Registration for People of Play’s 19th Annual Young Inventor Challenge International Championship is now open. Until Oct. 27, kids ages 6-18 can submit their original toy or game creation — kids can win prizes or potentially have their design published.
The competition aims to encourage creativity, problem-solving skills, and innovation in the younger generations. As a result, kids from several countries have the opportunity to have their inventions published, and more than a dozen winners have witnessed their designs turn into real products on shelves at mass retailers like Target and independent retailers.
One junior and one senior invention will be awarded from six categories, including Best Pitch, Most Innovative, Most Engaging, Most Original, Most Marketable, and Best Potential. The winners will be announced live on Nov. 9 during the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, but the young designers do not need to be present.
Families can rely on their community if they’re not sure where to start. More than 10,000 kids have entered in the past 10 years with the support of regional events. Certain summer camps, independent toy stores, scout troops, school clubs, libraries, and more will host events to help kids get a head start and determine what to submit.
Ahren Hoffman, toy industry professional and certified play expert, will serve as the Young Inventor Challenge Director for the second year in a row. Ahren aims to champion the importance and power of play. “The Young Inventor Challenge provides a one-of-a-kind platform for young minds to explore their ideas! We believe that every child has the potential to be an innovator, and this competition can help ignite that spark of creativity,” Hoffman says. “The championship is a culmination of both individual kid creators and kids’ that designed their toy or game through a school project or even regional events in their communities.”
The challenge is sponsored and funded by sponsorships from Mattel, The Op/USAopoly, Fun in Motion, Crazy Aaron’s, Goliath, and Hasbro, in addition to individual contributions. “I love this event,” Tony Serebriany, Vice President of The Op/USAopoly says. “It celebrates kids and their creativity, and gives them a platform to make something of their own. We never know what amazing new toy and game ideas we will see when we leave it to the kids!”
Registration and more information can be found at chitag.com. There is a $25 registration fee.
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