Registration now open for 2026 Young Inventor Challenge
People of Play announced that registration is now open for the 2026 annual Young Inventor Challenge® (YIC) International Championship. Kids and teens aged 6 to 18 can secure their spot through October 25 to submit their original toy or game inventions for a chance to win prizes and an opportunity to have their creations published.
The competition is accessible to participants everywhere
All Young Inventor Challenge entries are submitted online, making the competition accessible to participants everywhere. All participants are invited, but not required, to attend the International Championship on November 7, 2026, during the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, North America's largest consumer toy and game event. Winners will be announced during a live awards ceremony, and participants do not need to be present to be eligible to win.
One junior and one senior prize will be awarded in each of the following categories:
- Best Pitch
- Most Innovative
- Most Engaging
- Most Original
- Most Marketable
- Best Potential
Past participants include innovative kids from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Guyana, Mexico, Spain, the UK, and other countries. Several winning entries have gone on to be manufactured and sold in local toy stores and major retailers like Target.
“The Young Inventor Challenge gives kids the chance to see their ideas through the eyes of the toy industry while building confidence, creativity, and presentation skills along the way,” said Ahren Hoffman, director of the YIC. “Every year, we're amazed by the originality and imagination these young inventors bring to the competition. We can't wait to see what this year's participants dream up.”
To help inventors prepare, regional events hosted by retailers, camps, clubs, libraries, and schools provide a valuable jumpstart on their ideas. Organizations can get involved by hosting their own local event using our ready-to-go planning toolkit. Learn more here.
The 2026 YIC is made possible thanks to the generous support of Crazy Aaron’s, Eastar Board Game Manufacturing, Revenew Sales, Hasbro, Mattel, Toys “R” Us, Disney, and individual, year-round contributions.
The YIC is one of several events that take place during People of Play’s annual POP Week (November 5 to 8 in Rosemont, IL), including the Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, TAGIE Awards, and Chicago Toy & Game Fair.
Click here for resources, rules, and more information about the YIC and follow for updates on social media using #chitag, #chitag2026, & #peopleofplay.
Source: Press Release The Toy Association