More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA's 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local children ages 5-14 gathered at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria on July 31 for the 31st annual Thingamajig Invention Convention, a free event hosted by the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.
The convention drew 619 participants who engaged in more than 25 hands-on activities designed to promote science, technology, engineering, art, and math skills during the summer break between school years.
Popular activities included a necktie station where children learned proper knot-tying techniques and received neckties as gifts, a “Big and Buggy” challenge requiring participants to design insects at least two feet tall using cardboard and recyclable materials, and a “Zero Waste Trashion Fashion” station where kids created clothing from repurposed materials.
Some children designed familiar species, such as butterflies, during the bug challenge, while others created entirely new species.
The event also featured a Presidential Challenge, in which students had 30 minutes to design solar ovens. The top winners received prizes, including bicycles, headphones, and iPads.
Select makers competed for additional top prizes during the convention.
The event was staffed by 228 volunteers and supported by partners, including Washington Gas.
Thingamajig launched in 1994 when former YMCA leader Janice Williams noticed children weren’t getting enough opportunities to build hands-on, real-world problem-solving skills. Nearly 30,000 children have participated in the program since its inception.
The annual convention serves as the culmination of activities held throughout June and July, including virtual and in-person challenges as well as creativity-focused day camps.
Photo Gallery
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA’s 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)
Ryan Belmore is a journalist based in Alexandria, Virginia. He served as Publisher of ALXnow from March to October 2025. He can be reached at [email protected].
