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Submit Your Invention

Calling Kid Inventors!

Now through September 22 (the official last day of summer) Chompshop is running our first ever Cardboard Genius Contest! We are challenging YOU to put your creative genius to the test for the chance to win $1,000. This is no ordinary contest, you’ll be building (and rolling) your own challenge dice to let chance inspire your invention.

What You Need To Know:

This contest is open to inventors ages 5 to 65+, but entries will be judged in five separate categories based on age, with one winner awarded a $1,000 cash prize in each group!

Categories

Group 1: Ages 5-7

Group 2: Ages 8-10

Group 3: Ages 11-13

Group 4: Ages 14-16

Group 5: Ages 17+

REMINDER 💡

To keep things fair, we require a video of you rolling your challenge dice and building your project to show you tackled it yourself. Parents can help film, but if you’re helping build, you’re entering Group 5!

How We'll Judge Your Invention

Each submission will be scored on a 25-point scale, judged by our team of cardboard enthusiasts and product designers. If there's a tie, we’ll post finalists on Instagram (@itschompshop) and let our community decide the winner with a poll!

Category 1: Creativity & Originality

Did you bring a unique idea or unexpected twist to your prompt?

Younger kids (5-10):
Wild, inventive thinking is encouraged, even if it's rough!

Older kids (11+):
We're looking for inventions that feel like an original idea!

Category 2: Use of Cardboard & Materials

Did you make smart use of cardboard and supplies like tape, markers, string? Did you use recycled or household materials?

Younger kids (5-10):
Simple but clever use of cardboard is great!

Older kids (11+):
More advanced techniques (folding, scoring, reinforcement) are encouraged

Category 3: Functionality or Interactivity

Does it move, open, launch something, play music?

Younger kids (5-10):
Wiggling or opening counts!

Older kids (11+):
Bonus for working mechanisms and moving parts

Category 4: Presentation & Storytelling

Did you explain your idea? Name it? Share a story?

All Ages: Help us understand your idea in your video with clear, creative storytelling

Category 5: Effort & Execution

Did you put time into your invention? Is the design thoughtful? Maybe you added decorations!

Younger kids (5-10):
Neatness isn’t everything—effort matters more!

Older kids (11+):
Clean construction, complexity, and thoughtfulness will stand out!

How To Enter:

Step 1:

Build Your Challenge Dice

Using the pattern on the bottom of your ChompSaw box (or our digital print file) build a 12-sided dice. Our video tutorial will show you how!

Download Print File

Step 2:

Receive Your Challenge

Film yourself rolling your dice twice! The numbers you get will match up to a project prompt so you'll be designing a _______ for _______.

Remember

We need to see the dice land in your video!

Step 3:

Start Building

Review the judging criteria above, and make sure to film your build and take photos of your finished invention along with any other parts of your design process.

Step 4:

Submit Your Entry:

You’ll need to upload:

  1. A video of you rolling your challenge dice and it landing!
  2. A video of you building your project and the final design.
  3. Two photos: one of your invention and one of you with it.

    Full contest rules are listed below!
Submit Your Entry

Let's Talk Rules! 👇

Contest Dates:

August 5 – September 22, 2025

Winners Announced:

October 31, 2025

Who Can Enter:

  • Open to US residents ages 5 and up!
  • Limited to one entry per person
  • Kids under 13 must have a parent or guardian submit on their behalf.

Prizes:

Five $1,000 cash prizes, one for each age group:

  • Group A: Ages 5–7
  • Group B: Ages 8-10
  • Group C: Ages 11-13
  • Group D: Ages 14-16
  • Group E: Ages 17+

Entry Requirements:

Participants must submit:

  1. A video of their dice roll (two rolls using Chompshop’s cardboard dice)
  2. A video showing the design process and final invention
  3. Two photos: one of the final build, one of the participant with it
  4. Optional: sketches, supporting photos/videos, or extra backstory
  5. Completed submission form with contact details and media release
  6. Parent consent if under 18 (and a completed separate media release form for participants under 13)

Build Guidelines:

  • Your creation must be inspired by your dice roll prompt
  • Made of 90% cardboard (no electronics, 3D printers, or fancy machines other than the ChompSaw)
  • Must be your own work — parents can't help build!


Judging Criteria (25-point scale):

  • Creativity & originality
  • Use of cardboard & household materials
  • Functionality or interactivity
  • Storytelling & presentation
  • Effort & execution
PDF of Full Contest Rules

Follow Along!

We’ll be sharing highlights, judging updates, and finalists on Instagram. Follow and tag us at @itschompshop with #CardboardGenius to be featured!