The Young Inventor Challenge® (YIC) is where the next generation of toy and game creators share their brilliant ideas—and every year, we see more kids take part. With this growing excitement comes the need for more judges to review, encourage, and inspire these young innovators. 

We invite YOU to sign up as a 2025 Young Inventor Challenge judge before October 20th! 

Judges bring valuable expertise from across the toy and game industry—whether in invention, product design, marketing, retail, or other related areas. If you’ve judged at another toy/game-focused event, your perspective is welcome here too.

(Title photo: Nancy Zwiers,YIC entrants. Photo above: Julien Sharp,YIC entrants.)

What’s Involved?

Virtual Judging (Required):

October 30-November 6, 2025

Review, score, and provide feedback to young inventors using our online platform. 

• Estimated Time Commitment: Up to 4 hours
• Entirely asynchronous—you choose when to log in and complete reviews during the judging window!
• The number of projects you review depends on the total submissions and number of judges that participate. 

(Bernd Keller, YIC entrants)

In-Person Judging* (Optional):

Saturday, November 8, 2025 | Chicago Toy & Game Fair | Donald E Stephens Convention Center | Rosemont, IL

Experience the excitement live as kids pitch their ideas in person!

• Estimated Time Commitment: 9am-12noon
• *In-person judges must participate in the virtual judging! 

Your feedback not only helps us celebrate creativity—it helps young inventors improve, grow, and maybe even bring their ideas to market. 

(Dave Harris, YIC entrants)

Sign up to judge the 2025 YIC by 10/20: https://forms.gle/9sL7rkPTY9X5ZWuA8  

Have a colleague or coworker who would make a great judge? Invite them to join the fun by sharing the sign up form! 

Questions? Contact Ahren at ahren@peopleofplay.com 

(Ken Johnson, Dan Klitsner, YIC entrants)

(David Fuhrer, YIC entrants)

(Dougal Grimes, YIC entrant)