The People of Play’s annual young inventors challenge returns, with registration open until 25 October
People of Play, a division of The Toy Association, has announced that registration is now open for People of Play 2026 Young Inventor Challenge (YIC) International Championship.
Kids and teens ages 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.
All Young Inventor Challenge entries are submitted online, making the competition accessible to participants everywhere.
“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.”
All participants are invited, but not required, to attend the International Championship on 7 November, 2026, during the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, North America’s largest consumer toy and game event. Past participants include creative kids from theUS, Canada, Germany, Guyana, Mexico, Spain, and the UK, with several winning entries making it as a real product sold at retailers including Target.
One junior and one senior invention will be awarded in the following categories:
• Best Pitch
• Most Innovative
• Most Engaging
• Most Original
• Most Marketable
• Best Potential
Winners will be announced during a live awards ceremony, and participants do not need to be present to be eligible to win.
