Creativity grows when kids are given the chance to try, experiment, and explore.
Every year, Invent the Summer gives kids a place to create with confidence using simple materials and their own imagination. They love seeing how others solve the same challenge in different ways, and parents appreciate projects that spark curiosity, risk taking, and pride.
Invent the Summer is more than a program. It is a community built around problem solving, perseverance, and the joy of making something uniquely your own.
Our Reach in 2025
576
Unique Participants
79%
Completing Multiple Challenges
854
Challenge Submissions
23
Youth Leaders Empowered
16
Workshop & STEM Day Location
What Kids Gain
Confidence
Kids learn that mistakes are part of the process. The more they create, the braver they become.
Creativity
Open-ended challenges give kids the freedom to imagine, experiment, and invent in their own way.
Community
Kids enjoy seeing how other makers approach the same problem, helping them feel connected and excited to share their ideas.
Perseverance
Challenges encourage trial-and-error. Kids learn to revise, rebuild, and keep going until they find a solution that works.
Voices from Our Community
“I’m really thankful for Invent the Summer because it gave me a chance to be creative and try new things. My favorite part was seeing everyone’s ideas and feeling inspired to come up with my own.”
“I learned how fun it is to just get out there and build something with a purpose. I loved experimenting with different ideas to figure out the best solution.”
“What I love most is the sense of community. My kids look forward to seeing the same faces week after week, year after year. The challenges are open-ended enough that all three of my children (ages 5, 8, and 12) can participate at their own level and still feel proud of what they created.”
“Invent the Summer helped me explore engineering and creativity with simple materials I already had at home. Now I get to offer that same opportunity to other kids. I’m learning, teaching, and helping build a community I’m proud to be part of.”
“As a board member, I love testing the challenges behind the scenes. Seeing the creative and unexpected solutions participants come up with always leaves me in awe and fuels my interest in engineering.“
Impact on Youth Leaders
Our Junior and Senior Boards of Engineers do more than help behind the scenes. They shape the program. Youth leaders develop skills in communication, teamwork, creative problem solving, public speaking, and mentorship.
Many go on to lead workshops, support younger students, and gain their first paid teaching or leadership experience as Workshop Leaders.
Real World Impact Through Workshops
Our in-person workshops make hands-on engineering accessible to children who might not otherwise participate. Kids explore STEM in a supportive environment, learn from older youth mentors, and create in ways that build confidence and community.
Workshops bring Invent the Summer into local neighborhoods, sparking new friendships and offering meaningful opportunities for youth leaders to teach and grow.
Help Us Inspire More Young Creators
Ways to Get Involved
Invent the Summer is powered by supporters, volunteers, and partners who believe all kids should have the chance to build, create, and lead.
Want Program Updates?
Email sign-ups will open soon. For now, follow us on social media for announcements, highlights, and registration updates.