Description

Your teen invents a product that solves a problem they actually notice, then builds a short pitch explaining what it is and why it matters. They plan it on their own, then present it to the family, who gets to ask real questions about the idea.

What to prep

• paper
• pens_or_markers
• index_cards
• timer
• prop_materials

Play guide

1. 1Ask your teen to think of a problem or everyday annoyance, something that bugs them, a friend, or the family, and invent a product that could fix it. Any kind of invention counts, such as a gadget, an app, a game, a tool, or something wearable. There is no single right answer here.
2. 2Have them sketch what the product looks like on paper and jot down what it does, using pens or markers. Encourage them to give it a name.
3. 3Have them plan the pitch using index cards, one card each for the problem, how the product solves it, and why someone would want it. Let them choose whatever pitch style suits them, such as a straightforward explanation, a mock commercial script, a comparison to something that already exists, or a simple prop demonstration built from scrap materials. The format is theirs to pick.
4. 4Give them a few quiet minutes to practice saying the pitch out loud on their own, timing it if they want, until it feels natural rather than memorized.
5. 5Gather whoever is home and willing as the audience and have your teen deliver the pitch. Afterward, ask a genuine question about the idea rather than a critique, like "what made you think of this?" or "who would use it first?"
6. 6Let your teen decide afterward if they want to keep developing the idea, retire it, or save it for the next pitch.