Entrepreneurship for Kids

Every child can be a confident and capable problem solver and creator. At the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® (NIHF), we strive to inspire children’s potential for innovation and entrepreneurship through our education programs including Camp Invention^®.

One way we accomplish this is by helping kids build and use a powerful mindset. In collaboration with our Hall of Famers, innovators who have shaped society, we have identified nine essential skills and traits that unlock a child’s creative potential. We call this the Innovation Mindset^™ – and entrepreneurship is a key component.

Inspiring Entrepreneurship

Encouraging children to explore entrepreneurship at Camp Invention allows them to build basic business skills in a low-risk, supportive environment. As kids learn to embrace their curiosity, they become creative risk takers and grow into self-assured leaders who follow their dreams while inspiring their peers to do the same. It is this confidence in their ability to employ entrepreneurial skills that NIHF seeks to spark at camp.

To see the entrepreneurial spark in action, just look at Camp Invention alumni Ayaan and Mika’il Naqvi, who used the Innovation Mindset they built at camp to start their own business! Inspired to stop ornaments from falling from their family’s tree during the holidays, they invented the Ornament Anchor to protect sentimental keepsakes. The brothers were able to identify a problem, design a solution and communicate the value of their ideas as true kid entrepreneurs. As they work to grow their business, they have been featured on CNN and QVC – proving that no one is too young to become an innovator or entrepreneur!

Building Skills at Camp Invention

At our all-new 2022 Camp Invention Explore program, campers act as entrepreneurs throughout the week as they bring their ideas to life and advocate for the merits of their creations.

As campers learn to see the value in their inventions, they also learn best practices for communicating their thoughts with others in each of four brand-new experiences.

In the Robotic Aquatics^™ experience, for example, campers are challenged to gather inspiration from aquatic animals and design a one-of-a-kind Aqua Innovation. They then develop, practice and share their own business pitch that is sure to lure in and hook potential investors. Soon, campers are swimming in newfound confidence as they realize they have exactly what it takes to become successful!

Explore More STEM Fun and Learning

To discover the latest trends in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning, and to find out more about how programs like Camp Invention can help your child develop an innovative mindset, we invite you to visit our blog.