Kid Inventor’s Day

Kid Inventors’ Day is celebrated in honor of Benjamin Franklin, who was born on January 17, 1706. Franklin became a famous inventor, scientist, writer, and statesman, but his interest in invention began when he was young. At approximately 11 years old, he designed wooden paddles that attached to his hands to help him swim faster.

The holiday also celebrates the many inventions created or imagined by young people throughout history. From experimenting with new technologies to developing solutions for problems in their communities, young inventors demonstrate that innovation can begin at any age.

• Holding invention challenges
• Building prototypes
• Creating invention journals
• Learning about famous young inventors
• Participating in STEM competitions
• Identifying everyday problems that need solutions
• Designing, building, testing, and improving inventions
• Hosting classroom invention fairs
• Exploring engineering and entrepreneurship
• Encouraging children to share their ideas

Kids are natural inventors. They ask questions, take things apart, build unusual creations, experiment without knowing exactly what will happen, and frequently ask, “What if we tried this instead?” Those behaviors aren’t just play—they’re many of the same skills scientists, engineers, designers, and inventors use throughout their careers.

At STEM From, Kid Inventors’ Day is an opportunity to show students that they don’t have to wait until adulthood to become innovators. Invention starts with noticing the world around you and asking how something could work better. A student’s first idea might not work—and that’s part of the process. Testing, failing, redesigning, and trying again are how ideas become innovations.

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Robotics
• Product Design
• Industrial Design
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Entrepreneurship
• Manufacturing

Challenge students to look around their home, classroom, school, or community and identify one problem they would like to solve. Have them complete an inventor’s process:

1. Discover: What problem do you notice?
2. Research: Does a solution already exist?
3. Imagine: What are three possible solutions?
4. Design: Draw your best idea.
5. Build: Create a prototype using available materials.
6. Test: Does it solve the problem?
7. Improve: What would you change?

Finish by having students give their invention a name and present it to the group.