Sticky Fingers, S’mores & Country Roads: A Family Adventure in Abbotsford
🚗💨 Monday Funday Adventure: Abbotsford, Here We Come!
You never know where we'll end up on one of Mom's spontaneous Day Trips! This Monday Funday, I packed up my 5-year-old daughter, 7-year-old son, and 12-year-old son for a day of adventure—while our 13-year-old decided to stay home and enjoy some quiet time. Our journey took us through Marshfield, Stevens Point, and Colby, but our ultimate destination was Abbotsford, Wisconsin—a little town packed with charm and surprises. 💕
Abbotsford is perhaps best known for its annual Christmas parade. If you love winter parades, it's definitely a must-see! Unfortunately, winter is our family's busiest season, so we haven't been able to check it out yet—but maybe next year.
Traveling to new towns and cities is one of my favorite things— With kids in tow, every turn has the potential for magic—and today was no exception.
🧀 A Cheesy Detour in Colby
Before we rolled into Abbotsford, we made a quick stop in Colby—because how could we pass through without trying to see the original “Colby Cheese” factory? Our GPS led us to what looked like an abandoned lot (oops 😂). My 12-year-old thought I was a little crazy hunting for a building that clearly wasn’t there, but he humored me and snapped a picture of the road “for proof.” Because let’s be honest—if you don’t have a picture, did you even try? 🤷♀️📸
It wasn’t quite the cheesy landmark we imagined, but it gave us a good laugh and a funny little memory to kick off the rest of our adventure.
📚The Heart of the Town: Abbotsford Public Library
Our first stop was the Abbotsford Public Library, a bright, clean, and welcoming space that instantly made us feel at home. Libraries are one of my favorite stops on our adventures—they’re quiet, imaginative, and a perfect place for little hands and big ideas to come alive. That day happened to be Kiddie Craft Day, and the kids jumped right in. My 7-year-old was laser-focused on the Minecraft iron-on beads 🟩, carefully plotting each square, while my 5-year-old wandered straight to the play kitchen 🍳, stirring up an imaginary feast.
Then they discovered the Melissa & Doug s’mores set—and that’s when the real fun began. Suddenly, we were “camping” in the middle of the library. My daughter stacked marshmallows so tall they toppled over, while my son insisted his was the “perfect golden brown.” And “took a huge bite” out of it. Every few minutes, they’d shout “who wants seconds?!” and hand me their latest gooey creation.
It was pure, giggly chaos—pretend marshmallows falling into the “fire,” hands reaching for graham crackers, and lots of teamwork to build the ultimate s’mores. Watching them laugh together, roasting marshmallows —These are the moments I live for—the perfect combination of kids, kitchens, and country adventures, right in the middle of a small-town library! 🔥🍫💕
🍦 Sweet Treats at Hawkeye Dairy Store
Next, we pulled up to Hawkeye Dairy Store, where the giant ice cream cone outside practically begged us to stop. The kids’ eyes lit up the moment we walked in—so many flavors to choose from, it was almost impossible to decide!
My 7-year-old went straight for a bold scoop of Superman ice cream (because rainbow swirls are irresistible, right?). Before I knew it, sticky fingers and drippy cones were everywhere—napkins were flying, cheeks were covered in sprinkles, and I swear more ice cream ended up on shirts than in mouths. But isn’t that half the fun? 🍫🍦✨
We sat outside with our cones and, of course, couldn’t resist a bag of squeaky cheese curds—because what’s Wisconsin without cheese? 🧀 Between the giggles, the “Mom, look how big my scoop is!” and the messy hands, it was the kind of stop that makes traveling to small-town spots so memorable.
🌳 Playground Adventures
From Hawkeye Dairy Store, we carried our sticky-fingered treats over to Red Arrow Park. The kids ran ahead with cones in hand, already planning who would race who to the playground. But the big hit? The merry-go-round.
They climbed on with their ice cream and cheese curds, giggling as I gave them a push. Around and around they spun, squealing with laughter. I couldn’t resist teasing them a little—every time they came around, I’d “fake spank their booties,” which only sent them into louder fits of giggles. 🍦🧀😂 It was pure chaos—ice cream dripping, cheese curds squeaking, and kids hanging on tight as I laughed right along with them.
My 7-year-old instantly declared himself the fastest runner on the playground (challenge accepted by his siblings!) The park was alive with energy: slides daring the bravest kids, and plenty of wide-open space for tag.
Those are the moments I treasure most: the simple, silly ones where everyone is laughing so hard their cheeks hurt. By the time we left, shoes were full of woodchips, hair was sweaty, and their smiles said it all. 🛝
🎮 A Plan That Changed
We had hoped to continue the fun at Shiesty Fun Zone, but unfortunately, it wasn't open despite what the website said. A little tip if you're planning a visit—call ahead to make sure it's open!
🏡 Wrapping Up the Day
After our Abbotsford adventure, we headed home and grabbed a bite to eat with my sister. My 12-year-old ending up talking mom into a sleepover at Auntie's house. The two little ones? Well, I’m surprised they even were able to keep their eyes open until we got home. All in all, it was a fantastic day—tired, happy kids and lots of memories made. I can't wait for our next adventure!
🌟 Extra Abbotsford Highlights 🌟
First City Days: A summer festival with parades, games, and local eats 🎉
Annual Christmas Parade: Abbotsford is known for this winter tradition (still on our bucket list for next year!) 🎄
Duke’s Bowl: A cozy, family-friendly bowling alley—perfect for rainy days or when you just need some indoor fun 🎳
Jurustic Park (nearby in Marshfield):Whimsical metal dragon & dinosaur sculptures 🐉