The world round us is filled with gadgets that began in another person’s creativeness. From gentle bulbs and airplanes to peanut butter and shampoo, inventors have used new concepts to make the world a greater place. Need to encourage college students to be progressive? Introduce them to well-known inventors everybody ought to know, after which encourage them to attempt one in all these unbelievable invention concepts for youths—or provide you with one in all their very own!
Tip: Assist children be taught in regards to the design course of. Then attempt some easy invention challenges with this information from Oregon State College: Invent It, Construct It.
Plus, click on the button beneath to get a free printable worksheet that helps your college students design their very own innovations.
Get Impressed With Actual-Life Innovations by Children
Children may consider they’re too younger to invent something significant. Show them improper by sharing these inspiring tales of real-life children who made one thing new that the world actually wanted. Then, use these improvements as a springboard to brainstorm extra invention concepts for youths to attempt.
Popsicles
One of many world’s hottest frozen treats was initially invented by an 11-year-old! Study extra about Frank Epperson’s story from NPR.
Invention Concept: Invent a brand new and scrumptious transportable meals merchandise, ideally one which’s wholesome too.
Braille
Braille is a system of raised dots that enable those that are visually impaired to learn with their fingers. This groundbreaking system was the brainchild of an adolescent! Uncover the story of Louis Braille at Forbes.
Invention Concept: Create a brand new manner to assist these with bodily challenges talk higher with others.
Pediatric IV Backpack
When Kylie Simonds was receiving her most cancers remedy, she discovered the big IV she needed to lug round only one extra frustration. To unravel the issue, she invented an IV backpack to make the expertise higher for future children. Examine Kylie’s inspiring story at ABC Information.
Invention Concept: Design an progressive product to make issues simpler for youths present process any sort of medical remedy.
Alzheimer Alert System
When Kenneth Shinozuka was 15, he wished to discover a strategy to maintain his grandfather protected in case he wandered off and received misplaced. His invention, a pressure-activated messaging sock, received him worldwide acclaim. Discover out extra about Kenneth’s story at WebMD.
Invention Concept: Devise a brand new strategy to maintain individuals protected in harmful conditions.
Sizzling Seat
After studying yet one more story a couple of youngster who died in a sizzling automotive after being forgotten by caregivers, 14-year-old Alissa Chavez determined to do one thing about it. Her invention, Sizzling Seat, notifies mother and father in the event that they stroll away from their youngster in a automotive seat. Right here’s extra about Alissa and her invention from Elevating Good Ladies.
Invention Concept: Devise a product to make the lives of fogeys and children simpler or safer.
Encourage College students To Enter Invention Contests for Children
Assume you’ve provide you with one thing actually progressive? Searching for a enjoyable classroom exercise to problem and encourage future inventors? Enter these invention contests for an opportunity to see children’ improvements produced on a wider scale, and even win money and prizes!
Children Invent Stuff
The brains behind this well-liked YouTube channel love creating the concepts of child inventors! They settle for submissions by their web site, then select their favourite improvements to construct and have in new movies on their channel.
Previous winners: Periscope hat, drill-powered footwear, finger forks
Study extra: Children Invent Stuff
Thomas Edison Pitch Contest
College students in grades 4 by 12 create and pitch invention concepts in quite a lot of classes. They’ve the prospect to win prizes starting from T-shirts and present playing cards to a 3D printer to your college. They’ll even ship you a maker package filled with helpful provides that can assist you get began!
Previous winners: Good recycling bin, straightforward parking app, water-runoff turbine
Study extra: Thomas Edison Pitch Contest
Younger Inventor Problem
Join with professionals within the toy and recreation trade whenever you develop and pitch a brand new invention for this contest. Winners could earn the prospect to have their design constructed and bought by one of many sponsoring corporations. The competition is open to children ages 6 by 18 and requires a pitch video and prototype.
Previous winners: Goo Shoe, Draw Into Crime, Ship of Treasure
Study extra: Younger Inventor Problem
Invention Conference
Academics can use the Invention Conference curriculum of their school rooms, serving to college students develop tasks to enter into native, regional, and nationwide competitions. It’s open to children in grades Ok-12, with winners eligible for all kinds of prizes.
Previous winners: Wrap-N-Go Pencil Holder, Good Mailbox, Manure Mower
Study extra: Invention Conference
ExploraVision
This STEM competitors asks entrants to select a know-how they wish to enhance, then analysis and submit a undertaking detailing their proposed concepts. The competition has completely different necessities and classes for varied ages, so this one is nice for Ok-12 college students.
Previous winners: synthetic photosynthesis system, magnetic propulsion rocket launcher, mosquito lure
Study extra: ExploraVision
Strive These STEM Problem Invention Concepts for Children
STEM challenges are all the time classroom favorites, however lots of them current actual alternatives for youths to provide you with a intelligent new invention. Begin with these STEM problem invention concepts, then check out our STEM subject pages for much more actions. Additionally encourage college students with these 15 Superior Invention Movies for Children
Make a Rube Goldberg machine
These foolish machines use a collection of extraordinary steps to perform a single easy activity. College students use them to study chain reactions, however they will additionally encourage creativity on the subject of fixing issues. Set a fundamental activity, like ringing a bell, and problem children to provide you with the wackiest attainable methods to make it occur!
Study extra: Rube Goldberg Machine at TinkerLab
Design a smartphone projector
It is a well-liked classroom STEM undertaking that makes use of a shoebox and magnifying lenses. As soon as children have the essential idea down, encourage them to provide you with a extra superior model with further options like zoom, distant management, and so on.
Study extra: Smartphone Projector at TechBuilder
Create a great dwelling area
The Fibonacci sequence seems regularly in nature—as an example in sunflowers, pine cones, seashells, ferns, roses, pineapples, and extra. Problem your college students to take inspiration on this pure design phenomenon as they design a great private dwelling area utilizing fundamental supplies like cardboard, paper, tape, and glue. Urge them to be taught extra about completely different sorts of dwelling areas around the globe, and to consider what would make a room, home, or different area extra comfy or eco-friendly.
Study extra: Fibonacci Design at Nationwide Inventors Corridor of Fame
Craft and indoor composter
Composting retains meals out of landfills and creates higher soil for rising crops. However not everybody has room of their yard for a compost heap. Ask college students to design an indoor composter as a substitute, one that each household can maintain of their kitchen.
Study extra: Indoor Composter at Full-Time Child
Construct one thing that flies
Study in regards to the 4 forces concerned within the science of flight, and problem your college students to create a flying object utilizing strange classroom supplies.
Study extra: Construct One thing That Flies at Nanogirl
Assemble a water filter
Many individuals on this planet lack quick access to wash ingesting water. Problem college students to provide you with a intelligent water filter, one which’s cheap, efficient, and simple to make use of.
Study extra: Water Filtration Problem at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Carry out a microplastics intervention
Microplastics, tiny bits of plastic lower than 5 mm lengthy, might be dangerous to animal life (together with people), particularly once they get into the water provide. Take the Microfiber Innovation Problem, and devise a brand new strategy to stop microplastics from inflicting hurt to our planet.
Study extra: Microfiber Innovation Problem at microfiberinnovation.org
Brainstorm options for an oil spill cleanup
An oil spill could cause large environmental harm, each within the ocean and on land. Innovate new, extra environment friendly methods to wash up after an unintentional spill, serving to return Earth and its creatures to good well being.
Study extra: Oil Spill Problem at Vivify STEM Schooling
Take the Egg Drop Problem
It is a traditional college STEM problem, however it actually does have broader functions. Along with designing a container to guard an egg from a fall, encourage children to take the following step by arising with invention concepts that suggest a real-life objective for his or her container.
Study extra: Finest Egg Drop Challenges
Assemble a mechanical hand
Use easy supplies to create a mechanical hand on this kid-favorite STEM problem. Or take this invention concept a step additional and problem children to create a mechanical hand or different synthetic limb that would profit those that’ve misplaced their very own.
Study extra: Construct a Robotic Hand at Science Buddies
Construct one thing that floats
Buoyancy is the property that helps objects float. Issues that float nicely normally have a variety of air as a part of their construction. Utilizing strange supplies, problem your college students to create one thing distinctive that’s able to floating.
Study extra: Construct One thing That Floats at Nanogirl
Create one thing from nothing
The principles for this invention are … there aren’t any guidelines! It’s the last word freestyle problem. Present quite a lot of basic provides, however enable children to make use of different gadgets from across the classroom or home as nicely. In the event that they’re having hassle getting began, ask them to finish this phrase: “I want I had a _____ that would ______.”
Study extra: One thing From Nothing STEM Exercise at Nationwide Inventors Corridor of Fame
“Construct a Higher …” Invention Concepts for Children
Many inventors received their begin by attempting to enhance on one thing that already existed. Problem children to provide you with invention concepts that construct higher, more practical variations of a few of these current merchandise:
- Mousetrap
- Moveable shelter (e.g., a tent)
- Squirrel-proof chicken feeder
- Pet care product (e.g., mattress, leash, meals/water dish)
- Pet toy
- Computerized toothpaste dispenser
- Alarm clock
- Backpack
- Flashlight
- Beverage container
- Backyard software
- Board recreation
- Academic toy
- College desk and/or chair
- Smartphone app for youths
- Toy field/storage
- Transportation mode for youths
- Multi-purpose hat
- Buying cart
- Slip-proof socks
- Silent footwear
- Cereal-pouring machine
- Glove-drying machine
- Clothes or shoe organizer
Get my free worksheet!
In case you liked these invention concepts, take a look at our free-to-save worksheet to finish at dwelling within the classroom. The worksheet prompts you to work by the main points of making your invention.
