Kids & Families
How it Works
Weekly Challenges
Every Wednesday, starting June 21, we will release a new engineering challenge for kids ages 12 and under.
Complete the Challenge
You have from Wednesday through Sunday to complete the challenge.
Start by brainstorming a few solutions. Now design, experiment, and build. Don’t get frustrated if your solution doesn’t work the first time. Just keep learning and redesigning. That’s what engineers do!
Remember: there’s more than one way to solve every problem!
You may work on your own or in teams of 2-3.
Larger teams may compete in the challenges, but prizes may be limited in number or choice.
Enter the Contest
Create a short video of your solution and enter it into our contest by Sunday night at 9:00pm EST.
You will earn one point for our big end-of-summer prize drawing for every challenge you enter. You will have opportunities to earn bonus points throughout the summer. See more information below.
Remember, your video will be visible to anyone with an internet connection, so it’s important to protect your privacy and stay safe. Click here to see our video submission and safety tips.
Watch, Learn & VOTE!
You can learn a lot from other kids and it’s really fun to see how different people approach the same problem.
You’ll be able see everyone’s solutions and vote for your favorites on Mondays and Tuesdays.
2 Winners Every Week!
We will announce our weekly challenge winners on Tuesday nights.
Weekly winners will receive their choice of an Invent the Summer t-shirt or drawstring bag.
Audience Choice Winner - Selected by YOU!
The solution with the most votes wins!
Board Choice Winner - Selected by US!
The Junior Board of Engineers will pick a solution that demonstrates:
creativity, problem-solving, perseverance and a growth mindset.
Note: preference may be given to engineers and inventors who have not yet won a challenge this summer.
Next Challenge Revealed
We'll continue releasing challenges every Wednesday until August 9, 2023
End-of-Summer Prizes
We will award several large prizes at the end of the summer and you have lots of ways to win!
Senior Inventor of the Summer
Win your choice of a 3D Printer or Pen, Cricut Maker, or a 1-year subscription to Tinker Crate!
This prize is awarded to a 10-12 year old who we believe best exemplifies the qualities of an inventor or engineer throughout the summer. These qualities include: creativity, problem-solving, perseverance and a growth mindset. You don't need to win a single challenge to win this award, but you must enter at least 5 challenges to be eligible.
Junior Inventor of the Summer
Win your choice of a 3D Pen, MakeDo Kit, or a 1-year subscription to Tinker Crate!
This prize is awarded to a 9-and-under year old who we believe best exemplifies the qualities of an inventor or engineer throughout the summer. These qualities include: creativity, problem-solving, perseverance and a growth mindset. You don't need to win a single challenge to win this award, but you must enter at least 5 challenges to be eligible.
Sweepstakes Prizes
Grand Prize
Your choice of a 3D Printer or Pen, Cricut Maker, MakeDo Kit, or a 1-year subscription to Tinker Crate.
Other Prizes
We will have several other prizes to be determined throughout the summer.
These could include: robotics kits, circuit sets, building sets and an inventor's toolbox.
How to Earn Sweepstakes Points
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Enter our contests! Every challenge you enter will earn you 1 point for our Sweepstakes.
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Earn bonus points for things like: completing 3 challenges in a row, completing 5 challenges, completing all 8 challenges, and referring a friend.
*Note: You must enter at least one contest in 2023 to be eligible to receive a bonus point.*
School of the Summer
Help your school win $1,000!!
Get your entire school in on the competition.
Just tell us which school you go to when you enter our challenges. The school with the most entries throughout the summer will win a $1,000 cash prize!