UC Davis’ annual Take Our Children to Work Day will transform the campus into a playground of discovery on April 23. Described as a “family-oriented mini Picnic day” by event organizers, families can tour the Unitrans maintenance facility, watch a chemistry magic show, flip and tumble with the gymnastics team and much more. 

General registration is open through the day before the event, and instructions to sign up can be found at the bottom of the Take Our Children to Work Day website. Participating departments host two types of events: ones that are “drop-in” friendly and lottery events with limited space. Employees have until noon Thursday (April 16) to request their top-choice lottery event. 

“My children are now 22, 19 and 17, and they still talk about the time they spent on campus during 'Take Our Children to Work Day’,” said WorkLife Program Coordinator Marla Dolcini. This year marks the tradition’s 20th anniversary on campus, coming off the heels of a record-breaking 1,375 registered participants in 2025.

Several new departments are joining the fun this year, including the Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture, which will allow attendees to view a prehistoric fish and learn about conservation efforts; the Music Department, which will bring more performing arts into the mix with a concert from Stick and Bow; and the Student Recruitment and Retention Center, which will host a creative wellness craft space.

This year also features exciting new programs geared towards older kids and teens. Student Housing is offering a lottery-based housing tour and Continuing and Professional Education will host an open house to spark ideas about future careers and educational pathways — both great opportunities for students thinking about what comes after high school.

“We’ve made sure the day is accessible for the whole family,” said Dolcini. Visiting family members (who aren’t employees) can use a special parking link to pay affiliate rates in 'C' lots. Dolcini recommended visiting the website early and using the planning tool to map out your day. 

Sheep Barn a popular destination

A top-ranked agricultural institution, UC Davis boasts demonstrations at the Animal Barns every Take Our Children to Work Day. The Sheep Barn in particular draws a heavy crowd. 

“Having kids visit the facility is always an exciting experience,” said Matthew Hayes, Sheep Facility manager. “They get so excited and their eyes light up when they see the sheep – especially the baby lambs.”

Families take a full tour of the facility, including both barns and working corrals and pastures. With the tour, you can learn about the yearly production cycle, day-to-day life at the facility, and how the Sheep Barn connects not only to the Animal Science Department but other entities on campus. Be sure to save some time for photos in the lambing barn, where you can visit with the spring-born baby lambs.

“We feel that this event is a great way to showcase what we do at the Sheep Facility, especially to the family members of our peers and fellow staff members,” said Hayes. “Most kids know that their family members work at UC Davis, but being able to show them a small part of what goes on here is very rewarding.”

The Sheep Barn is a lottery event with two tours, each limited to 25 attendees. The tours are open to all ages.