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 (and FREE!) kid contests to help you find an opportunity that celebrates your best.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Contests are listed by entry deadlines, so plan ahead to make sure that your submission is worthy of a top prize.
These contests are NOT affiliated with Macaroni KID in any way.
July Contests
⭐ Age Groups: Adult, Teen (13-18), Youth (12 and under) ~ Barbara Mandigo Kelly Peace Poetry Awards ~ Poets are asked to submit a piece of original poetry. Entry fees are required for adult and teen divisions. Youth entries are free.
Winners are eligible for cash prizes up to $1000.
Entries must be postmarked or emailed no later than July 1, 2023.
⭐ All Ages ~ Easterseals Art Contest ~ Artists are asked to create an original piece of art featuring a lily or floral design. Watercolor, oil, pastels, colored pencils, and acrylics are allowed, but photography is prohibited. Your artwork should be in a vertical orientation (between 8.5x11" and 18x24").
Artwork will be selected to become part of the Easterseals Seal campaign.
Entries must be summited no later than July 14, 2023.
⭐ Ages 10-15 ~ Yampa Valley Crane Festival Poster Contest ~ Kids may submit an original poster (measuring 8.5 x11 inches) for the Yampa Valley Crane Festival. The design may be a painting, photo, digital artwork, drawing, or any other medium that can be scanned into a computer and emailed as an attachment.
The winner will receive a $100 cash prize.
Submissions are due no later than July 15, 2023. The Yampa Valley Crane Festival takes place over Labor Day weekend in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, and Craig, Colorado.
⭐ Grades K-8 ~ National Youth Foundation's Anti-Bullying Book Scholar Contest ~ Individuals or student teams must write a book (20-30 pages) incorporating the theme of anti-bullying.
The winning writer or team will earn $500.
Entries must be postmarked by July 15, 2023.
⭐ Babies 0-1 ~ Carter's Baby of the Month July Contest ~ Upload a photo of your baby and tell the world what makes your baby special. One photo will be chosen each month through September. After the monthly winners are chosen, a final selection will occur in September to determine the Carter's Baby of the Year.
Each monthly grand prize winner will receive a $500 Carter’s digital gift card. The Baby of the Year grand prize winner will receive a lifetime supply of Carter’s and a photo shoot in either Los Angeles or Atlanta.
Photo and statement must be summited by July 17, 2023.
⭐ Ages 13-18 ~ Creative Nonfiction Competition ~ Participants are encouraged to submit a piece of creative fiction writing that features their own experience of passage into adulthood.
Submit your draft no later than July 18, 2023.
⭐ Grades K-12 ~ National Youth Foundation's "I Matter" Poetry Contest ~ Students must create a piece of original poetry or artwork on the topic of why Black lives matter.
Entries must be received by July 23, 2023.
⭐ Ages 11-17 ~ Foyle Young Poets of the Year ~ Tweens and tweens may submit a piece of original poetry on any theme, length, and style.
Winners receive exciting prizes (including mentoring and development opportunities from The Poetry Society) and will be published by The Poetry Society.
Entries must be submitted online no later than July 31, 2023.
⭐ Ages 7-16 ~ MAP Children's Art Contest & Calendar ~ Artists are invited to submit an original piece of art that features the theme, "Why mangroves are important to the mangrove communities and the world." Artwork should be in landscape orientation and limited to size A3 paper (18x12 inches). Along with the artwork, participants must answer any of the following questions: What have you learned about mangroves? What are the threats of the mangrove today? How does garbage and marine debris affect mangroves?
The selected winning artworks will be published in next year’s calendar (2024). Winners will receive copies of the final calendar, and the winning students will receive a signed official certificate showing their great achievement in this year’s Children’s Mangrove Art Contest.
Submit your artwork no later than July 31, 2023.
August Contests
⭐ Grades K-12 ~ Celebrating Art Contest ~ Put your artistic skills to the test. Art may be any medium (except for photography) as long as it can be photographed for entry.
The top ten students in each grade division will receive a $25 award and a free book that includes their artwork.
Submit your artwork online no later than August 10, 2023.
⭐ Ages 3-18 ~ Yampa Valley Crane Coloring Contest ~ Download and print this year's crane drawing (by Sandi Poltorak) and color it! Kids can color, paint, and decorate the drawing and return it to the Bud Werner Children’s Library, Hayden Public Library, Oak Creek Public Library, or Craig Public Library. Submissions may also be mailed.
Winners will be notified in late August and awards will be given out at a special ceremony at the Bud Werner Memorial Library during the Yampa Valley Crane Festival. Lyon’s Drug is generously providing prizes for the coloring contest.
Submissions are due no later than August 15, 2023.
⭐ Babies 0-1 ~ Carter's Baby of the Month August Contest ~ Upload a photo of your baby and tell the world what makes your baby special. One photo will be chosen each month through September. After the monthly winners are chosen, a final selection will occur in September to determine the Carter's Baby of the Year.
Each monthly grand prize winner will receive a $500 Carter’s digital gift card. The Baby of the Year grand prize winner will receive a lifetime supply of Carter’s and a photo shoot in either Los Angeles or Atlanta.
Photo and statement must be summited by August 21, 2023.
September Contests
⭐ Babies 0-1 ~ Carter's Baby of the Month September Contest ~ Upload a photo of your baby and tell the world what makes your baby special. One photo will be chosen each month through September. After the monthly winners are chosen, a final selection will occur in September to determine the Carter's Baby of the Year.
Each monthly grand prize winner will receive a $500 Carter’s digital gift card. The Baby of the Year grand prize winner will receive a lifetime supply of Carter’s and a photo shoot in either Los Angeles or Atlanta.
Photo and statement must be submitted by September 11, 2023.
⭐ Ages 5-12 ~ Kangaroo Care and Clean Up Crew Competition ~ Participants may create a video (between 30 and 90 seconds long) or write an essay (no more than 500) words that highlights what they love about kangaroos, what they'd do if they had a day with a kangaroo care specialist, or what they’d like to learn about kangaroos.
One winner will enjoy a grand prize of $5000, plus an all-expenses paid trip to San Diego, where he or she will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience learning (and cleaning up after) the kangaroos at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The date of the Safari Park visit must occur between October 17-23, 2023.
Entries must be submitted by the end of the day on September 15, 2023.
⭐ Grades K-12, College Students, Grad Students, & Adults ~ We The Future Contest ~ Contests vary by age group. Examples of submissions include poems and holiday cards (for elementary students), essays, STEM projects, songs, or PSAs (for middle school students), or short films.
Prizes range from $100 to $5,000. Teachers receive a $50 Amazon gift card when at least 10 of their students submit a contest entry. The teacher with the most entries will receive $1,000!
Entries are due September 17, 2023. EXTENSION: Watch at least one segment of the Sept 15th program for an extra two weeks on your entry (new due date: September 29).
