Does your child have a knack for art, science, technology, math, or writing? How about a passion for changing the world through social or environmental causes? 

Tap into those talents and ambitions by participating in a national contest or challenge. We've rounded up some of our favorite kid contests to help you find an opportunity that celebrates your best!

Contests are listed in order of entry deadlines, so plan ahead to ensure that your submission is worthy of a top prize.

Ongoing Contests

⭐ Teens ~ Teen Ink Cover Art Contest ~ Teens are invited to submit an original photo or artwork for the cover of Teen Ink magazine. There is no limit to the number of images you submit.

Submit your artwork at any time throughout the year. If your submission is selected as a cover photo, you will receive a $25 gift card.

⭐ All Ages ~ Press 53's 53-Word Story Contest ~ English writers are asked to submit a short story — precisely 53 words long — that follows a monthly prompt. The winning story gets published in Prime Number Magazine, and the winner receives a free book from Press 53.

Submit your story by the 15th of each month.

January Kid Contests

⭐ Ages 5-22 ~ EarthX's Eco-Art Competition for youth will explore this year's theme, "Protectors for the Planet," through original 2-D or 3-D artwork and an accompanying essay limited to 300 words. The impact essay will describe how the piece embodies the competition's theme. Winners from five different age divisions will earn cash prizes.

• Division 1: Ages 5-9
• Division 2: Ages 10-13
• Division 3: Ages 14-16
• Division 4: Ages 17-18
• Division 5: Ages 19 - 22

Submit your artwork and essay no later than Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

⭐ Ages 5-19 ~ St. Mary's College of CA: River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Contest ~ Students must create an original poem (not exceeding 32 lines) or artwork that addresses one's environment or watershed. Participants may submit up to five entries for poetry and five for art (up to 10 entries).

Submit your work no later than Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

⭐ Ages 4-15 ~ The Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest is designed to inspire creativity in youth and help them imagine the future of mobility. Create your dream car using the hand-drawn medium of your choice- pencils, crayons, markers, watercolors, etc.

A total of nine U.S. winners will be announced: the top three in each of the three age categories (4-7 years old, 8-11 years old, and 12-15 years old). Winners will earn cash prizes.

Complete and submit your contest entry form by Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

February Kid Contests

⭐ Grades 6-12 ~ The Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation's $1000 for 1000 Words Contest asks young writers to submit a piece of fiction on any topic that contains exactly 1,000 words.

Winners will earn cash prizes.

Submit your writing online by Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

⭐ Grades 3-12 ~ The 2023 EngineerGirl Writing Contest wants to hear from our youth about how female and/or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering's great achievements. Students will answer this question through a short story or short essay (depending on age group).

• Elementary School (grades 3-5) ~ Entries are limited to 650 words.
• Middle School (grades 6-8) ~ Entries are limited to 700 words.
• High School (grades 9-12) ~ Entries are limited to 750 words.

First, second, and third-place winners will be selected from each grade category. Winners will earn cash prizes.

To qualify for the contest, entries can be submitted via the online submission form by Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 11:59 PM EST.

⭐ Ages 2-12 ~ The U.S. Kids Magazines Annual Cover Contest encourages children to use their artistic talents to answer this year's question, "What do pets do when their humans are out?" Winning images will be featured on the front cover of Jack and Jill or Humpty Dumpty magazine, and the winner's school will receive a cash prize. Second-place winners will have their artwork showcased on the publication's back cover, and third-place winners will have artwork featured on the inside front cover of the magazine.

All winners will also receive The Art of Drawing for Kids art kit courtesy of Mission Renaissance.

To qualify for the contest, submit your entry online no later than Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

⭐ Ages 4-16 ~ The DSWF Global Canvas Contest invites children, tweens, and teens to use any art technique to create a work of art that represents the theme, "Biodiversity - the complex web of life." Winners will be selected from three different age groups and will earn art vouchers:

• Ages 4-7
• Ages 8-11
• Ages 12-16

Submit your art online by Friday, February 10, 2023.

⭐ Grades K-12 ~ The ART of Conservation's Fish Art Contest combines art, science, and creative writing to encourage kids to explore the wonders of fish. Participants may illustrate any fish species of choice, and upper grades (4-12) must also write a one-page creative writing submission to accompany their illustrations. 

Complete your artwork and entry form by Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

March Kid Contests

⭐ Grades K-12 ~ The 2023 Doodle for Google Contest opens on January 11. Artists may use ANY materials to create a piece of art that represents the theme and the Google brand.

Entry deadline TBD.

⭐ Grades 6-12 ~ Playwrights for Change ~ Students must address the theme, "What No One Talks About," in an original play. Completed scripts may have no more than six characters and must not be longer than 10 minutes when read aloud.

Submissions are due no later than Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

⭐ Ages 5-18 ~ The Colorado Kids Create Artwork Contest encourages children to create colorful artwork inspired by Colorado's rich, Western heritage. Artwork must be done with markers or paint.

The deadline to submit artwork is Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

⭐ Ages 11-19 ~ The Science Without Borders® Challenge engages students and teachers in ocean conservation through art. This year's theme is "The Sixth Extinction." Students must use their imagination to create awareness about endangered species through original 2D artwork. Winners will earn cash prizes and be determined by two different age groups as follows:

• Students 11-14 years old
• Students 15-19 years old

The deadline to apply online for the 2023 Science without Borders® Challenge is Monday, March 6, 2023.

⭐ Grades 1-12 ~ Radiant Peace Education Awards® ~ Students may express themselves about Radiant Peace in their own lives in essays, art, videos, or other projects. 

Cash awards and certificates are given for entries that show commitment to Radiant Peace and special qualities of creativity and originality in each category.

Postmark your work by Thursday, March 23, 2023. Entries must be received by April 6, 2023.

⭐ Grades K-3 ~ The WQED Writers Contest asks students to write a story, prose, or poetry on the topic of "write my future." Stories must have at least five original, clear, and colorful illustrations. The written content should feature YOUR future.

• Kindergarten & 1st grade: Minimum of 50 words and maximum of 200 words
• 2nd grade & 3rd grade: Minimum of 100 words and maximum of 350 words

Submissions are due between Wednesday, January 4, 2023, and Friday, March 31, 2023.

⭐ 11th Graders ~ The Princeton Ten-Minute Play Contest invites playwrights to submit an original play up to 10 pages.

Winners will be awarded cash prizes.

Plays can be submitted online from Tuesday, January 17, 2023, through Friday, March 31, 2023.

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