Family Fun · 5 min read

The Free Fall Bucket List: 20 Autumn Traditions That Cost (Almost) Nothing

Fall gets expensive fast if you let it — but the traditions kids actually remember are rarely the ones with tickets. Here's our list of twenty autumn classics that cost little to nothing, tested by generations of Wisconsin families (and by us, extensively, for research purposes).

Outside (1–10)

1. Rake a leaf pile. Jump in it. Repeat until dark.
2. Collect the perfect leaf from five different trees and press them in a heavy book.
3. Take the same family photo in the same spot every October. In five years you'll have treasure.
4. Have a bonfire — even a tiny fire pit counts. S'mores mandatory.
5. Go on a sunset walk the week the maples peak. Free show, front-row seats.
6. Stargaze under a blanket. Fall skies are the year's clearest.
7. Bike or hike a trail you always drive past.
8. Visit a farm on a weekday — quieter, calmer, and the animals are extra social. (Our weekday programming for little ones runs Tuesday through Friday.)
9. Watch a high school football game under the lights.
10. Puddle-stomp in the first cold rain. Boots on, dignity off.

Inside (11–20)

11. Declare a soup Sunday. One pot, one movie, zero plans.
12. Bake something with apples — we have fifteen ideas ready.
13. Build a blanket fort with a flashlight-and-book rule.
14. Host a pumpkin painting night — cheaper than carving, no knives, minis work great.
15. Make a thankful jar in October; read the slips at Thanksgiving.
16. Have a board game tournament with a ridiculous trophy.
17. Do a family movie bracket: everyone picks two fall favorites, winner plays winner.
18. Write actual letters to grandparents with pressed leaves inside.
19. Learn one new pie. The failures taste fine too.
20. Plan next year's fall list together on the first snowy night — the planning is half the tradition.

Traditions aren't bought. They're repeated.

When You're Ready for the Big Day Out

For the one splurge day of the season, we'd love it to be with us — pumpkins, animals, caramel apples, and nine themed weekends September 1 - October 31. Plan your visit.