29 Take Your Child To Work Day Activities

Take Your Child to Work Day is an annual event celebrated in many workplaces nationwide. This day provides an opportunity for children to learn about different careers and industries, and gain an appreciation for the hard work that goes into a day’s work. Many parents struggle to create fun and educational activities to keep their kids entertained and engaged on this day. Here is a list of 29 activities to make taking your child to work day a successful and positive experience!

1. Volunteer Project

Participate in a volunteer project with your child. This activity will teach your child the value of community service and teamwork. You can volunteer at a local food bank, park cleanup, or other community organization.

Learn More: Parents

2. Design Your Dream Office

Allow children to express their creativity by allowing them to design their very own dream office. Give them materials such as paper, markers, and stickers, and let them create a workspace that reflects their personality and favorite things. This activity teaches kids about design, personal expression, and making decisions.

Learn More: K12 Academics

3. Health and Wellness Activities

Encourage healthy habits by organizing activities like yoga or stretching sessions, healthy cooking demonstrations, or a walk around the building. This promotes physical activity and wellness, which is especially important for children who may be spending a lot of time sitting at desks or using screens.

Learn More: Scholastic

4. Picture Books

Another quiet activity that can help children unwind while their parents are engaged in work tasks is quiet reading. Employers can create a cozy reading corner with pillows and a variety of children’s picture books. Alternatively, they could invite a children’s author to come and read their latest work to the children on the day.

Learn More: Good Reads

5. Extracurricular Activities

Employers can showcase a variety of extracurricular activities that their company is involved in. For example, if the company has a strong commitment to supporting animal shelters, it could bring in a local shelter to educate children about animal care and adoption. 

Learn More: Berries

6. Limited Space Activities

If space is limited, employers can still plan activities that engage children in a positive experience. For example, they could offer coloring sheets or quiet activities that don’t require a lot of room to move around. Children can also be tasked with creating their own marketing materials using limited resources.

Learn More: Pinterest

7. Building Activities

Building field day activities can be a fun way for children to work together and showcase their creativity. Employers could provide a variety of materials such as cardboard boxes, paper cups, and craft supplies, to help children create their own structures. This activity is perfect for budding engineers! 

Learn More: Splash Learn

8. Board Games

Engage learners of all ages by providing board games on the day! Classics like Monopoly, Life, and Scrabble are great options, but you can also incorporate more modern games like Settlers of Catan or Ticket to Ride. Have employees bring in their own favorite games to share with their colleagues and kids.

Learn More: Forbes

9. Active Games

Games like tag or hide-and-seek can be an excellent way for children to release energy! Set up designated areas where children can play these games or organize a game of Red Rover that littles can enjoy with their parents. 

Learn More: What Moms Love

10. Communal Game

Try a communal game where all children work together to achieve a common goal. This could include building a structure out of building blocks or trying to solve a puzzle as a team. By working together, children can learn valuable communication and teamwork skills that they can apply in their personal and academic lives, as well as one day in their careers.

Learn More: Teaching Expertise

11. Company Game

A company game is an event in which the children of the employees participate in team-building activities. It’s designed to help children learn new skills, make friends, and gain confidence. It’s also a great way to strengthen the relationship between employees and the company; making everyone feel like they are part of a cohesive team.

Learn More: On Entrepreneur

12. Special Children’s Activities

Offer alternate activities for special children, such as sensory stations or quiet rooms. This activity ensures that all children feel included and engaged.

Learn More: UNICEF

13. Animal Shelters

Partner with local animal shelters to host an event where children can learn about animal care and rescue. This activity allows children to learn about animal welfare and the importance of community service. 

Learn More: Charity Paws

14. Building Process

If you work in a field where the building is involved, take children through the building process. For example, if you work in the construction industry, you could take children through the process of laying a foundation or installing drywall.

Learn More: DJ Coregon

15. Spaghetti Noodles

Provide spaghetti noodles and marshmallows for children to build structures. This activity is a fun way for them to develop problem-solving and team-building skills and works great for little ones who are spending the day at an architectural office. 

Learn More: Cool Mom Eats

16. Favorite School Subjects

Ask children about their favorite school subjects and how they relate to your company or industry. This activity helps them understand the importance of education and how it relates to the workforce.

Learn More: Signup Genius

17. Company-Wide Event

Host a company-wide event in which all employees and their families can participate. This is a great way to build community and create a positive and inclusive work environment. Play games such as Limbo to get the party started! 

Learn More: Sleeping Should Be Easy

18. Competitive Events

Plan competitive events such as sack races or three-legged races. This activity is a fun way for children to develop a competitive spirit and learn about good sportsmanship.

Learn More: Edsys

19. Event Host

Choose a child to be the day’s event host and give them responsibilities such as greeting visitors or introducing speakers. This activity helps little ones develop their leadership and public speaking skills.

Learn More: Chiff

20. Deliciously Choco-Centric Events

Host deliciously choco-centric events by setting up a hot chocolate bar, hosting a chocolate-making workshop, or indulging in chocolate-tasting sessions. This activity is a fun way to engage children’s senses and create a positive and memorable experience for them. 

Learn More: Glazer Museum

21. Virtual Field Trips

Consider a virtual field trip if your company lacks the space or resources to host a field trip. Many websites provide virtual tours of museums, historical sites, and other places of interest. Without leaving the office, children can learn about different places and cultures through this activity.

Learn More: National Geographic Kids

22. Art Workshop

Set up a creative workshop with various art supplies and materials for the kids to create their artwork. This activity allows children to use their imagination and creativity while learning new artistic techniques.

Learn More: Young Rembrandts

23. Child Interview

One fun and engaging activity for children is to conduct an interview with a co-worker or family member. This allows children to learn about different careers and improves their communication skills. It also allows the child to learn more about their parent’s work and the company they work for.

Learn More: Tiny Beans

24. Entertainment Events

Entertainment events can be a great way to keep children engaged and having fun throughout the day. These events can include things like magic shows, petting zoos, or music performances. They can be a great way to break up the day and add some excitement to the event. 

Learn More: Things To Do With Kids

25. Science Experiments

Conduct simple science experiments with your child to teach them about the world around them. You can do experiments with water, magnets, and balloons or even build a simple volcano. This can be a fun and educational activity for little ones spending the day with scientist parents.

Learn More: Coffee Cups and Crayons

26. Photography Session

Give your child a camera and let them capture their own perspective of the workplace. You can also take them on a photography walk around the area to take pictures of interesting things. You can then print their pictures and create a photo album or display them on a bulletin board.

Learn More: Pinterest

27. Career Exploration

Introduce your child to different job roles and industries in the workplace. You can take them on a tour of the facility and show them different departments or teams. You can also invite other professionals to talk to them about their jobs and provide insight into different career paths.

Learn More: Live About

28. Mindfulness Practice

Take a break from work and practice mindfulness with your child. You can do breathing exercises, yoga poses, or guided meditation to help them relax and focus. This can also be a great way to teach them stress management techniques.

Learn More: BBC Good Food

29. Sustainability Activity

Teach your child about the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility. You can show them how to recycle, reduce waste, and conserve resources. You can also discuss the company’s sustainability initiatives and how they contribute to the environment.

Learn More: Lebebe Plus