People of Play Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation with the 2025 Young Inventor Challenge® International Championship

CHICAGO, IL | August 4, 2025 - People of Play™ (POP), a leading community of toy industry professionals, proudly announces the 20th annual Young Inventor Challenge® (YIC) International Championship. Registration is open now through October 26 for children ages 6-18 to submit their original toy or game inventions for a chance to win prizes and an opportunity to have their creations published.

Now in its milestone 20th year, the YIC continues to inspire creativity, innovation, and confidence in young minds around the world. Past participants include innovative kids from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Guyana, Mexico, Spain, the UK, and others to participate in this one-of-a-kind competition. More than a dozen winning entries have gone on to be manufactured and sold in local toy stores and major retailers like Target.

This year’s event will culminate on November 8 at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG), North America’s largest consumer toy and game event, where winners will be announced during a live ceremony. Kids do not need to be present to win.

Returning for a second year as Director of the Young Inventor Challenge®, longtime toy industry professional and certified play expert Ahren Hoffman brings passion and purpose to this unique platform that empowers kids to dream, design, and pitch.

“The YIC gives kids the power to bring their wildest ideas to life,” said Hoffman. “For 20 years, this program has unlocked the doors to the toy industry for young creators, and this year promises to be our most inspiring yet.”

To help inventors prepare, regional events hosted by retailers, camps, clubs, libraries, and schools from January through October provide a valuable jumpstart on their ideas. These grassroots events not only spark creativity and build confidence but also help fuel submissions to the YIC International Championship. Organizations can get involved by hosting their own local event using our ready-to-go planning toolkit. Learn more here: chitag.com/yic-regional-events

Each year, 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

“I love being part of the YIC, because it's an opportunity to help foster creativity, innovation, design, play, and growth in the next generation,” said Tony Serebriany, vice president of inventor relations at The Op/USAopoly and a YIC judge. “You never know what amazing new ideas you’ll discover when you leave it to the kids. I truly believe YIC participants are the next generation of game changers and game makers.”

The 2025 Young Inventor Challenge® International Championship is made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors, including Amazon, Astra, Mattel, Hasbro, Crazy Aaron’s, Educational Insights, and Revenew Sales, Zigazoo, and individual, year-round contributions. 

Registration is now open to kids and teens ages 6-18 for the 20th annual Young Inventor Challenge®. Resources, rules, and registration information can be found at chitag.com/yic.

About People of Play

People of Play™ (POP), a division of The Toy Association™, leads the global toy and game industry in promoting innovation, creativity, and connectivity. A one-stop source of community for industry professionals, aspiring inventors, and people of all ages who love to play, People of Play hosts a play platform packed with resources and connection points as well as a wide range of events including the Chicago Toy & Game™(CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International.

Excellence (TAGIE) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge®, the Toy & Game Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conference, The Bloom Report, and more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Amy Friedland
 Emily Auriemma
 Susan O’Sullivan
People of Play PR