CAN YOU INVENT SOME JOY?
A smile on the bus. A cup of tea at the right moment. A kind message from a friend. A funny surprise when you least expect it. Small moments can make a big difference to how our day feels - but everyday life can also be busy, stressful, frustrating or lonely.
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We’re challenging people of all ages to invent something fun, kind or unusual that could bring a moment of happiness to someone’s day!
And you know what’s best? Small moments of joy can make everyday life better for everyone.
Kick off the challenge by watching the videos and downloading our resource pack below! It includes prompts, examples and ideas to help you think about who you might invent for and what kind of moment you could make happier. You can even run your very own workshop using the resources.
This challenge is open to everyone but if you’re in Sunderland or South Tyneside, you may also come across JOY LAB workshops and creative events happening across the region.
What if we could invent things that make those moments better?
Everything around us has been invented - from the things we use at home to the places we go and the way we spend our time. Which means they can always be reinvented. Could you invent something that helps someone relax after a long day? A playful object that makes waiting less boring? Or a clever idea that helps someone feel appreciated, included or connected?
Alongside our partners, we will also be running workshops in schools and community spaces to help people come up with invention ideas that bring small moments of happiness to everyday life.
A selection of the ideas submitted will be brought to life by professional makers, artists and creators, and showcased in a public exhibition celebrating imagination and creativity.
You can take part too by uploading your invention ideas to the website by 17 May, for a chance to see your invention included in the exhibition!
Resources
WORKSHOP VIDEO
Full screenGuided Workshop with Dominic Wilcox
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Want to run your own JOY LAB workshop? In this video, artist and inventor Dominic Wilcox talks through the workshop, guiding you step-by-step through how to deliver a fun, creative session exploring invention and imagination.
JOY LAB invites people of all ages to imagine playful inventions that bring small moments of happiness to everyday life - whether that’s making someone smile, helping with something tricky, or simply making a moment feel a bit nicer.
This video is designed for teachers, facilitators, artists, and anyone interested in running a workshop in schools, community settings, or at home. You don’t need any special skills - just a willingness to be playful, open and curious.
How to enter!
You can submit more than one invention idea.
Submit invention ideas through our upload page after .
- Draw your inventionon the JOY LAB: Inventing for Happiness Invention Worksheet
- Scan or photograph the *whole* sheetas straight on as possible
- Upload it in JPEG, PNG or GIF format (choose a file)
Each invention idea will comprise of an image of a clear drawing, the name, age and location of the inventor, the name of the invention and a description, and a contact email address.
Examples of scanned images
