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)
JQA International Environmental Children’s Drawing Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: May 31, 2026
Ages: 7 – 15
K-12 Art Competition (US Only)
DEADLINE: June 1, 2026
Ages: Grades K-12
2026 International Poster Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: June 1, 2026
Ages: All
£20 per poster entry fee
Insect Collective International Exhibition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: June 26, 2026
Ages: All
Free for ages 18 and under; Over 18, £5 per artwork for up to 3 pieces
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: June 9, 2026
Ages: 11-18
Creative Writing, Poetry, Art, Film, Speech, Dance, Multimedia
“My Country, My Story” Art and Writing Contest (US Only)
DEADLINE: August 8, 2026
Ages: Grades K- College
Children’s Mangrove Art Contest 2026 (All Countries)
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
Ages: 7-16
World Animal Day Mug Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
Ages: All
Happy DEGART Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: September 2, 2026
Ages: 4-17
George Montgomery/NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest (US Only)
DEADLINE: October 1, 2026
Ages: Grades 1-12
Save the Frogs Art Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: November 1, 2026
Ages: All
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
Dear Samantha Bell
I recently send information about The Children’s mangrove Art contest 2026. Organized by Mangrove Action Project
Please use better this link instead of the one I previously sent 10 minutes ago.
https://mangroveactionproject.org/2026/04/open-for-submissions-childrens-mangrove-art-contest-2026
Application Dates: April 22 – August 31 st
It is free to apply.
Mangrove Action Project (MAP) invites children around the world to participate in the 24th Annual MAP Children’s Mangrove Art Contest. This contest provides an opportunity for children to learn about the vital role mangroves play in supporting coastal communities and marine life.
In addition, the contest encourages young people to explore their creativity, express their imagination, and have fun through art. We warmly encourage schools, teachers, and home education groups to participate
Lucky !! that happened to come across your site accidentally when I was browsing and checking art contests for my son. Thank you for consolidating all the contests and giving some useful information.
You’re welcome! Updating them this week!
The save the frogs contest is open to all countries and not limited to USA only
What K–12 art competitions are currently happening? US only
Check out the listings on this page that say US Only and have the age range you’re looking for. 🙂
Hello my name is Beatrice (Bea for short) i turn 12 years old a month ago the self taught artist and I’m mostly do traditional art I hope you like my art Thank you for allowing me to be in this contest
Welcome, Bea!
Please share your list of art competitions with me. I have an after school art program and my students love an art competition.
Maria
Hi Maria,
I list the ones I hear about on this page. You can also sign up for my free newsletter to receive contest news in your email box: https://www.samanthasbell.com/art-contests-for-kids/
Dear Samantha’s Bell
We extended the Mangrove Art Contest deadline to August 31.
So please update the date.
Thank you for your help
Bets Wishes
Monica Gutierrez-Quarto
Mangrove Action Project
I will also want to participating this competition
https://www.pentel.com/pages/icae?srsltid=AfmBOor2zQX4bie5yC4wyq9SNKzJ3AGWtIF7-ZveAG5r2B2LwEq_MWu2
This contest is open to US only if you go down below in rules you can see
I see what you mean. It is an international contest, but I think this is the U.S. Pentel website. It focuses on showcasing American participants. I’ll see if I can find out more information.
It appears that the Young Master’s Award is only for students residing in the US, and not for all countries. However, you have mentioned that it is for all countries. I am a little confused.
You’re right! Thank you.