Throughout the month of August (National Inventors Month), 115 Learning Express locations will distribute entry forms and display multiple posters announcing Kid Inventor Challenge. The stores also have the option of hosting in-store toy invention workshops.

"We are very pleased to be working with Learning Express to promote our Kid Inventor Challenge," commented Ralph Giuffre, senior vice president of marketing for Wild Planet. "National Inventors Month is an ideal time to raise awareness of our contest, and Learning Express stores are a great way to get the word out. Their selection of stores across the county, in small towns and big cities alike, will help us to reach as many kids as possible with this year's program."

About Kid Inventor Challenge

Now in its fourth year, Wild Planet's Kid Inventor Challenge continues to encourage kids across the country to come up with ideas for the most innovative playthings imaginable. The contest is open to kids ages 6-12 and has a corresponding school curriculum that guides teachers of grades 1 - 6 through lessons on toy invention. Kids enter the contest simply by drawing, naming and describing their toy idea and submitting it to their local Learning Express store, or sending it to Wild Planet directly, with their parent or guardian's approval.

One hundred winners will become Wild Planet toy consultants for one year. This honor includes the responsibilities of being among the first kids to play with new toys and receiving secret sneak peeks at products before they are available to the public. Kids get to keep all the toys they review and are given other special Wild Planet prizes as initiation to the Kid Inventor Team.

The top 10 finalists are showered with the full range of Wild Planet toys, and also act as kid consultants. One winner will earn the ultimate prize of having his or her idea turned into a real toy, and will collect royalty checks for every unit sold for the life of the product.

All entries must be mailed by Halloween - Friday, October 31 - 2003, to:
Wild Planet's Kid Inventor Challenge™ 2003
PO Box 194087
San Francisco, CA 94119-4087

For more information on Kid Inventor Challenge, please visit www.kidinventorchallenge.com.

About Wild Planet Toys

Founded in 1993 in San Francisco, Wild Planet Toys creates innovative products that appeal to both parents and kids. Wild Planet focuses on fun without relying on violence, and involves kids in the creation process of all of its toys. Through monthly Toy Opinion Panels and an annual Kid Inventor Challenge contest, Wild Planet connects with kids and turns their ideas into real toys -- toys that encourage active imaginations and dynamic play. For more information on Wild Planet and its Spy Gear™, Undercover Girl™, Room Gear™, Off the Map™, Waterball™ and Outdoor Antics™ brands, please visit www.wildplanet.com.