The Big Reinvention Challenge: Little Inventors

A collaboration with Little Inventors saw the launch of The Big Reinvention Challenge, a nationwide creative design challenge rooted in sustainability.

The Big Reinvention Challenge asked young people aged 7 – 12 years to reinvent things that already exist in the world, using what we already have as a starting point to create something new. Over 500 submissions of ingenious invention ideas followed, submitted by young people from Lancashire, across the UK and beyond.

Three challenge winners were chosen, and their ideas were brought to life by professional makers and inventors.

Over Zoom or in person, each maker and child had a chance to meet and chat about the inspiration behind their inventions; important logistics were discussed and details such as colour and material finalised, before the ideas were made real.

At the National Festival of Making 2022, the winning inventions were shown alongside 100 of the invention drawings submitted to the challenge.

Explore all the invention ideas submitted to the challenge, or read on to discover the journey each challenge winner and maker took to bring their ideas to life.

View invention ideas

Through a specially designed challenge pack developed with Little Inventors and the Festival of Making Team, young people were guided through the process of inventing in a fun and imaginative format.

This was accompanied by a guidance pack for teachers with suggestions on how to deliver this within the classroom. Online CPD training for teachers and in-school workshops also took place.

Although the challenge is now closed, if you would like to have a go or use the resources as an aid in the classroom, you can download them from the Little Inventors website.

Download resources

Challenge Winners

The Laundry Flyer by Muskaan

Muskaan, aged 9 from Blackburn, invented a way to make doing the washing more fun with The Laundry Flyer. During a video call, Muskaan and Chloe chatted through the invention, the sound effects each element might make, and Muskaan came up with the idea of controlling the washing machine remotely through an app. Chloe created the model, which she then animated through stop motion. If you would like to get a snapshot into the making process, head over to this page on the challenge website and scroll down to read Chloe’s making blog.

Chloe Rodham is an animator and model-maker based in Northumberland. Her work combines digital animation techniques with traditional methods such as stop motion. Alongside her practice, she shares her skills with others as an Associate Lecturer at Northumbria University and as an animation mentor with TICE, introducing children to what it’s like to work in the creative industries.

Website

The Twitarain Kit by Isla

Isla, age 11 from Lancaster, came up with the ingenious invention of a raincoat for owls, as their feathers are not waterproof. This coat ensures that they can fly and hunt in the rain. Isla was very conscious of using recycled and eco-friendly materials and discussed with Jenni what the most appropriate material could be. Together, they decided upon an old raincoat to repurpose and bamboo, biodegradable dishcloths for little booties. Isla then visited Jenni at her studio and together they made the coat – Isla even designed her own logo for the Twitarain, which was stitched into a badge.

Jenni Smith has been creating sewn pieces since around the age of eight and has taught quilting and dressmaking for over twelve years in her home of Ilkley. She also teaches online from her studio to creative people worldwide, in collaboration with Quiltfolk magazine. In 2020, she published her book Quilting with Liberty Fabrics, reflecting her love of Liberty fabrics, and she continues to enjoy taking part in community projects.

Website

The Ball Pusher by Evie

Evie, age 9, came up with The Ball Pusher after watching her classmates playing basketball during school break times. She decided to reinvent an ordinary hoop into one that could prevent the ball from getting stuck in the net. Over Zoom, Evie discussed with Tom, Director of The Making Rooms, the inspiration behind her idea as well as preferred colour choices, fonts and the placement of the button to activate the robotic arm.

The Making Rooms is a place where creativity, technology and advanced manufacturing come together in a community facility for use by artists, inventors, students, children and just about everyone else to design and make anything from high-tech products and gadgets to toys, artworks, home decorations and accessibility devices.

Website

About Little Inventors

Little Inventors is a creative education organisation that inspires imagination by taking children’s amazing ideas seriously.

Founded by artist and designer Dominic Wilcox, Little Inventors supports families and educators to bring creativity into the home and the classroom, whilst also inviting professional makers and experts in a wide range of fields to work with and inspire children. Little Inventors match creative skills development, resilience and confidence building and problem solving with the importance of being a responsible, planet-protecting citizen.

Website

We had a wonderful day. The children loved it, and it definitely sparked their interest and got them using their imagination.

Class Teacher

We teamed up with Little Inventors because they understand the importance of STEAM, as well as championing many of the same things as we do; making, imagination, creative problem solving and out-of-the-box thinking. We wanted to create a challenge that would encourage us all to think a little bit more about how we can MAKE the world a better place using our creativity.

Daisy Williamson, Programme Manager

Photography by Robin Zahler.