Kid Inventors’ Day is a holiday that celebrates the children who invent things each and every year. Every year, thousands of children around the world invent something that benefits themselves, their peers, or their communities. And although some people might not realize it, some of the coolest inventions in history were made by kids.

For example, the Popsicle was invented by 11-year-old Frank Epperson, and earmuffs were invented by 15-year-old Chester Greenwood. But celebrating the child inventors of the past isn’t the only reason this holiday is observed on January 17th each year. It’s also a holiday that encourages children to create their own inventions.

The History of Kid Inventors’ Day

No one really knows who invented Kid Inventors’ Day, but we do know that it has been around for quite some time. We also know that it was placed on January 17th because that is the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, who was born in 1706. Why place this holiday on Benjamin Franklin’s birthday?

It’s because he created his first invention when he was just 11 years old. This invention was a pair of oval planks with hand holes in their centers that could be grasped with the hands. This allowed the person using them to get a bit of extra thrust underwater while swimming. Of course, that invention was only the first of many that he would create over the course of his lifetime.

Observing Kid Inventors’ Day

There are a lot of inventive ways for people to observe this holiday—if they put their mind to it. One way is to teach children about the child inventors who have created unique and revolutionary products over the years. Another way is for children to try to invent something for themselves. And finally, the word can be spread about this holiday by using the hashtag #KidInventorsDay on social media.