40+ Invention Concepts for Youngsters To Encourage Innovation and Creativity
The world round us is filled with objects that began in another person’s creativeness. From mild bulbs and airplanes to peanut butter and shampoo, inventors have used new concepts to make the world a greater place. Wish to encourage college students to be revolutionary? Introduce them to well-known inventors everybody ought to know, after which encourage them to attempt one in every of these unimaginable invention concepts for teenagers—or give you one in every of their very own!
Tip: Assist children be taught concerning 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 under to get a free printable worksheet that helps your college students design their very own innovations.
Get Impressed With Actual-Life Innovations by Youngsters
Youngsters would possibly consider they’re too younger to invent something significant. Show them incorrect 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 teenagers to attempt.
Popsicles
One of many world’s hottest frozen treats was initially invented by an 11-year-old! Be taught 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 permit those that are visually impaired to learn with their fingers. This groundbreaking system was the brainchild of a teen! Uncover the story of Louis Braille at Forbes.
Invention Concept: Create a brand new method 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 massive IV she needed to lug round only one extra frustration. To resolve 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 revolutionary product to make issues simpler for teenagers present process any sort of medical remedy.
Alzheimer Alert System
When Kenneth Shinozuka was 15, he needed to discover a technique to maintain his grandfather protected in case he wandered off and acquired misplaced. His invention, a pressure-activated messaging sock, gained him worldwide acclaim. Discover out extra about Kenneth’s story at WebMD.
Invention Concept: Devise a brand new technique to maintain individuals protected in harmful conditions.
Scorching Seat
After studying yet one more story a couple of little one who died in a sizzling automobile after being forgotten by caregivers, 14-year-old Alissa Chavez determined to do one thing about it. Her invention, Scorching Seat, notifies dad and mom in the event that they stroll away from their little one in a automobile seat. Right here’s extra about Alissa and her invention from Elevating Good Ladies.
Invention Concept: Devise a product to make the lives of oldsters and children simpler or safer.
Encourage College students To Enter Invention Contests for Youngsters
Suppose you’ve give you one thing actually revolutionary? In search of 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!
Youngsters Invent Stuff
The brains behind this standard YouTube channel love creating the concepts of child inventors! They settle for submissions by means of 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
Be taught extra: Youngsters Invent Stuff
Thomas Edison Pitch Contest
College students in grades 4 by means of 12 create and pitch invention concepts in a wide range of classes. They’ve the prospect to win prizes starting from T-shirts and reward playing cards to a 3D printer in your college. They’ll even ship you a maker equipment filled with priceless provides that can assist you get began!
Previous winners: Good recycling bin, straightforward parking app, water-runoff turbine
Be taught extra: Thomas Edison Pitch Contest
Younger Inventor Problem
Join with professionals within the toy and recreation trade once 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 firms. The competition is open to children ages 6 by means of 18 and requires a pitch video and prototype.
Previous winners: Goo Shoe, Draw Into Crime, Ship of Treasure
Be taught extra: Younger Inventor Problem
Invention Conference
Academics can use the Invention Conference curriculum of their lecture rooms, serving to college students develop initiatives to enter into native, regional, and nationwide competitions. It’s open to children in grades Okay-12, with winners eligible for all types of prizes.
Previous winners: Wrap-N-Go Pencil Holder, Good Mailbox, Manure Mower
Be taught extra: Invention Conference
ExploraVision
This STEM competitors asks entrants to select a expertise they wish to enhance, then analysis and submit a mission detailing their proposed concepts. The competition has totally different necessities and classes for varied ages, so this one is nice for Okay-12 college students.
Previous winners: synthetic photosynthesis system, magnetic propulsion rocket launcher, mosquito lure
Be taught extra: ExploraVision
Strive These STEM Problem Invention Concepts for Youngsters
STEM challenges are at all times classroom favorites, however a lot of them current actual alternatives for teenagers to give you 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 Youngsters
Make a Rube Goldberg machine
These foolish machines use a collection of extraordinary steps to perform a single easy job. College students use them to study chain reactions, however they’ll additionally encourage creativity in terms of fixing issues. Set a primary job, like ringing a bell, and problem children to give you the wackiest attainable methods to make it occur!
Be taught extra: Rube Goldberg Machine at TinkerLab
Design a smartphone projector
This can be a standard classroom STEM mission that makes use of a shoebox and magnifying lenses. As soon as children have the fundamental idea down, encourage them to give you a extra superior model with further options like zoom, distant management, and so on.
Be taught extra: Smartphone Projector at TechBuilder
Create a super dwelling house
The Fibonacci sequence seems ceaselessly 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 super private dwelling house utilizing primary supplies like cardboard, paper, tape, and glue. Urge them to be taught extra about totally different sorts of dwelling areas world wide, and to consider what would make a room, home, or different house extra comfy or eco-friendly.
Be taught 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.
Be taught extra: Indoor Composter at Full-Time Child
Construct one thing that flies
Be taught concerning the 4 forces concerned within the science of flight, and problem your college students to create a flying object utilizing strange classroom supplies.
Be taught extra: Construct One thing That Flies at Nanogirl
Assemble a water filter
Many individuals on the earth lack quick access to scrub consuming water. Problem college students to give you a intelligent water filter, one which’s cheap, efficient, and simple to make use of.
Be taught 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 after they get into the water provide. Take the Microfiber Innovation Problem, and devise a brand new technique to forestall microplastics from inflicting hurt to our planet.
Be taught extra: Microfiber Innovation Problem at microfiberinnovation.org
Brainstorm options for an oil spill cleanup
An oil spill could cause large environmental injury, each within the ocean and on land. Innovate new, extra environment friendly methods to scrub up after an unintended spill, serving to return Earth and its creatures to good well being.
Be taught extra: Oil Spill Problem at Vivify STEM Training
Take the Egg Drop Problem
This can be a basic 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 goal for his or her container.
Be taught extra: Greatest 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 thought 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.
Be taught extra: Construct a Robotic Hand at Science Buddies
Construct one thing that floats
Buoyancy is the property that helps objects float. Issues that float properly often have a number 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.
Be taught extra: Construct One thing That Floats at Nanogirl
Create one thing from nothing
The principles for this invention are … there are not any guidelines! It’s the last word freestyle problem. Present a wide range of normal provides, however permit children to make use of different objects from across the classroom or home as properly. In the event that they’re having hassle getting began, ask them to finish this phrase: “I want I had a _____ that would ______.”
Be taught extra: One thing From Nothing STEM Exercise at Nationwide Inventors Corridor of Fame
“Construct a Higher …” Invention Concepts for Youngsters
Many inventors acquired their begin by making an attempt to enhance on one thing that already existed. Problem children to give you invention concepts that construct higher, simpler variations of a few of these current merchandise:
- Mousetrap
- Transportable shelter (e.g., a tent)
- Squirrel-proof chicken feeder
- Pet care product (e.g., mattress, leash, meals/water dish)
- Pet toy
- Automated toothpaste dispenser
- Alarm clock
- Backpack
- Flashlight
- Beverage container
- Backyard instrument
- Board recreation
- Instructional toy
- College desk and/or chair
- Smartphone app for teenagers
- Toy field/storage
- Transportation mode for teenagers
- Multi-purpose hat
- Procuring cart
- Slip-proof socks
- Silent footwear
- Cereal-pouring machine
- Glove-drying machine
- Clothes or shoe organizer
Get my free worksheet!
In the event you liked these invention concepts, try our free-to-save worksheet to finish at house within the classroom. The worksheet prompts you to work by means of the main points of making your invention.
