If you can remember the kinds of toys that thrilled you as a kid, Haystack Toys wants to hear from you.
The year-old St. Louis-based toy company, which produces toys for children ages 3 to 6, is conducting a nationwide search for toy ideas.
What Haystack is looking for are toys that are stand-alone concepts, that are unique, safe, reliable and well-made, and that inspire multiple play patterns. What it’s not looking for are puzzles or games, toys linked to commercial entertainment properties such as a movie or TV, or “dumbed-down” items.
Inventors can get a handle on what Haystack is looking for by going to the Inventor Center at www.haystacktoys.com. They can submit their applications (the deadline is Aug. 15) at the Web site, which also profiles last year’s winners and their inventions. Submissions are then screened, and inventors with the best ideas are invited to meet Haystack’s experts, who will visit nine cities around the country in September and October (the search comes to the Chicago Children’s Museum on Sept. 19).
Up to 10 winners will be chosen. Each will get a $5,000 advance, a 5 percent royalty on wholesale sales of the toy, and $50,000 from Haystack toward the development and production of the toy.
For more information, prospective inventors can call 877-I-INVENT.
