Mark your calendars! UO Kids on Campus Day will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
UO Kids on Campus Day (formerly Take Our Children to Work Day) is designed to engage the UO community by providing an opportunity for employees to spend quality time with the kids in their lives and showcase their workplaces. For many years, the University of Oregon has participated in the national Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work® Day by hosting its own on-campus event. Collaborative partners from across the institution host experiences, opportunities, activities, and tours to highlight what it is like to be a part of the UO community. We are creating and holding space for UO families to meet and engage in a shared experience.
We aspire to inspire and empower the next generation through this immersive experience and opportunities that:
- Encourage kids to stay curious about the world around them and to set ambitious goals for their future.
- Expose kids to the power of higher education and help them understand the value of their education.
- Provide hands-on learning opportunities that ignite curiosity, foster creativity, and allow kids to discover their unique interests and talents while having fun.
Children in grades 4 through 8 (or about 9-13 years old) are eligible to attend and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Registration is required, along with completion of a Parent Permission and Liability Release Form. Supervisor approval is required to participate and is based on operational needs of the department.
Questions & Support
Please contact UOFamilies@uoregon.edu with any questions, access needs, or accommodation requests for participating in this program.
2025 Time-Specific Schedule
| time | location | Activity, Campus Partner, and Description |
|---|---|---|
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | EMU Ballroom, | Event Kick Off, University Human Resources Check in, connect with others, and learn about the many different activities and opportunities for the day. |
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | EMU Ballroom, | School of Journalism and Communication- Superhero Researcher A UO student researcher wants to know what kind of fictional superheroes you would want to see in the world. Stop by to create your own superhero mask and learn about participating in this superhero research project. |
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | EMU Ballroom, | A LIL Treasure Hunt, Safety and Risk Services - Location Innovation Lab - Spots 50 Learn the secrets of the campus map and go on a treasure hunt with the Location Innovation Lab (LIL). |
10:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. | Knight Campus, Basement | Exploring 3D Printing at the Knight Campus Drop by the Knight Campus to get a close-up view of our 3D printers in action! See how a 3D printer works, learn about what we can do with 3D printing, hold and examine a variety of 3D printed objects, and take home a 3D printed fidget toy (while supplies last). |
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Student Recreation Center, 283 | Stretch, Learn, and Teach: Parent-Child Yoga Adventure - Spots 30 During this 45-minute yoga workshop, kids will:
Perfect for curious kids ages 9-13 who want to explore movement, teaching, and family connection. No prior yoga experience necessary – just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to move and learn! Afterwards enjoy a tour of UO’s Physical Education & Recreation Center. |
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Education Studio | Open Studio Art Making at the JSMA - capacity: 35 at one time Join us in the JSMA studio for an Open Studio activity. Choose from a variety of different art making lessons from sculpting animals with Model Magic, to learning how to do Chinese floral painting. |
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Carson Dining Hall | Lunch, Carson Dining Hall, UO Dining Services At the heart of campus, Carson Dining provides buffet style lunch featuring hearth-oven pizza, salads, and a variety of entrées. Upon arrival, see a cashier at the entrance to the dining area and let them know you are with UO Kids on Campus Day. Enter the dining area and enjoy! |
2025 Drop-In Schedule
| Time | location | Activity, Campus Partner, and Description |
|---|---|---|
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 15th & Agate Streets | Visit the Museum of Natural and Cultural History!* Explore Oregon's past at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History! Visit the museum for free, explore the exhibit halls, and engage in interactive, hands-on activity stations. *Visitors must check in at the admissions desk before entering the exhibits |
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | EMU, O Desk | Coloring Books & Craft Kits at the O Desk! Stop by the EMU O-desk for an EMU coloring book and Origami duck making kit. |
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | EMU | Self-Guided Tour- Erb Memorial Union The Erb Memorial Union (EMU) is the heart and hearth of the University of Oregon. We support our campus community with a state-of-the-art facility, incredible student programs and outstanding services. Through our exceptional events, programs and services, the EMU helps students thrive and become well educated, socially responsible, and career ready while having an excellent experience at the University of Oregon. Stop by the EMU for a self-guided tour and explore all we have to offer! |
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Outside McArthur Court | Earthquake Shake, Safety and Risk Services - Emergency Management Team Try the Earthquake Shake activity and test your strength. Review the Earthquake drill steps Drop, Cover, and Hold! Mac Court- main entrance off University Street. |
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Outside McArthur Court | Meet the UO Police, Safety and Risk Services - UO Police Department Stop by and visit the UO Police Department and meet Officer Button’s explosive detection K-9 dog, Thor. Learn about careers in law enforcement and check out the police car. Mac Court- main entrance off University Street. |
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Outside McArthur Court | Fire Extinguisher Training, Safety and Risk Services - Fire Life Safety Team Learn how to use a fire extinguisher and put out a fire! PASS - Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. Mac Court- main entrance off University Street. |
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Outside McArthur Court | Safety Gear-Up, Safety and Risk Services - Occupational Health & Safety Team Learn about safety gear and equipment and try it on for size! Mac Court- main entrance off University Street. |
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art | Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Visit the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art for free, as well as receive a 10% discount at the JSMA Store, for that day! |
1:00 p.m. - | Johnson Hall, Main Floor Lobby | Johnson Hall Puzzling Scavenger Hunt 2025 - capacity: 36 at one time Join us on the main floor of Johnson Hall for a drop-in, self-paced, interactive activity! Undertake this UO live-action puzzle game and scavenger hunt. Participants move through puzzle stations, each with clues unlocking a different letter inside of boxes. To unlock the final prize, you need each letter from the stations to make a final word. You will solve puzzles, unscramble words, decipher messages, and unlock a fun prize—all while learning about the UO and more. This fun activity inspires critical thinking and problem solving and is geared toward a wide range of ages! |
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Johnson Hall, Garden Level Kitchen | Ice Cream Sundae Bar – capacity: 5 at one time* Come by the garden level of Johnson Hall to create your very own ice cream sundae or taste a sweet treat! (vegan sweets will be available). *Supplies to serve 30 – 40 guests. |
10:00 a.m. - | Student Recreation Center, Lobby | Move, Explore, Discover: Campus Recreation Adventure During this adventure, kids and parents will:
This is a fantastic opportunity for children to imagine their future college experience, see what campus recreation looks like, understand the value of student employment, and get excited about health and fitness. The tour provides a fun, behind-the-scenes glimpse into university life and wellness opportunities. Recommended for curious kids ages 9-13 and their parents who want to explore, learn, and get inspired! *Tours scheduled off the hour at 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. Meet in the Rec Center Lobby, near the vending machines in the entrance. |
1:00 p.m. - | University Career Center, Tykeson Hall, Garden Level | Kid Career Day - Headshots, games, prizes, career chats Come try on a blazer and get a photo headshot, play a game to win prizes, have a one-on-one coaching session with one of our student career coaches, and explore our office! |
1:00 p.m. - | Ducks House, Unthank Hall | Spring Cookie Decorating, Dining Services – capacity: 50 at one time Let your creative side shine in this spring cookie decorating class. Work with our Bakers and Pastry Chef to decorate sugar cookies! This is a hands-on activity and will send you home with a small goodies box. |
1:00 p.m. - | Lundquist College of Business, | What Catches Your Eye? Inside a Market Research Lab – capacity: 12 at a time 🔍 What You’ll Do: This is your chance to be a scientist for a day and uncover the secrets of how our brains and eyes work together! Come explore, experiment, and see the world in a whole new way! |
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Friendly Hall 109/102 | Words, Wonders, and World Cultures – capacity: 15 at one time Start your global adventure at Friendly Hall! You will receive a passport at check-in, then stop by tables and spaces representing regions around the world. Along the way, you will explore language, culture, and history—collecting goodies and passport stamps at each stop. The final destination offers a space to relax with crafts, world trivia (with prizes!), and time to reflect on your travels. |
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Allan Price Science Commons and Research Library, | Gaming in the Library, UO Libraries – capacity: 15 at one time Stop by the Allan Price Science Commons & Research Library to enjoy our console, computer, and tabletop gaming collections in our Gaming Center. |
1:00 p.m. - | EMU, Craft Center, Room 030 | Crafting Fun! Craft Center, EMU – Overall capacity: 50, Studio capacity: 15 at one time* Stop by for some crafting fun! Activities include creative coloring, playing with our huge Lego collection (not for taking home, sorry!), and making simple sculptures with foam, wire, glue, googly eyes, etc. *Adults or guardians must always be present with their children while in the Craft Center. |
2:00 p.m. - | EMU, E-Sports Lounge, Room 040 | E-Sports Gaming, EMU - capacity: 15 at one time Stop by the EMU E-Sports Lounge for free gaming and get a taste of what it’s like to be a collegiate E-Sports gamer. This year, along with computer games, you can jump into console favorites like Smash Bros. and Mario Kart! Come play, learn, and level up your gaming skills. |