gardens and shelters for the farm animals, all in a genuinely rural setting.
Portimão Educational Farm opened in 2008 and since then has been nurturing this educational and recreational project. Through Activities especially for children, it give visitors the chance to become better acquainted with the rural world and raises their awareness of nature and environmental issues.
As soon as you go through the farm gates, you leave the little car park behind and quickly forget that you are practically in the centre of one of the Algarve’s most densely populated cities. All you can hear are the sounds of the birds and other animals that live here, some of which wander freely around the farm. A delicious aroma wafts out of the kitchen! The wood-fired oven bears the signs of the countless loaves of bread that have been baked in it and the vegetable garden is full of seasonal produce, because there are no greenhouses or chemicals here.
On the way to a little orchard you pass by pretty flower beds planted with aromatic herbs and the farther into the farm you go, the more of its inhabitants you encounter: horses, donkeys, ducks, chickens, pigs and many others.
Try something out of the ordinary on your holiday. Portimão Educational Farm organises workshops for the youngsters, giving them the chance to take part in the day-to-day activities on the farm, such as feeding and caring for the animals, collecting eggs, picking vegetables, building scarecrows, making bread and many other activities scheduled throughout the week.
At the weekend you can learn to make bread and then bake it in a traditional wood-fired oven, feed the animals, help shear the sheep or go for a donkey ride. And in October you can revisit the past, when it is time to strip and thresh the maize.
The activities for children are many and varied, giving them plenty of opportunity to come into contact with the rural world and experience its values. Don’t miss it.
Holiday Activities at Portimão Educational Farm (Easter and Summer Holidays)
Groups:
Morning – 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.
Afternoon – 2 pm to 5 pm.
Children can attend either one or both groups.
Animal-assisted Therapy at Portimão Educational Farm
An innovative and extensive range of psychotherapy that includes various approaches, such as equine-assisted therapy and other activities in which the animals are co-therapists.
This service is provided free of charge to all of the municipality’s institutions for the disabled and schools, extensible, subject to availability, to all such institutions in the district of Faro. Private individuals wishing to use the service will be charged a symbolic fee.
As part of its inclusive approach, the Educational Farm also seeks to take on trainees with special educational needs.
Sporting holidays for exceptional young people
During the month of July, the Educational Farm works in partnership with the Sports Division of Portimão Municipal Council to organise sporting holidays for young people with special needs.
Other services offered by Portimão Educational Farm
Children’s birthday parties
There are four outdoor spaces at the farm that can be rented for a full or half day for parties.
The auditorium, with seating for approximately 50 people in theatre layout, is also available for rental.
Location of Portimão Educational Farm:
Aldeia Nova da Boavista
8500 Portimão
Contacts for Portimão Educational Farm:
Telephone: (+351) 282 248 595
E-mail: quinta.pedagogica@cm-portimao.pt
Facebook: www.facebook.com/quintapedagogica.portimao
Portimão Educational Farm opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
Portimão
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