Bring Your Kid To Work Day is a special event that gives children a chance to see what parents do on a daily basis while also enjoying fun activities throughout the day. With a community as tight knit as Dewey’s, it presented a great opportunity for both student leaders and school based staff to join in.
At our school, the SEAL (Social Emotional Advisory + Leadership) leaders volunteered to make this day extra special for both kids and staff members. Students from SEAL came together to help organize and run exciting games and engaging activities for the kids who joined their parents at work the day of Thursday, April 24, 2025.
The event started in the morning as students from SEAL prepared the library for a day filled with exciting activities.
As children began arriving, they were welcomed with happy faces and positive energy. The SEAL students had taken their time to organize and plan several games and activities to make their day extra special.
Once everyone settled in, the SEAL students kicked off their day with some of their favorite energizers, that are activities designed to get the kids moving and working together. One of the first energizers was the most popular one out of all, “Red Light Green Light.”
In this game, the SEAL leaders choose who will be the person to play as the “Doll,” who tries to catch the kids red handed. The “Doll” has an object behind them and the kids try to get back to the starting line without getting caught. The kids had lots of fun with this game, they ran and laughed their way across the room. This game was a great way to start their day off and get them moving.
Next came the game ‘Hula Hoop Pass,’ a teamwork game to get the hula hoop from the start to the finishing line. This challenged the kids to get the hula hoop through the line without breaking hands.
This game was a great way for the kids to interact with one another and work together as a team. The kids were quick to cheer one another on when the hula hoop would get stuck. These simple but yet effective activities not only kept the children entertained but also helped build teamwork and social skills which is a key part of SEAL.
After a few rounds of these energizers, we cooled off with some food, arts and crafts, and board games! The SEAL students set up tables with markers and big poster boards to allow the kids to express themselves. Some students played games such as Jenga and UNO with the other kids.
This was a great way for them to get to know each other in a way to build new friendships. The volunteers encouraged the kids to be themselves while doing arts and crafts so they can take it home and have a good memory to keep.
Arts and Crafts to end the day!
Lin Phyu, a SEAL senior who serve as a volunteer for the event said that, “Bring Your Kid To Work Day was a great experience. Volunteering went really well, the kids were very fun to be around and really enjoyed the activities we did together. I had a great time hanging out with them!”
Throughout the day, the parents expressed their appreciation for the SEAL students’ help. Many were thankful that their kids had fun and were in safe hands while they were at work. Teachers also praised the SEAL volunteers for their leadership and patience.
Shifa Asim, another SEAL senior volunteer reflected on a standout experience during the event, saying that “One of my favorite parts of the day was getting to build a bond with the little ones. They really seek attention and care, and I found that the more patience you show, the more they open up and feel comfortable. My absolute favorite moment was when a tiny 3-year-old girl gave me a kiss on the cheek before leaving, and even asked for my number so we could stay in touch. It melted my heart.”
Events like Bring Your Kid To Work Day not only offers a great experience for young children but also gives high school students opportunities to lead and plan at their school. The SEAL program itself focuses on teamwork, mentorship, and social awareness, which are key qualities to high school life.
From creative energizers to arts and crafts, the children were all happy in the space they were given, and were left with great memories! This event reminded everyone that when hard work and dedication is put into something, the outcome will match that effort. The SEAL students’ dedication led to the kids leaving with smiles on their faces.
