Contest for young game inventors! Kids win big prizes for creative ideas

October 2, 12:27 PMLA Parenting ExaminerRebecca Lacko

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Has your child invented a marketable game? Enter
it to win!

Did you know JENGA was invented by a 17-year-old British girl? Or that the trampoline was invented by a teenager? Young people have been responsible for some of the most astonishingly successful and useful inventions. To unleash innovative ideas for new toys, games and sporting goods, By Kids for Kids (BKFK), in collaboration with sponsors Toys“R”Us, and leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, today announced a new competition open to all American youth ages of 6 through 19.

Young inventors are encouraged to submit their own concepts for future toys, indoor and outdoor games, board games and sporting equipment. One National Grand Prize winner will receive a JAKKS Pacific Prize Pack valued at $1,000 and a trip to JAKKS Pacific headquarters in Malibu, California for an opportunity to pitch his/her invention to JAKKS’ development team. Further, a special celebration event will be held at the Toys“R”Us international flagship store in Times Square, New York City where a $1,000 gift card for a toy lover’s shopping spree will be awarded to the winner.

“We’ve seen many times the amazing self-esteem elevation and creative results of youth who apply themselves to invention challenges,” says Norman Goldstein, the founder and CEO of By Kids for Kids

Youth contestants in all 50 States and the District of Columbia and possessions are eligible to participate. No purchase is necessary and all entries must be received online at  this address beginning October 1, 2009, noon EST through January 29, 2010, noon EST. More than one toy concept can be submitted and up to three media uploads are allowed in support of each. Additionally, entrants must answer seven questions about the invention through the online entry form to make the entry official.

Four criteria will be used to evaluate each entry and choose the top five finalists:

1. Originality of concept
2. Development and description of idea
3. Marketability
4. Potential for commercialization.

Expert toy judges, combined with the results of an online vote that will give friends and family an opportunity to support their favorites, will determine one Grand Prize winner.