Chicago Toy & Game Fair 2009 Young Inventor Challenge

September 2, 12:07 PMChicago Children's Toys ExaminerRenée Carver

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Creative young inventors are invited to build and submit a prototype and marketing poster display for an original game or toy to be judged in the Young Inventor Challenge at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair at Navy Pier on November 21, 2009.

Chicago children can turn in entries as individuals or as a group team effort. Winners will be chosen by popular vote by fair attendees and win fun prizes including a chance to lunch with a top Hasbro toy executive.

CHITAG Toy and Game Fair

A two-day toy and game fair attended by exhibitors from toy companies and families and other groups interested in exploring the hottest new toys and games firsthand, the Chicago Toy and Game Fair (CHITAG) will be held this year on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Navy Pier. It is America's largest toy and game event and not to be missed by any true game and toy fan.

2009 Young Inventors Challenge

This inventor's contest for kids is open to children under age 18. Kids must submit a reservation and a parental consent form by October 31, 2009 and then bring their finished invention prototype and poster display to Navy Pier on the morning of November 21, 2009 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

The Inventor's Guide that can be downloaded along with the official contest rules and entry form offers good advice for steps young inventors can follow to use their imaginations, brainstorm, narrow down an idea, make a prototype, write instructions or rules for their toy or game, test their new product, and put together a poster display that explains and markets their new invention. In fact, this detailed guide to how to invent a toy makes a great resource for encouraging imagination and creativity even in kids not interested in submitting a formal contest entry.

Children interested in participating in this inventor challenge can download the official rules and entry form, as well as reading about the 2008 winners, at the Young Inventors Challenge page.

Young Inventor Challenge judging and prizes

Children's inventions will be judged by criteria such as originality, creativity, how appealing the invention is to CHITAG visitors, and how well the poster display delivers a marketing message. Individuals or teams whose prototypes receive the most votes will receive games and toys from some of the toy exhibitors attending the fair (it will be left up to team members to decide how to split the prize items amongst themselves). The overall winner and his or her family will have a chance to lunch with Mike Hirtle, the Head of Global Product Acquisition and Inventor Relations from Hasbro, Inc.

All children who take part in the Young Inventor Challenge will receive certificates of participation, a special CHITAG patch, and a contest T-shirt.

Other kid contests for creative children:

• LEGO Mini Model Design a Set Contest
• Lego Click! Awards essay contest for young inventors
  
• 2010 K'NEXpert Search building contest
• RoseArt Design Your Dream Classroom Contest
• Ready, Go, Play-Doh® Contest
• Bendaroos Create Your Dream Contest for Kids
• Henkel Helps Create! Kids' Art Contest
• Cray Pas Wonderful, Colorful World Contest 2010
• Jif® Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest