Inventions by Kids

Most kids are creative -- they color and make up games -- but some kids use their creativity to invent new products.

"Kids are natural innovators," said Jon Dudas, who used to work for the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office but is now the president of FIRST, an organization designed to help foster innovations by kids in science and technology.

Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST and the inventor of the Segway personal transporter, got his first patent when he was 17 for an insulin pump. "His mom had to sign the papers!" Dudas said.

One of the youngest inventors, Dudas recalls, was just two. "Her parents had sort of sectioned off a place where she couldn't open the cabinet doors. She used suction cups and an extension," Dudas explained. "Her parents thought it was a neat idea -- to use for people in wheelchairs with limited movement," he said. She had a patent by age 4!

Kids have been inventing things for hundreds of years and now, thanks to organizations like the Liberty Science Center, FIRST and By Kids, for Kids they're feeling more inspired and more confident to invent. And, turning their products into sales is becoming more of a reality.

Here are 5 cool and inspiring inventions by kids.

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