Calling all 21st century inventors!
The Lit & Phil is celebrating 200 years at home by inviting a new generation of creative thinkers to participate in a Little Inventors challenge!
This summer, the Lit & Phil is set to flick the switch of invention once more by becoming a hive of creative thinking for a new generation of North East pioneers. In partnership with Little Inventors, the Lit & Phil is inviting children and young people to respond to an almighty 21st century challenge: how to help wildlife thrive in our busy city.
The Lit & Phil holds over 200,000 books on all subjects from engineering, sciences to natural history and poetry. It is where Joseph Swan lit a public room with electrical light for the first time, and where the innovators of the day used to come together to debate ideas and demonstrate new inventions. As it celebrates 200 years at home in the city, the Lit & Phil is looking towards the future.
Little Inventors ran 4 school workshops asking children to come up with invention ideas to make city life better for our wildlife.
On Saturday 12th July 2025, we unveiled the three inventions brought to life by professional makers as part of a day of celebrations and creative activities at the Lit & Phil.
Watch the short documentary below, capturing the many wonderful moments from the challenge
This project is funded by the Reece Foundation.
Everything in the city has been invented for the benefit of us humans, from how we move, to where we live, and how we enjoy ourselves - and so it can be reinvented to help our wildlife too. You could've made a lamppost better for birds or invented a bench for wildlife to relax on! Or found clever ways to help us share the city with our fellow animals.
Go to the CHALLENGE now!
