The Lit & Phil is celebrating 200 years at home by inviting a new generation of creative thinkers to participate in a Little Inventors challenge!

Foxes hiding in our gardens, kittiwakes nesting on the Tyne Bridge, otters on the Ouseburn, the occasional seal bobbing its head to the river surface. There are plenty of wild animals who live in or visit Newcastle! But we know life can be hard for them: lack of green space, noise, traffic, pollution, and humans everywhere.

Everything in the city has been invented, from how we move, to where we live and how we enjoy ourselves - and so it can be reinvented. Could you make a lamppost better for birds? Invent a bench for wildlife to relax on? Or find clever ways to help us share the city with our fellow animals?

We’re challenging you to invent something fun, clever or unusual to make life better in the city for wildlife!

And you know what’s best? Making space for Nature makes life better for everyone.

This challenge is inspired by the collections of the Lit & Phil, an amazing library in the heart of Newcastle with over 200,000 books on all subjects including History, animal life, engineering and poetry. Many great people have come through its doors to take inspiration from its books, attend lectures and think up new ideas (like Joseph Swan in 1879, who demonstrated the first electric incandescent light bulb!). And now it’s your turn!

Kick off the challenge by downloading our resource pack below! It has a list of our favourite books from the Lit & Phil and some animal facts to get you thinking about which creature you might help!

If you are in Newcastle why don’t you pop into the Lit & Phil and explore their books! It's open to all.

Little Inventors has run 4 school workshops asking children to come up with invention ideas to make city life better for our wildlife. On Saturday 12th July, we will unveil the three inventions brought to life by professional makers as part of a day of celebrations and creative activities at the Lit & Phil.

You can take part too by uploading your invention ideas to the website by Friday 13 June 2025, for a chance to have your invention drawing showcased at the exhibition!