The 14th Annual Young Inventor Challenge (YIC)

After assisting in a kindergarten class this week, I discovered a five year old eager to take a trip to a specific store as a reward for good behavior. Not to go to a retail toy store, but actually to a hardware store where he could buy materials such as wood, paper and other tools. He was actually into building his own original game. Not as part of this contest, but for fun. It may be worth his time, as well as his family, to learn more about the Young Inventor Challenge.

A global search now begins for the most innovative toys and games designed by kids and for kids. Chitag will be searching for new, young innovators creating the most unique in toys and games. Offering the coveted opportunity to enter licensing deals with toy and game industry giants, the annual competition is sponsored by PlayMonster, Spin Master, Goliath/Pressman with supporting sponsors including Yulu, Toy Association, United Inventors Association and Lethal Chicken.

The YIC provides a forum for children ages six to 18 to present original toy and game inventions to industry professionals, the media and consumers. The deadline for online registration is October 31, 2019.

The goal of the Young Inventors Challenge is to inspire creativity and innovation; also providing mentor-ship to students in the process. All entrants will receive scores and written feedback from seasoned product development, acquisition, innovation and marketing professionals following the event. Prizes total $5,000 in scholarships plus the possibility of having a submitted idea developed and distributed in partnership with leading toy and game manufacturers.

To enter, young inventors are required to provide a toy or game project description, prototype, photos and a pitch video. Judging is split into two categories, Junior (ages 6-10) and Senior (ages 11-18). One Junior and one Senior Winner will be selected in each of the following categories:

• Most Creative Concept
• Best Game Concept
• Best Playful Learning Concept
• Most Marketable
• Best Presentation

Winners will be announced, and prizes awarded at 2:30pm on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the CHITAG Fair at Navy Pier in downtown Chicago, following online and in-person judging. With the addition of video participation, entrants need not attend CHITAG to be eligible to win.

“Kids are naturally inventive and the Young Inventor Challenge celebrates the imagination and creativity of youth,” said Alicia Alexander, director of the Young Inventor Challenge. “It also provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be mentored by leaders in the toy and game industry, with some entries being developed and distributed by top toy and game manufacturers.”

To learn more and register for the Young Inventor Challenge visit www.chitag.com/yic. For more information about CHITAG Week November 21-24, 2019, visit www.chitag.com or follow @ChiTAGWeek on social media.