For some time it has been my desire to design a farmyard and a nativity scene with KÖSEN animals. The first step of this concept was realised with the development of a farmyard. It is a replica of my grandparents’ farmhouse from the 16th Century with which both my brother and I have played when we were young.

Rülke Holzspielzeug, a company producing traditional wooden toys in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), has developed this farmhouse. They have also created many accessories in loving detail, as it was our desire to offer extended opportunities for play. The paddock fences are being produced in a workshop for disabled people.

Our designer Jolanda Jakobik has designed and produced all animals to scale 1:7 so that they are in proportion to the farmhouse. Her design reflects nature to a very high degree. She makes the animals by hand in elaborate detail, and they are only available exclusively in connection with this farmyard. Jolanda Jakobik has also created textile dolls to represent the peasant family. The dolls are jointed so that they can stand, sit and even ride a horse. Life on the farmyard can be re-enacted, eg. saddling or harnessing a horse, letting animals graze or feeding them in the stable, hoisting hay up to the loft, etc., etc. There are no limits to your imagination.

Our farmyard has been thoroughly tested in a playschool, and suggestions and findings were implemented in the final product.