By submitting an entry, participants and their parents/guardians/teachers agree to abide by the following rules and regulations and entry criteria listed below for the 2026 Young Inventor Challenge® International Championship. 

 

Eligibility

 

• YIC participants must be ages 6 – 18 years old and enrolled in some form of elementary or secondary education (public, private, charter, or home school) by the time submissions close.

• Participants can invent and enter the challenge individually or with a team of up to two participants that meet the age requirements - maximum of two participants per team, NO EXCEPTIONS.

• All team members are required to complete their own individual registration and fee payment.

• All entries must be the original idea, development, and work product of the YIC participant/team and may not have previously been made available to the public as a commercial product.

• Artificial intelligence (AI) tools and assistants (including but not limited to ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, or similar technologies) may be used for research, brainstorming, organization, grammar support, or refining presentation materials. However, the core invention idea, gameplay/mechanics, and creative concept must originate from the participant(s). AI-generated invention concepts or substantially AI-created submissions are not permitted. 

• Participants must disclose any AI tools, outside resources, or third-party services used during the invention or presentation development process when completing their submission materials.

• Use of outside services for prototype production assistance (ie: 3D printing, laser cutting, playing card printing, sewing assistance, etc.) is permitted; however, participants must disclose any components or materials that were not personally created by the participant/team. 

• Parents/guardians MUST complete and sign all required releases through the ZFairs portal by the submission deadline using their own login credentials. These forms are not accessible through the participant's account. 

• All registered participants will receive access to a 30-page Design Guide intended to help inspire brainstorming and invention development.

• All participants who meet the eligibility requirements are invited to submit a toy or game invention. There is no selection process for participation online or in-person.
  
   

Judging & Awards

 

• ​All judging decisions are final.

• YIC judges are professionals in product development, innovation, invention, design, marketing, entertainment, and related areas. Judge feedback is intended to educate, inspire, and encourage participants as they continue developing their ideas.  

• All projects must be submitted online and fully completed by the submission deadline in order to be judged. 

• Winners will be announced during the Chicago Toy & Game Fair in November. Attendance is not required to win. 

• Teams are judged using the same criteria as individual participants. 

• All participants will receive judges' scores and written feedback via email by the end of November. 
  
   

Invention & Prototype Requirements

 

The Young Inventor Challenge welcomes original toy and game inventions, including accessories,  provided they are not dependent on a specific licensed or branded product in order to function. Submissions should reflect the inventor's own creativity and should inspire, enhance or introduce new ways to play. 

• Each participant/team may submit only ONE invention entry. 

• All entries must include a working prototype representation of the invention. Prototypes do not need to be professionally manufactured. 

• Show Management reserves the right to disqualify any prototype deemed unsafe, threatening, offensive, inappropriate, or otherwise inconsistent with the spirit of the event. 
  
   

Code of Conduct/Sportsmanship

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• ​All YIC participants and their parents/guardians/teachers/families are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and with respect for others throughout the competition.

• Good sportsmanship and appropriate behavior are required for YIC participation. Any form of harassment, intimidation, disruption, or inappropriate conduct may result in disqualification. 

• Show Management reserves the right to disqualify any participant whose conduct — or the conduct of their parent/guardian/teacher— is deemed disruptive, insensitive, threatening, or inappropriate.

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Hold Harmless (In-Person Participation)​

• ​Any YIC participant pitching at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair is responsible for their project/prototype and materials.

• Parents/guardians are responsible for supervising their child while attending the Chicago Toy & Game Fair.

• Show Management, People of Play, The Toy Association, its agents, staff, and volunteers are not liable for any lost, stolen, or damaged property, or for damage caused by participants to the facility, exhibitors, attendees, or other property.

• Any liabilities incurred, including medical expenses, shall be the responsibility of the participant and/or parent/guardian. 

• By participating in any YIC event or activity, participants and guardians agree to hold Show Management harmless from any and all liabilities associated with participation.

• Show Management reserves the right to remove any individual from the facility who violates event safety policies or standards of conduct. 

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Young Inventor Challenge®

Entry Criteria 

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Pitch Video Requirements

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• Pitch videos may be UP TO 3 minutes long. There is no minimum length requirement.

• Videos MUST be filmed horizontally (landscape orientation).

• Because the Young Inventor Challenge is an international program, all written submissions and pitch videos must be presented in English.

• Parents, teachers, or friends MAY ask prompting questions during the video; however, participants must present and deliver the actual pitch. 

• Videos should be ORIGINAL WORK and do not require professional editing, production or special effects. Judges use the videos to better understand the invention concept.

 

• ​Pitch videos should include:

  • The inspiration and creative process behind the invention

  • A demonstration of the prototype

  • An explanation of how to play or interaction with the toy or game​

• Videos must be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or another accessible online hosting platform. It is VERY IMPORTANT that privacy settings are set to “Public” or “Unlisted” so judges can access the video. 

• Participants are encouraged to explore the Inventor Resources page for examples and inspiration. 

• ENTRIES WITHOUT A PITCH VIDEO WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. 

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Display Board Recommendations

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• Display boards are NOT required but are highly recommended for pitch videos and optional in-person presentations.

• In-person presentations (optional) are allotted 4' of tabletop space. All materials, including prototypes and display boards, must fit within this area. 

• Plan your display layout board BEFORE gluing or taping materials down.

• Make sure all fonts and handwriting are easy to read. 

• Consider using arrows, numbers, or callouts to guide viewers through information. 

• Include your invention name and slogan or invention statement prominently.  

• Share the invention process and development journey behind your toy or game. 

• Include a brief overview of gameplay, instructions or user interaction. 

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Presentation Preparation ​

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​Judges will use the following "4 Ps" when evaluating presentations: 

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• Poise - appearance, composure, confidence, and preparedness 

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• Pitch - overall delivery; voice, clarity, gestures, and organization 

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• Persuasiveness - overall effectiveness, enthusiasm, sincerity, and impression​

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• Product - creativity, originality, inventiveness, and uniqueness 

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Award Categories

 

One junior and one senior submission will be selected in each category. Awards are listed in no particular order. 

 

• Best Pitch - recognizes excellence in presentation delivery and communication

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• Most Innovative - recognizes inventive thinking - out-of-the-box idea and/or unique perspective 

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• Most Engaging - recognizes interactivity, replayability, challenge and flexibility, and "hooks" players into continued engagement  

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• Most Original - recognizes originality and novelty that elicits an unexpected experience

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• Most Marketable - recognizes immediate consumer appeal and curiosity

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• Best Potential - recognizes projects with strong future promise and overall judge interest 

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Young Inventor Challenge®

In-Person Pitching​

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• All participants must register and submit their projects online by the submission deadline. No onsite registration is available. 

• All registered participants are welcome to pitch in-person at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair. There is no selection process for in-person participation. 

• Full event details and pitching schedule will be provided only to participants who selected in-person participation during registration.  

• All participants pitching in-person will receive a promotional code for complimentary admission tickets to the Chicago Toy & Game Fair. 

• Parking is available for $15/day at the convention center - Learn more!

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