Explaining to your inquisitive child what you do for a living can be an elaborate back-and-forth, often leading to hard-to-explain details. But at Penn’s annual “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day,” Thursday, April 26, those details can become part of a day of fun.

The Division of Human Resources (HR) has coordinated with schools and departments across campus to offer entertaining and interesting programs for children ages 9 to 15. In addition to learning about your job, the young campus visitors can meet the mummies at the Penn Museum, be a dentist for a day during a visit to the School of Dental Medicine, conduct science experiments at the School of Engineering and Applied Science, or take a tour of WXPN, Penn’s public radio station.

Children looking for a physical challenge can participate in a beginner rock climbing session at the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center.

“The diversity [of events] that we have to offer is so great because of who the University is, and the collaboration with so many parts of the campus,” says Marilyn Kraut, human resources director of HR’s Quality of Worklife Programs.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., participants can stop by the PennCard Center and get a free, specially designed souvenir Penn KidsCard to commemorate the day. In addition, they will receive a coupon for 20 percent off any children’s or youth item at the Penn Bookstore.

Penn’s participation in the national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation event exposes children to the wide range of interests and career opportunities they can pursue.

The events are free and open to all Penn staff and faculty and their children, as long as they have supervisory approval to participate. Employees can also bring the child of a friend or family member. For a full list of activities scheduled for the day, visit the HR website. 

Faculty or staff interested in bringing more than one child to an activity must request approval in advance by contacting HR at 215-573-2471 or emailing qowl@hr.upenn.edu.

Employees must accompany their young guests to all activities throughout the day.

Pre-registration is required. Registration begins on Monday, April 16, at 9 a.m. at the HR website.

For more information, contact HR at 215-573-2471 or email qowl@hr.upenn.edu.