Free art contests for kids offer children some great life lessons:
- Establishes a goal: Every contest has guidelines and a deadline, which gives a child a specific goal to work toward.
- Builds confidence: The process of creating the artwork itself builds self-confidence, as the child goes from an “I can’t draw” mindset to one of “I can enter this contest — and I might win!”
- Encourages strong effort: The art children enter should be their best work, teaching them that no matter what they do, they should do it well.
- Promotes cultural and social awareness: Many art contests focus on themes related to cultural diversity or social and environmental issues. Participating in these contests can help children develop a deeper understanding of these topics, as well as use art as a medium for change.
- Provides recognition: If they win, their artwork may be showcased in exhibitions, publications, or online. There’s also the fun of a prize and learning to be a gracious winner.
- Teaches how to persevere: If they don’t win, there’s the practice of dealing with disappointment and trying again.
- Teaches the importance of effort: Win or lose, when your child creates a piece of art and enters it in a contest, they have tried, which is the first step to success in any endeavor. Just the act of creating art and putting it out into the world is an accomplishment.
Stay Up-to-Date!
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Ready to enter? Keep scrolling for a list of current online art contests for kids and teens (listed in order of deadline). Almost all of them are free to enter. Once in a while, there will be a contest or two that have just a small fee.
To find out more about a certain contest, click on the name below. If you have a contest you’d like for me to list, please contact me.
Note: If you do not live in the country indicated, you can enter any that say “All Countries”. Contests marked “All Countries” are for young artists living anywhere in the world.
Art Contests
(In order by deadline)
“My Country, My Story” Art and Writing Contest (US Only)
DEADLINE: August 8, 2026
Ages: Grades K- College
*New! Celebrating Art (US Only)
DEADLINE: August 20, 2026
Ages: Grades K-12
Children’s Mangrove Art Contest 2026 (All Countries)
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
Ages: 7-16
*New! The Little Artists Summer Challenge 2026 (UK Only)
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
Ages: 3-12
World Animal Day Mug Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
Ages: All
Peace Pals International 28th Annual Art & Exhibition Awards (All Countries)
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
Ages: 5-16
New! Ootiboo Summer Craft Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
Ages: All
Download the flier HERE.
Happy DEGART Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: September 2, 2026
Ages: 4-17
*New! ARTEFFECT Summer Art Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: September 15, 2026
Ages: Grades 9-12
George Montgomery/NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest (US Only)
DEADLINE: October 1, 2026
Ages: Grades 1-12
*New! YoungArts National Art Competition (US Only)
DEADLINE: October 6, 2026
Ages: 15-18
Classical Music, Dance, Design, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, Writing
Save the Frogs Art Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: November 1, 2026
Ages: All
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (US Only)
DEADLINE: Dates Vary by State, but around December 1
Ages: Grades 7-12
*New! Visualize Heroism Art Contest for Students (All Countries)
DEADLINE: December 1, 2026
Ages: Pre-K through College
Art Contests for Kids with Deadlines that Vary
FAI Young Artists Contests (All Countries)
DEADLINE: Deadline Varies by Country. Contact your country representative. You can find the information here.
Ages: 6 – 17
Congressional Art Competition (US Only)
Deadline: Varies. Contact your representative.
Ages: High School
World Photograph Organisation Monthly Youth Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: End of Each Month
Ages: 12-19
Please share our contest, organized by International Watercolor Society Hong Kong. Special website for contest: http://www.passitonwatercolor.com . Thank you.
Dear Samantha,
I want to know whether nakamura keith haring collection international children’s drawing contest will be held for year 2018.
Hello Samantha,
The last date for accepting entries for Berlin Marathon 13th Drawing Competition (International) is 30th June (and not 31st July as mentioned in your list).
Thanks!!
Photography contest could be for the kids internationally too. Please allow.
my sketching is too good thank you
Out kids love painting, drawing and colouring in but there are not too many art comps we can find in Australia. Our 6 y/o has had her painting chosen for a 2018 calendar and she and miss 3 have both won a few local colouring in comps. Thanks for posting these we watch with interest.
I want a best eye competition Im gabby im 10 and thank you for your time
Hi Samantha,
Please note the “Look and Learn” monthly art contests were stopped by the team due to ongoing GDPR conflict.
Thank you!
Hiii
Is there a prize for winners of art contests?
Usually. Check out the contests you’re interested in to find out what prizes are offered.
Yes there is a prize and it is money!!
Hi Samantha,
My name is Annie and I live in Oxnard Ca,and I’m at school
Hi Annie! I can’t wait to see your artwork!