There’s something inherently magical about unplugging, getting creative, and discovering something new together. When Pinterest Chicago brought us on to design their annual Bring Your Kids to Work Day, we knew we wanted to anchor the entire experience in a feeling of hands-on exploration. The result? A vibrant, camping-inspired day themed “Discover Together”—taking the digital inspiration Pinterest is known for and translating it into offscreen, real-world adventures.
If you’re planning a corporate family event, bring-your-child-to-work day, or team family festival, here is how we brought the spirit of the great outdoors into the office (and how you can replicate the magic for your own company).
The Vision: “Discover Together”
Corporate family events work best when they give kids the freedom to create rather than just observe. For Pinterest, we bridged the gap between online discovery and offline making. We designed every element—from the rustic camp décor to the tactile craft hubs—to spark curiosity, encourage hands-on crafting, and build lasting connection between parents, kids, and co-workers.
Here are the key interactive stations and design elements that made the day unforgettable:
1. The Patchwork Outpost: Personalized Duffel Bag Station
Every great camping trip starts with packing your gear! At the Patchwork Outpost, each child received their own utility duffel bag to customize.
- The Experience: Outfitted with an array of fun themed patches, kids spent time designing gear that was uniquely theirs.
- Planner Tip: Interactive station favors like this double as both an event activity and a high-value takeaway bag to carry home all their creations from the day.
2. The Pin Lab: DIY Craft Hub
Taking a cue from Pinterest’s core identity, the Pin Lab was our dedicated DIY hub filled with hands-on, camp-themed art projects.
- The Experience: Kids turned raw materials into tangible creations—from woven friendship bracelets and fairy houses to binoculars. Watching kids turn digital-style inspiration into physical items made with their own hands was easily one of the highlights of the day.
- Planner Tip: Keep station instructions visual and simple! Use clear graphic signboards so kids of all ages (and parents!) can self-guide through the steps.
3. The Highlight: Magnetic Collage Creator Photo Backdrop
Standard photo booths are great, but for a company rooted in visual curation, we wanted a photo moment that was fully interactive.
- The Experience: We custom-built a magnetic collage creator backdrop where kids could assemble their very own physical “Pinterest PIN.” Using giant magnetic graphics, camp motifs, icons, and typography, kids arranged their own board, stepped into the frame, and snapped a keepsake photo inside their custom creation.
- Planner Tip: Multi-layered photo ops that double as an activity keep lines moving smoothly because kids are actively building and playing while waiting for their turn.
Key Takeaways for Planning Your Corporate Family Day
- Balance Passive & Active Stations: Mix high-energy DIY stations (like patch-making) with lower-temp activities (like the magnetic photo wall or DIY Craft station) so kids don’t get overwhelmed.
- Lean Into Immersive Theming: Small touches—like trail-sign directional arrows, wooden crates, greenery, and canvas tents—instantly transform a corporate office space into an adventure zone.
- Focus on Keep-Sakes Over Disposable Favors: Choose one or two high-quality craft keepsakes (like the personalized duffel bags) that kids will actually use long after the event ends.
The Best Part: Bringing My Own “Junior Assistant” to Work
While seeing the Pinterest families laugh, build, and connect was deeply rewarding, the absolute highlight of the day for me was personal. I got to bring my own teenage daughter along as my event intern and right-hand assistant for the day!
Having her by my side—helping manage the Pin Lab stations, managing the load-in logistics, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into producing a large-scale corporate event—made the entire experience come full circle. It was a sweet reminder that no matter how big the production, the heart of this work is always about family, mentorship, and creating memories together.
Planning a Corporate Event in Chicago? Let’s Create Something Unforgettable.
Elevating your company’s culture starts with experiential design that engages every attendee. Whether you’re planning a Bring Your Kids to Work Day, an interactive corporate gala, a holiday party, or a multi-day company retreat, partner with a trusted Chicago corporate event planner to bring your brand story to life.
From full-service concept design and vendor sourcing to seamless day-of coordination across the Chicagoland area, WE EVENTS turns big ideas into seamless, memorable experiences.
Ready to transform your next office event? Contact WE Events today to schedule a consultation and let’s start designing your corporate celebration.
