Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day – Apr. 22, 2027

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
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Fourth Thursday of April
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Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day empowers children every Fourth Thursday of April. This special day provides a unique opportunity for young ones to shadow parents, gaining valuable insights into the professional world. Encourage curiosity, spark career interests, and foster a deeper understanding of education’s importance.

Want to sponsor Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day? Learn how

Expected Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Deals

As a Recognition holiday focused on education and career inspiration, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day doesn’t typically feature retail deals. Instead, the emphasis is on corporate programs and educational initiatives. Companies like Microsoft and Google often host internal events, workshops, and interactive sessions for employees’ children. Non-profits such as the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation provide free resources and activity guides for participating workplaces. Many local businesses, schools, and community centers also organize career exploration events. We will update this page with confirmed live programs and educational opportunities as April 2027 approaches.

Platform Guide for Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #TakeOurKidsToWorkDay. Share photos and stories of children experiencing their parents’ workplaces.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #TakeOurKidsToWorkDay. Post about your child’s learning experience or company initiatives.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #TakeOurKidsToWorkDay. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your workplace through your child’s eyes.

Social Media Tips for Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Individuals

Arrange for your child to join you at work, even virtually, to observe your daily tasks and learn about your profession firsthand. Discuss their observations and answer their questions.

Creators

Produce a short video or photo essay documenting a child's 'day at work,' highlighting different roles, tools, and the importance of various jobs in a fun, engaging way.

Brands

Host an open house or a series of interactive virtual sessions for employees' children, offering age-appropriate activities and insights into different departments and career paths.

Partners & Brands for Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

  1. Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation

    Established in 1992 by the Ms. Foundation for Women, this non-profit educational foundation developed and continues to promote the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. It provides resources and guidance for participants.

  2. Microsoft

    Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft is a global technology leader. The company frequently hosts internal 'Bring Your Kids to Work' events, offering interactive tech experiences and career insights to foster future innovation.

  3. Google

    Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google is renowned for its innovative culture. Googleplex often hosts special events for employees' children, providing engaging activities that showcase various aspects of the tech industry.

  4. Boys & Girls Clubs of America

    Established in 1860, this organization provides a safe place for children to learn and grow. They often partner with companies to offer career exploration programs and mentorship opportunities, aligning with the day's goals.

  5. Junior Achievement

    Founded in 1919, Junior Achievement is a non-profit youth organization that teaches students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Their programs complement the career exposure offered by this day.

  6. Discovery Education

    A global leader in curriculum and professional development, Discovery Education provides digital learning resources for K-12 students. They offer tools that can enhance the educational experience of children participating in work shadowing.

  7. The Walt Disney Company

    Founded in 1923 by Walt and Roy O. Disney, this entertainment giant often hosts internal events for employees' families. Their diverse operations, from animation to theme parks, offer a wide range of inspiring career paths for children to explore.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Hero

Gloria Steinem

A prominent feminist journalist and social-political activist, Gloria Steinem co-founded the Ms. Foundation for Women in 1972. It was under the Ms. Foundation's leadership that Take Our Daughters to Work Day was first launched in 1993, evolving later to include sons. Her vision aimed to expand girls' career aspirations beyond traditional roles, a mission that continues to inspire the broader event today.

History of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Created in New York City in 1992, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day was not always as the name insists. The day was initially just for girls and was called Take Our Daughters to Work Day. The effect of the day was explosive and so it was then expanded in 2003 to include boys. Most companies agreed to accommodate any child, and the day was renamed to ‘‘Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day’’ and now occurs every fourth Thursday in April every year.

Take Our Daughters to Work Day was founded by Marie Wilson, president of the MS Foundation for Women, and her colleagues. The program was initially designed to address self-esteem issues in young females, which is why the guys were excluded. Because the curriculum at the time excluded male involvement, educators chose not to participate, causing friction. 

April 22, 1993 kicked off the first initial day and it’s been celebrated since. Parents, schools, and children in over 3.5 million companies across the U.S, celebrate and plan ahead for the day every year. The day is usually scheduled on a school day and schools are tasked with preparing literature to promote the program.

The word ‘our’ references the nation’s children, the country’s daughters and sons which is relevant as the addition of boys was embraced by all in 2003. For this reason, some companies started calling it ‘‘Take Our Children to Work Day.’’

To provide both girls and boys with career opportunities, regardless of gender, flexibility was recommended and needed to prove the initial point of nurturing and inspiring young children. Males who hosted children claimed to have benefitted from being viewed as parental figures as well as being professionals which helped greatly in combating gender stereotypes.

The holiday is a crucial experience for both the parents and children. The child is in a great position to learn in a fun and relaxed environment. The parents get valuable insight into a child’s interests and can empower them to maximise their potential. Workers who hosted children claimed to have benefited from being perceived as parental figures as well as professionals, which considerably aided in promoting this observance.

 

 

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day timeline

1990s
Sisters Doin It For Themselves

A national conversation begins on what was next for feminism.

1992
Take Our Daughters to Work Day is established

Take Our Daughters to Work Day is founded by the Ms. Foundation for Women in New York City.

2003
Boys Arrive are Invited to the Party

Take Our Daughters to Work Day includes boys for the first time.

2007
Can’t Hold Her Down

MacArthur Genius Award recipient, Carolyn McKecuen, becomes TODTW’s Executive Director.

2018
Credit, Where Credits Due

VISA honors the day by welcoming 2,500 children into their offices.

April 2020
Pandemic Precaution

Due to the coronavirus, a precautionary measure is taken to postpone the day this year.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Local businesses can embrace Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day by creating engaging, age-appropriate activities for visiting children. Consider organizing a mini ‘career fair’ within your office, where different departments briefly explain their roles. Provide interactive tasks like a scavenger hunt related to the business or a simple project they can help with. Offering a small certificate of participation or a branded goodie bag can make the experience memorable for the young visitors.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day FAQs

When is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day?

For 2027, this inspiring day is observed on Thursday, April 22. This annual event continues to encourage young minds to explore diverse career paths and understand the value of education.

How many children participate in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day?

With widespread corporate and educational support, the event consistently draws millions of young participants. In 2027, the day is expected to continue its tradition of connecting children with the professional world, fostering curiosity and ambition.

What is the primary goal of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day?

This day seeks to empower children by exposing them to various professions and demonstrating how academic studies connect to real-world jobs. It’s about building confidence and encouraging them to pursue their interests.

Is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day a federal holiday?

Despite its popularity and significant cultural impact, the day does not carry federal holiday status. Participation is voluntary, with many organizations choosing to host special programs for children of their staff.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Activities

  1. Take your child to work

    Employees are encouraged to ask permission first and bring your children to work for the day. If you don’t have a child, you can bring a niece, nephew or friends’ child. Schedule tasks you’d like them to perform, a tour you’d like to lead with them and create an itinerary bound to leave them thinking about this day for some time.

  2. Share your day

    Share the outcome of your day online. Use the hashtag #TakeOurChildrenToWorkDay and chronicle what you and your child got up to during shadowing, what they learned and why the day is such a great incentive to teach our kids about the value of hard work.

  3. Recreate your work at home experience

    If your company is following a work from home policy then you can make up typical activities that you might do at your workplace and complete those activities with your child.

5 Facts About Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day

  1. The Office

    ‘‘Take your Daughter to Work Day’’ is episode 18 of Season 2 of ‘The Office’’

  2. Open Door Policy

    3.5 million workplaces participate in this day every year.

  3. Staff Celebs

    The theme for 2020 was ‘‘Meet the Workplace Superstars.’’

  4. Age-based

    To participate in the day, school participants must be between the ages of 8-18.

  5. Classroom Goals

    The day is set to be on a school day every day, so children can go to school on Friday, share their experience and apply it in the classroom.

Why We Love Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

  1. How to Save a Life

    Employees are encouraged to specifically invite underprivileged children to participate in the program. This is to provide career options and to promote and encourage self-esteem in light of financial barriers. People are urged to recruit disadvantaged youngsters to shadow them during their workday. This helps to provide professional exposure as well as to promote and foster self-esteem.

  2. It helps the children understand the scope of work

    Children get to learn about the scope of work and how work is completed in an organization. This is a great incentive for all children to enjoy the potential of exploring career options through parents. The observance allows children to experience the work environment. Kids can feed their curiosity and learn new things to get them started on the right path.

  3. Family is Family

    Children can also go to work on the day with uncles, aunts or grandparents. As long as they have permission from parents, accompanying relatives is allowed so children can explore careers in fields they look up to. This holiday is the perfect excuse to spend more time with the kids. They get to have fun and see you in your element.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day dates

Year Date Day
2025 April 24 Thursday
2026 April 23 Thursday
2027 April 22 Thursday
2028 April 27 Thursday
2029 April 26 Thursday
2030 April 25 Thursday