Odyssey of the Mind Trading Pins
Odyssey of the Mind pins are a popular way to share in the fun of these great academic competition programs. Trading Pins Direct is the spot to get the best custom pins for these and other scholastic groups. Our talented artists can help you create a pin design that’s perfect for your team, and your budget.
We feature a wide selection of pin styles, sizes and options, giving you plenty of room to use your imagination in your design. Artwork and revisions are free, and we back every pin we sell with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Count on Trading Pins Direct for all your Odyssey of the Mind pin needs!
| Size | 100 | 200 | 300 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.25" | $3.17 | $2.62 | $1.83 | $1.27 | $1.14 | $1.01 | $0.99 |
| 1.5" | $3.40 | $2.85 | $2.05 | $1.54 | $1.46 | $1.25 | $1.15 |
| 1.75" | $3.58 | $3.20 | $2.50 | $1.90 | $1.83 | $1.54 | $1.36 |
| 2" | $4.02 | $3.35 | $2.77 | $2.17 | $2.01 | $1.78 | $1.68 |
| 2.25" | $5.64 | $4.24 | $3.58 | $2.81 | $2.60 | $2.52 | $2.23 |
| 2.5" | $6.40 | $4.70 | $4.32 | $3.58 | $3.35 | $3.27 | $2.97 |
| 2.75" | $7.16 | $5.50 | $4.91 | $4.16 | $3.93 | $3.83 | $3.51 |
| 3.00" | $7.92 | $6.31 | $5.49 | $4.72 | $4.49 | $4.37 | $4.05 |
OM Pin Trading: A Beloved Tradition
Odyssey of the Mind pins commemorate months of creative problem-solving and team collaboration. At World Finals—the international championship, pin trading becomes a cultural celebration as teams from dozens of countries exchange pins showcasing their unique solutions and creative approaches.
Regional and state tournaments feature active trading, with teams eager to collect pins representing different problem interpretations. Many OM families maintain pin collections spanning multiple years, creating tangible records of their team's creative growth from elementary through university divisions.
Design Pins Around Your Solution
The best OM pins reflect each team's specific problem solution. Incorporate problem-specific elements, technical components for vehicle problems, theatrical elements for performance challenges, or structural features for balsa wood problems. Popular features include problem numbers (Problem 1-5), creative team names, and visual elements from performances.
Add clever wordplay and inside jokes that OM community members will appreciate. State or country identification is essential for World Finals trading. Creative shapes, glitter effects, and unique design elements make pins stand out and spark conversations about your team's creative journey.
Pin Quantities and Tournament Planning
For regional tournaments: Most teams order 100 pins, sufficient for a 5-7 person team to have 15-20 pins each for trading and keeping as memories.
For state tournaments: Teams often order 125-150 pins to ensure adequate trading supply as competition intensifies.
For World Finals: Order 150-200 pins for this multi-day international event. World Finals includes opening ceremonies, dedicated pin trading sessions, and spontaneous trading throughout the week with teams from around the globe.
Timing matters! Order immediately after qualifying (March-April). Standard production takes 2-3 weeks plus shipping. Most OM teams choose 1.5-1.75 inch pins—sufficient space for creative details while remaining affordable for academic programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Odyssey of the Mind and why trade pins?
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Odyssey of the Mind (OM or OotM) is a creative problem-solving competition where teams develop solutions to long-term challenges involving engineering, performance, and creativity. Pin trading is a beloved tradition at OM tournaments—especially at World Finals—where teams from different states and countries exchange pins representing their unique solutions, team identities, and creative approaches. Pins celebrate the journey, creativity, and friendships formed through OM participation.
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Can we design pins around our OM problem solution?
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Absolutely! The most creative OM pins reflect each team's specific problem solution and approach. Teams incorporate elements from their performance, technical solution, or creative theme. Common features include problem numbers, team names, mascots representing solutions, and visual elements from performances. Many teams add state/country identification, tournament year, and inside references that OM families will appreciate. Creativity in pin design mirrors creativity in problem solving!
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How many pins should our OM team order?
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Most Odyssey of the Mind teams order 100-150 pins. For regional tournaments with a 5-7 person team, 100 pins provide 15-20 pins per member. Teams advancing to State tournaments might order 125-150 pins. World Finals participants typically order 150-200 pins since this international event features extensive trading with teams from around the globe. Consider extras for coaches, parents, and memorable trades with international teams.
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What size pins are best for OM teams?
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Most OM teams choose 1.5-1.75 inch pins that provide space for creative designs and problem-specific elements. Elementary teams often prefer 1.5 inch for budget considerations. Middle and high school teams frequently select 1.75-2 inch pins for more detailed designs showcasing their solutions. The 1.5 inch size offers excellent balance between creative detail and affordability for academic competition teams.
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When should we order pins for World Finals?
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Order immediately after qualifying for World Finals! State/Regional tournaments typically conclude in March-April, with World Finals in late May. Standard production takes 2-3 weeks plus shipping, so order as soon as you qualify to ensure delivery before the event. Many teams place orders right after their qualifying tournament. Rush production is available but costs more and availability may be limited during peak season (April-May).
