Celebrate National Inventors Day and Spark Your Child’s Inner Innovator
Behind the NIHF ScenesDate February 9, 2026
Est. Reading Time 3 mins
Have you ever watched your child take apart a toy just to see what’s inside, ask a question that stumps every adult in the room or light up when they finally solve a problem on their own? That spark, ignited by curiosity and creativity, is the same energy that fueled some of the greatest inventors in history.
Before Thomas Edison lit up the world, he was a kid with big questions and an even bigger imagination. The truth is, every “lightbulb moment” starts the same way: with a child wondering “what if”?
What if that everyday curiosity could grow into something brilliant?
What if your child had the opportunity to explore, experiment and invent just like the famous innovators who shaped our world?
Honoring the history of innovation, the National Inventors Hall of Fame® celebrates National Inventors Day on Feb. 11, a holiday dedicated to the dreamers, creators, problem solvers and bold thinkers who’ve shaped our world. First proclaimed in 1983, this day honors the remarkable minds whose ideas have made life easier, brighter and more exciting for all of us.
From the earliest U.S. patents to today’s biggest breakthroughs, inventors remind us that curiosity has the power to change everything.
A Birthday Tribute to Thomas Edison
National Inventors Day marks the birthday of one of the most iconic innovators of all time and the first National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee, Thomas Edison. Edison was the definition of unstoppable curiosity. With more than a thousand patents to his name, he brought the world game-changing inventions like the incandescent electric lamp, phonograph and motion picture projector. His approach to invention, characterized by trial, error and unwavering persistence, is exactly the kind of mindset we strive to nurture in today’s kids.
Innovation Lives Here All Year Long
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is on a mission to inspire the next generation of innovators through Camp Invention®, the high-energy STEM program that empowers K-6th graders to channel their curiosity and discover their creative potential while building confidence and real-world skills. There’s no other program quite like Camp Invention, providing unique hands-on experiences that create accessibility to innovation. Infused with the lessons and stories of the world’s greatest innovators, campers learn how inventors overcome challenges and chase ideas, and they start to see themselves as capable creators too.
Celebrate With Us Through Feb. 12!
This National Inventors Day, we’re inviting families everywhere to experience the power of Camp Invention by offering an exclusive discount for this summer’s all-new program. For a very limited time, families can save $35 on registration using code INVENTOR35 and give their child an unforgettable STEM adventure this summer. This offer ends Feb. 12, 2026. The next lightbulb moment is in your hands. Future Edi(sons-and-daughters) deserve the chance to invent.
Don’t wait — spots are limited and this discount ends Feb. 12, 2026.