Kids’ Activities

Register your child for Tiger Camp during Reunions

Tiger Camp is still accepting applications for childcare during Friday and Saturday of Reunions. The camp is designed to offer your child — ages 8 weeks to 12 years old — a safe, fun and caring environment while you enjoy your reunion. Managed by the YWCA Princeton, the camp is located near campus at 59 Paul Robeson Place.

‘Babysitting’ not available on campus

Other than Tiger Camp, the University does not provide any childcare arrangements. Student crews are not permitted to care for children as they are busy managing reunion events, and the major reunions classes are instructed not to provide those services as they present serious liability issues. Alumni are permitted to bring a babysitter or hire one locally. All arrangements should be made privately by the parents and sitter.

Wristbands needed after 5 p.m.

All registered alumni and their guests, including attendees under 21 years old (children age 2 and younger are not required), will be given a wristband at check-in, and it must be worn throughout Reunions weekend. If you or your minor child loses a wristband, please report it at your original check-in location so it can be deactivated. Replacements are available for $100.

Stay safe and know your way around

As Princeton grows, there are still construction sites on campus, and it’s important to know the quickest and safest route to your next location. TigerSafe and the University’s Wayfinding apps are great resources for navigating campus. The Princeton Events app includes important resources and the Reunions schedule of events. All apps are available for download via the iOS Apple Store and Google Play.

Class acts

The Class of 2001 headquarters will have a tiger slide, arts and crafts, and video game fun throughout Reunions, and the Class of 2006 will feature Louis & Dan and the Invisible Band on Friday at 4:30. Louis Epstein ’06 and his bandmate, Dan, will perform their most popular hits: “Hot Dog,” “I’m a Turkey” and “Underwater Spaghetti.”

Cotsen Children’s Library

With fairytale-inspired décor and a treehouse for reading, the Cotsen Children’s Library is a great place for your little ones to play and cool off during Reunions. Stop by to visit a very special typewriter “petting zoo” or color a historical illustration straight from the Cotsen special collection. The library is located on the main floor of Princeton University’s Firestone Library and will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The library will be closed on Sunday. For safety purposes, while visiting Cotsen, children must remain in the care and custody of their parent/legal guardian at all times.

Reconnect with your favorite teams!

From basketball to baseball and softball, not to mention Ultimate and rugby, there are many athletic events happening all over campus. Check out the Reunions website or peruse the Princeton Events app and filter for Athletics to review times and locations.

Battle of the Alumni Bands

Head over to the U-Store Courtyard with your kids and check out the Battle of the Alumni Bands, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

Fred E. Fox ’39 Memorial Concert

A perennial favorite, the Fred E. Fox Memorial Concert will have your kids dancing along with the Princeton University Band as they perform on Cannon Green at 11 a.m. Saturday.

A patriotic parade before the P-rade?

The Town of Princeton will host a Memorial Day Parade that starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday on the corner of Princeton Avenue and Nassau Street and travels to Princeton Monument Hall where there will be a short ceremony at 11 a.m. Veterans are invited to march in the parade, and kids can enjoy one parade after another.

Take It or Leave It Tent

This Reunions favorite is for alumni hoping to find a home for their Princeton memorabilia that could be treasured by other alumni. And kids might just find something there to take home! Bring your items (only as big as you can carry) to Reunions and drop them off at the “Take It or Leave It” tent.

200/200 vision

Before the P-rade, make sure you pick up a pair of “200” sunglasses — to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Alumni Association — for you and your cubs to wear. You can find the cool glasses at your major reunion site or at various check-in locations on campus.

200th anniversary scavenger hunt

Fun for the whole family, the 200th Anniversary Scavenger Hunt invites you to discover and learn fun facts about the University through posters placed across campus. Pick up a punch card and instructions at the Welcome Tent near the Baker Rink Check-In, then set off to explore. Turn in your completed punch card on Friday 5-9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to receive an exclusive “Scavenger Hunt” pin, while supplies last!

Space Physics open house and NASA Lab tour
Interested in touring a lab that builds NASA space flight hardware and gives students hands-on experience? Guided lab tours are available for anyone 12 and older (minors need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian) on Friday, May 22, at 171 Broadmead. Sign up no later than May 19 to reserve your spot.

A LEGO Nassau Hall?

Come check out the “Brick Old Place of All,” in Room 010 of East Pyne Hall on Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. Princeton is the first Ivy League university to have a replica on LEGO’s website, and it could become a real set! Designer Matt Smith will walk your kids — or the young at heart — through the process of re-creating historic Nassau Hall out of 2,998 LEGO bricks.

Not just for the birds

Head to the Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge, located on West Drive off Alexander Street, at 8 a.m. on Friday for some fun bird-watching and exploring, sponsored by the Class of 1970.

Art Through the Ages — for All Ages!

Award winning author Mifflin Lowe takes us on an exciting whirlwind tour of visual art over the centuries, including old favorites like “Mona Lisa” and “Whistler’s Mother,” the Sistine ceiling, tomato soup cans and other surprises. A fun, educational interactive lecture, filled with amazing stories that connect art to our lives. Great for kids 8 to 14 as well as lovers of art of any age. Sponsored by the Class of 1970. Take in Art Through the Ages on Friday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Wallace Dance Building and Theater, 015 Theater.

Art for Families: Reunions

Visit the Kathleen Compton Sherrerd Creativity Lab and Laporte Family Creativity Lab anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday or Saturday to explore a work of art, play with different materials, and exercise your imagination. All ages are welcome; no tickets or reservations required. Tigers, please plan to supervise your cubs.

Art Experiments: Reunions Edition

Explore the magic of printmaking — and the Museum’s new creativity labs — with this special art-making activity for alumni and families. Stop by the Laporte Family Creativity Lab anytime between 2 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, to make your own Reunions-inspired embossed bookmark using a variety of materials and textures, guided by local artist Amanda Chesney. All ages are welcome.

Open Studio: Reunions Edition

Drop in for Reunions art making for the whole family. Visit the Museum’s new creativity labs on Thursday, between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. for some Reunions-edition art making inspired by the collections, including tiger-themed activities for younger participants. Materials will be provided for coloring, collage, weaving and more.

It’s hip to be square: Community contra/square dancing

Learn the basics of contra/square-like dancing, a lively and welcoming form of traditional community dance sponsored by the Class of 1976. On Thursday, May 21, from 3 to 5 p.m., dancers will move in long lines or circles and follow simple patterns guided by a caller. You can also come to watch and enjoy the music and social atmosphere. All are welcome, and no partner or prior experience is required.

Take a guided tour around campus

Meet and hear from Orange Key Tour guides for a fun and informative one-hour campus tour. Meet at the Admission Welcome Center in Sonia Sotomayor Hall at 11 a.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.

Navigating the college admission process

Is your teen ready to start looking at colleges? Join Karen Richardson ’93, dean of admission and financial aid, for an insightful session on navigating the college admission process. Held Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Room 003, this event is specially designed for alumni and their high school-aged children or grandchildren.

Puzzles and Pastries

Explore games, digital fabrication technology and immersive media in a place that’s part lab, part makerspace and part artist’s studio. Go home with a cool tiger puzzle made on a laser at the StudioLab of the Council on Science and Technology between 3 and 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Fun for the whole family!

Tiger Plant tours

Tour the new geo-exchange and heat-pump based Tiger Plant, a big part of the University’s net-zero 2046 strategy. This is a fun opportunity to see the plant and ask questions about the sustainability work at the University. On Fri., May 22, meet at 12:45 p.m. in the Stadium Garage Waiting Room and Tiger Plant for a two-hour tour led by staff from the facilities and sustainability department.

The One-and-Only P-rade

Make sure you pack your walking shoes for the one and only P-rade, which starts at 2 p.m. sharp on Saturday. Check out the P-rade map to know where your cohort will assemble.

Fireworks!

Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display at 9:15. What a way to end Saturday at Reunions!