Hands-On Fun: Ford Teams Inspire the Next Generation on Bring Your Child to Work Day

Matt Huddleston, a Skilled Trades plumber, was accompanied to the Ford Experience Center (FXC) by his daughter, Evelin, 5. Science experiments, a giant Hot Wheels drop, and experiences with some of the tools of the automotive trade, as well as tried-and-true kid-friendly activities, were on tap there. 

“This is a really great opportunity,” said Huddleston, who has been working nearby lately at the Hub building at Oakwood Boulevard and Village Road. “We talk a lot about what daddy does at work and she knows I fix the pipes, but it’s really cool to be able to show her different things and to get her to understand Ford is such a big company and how much we do beyond just building cars. There’s so much involved around the business, and it’s really nice to show her the differences and to have her see what I am helping contribute to every day.”

Huddleston’s daughter was among the more than 3,500 children who joined their parents for the day at various locations around Ford’s Dearborn campus, which also included World Headquarters, the Product Development Center (PDC), and the Ford Engineering Lab (FEL). Attendees were welcomed by a plethora of hands-on and engaging activities at each location, designed to introduce them to the many areas of Ford Motor Company. 

Rizwam Shaikh, who works in Finance for connected vehicle software, appreciated that the event made a tangible connection to Ford’s business. 

“It’s a great opportunity,” said Shaikh, who was joined by his son, Muhammad, 8. “There's a lot of companies that, for them, it’s a little bit harder to make that connection to what they do for us, it’s very clear what we do and what we can deliver.”

Children had the opportunity to sample the latest automotive tools, such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), 3D printing and coding, but there were also timeless classics like toy cars, coloring, and playdough, as well as lessons on financial literacy. Other highlights of the day included Lightning Backup Heroes, which explained how electric vehicles like the F-150 Lightning can be used to power a house. The pickup also served as the power source for toasting Pop-Tarts in another activity. Detroit Lions mascot Roary also made an appearance during the half-day event.  

Also, attendees were able to see a sample of the newly created Ford Heritage Collection, a curated assortment of some of the company’s most significant vehicles, on display. The show featured more than 50 vehicles, including a classic Model T and several examples of the Ford GT. 

Shaping the future 

A large clay model just outside of the lobby at the FXC offered children a chance to sculpt the car of their dreams. Steve Hopping, who works in design for service as an electrical commodity specialist, brought his grandson, Levi, 7. Hopping said the activity offered a nice behind-the-scenes experience in auto design. 

“It’s a wonderful experience to be able to bring him and let him see what we do at work and how it impacts what we do every day when we get in a car,” he said. “This is how these things come to life for all of us.”

Danielle Sokolovic’s daughter, Teona, 5, was eagerly awaiting the day she was able to join her mom, a corporate safety engineer, at work. 

“She woke me up at 5:30 in the morning because she was so excited,” Sokolovic said. “She's like, ‘Don't forget me today. You said you were taking me to work today.’ To show her all the innovative stuff that we’re doing is neat. She really likes to do things with their hands, so the clay modeling was a really creative activity for them to do.”

Bring Your Child to Work Day was organized by Ford’s Employee Communications team, while the day’s more than 30 activities were prepared and hosted by various skill teams from across the company. 

Did you attend Bring Your Child to Work Day? Want to share photos from the event with us? Make sure you add #WeAreFord on your social media post.