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
Want to give an exam of drawing for 12 class students
I’m not sure what you’re asking?
Thanks for posting these! My 5-year-old daughter loved drawing a lot especially during pandemic time! Looking forward to more contests for little ones!
THANKS, FOR SUPPORTING KIDS IN SUCH A PANDEMIC ENVIRONMENT. IT ISA HOPE FOR THEM, THEY HAVE WOELD TO LIVE WITH THEIR HAPPINESS.
This is looks so fun I’m exited to join
7th ANNUAL CHILDREN’S ART INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Advena World organizes the International Children’s Art Competition to provide exposure to talented kids and amazing young artists. We invite children of age 15 and under from all over the world to submit their drawings, paintings, photos, and other original artworks filled with ideas that describe their understanding of the world, what they adore, their dreams, their environments, family and friends, and important events, such as covid-19 pandemic.
Eligibility and Conditions
The contest is opened to boys and girls in four age categories, 6 and Under, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15.
The work should be original, creative, and unassisted.
Submissions due April 27, 2021, 11:59 PM
Winners and Finalists
We will review the works and select the Laureates of the International Children’s Art Competition
Certificates of Recognition will be awarded to artists of selected works
Certificates of Appreciation will be awarded to artists of outstanding works
Category winners will receive precious Advena World Amazing Artist Awards
Selected works will be displayed on Advena World’s website and social media platforms.
Category winners’ artworks will be featured on the Advena World Children’s Art Competition brochures, which will be distributed widely at Advena World events
for more information, please visit https://advenaworld.com/kids-1
WOOOW☺
Good
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Thanks, I have been looking for contests and this is helpful.
I want more contesy
New challenge coming soon!
I really appreciate the content on Art Contests. As an elementary school art teacher it such a wonderful resource. I know my kids working remotely are really enjoying the enrichment. Thanks.
hi, i am yegang from Shanghai,china
NEW! Never Such Innocence (All Countries) ， I wonder how we can participate this competition. can u forword us the requirement of art work and application form.
Can you please add the free Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest for kids 4-15 to this list? The official website with details is at https://www.toyotadreamcarusa.com
Great activity for kids over the holiday break.
Thanks!
Yes! Thanks for the info!