Take Your Child to Work Day with Bob! 🎉¶
A Parent-Child AI Adventure¶
Workshop Overview¶
Welcome to a special day where parents and children explore the magic of AI together! In this fun, interactive workshop, you and your child will work as a team to create amazing things with Bob, an AI assistant that can turn your imagination into reality. No technical experience needed—just bring your creativity and sense of wonder!
Duration: 30 minutes
Age Range: 5-14 years old (with parent support)
Format: Parent-child pairs working together on one computer
Prerequisites: None! Just imagination and curiosity
What You'll Need: - One computer per parent-child pair with Bob access - Internet connection - Your creativity and teamwork!
What is Bob? 🤖¶
Bob is a special kind of AI—not just a chatbot that answers questions, but an AI that can actually CREATE things!
Bob can: - 🎨 Build colorful websites and animations - 🎮 Create fun games you can play right away - ✨ Make interactive tools and toys - 🎭 Turn your ideas into real projects
Think of Bob as: A magical assistant who listens to your ideas and brings them to life on the computer!
How This Works 👨👩👧👦¶
Parent-Child Teamwork¶
- Kids: Come up with creative ideas and describe what you want
- Parents: Help type the instructions (prompts) for Bob
- Together: Watch Bob create your project and test it out!
The Magic Formula¶
- Imagine - What do you want to create?
- Describe - Tell Bob exactly what you want (be specific!)
- Watch - See Bob build it step-by-step
- Play - Try out your creation together!
- Improve - Ask Bob to make it even better!
Workshop Activities¶
🎨 Round 1: "Draw with Words" (8 minutes)¶
The Challenge: Create something colorful and fun that appears on a webpage!
Perfect for: All ages (especially younger children 5-8)
How it works: 1. Child describes what they want to see 2. Parent helps turn it into a prompt for Bob 3. Bob creates a webpage with their vision 4. Open it in a browser and see the magic!
Ideas to Spark Imagination:
For Younger Kids (5-8): - A rainbow with your name in big, colorful letters - Dancing stars that twinkle - Your favorite animal with fun animations - A birthday cake with candles - Colorful balloons floating up
For Older Kids (9-14): - An animated solar system - A digital art gallery with your favorite colors - A moving pattern or kaleidoscope - An interactive greeting card - A cool animated logo
Example Prompts:
Simple (Ages 5-8):
Bob, create a webpage with:
- A big rainbow across the top
- My name "Emma" in huge purple letters in the middle
- Yellow stars that twinkle all around
- A happy sun in the corner
- Make everything bright and cheerful!
Save it in a folder called "emma-rainbow"
More Advanced (Ages 9-14):
Bob, create an animated webpage with:
- A dark blue background like outer space
- Planets that slowly orbit around a sun in the center
- Twinkling stars in the background
- Each planet should be a different color
- Add my name at the top in glowing text
- Make the planets clickable to show their names
Save it in a folder called "my-solar-system"
Parent Tips: - Let your child describe their vision first - Ask questions: "What colors?" "What should it do?" "Where should things be?" - Help them be specific—the more details, the better! - It's okay to start simple and add more later
🎮 Round 2: "Make Your Own Game" (10 minutes)¶
The Challenge: Create a fun game you can play together right away!
Perfect for: All ages (games can be simple or complex)
Game Ideas by Age:
For Younger Kids (5-8): - Click the Emoji: Click on happy faces before they disappear - Color Match: Click the button that matches the color shown - Catch the Stars: Move your mouse to catch falling stars - Find the Animal: Click on the right animal when you hear its name
For Older Kids (9-14): - Reaction Timer: Click as fast as you can when the color changes - Memory Match: Remember and match pairs of cards - Math Challenge: Solve problems before time runs out - Word Scramble: Unscramble words to score points
Example Prompts:
Simple Game (Ages 5-8):
Bob, create a clicking game where:
- Colorful smiley faces pop up in random places
- When I click a smiley, it disappears and I get 1 point
- New smileys keep appearing every 2 seconds
- The game lasts 30 seconds
- At the end, show my score with a fun message
- Use bright, happy colors
- Add a "Play Again" button
Save it in a folder called "smiley-clicker"
Advanced Game (Ages 9-14):
Bob, create a reaction game where:
- A circle in the center starts red
- After a random time (2-5 seconds), it turns green
- I have to click it as fast as possible when it's green
- Show my reaction time in milliseconds
- Keep track of my best time
- If I click while it's still red, show "Too early!"
- Play 5 rounds and show my average time
- Use a sleek, modern design with dark background
Save it in a folder called "reaction-timer"
Parent Tips: - Start with a simple game concept - Test it together and see if it's fun - You can always ask Bob to make it easier or harder - Celebrate when it works—you built a game together!
🌟 Round 3: "Create Something Special" (10 minutes)¶
The Challenge: Make something unique that you'll want to show off!
Perfect for: All ages (choose based on interests)
Project Ideas:
🎱 Decision Makers & Fortune Tellers - Magic 8-Ball that answers yes/no questions - Fortune cookie generator - "What should I do today?" suggestion tool - Random activity picker for family fun
🎭 Fun Generators - Joke of the day displayer - Compliment generator (makes you feel good!) - Silly story creator with random words - Character name generator for games
😊 Mood & Feelings Tools - Mood tracker with emoji faces - Gratitude journal with pretty design - Positive affirmation generator - "How I'm feeling today" chart
🎨 Creative Tools - Drawing idea generator - Story starter creator - "What should I draw?" tool - Random color palette maker
⏰ Countdown & Timers - Birthday countdown - Summer vacation timer - Homework timer with encouragement - Bedtime countdown (fun version!)
Example Prompts:
For Younger Kids (5-8):
Bob, create a magic decision maker where:
- I type in a yes/no question
- I click a big colorful button
- A fun animation happens
- It gives me an answer like "Yes!", "Maybe!", or "Ask again later!"
- Use lots of colors and make it exciting
- Add sparkles or stars when showing the answer
- Include at least 8 different possible answers
Save it in a folder called "magic-helper"
For Older Kids (9-14):
Bob, create a mood journal where:
- I can click on emoji faces to show how I'm feeling (happy, sad, excited, tired, etc.)
- When I click a mood, it saves it with today's date
- I can add a short note about why I feel that way
- Show a calendar view of my moods over time
- Use calming colors like blues and purples
- Add encouraging messages based on the mood I select
- Include a "Mood Stats" section showing my most common moods
Save it in a folder called "my-mood-journal"
Parent Tips: - Choose something your child is genuinely interested in - This is their creation—let them lead the ideas - Think about what they might actually use or show friends - It's okay if it's simple—the goal is to have fun!
Tips for Great Teamwork 👨👩👧👦¶
For Kids:¶
- Be Creative! There are no wrong ideas
- Be Specific! Tell Bob exactly what you want
- Use Your Words! Describe colors, sizes, and what should happen
- Have Fun! This is about playing and creating together
For Parents:¶
- Listen First: Let your child fully explain their vision
- Ask Questions: Help them think through details
- Encourage Specificity: "What color?" "How big?" "What happens when you click?"
- Be Patient: Let them experiment and learn
- Celebrate Creativity: Every idea is worth trying!
Making Great Prompts Together:¶
The Formula: 1. What is it? (A game, a webpage, a tool) 2. What does it look like? (Colors, shapes, style) 3. What does it do? (Actions, interactions) 4. What happens? (Results, animations, messages) 5. What's special? (Unique features, fun details)
Example Conversation: - Parent: "What do you want to create?" - Child: "A game!" - Parent: "What kind of game?" - Child: "Where you catch things!" - Parent: "What are you catching?" - Child: "Butterflies!" - Parent: "What color butterflies?" - Child: "Rainbow butterflies! And they should fly around!" - Parent: "Perfect! How do you catch them?" - Child: "Click on them with the mouse!" - Parent: "Great! What happens when you catch one?" - Child: "You get points and it makes a sparkle!"
Now you have all the details for a great prompt!
What You're Learning Today 🎓¶
Kids Learn:¶
- Creativity: Turning ideas into real things
- Communication: Describing ideas clearly
- Problem-solving: Thinking through how things work
- Technology: How AI can help create
- Confidence: "I can make cool stuff!"
Parents Learn:¶
- AI Capabilities: What modern AI can actually do
- Prompt Engineering: How to communicate with AI effectively
- Your Child's Creativity: See their imagination in action
- Future Skills: Understanding tools your kids will use
Together You Learn:¶
- Teamwork: Collaborating on a creative project
- Technology Bonding: Sharing a modern experience
- Iteration: Trying, improving, and refining
- Joy of Creation: The fun of making something together
After the Workshop 🏠¶
Things to Try at Home:¶
Even without Bob at home, you can practice the skills you learned:
For Kids: - Write prompts for imaginary projects - Describe apps or games you wish existed - Draw pictures of what you created today - Tell family members about what you made
For Parents: - Discuss how AI might be used in different jobs - Explore age-appropriate AI tools together - Encourage creative thinking and clear communication - Talk about responsible technology use
Conversation Starters:¶
- "What was your favorite thing we created today?"
- "If you could create anything with AI, what would it be?"
- "How do you think AI might help people in the future?"
- "What was the most surprising thing Bob did?"
Share Your Creations:¶
- Take screenshots of what you made
- Show grandparents or friends (via video call)
- Write about your experience
- Keep the project files as memories
Facilitator Guide 📋¶
Setup (Before the Event)¶
Technical Preparation: - Ensure all computers have Bob access configured - Test Bob on a few sample prompts - Have backup computers ready - Prepare a demo project to show as an example
Room Setup: - Arrange seating for parent-child pairs - Ensure good visibility of screens - Have a projector for demonstrations (optional) - Create a welcoming, fun atmosphere
Materials: - Printed quick-start guide for each pair - Example prompts as handouts - Name tags or table cards - Optional: Small prizes or certificates
Facilitation Tips¶
Opening (2 minutes): - Welcome everyone warmly - Explain that this is about fun and creativity - Emphasize that there are no wrong answers - Show a quick demo of Bob creating something simple
During Activities: - Circulate to help pairs who are stuck - Celebrate successes loudly—encourage others! - If someone finishes early, suggest improvements - Take photos/videos (with permission) of happy moments
Managing Different Ages: - Ages 5-7: Parents will do most typing; focus on simple, visual projects - Ages 8-10: Kids can help type; balance simplicity with engagement - Ages 11-14: Kids can lead more; offer more complex challenges
Handling Challenges: - Bob makes an error: "Even AI makes mistakes! Let's try again." - Child is shy: "Parents, you can start by suggesting ideas." - Too ambitious: "Great idea! Let's start with the main part first." - Finishes too fast: "Can you make it even cooler? Add something new!"
Time Management¶
Flexible Schedule: - Some pairs will move faster than others - Have extension ideas ready for quick finishers - It's okay if not everyone completes all three rounds - Focus on fun, not completion
If Running Behind: - Skip to Round 2 or 3 (the most engaging) - Combine rounds (create a game with special features) - Do a group demo instead of individual work
If Ahead of Schedule: - Bonus Challenge: Combine two projects - Show & Tell: Pairs demo their creations - Improvement Round: Enhance existing projects - Q&A: Answer questions about AI and Bob
Success Indicators¶
You'll know it's working when: - Kids are excited and engaged - Parents are smiling and participating - Pairs are talking and collaborating - You hear "Wow!" and "Cool!" and "Look what we made!" - Kids want to show others their creations - Parents are impressed by what's possible
Troubleshooting¶
"Bob isn't working!" - Check internet connection - Restart Bob/VS Code - Switch to a backup computer - Have a pre-made project to show as backup
"My child is frustrated" - Simplify the project - Show them it's okay to start over - Celebrate small wins - Remind them they're learning something new
"This is too easy/hard" - Adjust complexity on the fly - Offer different project suggestions - Pair advanced kids with younger ones to help - Have both simple and complex example prompts ready
Wrap-Up (2 minutes)¶
Celebration: - Ask for volunteers to show what they created - Applaud every creation - Take a group photo - Hand out certificates or thank-you notes
Key Messages: - "You all created something amazing today!" - "AI is a tool that helps bring your ideas to life" - "Your creativity is what makes it special" - "Keep imagining and creating!"
Example Projects Gallery 🎨¶
Beginner Projects (Ages 5-8)¶
"My Rainbow Page" - Colorful rainbow graphic - Child's name in big letters - Animated stars or hearts - Simple and visually appealing
"Click the Smiley" - Smiley faces appear randomly - Click to score points - 30-second timer - Shows final score
"Magic Answer Ball" - Type a question - Click a button - Get a fun answer - Colorful and simple
Intermediate Projects (Ages 9-11)¶
"Emoji Catcher" - Emojis fall from top of screen - Move mouse to catch them - Different emojis worth different points - Timer and score display
"My Mood Tracker" - Click emoji to record mood - Add optional note - See mood history - Encouraging messages
"Story Starter Generator" - Click button for random story beginning - Includes character, setting, and problem - Save favorite starters - Colorful, engaging design
Advanced Projects (Ages 12-14)¶
"Reaction Time Challenge" - Tests reaction speed - Multiple rounds - Tracks best time - Leaderboard feature
"Study Timer with Rewards" - Pomodoro-style timer - Motivational messages - Break reminders - Progress tracking
"Creative Prompt Generator" - Generates art/writing prompts - Multiple categories - Save favorites - Share feature
Frequently Asked Questions ❓¶
For Parents:¶
Q: What if I don't know anything about coding? A: Perfect! This workshop requires zero coding knowledge. You just help your child describe what they want, and Bob does the technical work.
Q: Is this safe for my child? A: Yes! Bob works in a controlled environment and only creates the projects you ask for. All activities are age-appropriate and supervised.
Q: Can we do this at home? A: If you have access to Bob through IBM, yes! Otherwise, the skills learned (clear communication, creative thinking) apply to many tools.
Q: What if my child gets frustrated? A: That's normal! Remind them that creating takes practice. Start with something simpler, and celebrate small successes.
Q: Will this replace learning to code? A: No—it's a different skill! AI tools like Bob help bring ideas to life, but understanding how things work is still valuable.
For Kids:¶
Q: Do I need to know how to code? A: Nope! You just need to know how to describe what you want. Bob does the coding!
Q: What if my idea doesn't work? A: That's okay! We can try again with different words, or try a different idea. Creating is all about experimenting!
Q: Can I make a really big project? A: Start with something small and simple. Once it works, you can ask Bob to make it bigger and better!
Q: Can I show my friends what I made? A: Yes! You can show them the webpage or game you created. It's yours!
Q: Is Bob a robot? A: Bob is AI software—a computer program that's really good at understanding what you want and creating it!
Additional Resources 📚¶
For Continued Learning:¶
Age-Appropriate AI Resources: - AI4K12.org - AI education for kids - Code.org - Learn basic programming concepts - Scratch - Visual programming for kids - Khan Academy - Free learning resources
Books About AI for Kids: - "Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding" (Ages 5-9) - "Artificial Intelligence for Kids" (Ages 8-12) - "The AI Book for Kids" (Ages 10-14)
Family Discussion Topics: - How is AI used in everyday life? - What jobs might use AI in the future? - How can AI help solve problems? - What should we be careful about with AI?
For Parents:¶
Understanding AI: - IBM AI Education resources - "AI for Everyone" course (Coursera) - Parent guides to AI literacy - Responsible AI discussions
Supporting Your Child: - Encourage creative projects - Discuss technology thoughtfully - Balance screen time with other activities - Foster critical thinking about technology
Conclusion 🎉¶
What You Accomplished Today:¶
You and your child worked together to: - ✅ Create real, working projects with AI - ✅ Learn how to communicate ideas clearly - ✅ Experience the power of modern technology - ✅ Bond over a creative, fun activity - ✅ Build confidence in using new tools
The Big Picture:¶
Today wasn't just about making games or websites—it was about: - Imagination: Turning ideas into reality - Collaboration: Working together as a team - Communication: Describing visions clearly - Confidence: "We can create amazing things!" - Future Skills: Understanding AI and technology
Remember:¶
- Your child's creativity is the most important ingredient
- AI is a tool that helps bring ideas to life
- Clear communication makes everything work better
- Teamwork makes projects more fun
- Technology can be creative and joyful
Thank You! 🌟¶
Thank you for spending this special time together exploring AI and creativity! The projects you created today are just the beginning. Keep imagining, keep creating, and keep having fun with technology!
Every great invention started with someone imagining "What if...?"
Today, you and your child asked "What if?" and made it real. That's pretty amazing! 🚀
Workshop created for IBM Bob - Take Your Child to Work Day Edition
Version 1.0 - Designed for parent-child pairs (ages 5-14)
Duration: 30 minutes
Format: Collaborative, hands-on, fun!
Date: July 21, 2026
Quick Reference Card 📝¶
Print this page for each parent-child pair!
The 3 Rounds:¶
Round 1: Draw with Words (8 min) - Create a colorful webpage - Describe what you want to see - Watch Bob make it appear!
Round 2: Make a Game (10 min) - Build a fun browser game - Choose: clicking, matching, catching, or guessing - Play it together!
Round 3: Something Special (10 min) - Create your unique project - Ideas: decision maker, joke generator, mood tracker - Make it yours!
Prompt Formula:¶
Bob, create a [what] where:
- [describe what it looks like]
- [describe what it does]
- [describe colors/style]
- [any special features]
Save it in a folder called "[name]"
Tips:¶
- ✅ Be specific about colors, sizes, actions
- ✅ Describe what happens when you click
- ✅ Start simple, then improve
- ✅ Have fun and be creative!
Need Help? Raise your hand—we're here to help!
Finished Early? Ask Bob to add something cool to your project!
Most Important: Enjoy creating together! 🎉