Registration is now open for ChiTAG’s 12th Annual Young Inventor Challenge (YIC). The annual competition provides an opportunity for kids ages 6 to 18 to present original toy and game inventions to industry professionals, the media, and consumers. The deadline for online submissions is October 31.
Hosted by the Chicago Toy & Game Group, the goal of the Young Inventors Challenge is to inspire creativity and innovation and to provide mentorship to students in the process. All entrants receive scores and written feedback from seasoned product development, acquisition, innovation, and marketing professionals following the event. Prizes total $10,000 in scholarships plus the possibility of having a submitted idea developed and distributed  in partnership with leading brands. Past winners and finalists have gone on to enter licensing and distribution details with brands including Pressman, PlayMonster, and Target.
To enter, participants are required to provide a brief toy or game project description, prototype, photos, and a pitch video. Judging is split into two categories, junior (ages 6 to 10) and senior (ages 11 to 18). One junior and one senior Winner will be selected in each of the following categories: Most Creative Concept, Best Ride-On or Wheeled Concept, Best Game Concept, Best Playful Learning Concept, Most Marketable, and Best Presentation.
Winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded at the ChiTAG Toy & Game Fair in Chicago at Navy Pier on November 17. A panel of nearly 50 industry professionals through online and in person judging will select the winners. Thanks to last year’s addition of video participation, entrants do not need to attend ChiTAG to be eligible to win.Â
