Created by kids.
A new generation of inventors, designers, and problem-solvers. A place where their ideas can grow beyond a sketchbook.
LITTLE PEOPLE. BIG POSSIBILITIES.
For kids.
By kids.
Made here.
Big ideas don’t have an age limit. We’re building a place for young American creators to learn business, develop products, and help shape what’s made next.
Meet the next generationU.S. entrepreneurship. U.S. manufacturing. Kids at the heart.
THE FUTURE STARTS WITH AN IDEA.Small hands.
Original thinking.
A look at the future we’re building. Illustrative imagery.
01 / THE VISION
Their ideas deserve
a place in the world.
Imagine a marketplace where the products begin in the minds of children. Where their ideas are taken seriously, families become part of the journey, and American manufacturers help transform imagination into something the world can hold.
Made in the U.S.
Our goal is to connect promising ideas with U.S. manufacturing partners, supporting American skills, businesses, and production.
Built through learning.
We're bringing entrepreneurship to life for children across America. They discover what people need, explore how ideas become products, and experience the extraordinary moment when something they imagined begins to take shape.
CREATOR SPOTLIGHT / ELLE
A little Side Eye.
A lot of imagination.
Elle’s Bombastic Side Eye began with a playful idea: eyewear accessories that let kids show their personality. It’s the kind of original thinking TLO wants to help more young creators explore.
A KID-CREATED CONCEPT
Eyewear accessories.
Personality included.
FROM PERSONALITY TO PRODUCT
What if your glasses
could say more?
The concept explores themed clip-on accessories for glasses, with ideas inspired by animals, sports, space, food, and more. Early development explored 3D printing as a way to test the idea.
From naming a collection to thinking through a prototype, every step opens a door to design, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship.
A FEW OF ELLE’S COLLECTION IDEAS
Sass Pack · Zoomies · Brainy Bops · Eyedentify
Product concept in development; not yet available to purchase.
02 / FROM “WHAT IF?” TO “I MADE THIS.”
An idea is just the beginning.
Every remarkable invention begins with someone willing to imagine it. We're creating a journey that helps children turn that first spark into something meaningful, supported by families, educators, and the people who know how to bring ideas to life.
OUR PLANNED CREATOR PATHWAY
- 01
Imagine something better.
Spot a problem. Ask a question. Sketch an idea that could make another kid’s day.
- 02
Learn the business behind it.
Explore customers, costs, pricing, and the responsibility that comes with creating something for others.
- 03
Design. Test. Try again.
Build a prototype, listen to feedback, and discover how a first idea becomes a stronger product.
- 04
Work toward making it here.
Explore a path to U.S. production and a future marketplace, with family guidance and the right manufacturing expertise.
03 / LEARNING THAT GOES SOMEWHERE
More doing.
More possibility.
Our planned programs connect creative confidence with practical business skills for children in the United States.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Think like
a founder.
Turn everyday curiosity into business thinking. Explore problems worth solving, customers worth listening to, and ideas worth testing.
DESIGN & MAKING
Make room
for invention.
Move from a sketch to a hands-on prototype. Discover materials, thoughtful design, and how products can be made in the United States.
CREATIVE CONFIDENCE
Own your
originality.
Practice explaining an idea, working with others, learning from feedback, and finding the confidence to keep creating.
Programs and marketplace are in development. Enrollment and shopping are not yet open.
04 / THE MAKERS BEHIND THE HEROES
Every hero has
someone who made it possible.
Kids see firefighters put out fires, doctors save lives, and astronauts explore space. But who makes the tools, equipment, buildings, and technology behind those moments? We want children to see manufacturers as the inventors and problem-solvers who help make a better world possible.
Meet the makers.
Introduce young people to engineers, machinists, fabricators, designers, and the many people behind everyday innovations.
Make something matter.
Explore age-appropriate hands-on projects that encourage children to imagine, prototype, test, and improve their ideas.
See a future in making.
Help children picture themselves as future inventors, skilled makers, founders, and leaders in American manufacturing.
The Makers Behind the Heroes is a proposed educational initiative in development. Activities, partnerships, and participation opportunities will be announced as they are established.
A CLOSER LOOK / AMERICAN INGENUITY
One invention.
An entire world of ingenuity.
A child sees a race car. We see an opportunity to discover the engineers, machinists, fabricators, designers, and manufacturers who make every part possible. Explore the pieces. Meet the skills. Imagine what you could create.
EXPLORE THE MAKERS
Body & aerodynamics
The outer shell shapes airflow and helps protect the systems inside. Designers, composite specialists, toolmakers and production teams collaborate to turn sketches into precision parts.
Explore: industrial design · composites · tooling
These Little Ones is developing pathways that connect children's curiosity with the people and skills behind American manufacturing. This interactive example illustrates the learning experience we envision; it is not a currently operating program.
Help build this opportunity ↗05 / CORPORATE & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Help children see
what they could make.
We're inviting manufacturers, suppliers, employers, and community champions to help introduce young people to the possibilities of making things that improve lives. Your support helps us develop the learning experiences, materials, and partnerships to make that vision real.
FOUNDING MANUFACTURING SPONSOR
$5,000
Help launch the educational foundation of The Makers Behind the Heroes, including planned learning materials, hands-on activity development, and community outreach.
Support at $5,000MANUFACTURING PARTNER
$10,000
Help expand the initiative's planned reach through additional educational experiences, manufacturing-industry storytelling, and opportunities for youth to engage with real-world makers.
Support at $10,000Want to build a partnership instead? We welcome conversations about employee volunteering, educational demonstrations, in-kind materials, and customized support.
Discuss a partnershipContribution information: These Little Ones is in the process of obtaining federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt recognition. Your support helps us develop youth learning and manufacturing experiences today. Contributions are not currently represented as tax-deductible; please consult your tax adviser. Payments are securely processed through Stripe. Sponsorship activities and recognition are subject to program development and written agreement.
LET’S BUILD WHAT COMES NEXT.
Big futures.
A shared beginning.
It takes a community to turn a young person’s idea into an opportunity. Help us build that community here in the United States.
Parents & families
Learn about the vision and future opportunities for your young creator.
Connect with TLOSchools & educators
Explore how entrepreneurship and creative learning could serve your students.
Discuss programsU.S. manufacturers
Help children discover the people, skills, and ingenuity behind American manufacturing.
Explore sponsorshipParents, guardians, educators, and business partners: please contact us on behalf of young creators. Please do not email children’s personal information or unpublished product designs.