💡 Silly Inventions Pitch
Teams invent a product nobody asked for, give it a name, a price and a slogan, then pitch it to the other teams in 20 seconds, just like a TV investor show. It is creativity, teamwork and public speaking wrapped in a lot of laughter.
What you need
Equipment: Paper and pens (optional). Split into teams of 2-3 and give each team paper and a pen. Write the five parts of a pitch on the board: product name, what it does, price, who it is for, and slogan.
How to play Silly Inventions Pitch
- Give the round's prompt, for example "Invent a product nobody asked for" or "A product that solves a ridiculous problem".
- Each team has 3 minutes to invent the product and fill in all five parts.
- Teams can also draw the product or its packaging.
- When time is up, each team gets just 20 seconds to pitch, like pitching to real investors.
- Every pitch must say the name, show how the product works and end with the slogan, out loud.
- After each pitch, the other teams act as investors and ask one question.
- Investors vote with a show of hands: invest or pass.
- In round two, add a constraint: the product must include a word you give them.
Scoring and wrapping up
Scoring: Most investors vote yes: 3 points. Best slogan: 2 points. Pitch finished within 20 seconds: 1 point.
To finish: Announce the Funded Product of the Day and write its slogan big on the board.
By age
- Ages 8-12: use "a product nobody needs" and work in teams.
- Ages 13 and up: add the investor questions and constraint words.
Variations
- Big group: run a few pitching rooms at once, then send each room's winner to a final.
- Capy twist: teams swap products halfway and must pitch the other team's invention.
Tips for the adult in charge
- Give 3 minutes to invent and keep pitches short. The pitch is the main event.
- Model a quick, silly pitch yourself first so shy kids see it is okay to be goofy.
🖨️ Printable invention prompts
Draw one card per round as the prompt, or use the constraint words in round two.
- A product nobody asked for
- A product that solves a ridiculous problem
- A gadget for socks that keep disappearing
- Something to make Mondays better
- A machine that does homework, but badly
- A product for pets who are bored
- Something to stop little siblings from touching your stuff
- A new way to wake up in the morning
- A backpack with a strange extra feature
- Shoes that do something amazing
- A device for people who always lose their keys
- A snack that does something besides taste good
- Something to make car rides less boring
- A hat with a secret power
- Constraint word: banana
- Constraint word: umbrella
- Constraint word: robot
- Constraint word: glitter
- Constraint word: spaghetti
- Constraint word: trampoline
Questions and answers
How do you run an invention game in class?
Give teams a fun prompt and 3 minutes, then let each team pitch in 20 seconds. Keeping it short keeps the energy up and gives everyone a turn.
What skills does Silly Inventions Pitch build?
Creative thinking, teamwork, persuasive speaking and the confidence to present in front of a group.