Welcome to Spark!Lab digital. This is an online invention space where you get to be the inventor. There are no wrong answers, and you can create an invention using the pieces provided — or create some pieces of your own. Think like an inventor: how does your design solve a problem?

Invent a new toy with virtual materials — or create your own parts and pieces. Using Tinkercad, you can delete, reshape, and duplicate elements - and you can create new parts, too.

Supplies

Free Tinkercad account
Inventive creativity
"Invent a Toy" parts from the Tinkercad website

Step 1: Invention Is a Process

There are just two things to keep in mind as you invent a toy:

1. The invention process is not always linear, but inventors engage in these steps in some form or another:

Think it: Have a great idea for an invention

Explore it: Investigate inventions and ideas of the past

Sketch it: Draw pictures and diagrams to figure out how your invention might work

Create it: Build a prototype or model of your idea

Try it: Test your invention

Tweak it: Keep improving your idea

Sell it: Market your invention to people who might buy it

2. We also know everyone is inventive — and we do mean everyone! Today, you become the inventor. You will try new ideas, take risks, and learn how to keep going when things don’t go as planned.

Step 2: Think It

The first step of the invention process is to "think it," meaning to identify a problem you would like to solve and begin to imagine your solution.

What is the problem you are trying to solve?

What kind of toy will you create? Who would play with your toy? Will your toy be a single item or made up of a set of parts? Will your toy have accessories?

Step 3: Explore It

The next step of the invention process is to "explore it.” Inventors ask: “How have inventors solved this problem in the past?” and then conduct research to learn more about the problem they want to solve or to understand solutions that already may exist. They learn from what others have already tried and make sure that their solutions are new or different.

There have been countless toy designs over time. Some toys use electronics while others are low tech. There are toys that imitate real life and toys that are rooted in fictional worlds. No mater the design of a toy, all toys are meant to be something kids will want to play with.

Explore the history of toys and play:

Click here to learn about the importance of playing.

Click here to explore some of the toys that are part of the Smithsonian's collection.

Click here to learn about a soccer ball that generates electricity while you play.

Watch this video showing every top toy for the last 50 years.

Acknowledgment

The Lemelson Center gratefully acknowledges support from ConocoPhillips for this toy design activity.

Step 4: Sketch It

Inventors use sketching as a way to organize their ideas.

Drawing an idea allows inventors to imagine what their invention might look like and how it will work. Try sketching out your invention before building! Take some time to sketch your ideas, images, and thoughts about what a new toy might look like.

You can sketch your ideas with paper and pencil, or you can try using a digital format. Remember! Inventors rarely get it right on the first try. Whatever the method, you may need to erase and re-draw your invention as you continue to think through how you want to solve the problem.

Click here to learn more about inventors' sketches in the Smithsonian Collection.

Step 5: Create It

Now it is time to build a prototype of your invention idea. In this step, inventors get to see their idea turn into something real. Building a model can also help you learn about any issues there are with their invention design. Your prototype will show the layout and unique features of your toy invention.

How can you use these virtual materials to create a new toy? What type of toy will you create? Who is most likely to play your toy? How will you make sure that your toy is safe to play with?

Click here to go to the Tinkercad site where you can invent a toy.

Once you have created your design, move on to the next step in the invention process, Try It!

Step 6: Try It

Now that you have created your 3D model, take some time to imagine how people would play with your toy.

Is your toy one that can be taken on a trip?

Is your toy one item or a set of parts?

Are there accessories for your toy?

Are there rules used when playing with your toy?

Does your toy use electronics?

How durable is your toy?

Is your toy soft?

Are there any small or sharp parts that might be dangerous?

Is your toy safe?

What could you add to your toy to make it better?

What are some other ways that someone could play with your toy?

Share your 3D model and ideas with others. Ask them for their input about your design.

What did they like best about your design?

What did they think needed improving?

What new ideas did you get by sharing your idea with them?

Step 7: Tweak It

Now that you’ve invented your toy, thought about how it will be used, and shared your idea with others, it’s time to tweak your invention! Now is the time to ask yourself, "What changes can I make to improve my toy invention?”

Inventors typically don't succeed with an invention on the first try. Inventors make changes to their prototypes to make them work better. Usually, they tweak their idea many times before it is finished. Once tweaks are made, inventors test their inventions again. It can take many tries to get it right.

Go back to your design in Tinkercad and tweak your invention, based on what you learned from the "Try It" step.

Step 8: Sell It

The final step of the invention process is to sell your idea. Selling your invention is not only about putting it up for sale. Selling an idea often happens when you share your idea with others after you have made your final tweaks.

Tell us about your invention on social media: