The Benefits of Entering a Free Art Contest
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.
Enter Now!
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.
Stay Up-to-Date!
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Art Contests
(In order by deadline)
Sony World Photography Awards Youth Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: January 6, 2026
Ages: 19 and under
2026 FAI International Aviation Art Contest (US Part/National Contest)
DEADLINE for US Residents: January 16, 2026
Ages: 5-17
California Coastal Art & Poetry Contest (California Only)
DEADLINE: January 29, 2026
Ages: Grades K-12
FIFA World Cup 26 Kid’s Drawing Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: January 30, 2026
Ages: 5 – 12
Global Student Art Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: January 31, 2026
Ages: Primary and Secondary Grades (Grades K-12 in the US)
NOTE: Entries must be mailed to Greece, so be sure to mail them in time.
U.S. Kids Magazine Cover Contest (US Only)
DEADLINE: February 1, 2026
Ages: 2-12
Engineer Girl – The Art of Engineering Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: February 1, 2026
Ages: Grades 3 – 12
Global Canvas Children’s Art Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: February 19, 2026
Ages: 4-16
State Fish Art Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: February 28, 2026
Ages: K-12
Science Without Borders Challenge (All Countries)
DEADLINE: March 2, 2026
Ages: 11-19
National Wind Energy Art Challenge (US Only)
DEADLINE: March 2, 2026
Ages: Grades K-8
DEADLINE: March 15, 2025
Ages: Grades 1-12
VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest (US Only)
DEADLINE: March 31, 2026
Ages: Grades 9-12
ArtEffect Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: April 21, 2026
Ages: Middle School and High School
Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: May 1, 2026
Ages: Grades K-12
2026 International Poster Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: June 1, 2026
Ages: All
£20 per poster entry Fee
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: June 9, 2026
Ages: 11-18
Creative Writing, Poetry, Art, Film, Speech, Dance, Multimedia
Art Contests for Kids with Deadlines that Vary
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.
FAI Young Artists Contests (All Countries)
DEADLINE: Deadline Varies by Country. Contact your country representative. You can find the information here.
Ages: 6 – 17
Sultan of Arts (All Countries)
DEADLINE: Varies
Ages: 24 and Under
Art, Music, Pantomime, Ballet
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
hi my name is Layla, im 13 1/2. i am really good at art and my friends say i should use my gift. i love learning new things. can you tell me more about this; how do i post my art work?
Sure! You can enter the challenge (I’ll post a new one every two weeks) here: https://www.samanthasbell.com/challenge-48/ . You can find the challenge in the sidebar on the right. Or you can send in other artwork anytime by using the page found when you click on the link that says “SUBMIT” https://www.samanthasbell.com/your-art-gallery-2/
Hi from Boo the bully(non profit organization),
We are announcing a Visual Art Contest to spread awareness about bullying. It’s open for kids as well as adults.
1st Prize: Outstanding Interpretation – $50
2nd Prize: Most Popular(most likes on our Facebook page) – $25
3rd Prize: Boo the bully t-shirt
Submit your entry online at https://boothebully.org/art-contest/
Is this contest just for US residents or anywhere?
I love drawing. It’s not only my hobby but also my dream of success
Yay! 🙂
Thank you for your information about the art contest for the children in the world. And they help me alot . Last year I took a first place from the world’s owl contest. You know I am from a very small as well as rural village in Sri Lanka. But could go to the world with the help of your page. My mom helps me to read your messages.
Thanks alot.
I’m so glad! Congratulations on winning first place! That is amazing!!! 🙂 🙂
please inform your drawing compitition detail
my email:artistajaychauhan@gmail.com
What competition are you interested in?
This is so good that you inform us about the art competitions thank you so much
You’re welcome!
Hi , I’m a 14 years olds girl from Viet Nam. I really love to draw and want to send my arts to some art contests but i have never entered one before . i wanted my arts can help me get scholarships . Please text me back soon, i really need your help
right now
Hi , I’m a 14 years olds girl from Viet Nam. I really love to draw and want to send my arts to some art contests but i have never entered one before . i wanted my arts can help me get scholarships . Please text me back soon, i really need your hepl right now
Hi my name is vayu l am studying 7th STD please tell me how to register.
1. Find a contest you can enter (based on where you live and your age). If it says “International”, anyone in the world can enter it.
2. Click on the link. That will take you to a page with more directions.
3. Follow the directions to enter that contest. Every contest is different, so you have to read through the rules for each one.
Dear Samantha,
My child who is 11 years old is a great artist. He has made many sketches, interesting drawings & lot of paper art. I want to exhibit & publish them in a very good platform. Can you please help me in doing so.
Thanks & Regards,
Sirisha
Hi Sirisha,
There are a couple of ways you could do that.
1) You could set up a Facebook Page just for his artwork. Here’s an example of someone who did that: https://www.facebook.com/groups/271631043287895/
2) You could set up a free blog to show the artwork. You don’t have to use it like a blog, but more like a gallery.
3) I have an online gallery set up. For a small fee each month, you can have a page in the gallery. Here it is: http://www.studio320gallery.com
Hope this helps!