The world around us is full of items that began in someone’s imagination. From light bulbs and airplanes to peanut butter and shampoo, inventors have used new ideas to make the world a better place. Want to encourage your students to be innovative? Introduce your kids to famous inventors we all know and let your kids try one of these great invention ideas or create your own. Encourage them to come up with ideas.
Tip: Help kids learn about the design process. Then try a simple invention challenge with this guide from Oregon State University, Invent It, Build It.
Plus, click the button below to get a free printable worksheet to help your students design their own inventions.
Get inspired by real-life inventions made by children
Children may believe that they are too young to invent anything meaningful. Prove them wrong by sharing inspiring stories of real kids who created something new that the world really needs. Then use these innovations as a starting point to brainstorm even more invention ideas for kids to try.
popsicle
One of the world’s most popular frozen treats was originally invented by an 11-year-old. Learn more about NPR’s Frank Epperson’s story.
Invention idea: Invent a new and delicious portable food product, preferably one that is also healthy.
braille
Braille is a system of raised dots that allows visually impaired people to read with their fingers. This revolutionary system was the brainchild of a teenager. Read Louis Braille’s story on Forbes.
Invention idea: Create new ways to help people with physical disabilities better communicate with others.
Pediatric IV backpack
When Kylie Simmons was undergoing treatment for cancer, having to carry around a large IV drip was just another frustration. To solve this problem, she invented an IV backpack to improve the experience of future children. Read Kylie’s inspiring story on ABC News.
Inventive ideas: Design innovative products that make life easier for children undergoing any type of treatment.
alzheimer alert system
When Kenneth Shinozuka was 15 years old, he wanted to find a way to keep his grandfather safe in case he wandered and got lost. His invention, the pressure-activated messaging sock, won worldwide acclaim. Read more about Kenneth’s story on WebMD.
Inventive ideas: Invent new ways to keep people safe in dangerous situations.
hot seat
After reading another story about a child who was forgotten by her parents and died in a hot car, 14-year-old Alyssa Chavez decided to do something about it. Her invention, Hot Seat, notifies parents if they leave their child in a car seat. Learn more about Alyssa from Raising Smart Girls and her inventions here.
Inventive ideas: Invent products that make life easier or safer for parents and children.
Encourage students to participate in children’s invention contests
Think you’ve come up with something truly innovative? Are you looking for a fun classroom activity that will challenge and inspire future inventors? Participate in these invention contests and discover the wonders of children’s creations on a wide scale. Watch the innovations and also get a chance to win cash and prizes.
children invent things
The brains behind this popular YouTube channel love to generate ideas for kid inventors. They accept submissions through their website and choose their favorite innovations to build and feature new videos on their channel.
Past winners: Periscope Hat, Drill Power Shoes, Finger Fork
Learn more: Kids Invent Staff
thomas edison pitch contest
Students in grades 4 through 12 create and pitch their invention ideas in a variety of categories. You’ll have a chance to win a variety of prizes, from T-shirts and gift cards to 3D printers for your school. We’ll also send you a maker kit filled with valuable supplies to help you get started.
Past winners: Smart Recycling Bin, Easy Parking App, and Drainage Turbine
More information: Thomas Edison Pitch Contest
Young inventor challenge
Connect with toy and game industry experts as you develop and pitch new inventions for this contest. Winners will have the opportunity to have their design built and sold by one of our sponsoring companies. The contest is open to children ages 6 to 18 and requires a pitch video and prototype.
Past winners: Goo Shoe, Draw Into Crime, Ship of Treasure
Learn more: Young Inventor Challenge
invention competition
Teachers can use the invention competition curriculum in the classroom to help students develop projects to enter local, regional, and national competitions. Children from kindergarten through 12th grade can participate, and winners receive all kinds of prizes.
Past winners: Wrap-N-Go Pencil Holder, Smart Mailbox, Manure Mower
Learn more: Invention Convention
explorer vision
In this STEM competition, participants are asked to choose a technology they would like to improve, investigate the proposed idea in detail and submit a project. This contest has different requirements and categories for different ages, so it’s perfect for K-12 students.
Past winners: Artificial photosynthesis system, magnetically propelled rocket launcher, mosquito trap
Learn more: ExploraVision
Try out these invention ideas for STEM challenges for kids
STEM challenges are always popular in classrooms, and many offer real opportunities for children to come up with clever new inventions. Start with these STEM challenge invention ideas and check out our STEM topics page for more activities. Also, inspire your students with 15 amazing invention videos for kids
Build a Rube Goldberg Machine
These mindless machines use a series of extraordinary steps to accomplish a single, simple task. Students use these to learn about chain reactions, but they can also stimulate creativity when solving problems. Set a basic task, such as ringing a bell, and challenge your children to come up with the most unusual way to accomplish it.
More information: TinkerLab’s Rube Goldberg Machine
Design a smartphone projector
This is a popular classroom STEM project that utilizes shoe boxes and magnifying lenses. Once children understand the basic concepts, encourage them to come up with more advanced versions with additional features such as zooming and remote controls.
More information: Smartphone projectors from TechBuilder
Create your ideal living space
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The Fibonacci sequence often appears in nature, such as sunflowers, pine cones, seashells, ferns, roses, and pineapples. Challenge your students to draw inspiration from this natural design phenomenon as they design their ideal personal living space using basic materials such as cardboard, paper, tape, and glue. Masu. Learn more about different types of living spaces around the world and get inspired to think about how you can make your room, home, or other space more comfortable or environmentally friendly.
More information: Fibonacci designs in the National Inventors Hall of Fame
Craft and indoor composters
Composting prevents food from ending up in landfills and creates soil suitable for growing crops. But not everyone has space for a compost pile in their garden. Instead, ask students to design an indoor composter that any family can have in their kitchen.
Details: Full Time Kid Indoor Composter
make something that flies
Learn about the four forces involved in the science of flight, and challenge your students to create flying objects using regular classroom materials.
More information: Build something that dives into Nanogirl
build a water filter
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Many people around the world do not have easy access to clean drinking water. Encourage students to come up with a clever water filter that is inexpensive, effective, and easy to use.
More information: Water Filtration Challenge at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Implement microplastic interventions
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than 5 mm in length and can be harmful to animals (including humans), especially if they enter water supplies. Join the Microfiber Innovation Challenge and invent new ways to stop microplastics from harming the planet.
More information: Microfiber Innovation Challenge at microfiberinnovation.org
Brainstorm solutions for oil spill treatment
Revitalize STEM education
Oil spills can cause large-scale environmental damage both at sea and on land. Innovating new, more efficient ways to clean up after accidental spills, helping to restore the Earth and its organisms to a state of health.
More information: Oil Spill Challenge at Vivify STEM Education
Take the egg drop challenge
While this is a classic school STEM challenge, it actually has a much broader application. In addition to designing a container that protects eggs from falling, encourage children to take the next step by coming up with inventive ideas that suggest practical uses for the container.
More information: Best Egg Drop Challenge
build a mechanical hand
science friends
Use simple materials to create a mechanical hand with this kid-friendly STEM challenge. Or take this invention idea a step further and challenge kids to create mechanical hands or other prosthetics that could help people who have lost their hands.
More information: Build a robot hand with Science Buddies
make something that floats
Buoyancy is the property that makes an object float. Objects that float well usually have a lot of air as part of their structure. Challenge your students to use ordinary materials to create something unique that can float.
More information: Build something that floats with Nanogirl
create something from nothing
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The rules for this invention are… there are no rules! It’s the ultimate freestyle challenge. Provide a variety of common necessities, but also allow children to use other items you have in the classroom or at home. If you have trouble getting started, have them complete the phrase, “I wish I had _____ to be able to ______.”
More information: STEM activities from nothing to something at the National Inventors Hall of Fame
“Make something better…” Invention ideas for kids
Many inventors start by improving something that already exists. Challenge children to come up with inventive ideas that build better, more effective versions of existing products below.
Mouse traps Portable shelters (tents, etc.) Squirrel-proof bird feeders Pet care supplies (beds, leashes, food/water dishes, etc.) Pet toys Automatic toothpaste dispensers Alarm clocks Backpacks Flashlights Beverage containers Garden tools Board games Educational toys School toys Desk and/or chair Smartphone app for kids Toy box/storage Mobility mode for kids Multi-purpose hat Shopping cart Anti-slip socks Silent shoes Cereal pouring machine Glove dryer clothing or shoe organizer
Get your free worksheet!
If you like these invention ideas, check out our free saveable worksheets to complete in your home classroom. The worksheet asks you to complete the details of creating your invention.
