Once again, young inventors around the world have made their mark on the toy and game industry with their humor, spunk and creativity, all of which was very evident in the first ever Young Inventor Awards Show from People of Play (POP), formerly known as the Chicago Toy & Game Group. The show debuted on Saturday, November 21st at 10am CT and is still showing now at the virtual CHITAG Fair which can be found at chitag.com/2020-fair-stages.
Young Inventor Challenge Director Jazmine Darden almost “missed” the show, but thanks to a reminder call from mentor and former director Alicia Alexander, who is passing the torch this year, Darden was able to jump on her unicycle to make it just in time. Throughout the 47 minute program, she received some playful help from sponsors to help present the awards including:
● David Norman, President of Goliath and his sidekick Rattlesnake Jake
● Gray Bright, Senior Director of Product Development at Hasbro who participated in a massive game of toss with the NERF Vortex Aero Holder Howler from Colorado to California
● Chris Tidwell, President of Magformers who helped inspire a trip to the moon
● Dave Harris, Senior Director of Inventor Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Mattel who lost in a sneaky game of Uno
The show also included an inspiring message by Dan Klitsner the inventor of Bop It! He shared the secret of how kids could get “more brains” and how that helped him when he was a young inventor. Dan said, “If I would have listened to my own brain, Bop It! never would have happened. Instead, I listened to someone who thought differently than me and used their brain and mine. So, start with being a relentless superstar listener and you will be the person with the most brains.”
Here is the official list of winners:
BEST PLAYFUL LEARNING CONCEPT
King of the Board by Antonio Banuelas of Frisco, TX, Senior Winner
Protect the Garden by Jacob Freeman of Jenkintown, PA, Junior Winner
BEST GAME CONCEPT – Sponsored by Goliath
Diamond Heist by Anna Cuesta of Rolling Hill Estates, CA & Luna Delgado of Torrance, CA, Senior Winner
Chicken Poo Bingo by Cooper Dean of Valrico, FL, Junior Winner
BEST OUTDOOR AND ACTIVE PLAY CONCEPT – Sponsored by Hasbro
Magic Gem Race by Noah Berg of Glencoe, IL & Calder Kite of Sherman Oaks, CA, Senior Winner
P.E. Catastrophe by Victoria Skwarek of Palos Park, IL, Junior Winner
MOST MARKETABLE CONCEPT – Sponsored by Magformers
Bead It Best by Ellie Lawrence of Denver, CO, Senior Winner
Forest Face Off by Vivienne Gallovitch of Palos Park, IL, Junior Winner
MOST CREATIVE GAME CONCEPT – Sponsored by Mattel
Ninja Penguins by Katherine T. of Joliet, IL, Senior Winner
Sasquatch Stomp by Joey Kostelnik & Dominick Rhodes, both of Palos Heights, IL, Junior Winner
Winners receive a $250 prize package of the latest toys and games.