📅 Why This Day Matters
Every year, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day (usually held on the fourth Thursday in April) offers a unique opportunity for kids to step into the professional world, explore careers, and envision their futures.
For tech companies, startups, and even traditional workplaces integrating digital transformation, this day is more than just a fun field trip—it’s a chance to ignite curiosity, foster STEM interest, and bridge the gap between education and real-world innovation.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
✅ The history and evolution of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
✅ Why tech companies should embrace it (with real-world impact stats)
✅ Engaging, hands-on activities for different age groups
✅ How to make the day educational yet fun (with tech-themed challenges)
✅ Success stories from companies like Google, Microsoft, and small startups
✅ Actionable tips for parents and employers to maximize the experience
Let’s dive in!
🔍 The Origins: How This Movement Started
📜 A Brief History
The program began in 1993 as “Take Our Daughters to Work Day,” founded by the Ms. Foundation for Women to address gender inequality in the workforce. The goal? Show young girls they belonged in every industry—especially male-dominated fields like tech and engineering.
By 2003, the event expanded to include sons, recognizing that all children benefit from early career exposure.
📊 The Impact: Why It Still Matters
Studies show that:
- 65% of kids who participate are more likely to pursue careers they discovered during the event (Source: Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation).
- Early STEM exposure increases the likelihood of students choosing tech-related careers by 72% (National Science Board).
💡 Key Takeaway: This isn’t just a “bring your kid to work” day—it’s a strategic investment in future talent.
💡 Why Tech Companies Should Go All-In
🚀 1. Building the Talent Pipeline
The U.S. will need 1.4 million more software developers by 2032 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Early exposure = more kids considering tech careers.
🌈 2. Promoting Diversity in Tech
Women hold only 26% of tech jobs, and Black and Hispanic professionals are severely underrepresented (Pew Research). Hosting an inclusive, inspiring event can help shift these numbers.
🤖 3. Showcasing Innovation
Kids today are digital natives—but do they know how apps are built? How AI works? A hands-on robotics demo or coding workshop can spark lifelong passion.
🏆 4. Boosting Employer Branding
Companies that host memorable, educational events gain:
- Positive PR (parents share on social media)
- Higher employee morale (parents feel supported)
- Future recruitment advantages (kids remember great experiences)
🎮 19 Tech-Themed Activities for an Unforgettable Day
👶 For Elementary School Kids (Ages 5-10)
1. "Meet the Robots" Demo 🤖
- Let kids interact with coding robots like Sphero, Ozobot, or LEGO Mindstorms.
- Simple Challenge: Program a bot to navigate a maze or race against friends.
- Learning Goal: Basics of commands, sequences, and problem-solving.
2. Build a Paper Laptop 🖥️
- Use cardboard, stickers, and markers to design a “future laptop.”
- Discussion: What do CPU, keyboard, and screen do? How do they work together?
- Bonus: Add a “touchscreen” with transparent plastic and dry-erase markers!
3. "How Does the Internet Work?" Game 🌐
- Role-Playing: Kids act as “data packets” traveling from a “website” (one child) to a “user” (another).
- Obstacles: Add “routers” (chairs to weave around) or “firewalls” (a hoop to crawl through).
- Key Lesson: How information travels in packets and reassembles.
4. Tech Scavenger Hunt 🔍
- Hide tech-related items (USB drives, circuit boards, QR codes) around the room.
- Clues: Simple riddles like, “I store memories but am not a brain. What am I?” (Answer: A hard drive!)
5. "Build a Smart City" with Blocks 🏙
- Use LEGO or recycled materials to create a tech-powered city (solar panels, self-driving cars, drones).
- Discussion: How can technology make cities better?
🧒 For Middle Schoolers (Ages 11-14)
6. Mini Hackathon 💻
- Use Scratch, MIT App Inventor, or Tynker to build a simple game or app.
- Theme: “An app that helps your community.”
- Prize: Most creative project gets a tech gadget (e.g., a Raspberry Pi).
7. Cybersecurity Escape Room 🔐
- Mission: Stop a hacker by solving puzzles—decode passwords, spot phishing emails, crack Caesar ciphers.
- Real-World Tie-In: Discuss recent cyberattacks and how to stay safe online.
8. VR Office Tour 🕶️
- Explore a virtual workspace (Google Earth VR, Meta Horizon Workrooms).
- Discussion: How might remote work change in the future?
9. "Fix the Broken Tech" Challenge 🔧
- Give them old keyboards, mice, or phones to disassemble and explore.
- Learning Goal: How hardware components fit together.
10. AI Art & Music Workshop 🎨
- Use AI tools (DALL·E, Magenta Studio) to generate art or compose music.
- Challenge: Can they tell the difference between human and AI creations?
👩💻 For High Schoolers (Ages 15-18)
11. AI & Machine Learning Workshop 🧠
- Demo ChatGPT, Teachable Machine (Google), or Quick Draw.
- Hands-On: Train a mini-AI to recognize gestures or drawings.
12. "Day in the Life" Job Shadowing 👔
- Pair students with developers, UX designers, or data scientists.
- Task: Help debug code, sketch a wireframe, or analyze a dataset.
13. Pitch a Tech Startup 🚀
- Split into teams, brainstorm an app, and present to “investors” (judges).
- Judging Criteria: Innovation, feasibility, and presentation skills.
14. Ethical Tech Debate ⚖️
- Topics: Should social media have age limits? Is AI a threat to jobs?
- Format: Split into pro/con teams and debate.
15. Build a PC from Scratch 🖥️
- Provide components (motherboard, RAM, GPU) and guide them through assembly.
- Bonus: Install Linux or Windows and run a simple program.
🏆 Success Stories: Companies Doing It Right
16. 🔹 Google’s "Bring Your Child to Work Day"
- Activities: Robotics labs, coding challenges, 3D printing demos.
- Impact: Many participants later apply for Google internships.
17. 🔹 Microsoft’s Future Engineers Program
- Kids build PCs, explore Azure AI, and meet engineers.
- Result: Increased diversity in applicant pools.
18. 🔹 Small Startups Making a Big Impact
- A 20-person SaaS company hosted a “Design Your Own App” contest.
- Outcome: One student’s idea became an actual feature in their product!
19. 🔹 NASA’s STEM Engagement
- Students design Mars rovers, analyze space data, and meet astronauts.
- Legacy: Inspires future engineers and scientists.
💡 Pro Tips for a Smooth Event
✅ Mix hands-on and discussion-based activities to keep engagement high.
✅ Invite local tech professionals for Q&A sessions.
✅ Give takeaways (stickers, coding booklets, free trial software).
✅ Follow up with parents—share resources for continuing STEM learning at home.
🚀 Final Thought, Tech-themed events don’t just teach skills—they spark curiosity, creativity, and career dreams. Whether it’s a robot race or a startup pitch, the goal is to make tech fun, accessible, and inspiring for every age group.
Which activity will you try first? 😊
📝 Action Plan: How to Execute a Flawless Event
1. Pre-Event Prep
- Survey employees: What activities would their kids enjoy?
- Assign mentors: Pair kids with employees in similar age groups.
2. Day-Of Schedule Example
⏰ 9:00 AM – Welcome & Office Tour
⏰ 10:00 AM – Robotics/Coding Workshop
⏰ 12:00 PM – Lunch with Q&A (Let kids interview employees)
⏰ 1:30 PM – Hands-on Tech Challenge
⏰ 3:00 PM – Awards & Takeaways
3. Post-Event Follow-Up
- Send certificates of participation.
- Share photos/videos (with permissions).
- Ask for feedback to improve next year.
🔮 Final Thoughts: Shaping Tomorrow’s Innovators
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day isn’t just about fun and games—it’s a strategic opportunity to:
- Inspire future tech leaders
- Close the gender and diversity gap
- Strengthen company culture
By designing interactive, memorable experiences, you’re not just hosting a day at the office—you’re lighting a spark that could fuel the next generation of innovators.
