A Summer Like No Other
Summer always carries a certain excitement – a nudge to do something different, something memorable. This year at Kovai.co, we leaned right into that feeling. Instead of the usual, we asked ourselves: what if we brought the family into the fold? What if the kids who have only ever heard about “the office” actually got to see it, feel it, and make memories in it?
And like that, Junior Board Aboard was born.
On May 9th, a Saturday, right after afternoon lunch, our workspace transformed into something it had never been before – loud, and full of tiny, curious humans. We had nearly 40+ kids walk through our doors, accompanied by their parents. The energy from the moment they arrived was something none of us will forget anytime soon.
Pradeep Jumani, Chief People Officer, says, explaining the idea behind this day,
Kids Day was envisioned with a simple idea: to give our Kovaiites’ children a window into where their parents spend a significant part of their day, meet the people they work with, and experience the workplace through their own lens of curiosity and joy.
A Welcome Designed for Kids
As kids arrived at the reception, there was a large board with a word search, and every single child’s name was hidden somewhere inside it.
With a little help from their parents, kids went on a hunt to spot their own name tucked among the letters. It was the perfect icebreaker. Next came the photo booth. Because some moments deserve to be frozen in time. Kids posed with their parents, made new friends, and clicked pictures together, creating memories right from the very first few minutes of the day. The smiles in those frames said everything.
Next to this, we had a board of human face outlines. The kids were asked to draw their own self-portraits, with their names on it. Some drawings had oversized smiles, colourful hair, and even superhero versions.
By the end of the day, the board was filled with cute, doodled faces that perfectly reflected each child’s imagination.
Turning the Training Hall into a Carnival
Our Training Hall, a space that has seen countless workshops, product discussions, and strategy sessions, had a chance to witness a carnival vibe.
We set up four interesting game stations, and kids hopped through each one, collecting tiny stickers on their hands as they went.
We had a “No Hands Cup Challenge,” where they had to blow a balloon into a paper cup until it held the cup tightly, then carry it to the endpoint. “Tilt & Target” was to drop the ball into the bowl by carefully tilting the board. We also had a “Magnetic Dart Board” to aim at and throw magnetic darts. We also had “Basketball” happening on the other side of the hall.
The carnival was fun, and it was exactly everything we hoped it would be. By the end of those 60 minutes, kids had stickers on their wrists and big grins on their faces.
The Hokey Pokey Moment
After carnival, we brought everyone together for something a little more united – the Hokey Pokey. We engaged the kids with simple actions, a quick dance with a familiar tune. Parents joined in, too.
Creative Station – DIY Magnet Making
The next activity brought out a different kind of excitement. Children headed into a DIY magnet workshop conducted by Sai Dheepika, Senior Growth Marketer.
Each child received a medium-sized wooden coaster, paint, and stickers. The mission? Decorate it, personalise it, and turn it into a magnet to take home. No two magnets looked the same, kids went wild with colour combinations, patterns, and designs that were completely their own. Some were bold and bright, some delicate and detailed, some gloriously abstract, but all of them were a true reflection of the creative little mind.
A Thoughtful Space for the Parents
While the kids were busy painting their coasters, the parents had a session. Koushik Pillalamarri, Director of GTM Enablement at Kovai.co, led a meaningful and thought-provoking discussion built around the idea:
“Just as sunrise is the indication of the day to follow, so childhood is the indication of adulthood to follow.”
The session explored two themes:
- What is true education? The important role that both parents and teachers play in shaping it.
- Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development, with a specific focus on how parents can positively influence their child’s growth through the first four critical stages.
The Wrap-Up: Goodies, Cheers, and Full Hearts
As the afternoon wound down, we all gathered back at the Step Seater for the wrap-up. And no event for kids is complete without goodies.
For the toddlers, we gifted them with building blocks. And for the other kids, we presented DOMS Art Gear Kits, because the creativity we saw today deserved tools to keep it going.
The Sweet Ending: Refreshments at the Food Court
With goodie bags in hand and memories freshly made, everyone headed to the Food Court for refreshments. And we made sure the spread felt just right for the day – fruit juices, milkshakes, crispy smiley fries, cheesy samosas, and soft sandwiches.
The energy and support from our volunteers and team made the event feel lively, organised, and enjoyable from start to finish.
Siddharth Gurumoorthy, Manager of Sales Development, says,
What a lovely initiative and such a well-organised event for our kids. My daughter had a great time, and moments like these make the experience even more special for parents, too.
More Than a Day Out – A Memory That Stays
Every corner of the office, from the reception word search to the carnival stations to the paint-covered workshop tables, was filled with happiness that day.
And perhaps the most beautiful part of it all? The parents in our office already knew each other as colleagues and teammates. But on this day, their kids became friends too. New friendships formed in the same spaces where professional ones already existed.
That’s the kind of day that makes you happy, not just of what you built at work, but of the people you built it with.
Until next time, Junior Board Aboard. 🎉
#TogetherWeGrow
