Take Your Kids to Work Day—Any Day of the Year!

Craft Corner

Keep a generous amount of art supplies on hand, preferably a type that the kids do not have at home. This could simply be different kinds of paper, scissors, or an art kit in a special folding case. Anything that makes the ordinary task of drawing seem more eventful will keep your children interested in it longer.

The Toy Basket

Is your home overstocked with unused toys? Bring a few to work and keep them in a box under your desk. Keep in mind that the goal is to have your child play independently so that you can work. Some good choices are an Etch-A-Sketch, Mister Potato Head, small action figures, Jacks, or even a loaded kid's camera for your child to take some fun pictures.

Use Your Noodle

Clear some shelf space next to your business journals and manuals for some children's favorites. Keep a varied supply of books on hand that your children can read to themselves. Stock a number of age-appropriate puzzles. This is a great place for a six-foot floor puzzle with large pieces for small hands.

Arcade Alley

Store a small supply of hand-held electronic games in a shoebox or a drawer. These are relatively inexpensive games and regularly go on sale at discount stores. Some of the more popular ones include Yahtzee, Hangman, Solitaire and Connect Four. There are many more, including-arcade style games. Other parent co-workers may want to contribute to the supply of electronic games and use this as a shared resource. Of course, many kids own hand-held game systems they also could bring in for the day.

Going To The Movies

If there's space at work, keep a TV/VCR or TV/DVD combo unit on hand. Younger children need rest and sometimes there's nothing like a movie to settle kids down. Don't forget the headphones so as not to disturb your co-workers, and pack your child's favorite snuggle toy or blanket. For older kids, the TV can be used to hook-up a game system.

Computer Generation

To Internet or not Internet is a very individual decision. Typically, companies have high-speed connections that make playing online games very fun for kids. Several websites offer a wide variety of activities for young children. Two of our favorites are www.starfall.com and www.funschool.com.

Consider using any of these free choice items when you need to attend a meeting. Be sure what you've chosen will last the length of the meeting so that you aren't interrupted to switch tasks.

A day at the office with kids can turn out so exceptionally well that you may all want to do it again sooner than you think. Setting expectations and preparing in advance will help to make it a successful day. Who knows, you may even start a tradition that they will remember fondly and pass down to their own kids.