Eight-year-old Anika wins Fat Brain Toys’ Kidventor Challenge with her Octo-buddy invention

Fat Brain Toys has revealed that seven-year-old Anika is the winner of this year’s Kidventor Challenge.

The Kidventor Challenge invites children aged six to thirteen to submit toy or game ideas for the chance to have their concept manufactured and sold around the world.

Anika won this year’s Challenge with her invention, Octo-buddy. Octo-buddy is a toy octopus that attaches to a highchair or stroller and holds bottles and toys with its eight tentacles, so parents don’t have to keep picking things up off the ground.

“Contests are nice, but what we try to reinforce with Kidventor is that good ideas can turn into amazing realities,” said Mark Carson, Co-Founder of Fat Brain Toys.

“Seeing several ‘Kidventions’ turn into commercial success has been one of the true joys of my career.”

As the grand prize winner, Anika will receive a $2,500 scholarship, a license agreement that offers ongoing royalties, $500 in toys from Fat Brain Toys, as well as round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for two to attend the 2022 Toy Fair in New York City, where her invention will be showcased.

Previous winners include Alexander Xiong with Door Pong, which has sold over 100,000 units and Emma Turner with Buggy Light, which is already sold out for the 2021 holiday season.

—

To stay in the loop with the latest news, interviews and features from the world of toy and game design, sign up to our weekly newsletter here

More Recent News

Ravensburger details influencer initiatives for Disney Lorcana

“It’s vital to us to onboard new influencers, players and Disney fans to grow and expand Disney Lorcana in the UK,” said Lea Dillenseger, Product Marketing Manager at Ravensburger UK.

BTHA and Mojo Nation to host Inventors Lunch at Toy Fair 2025

The free Inventors Lunch will return to Toy Fair on Thursday, January 25th at 12PM, hosted upstairs on the Toy Trust Lounge (UL 161).

Hasbro launches AI-powered Game Finder tool

Game Finder’s AI knows the nuances of each Hasbro game, from the ideal play group size to features unique to each title.

Surge Brands named global licensing agent for Crazy Aaron’s

“The creativity and sensory appeal of Crazy Aaron’s products lends themselves perfectly to other consumer products categories like apparel, toys, food, home décor, and beyond,” said Aaron Muderick, Founder and President at Crazy Aaron’s.

Boyhood teams with Disney for wooden Mickey Mouse figure

“We have achieved a result that sets new standards for wooden sculptures,” said Boyhood designer and founder Jakob Burgsø.

Toy Retailers Association details DreamToys list of top toys for Christmas 2024

“More so than ever before, this year’s DreamToys list shows the incredible variety of experiences and play the UK’s vibrant toy industry has to offer consumers,” said chair of the DreamToys selection committee, Paul Reader.