National Drawing Day Competition - May 16 2026
Celebrate through creativity!
This May, we're celebrating National Drawing Day with an exciting drawing competition that invites young artists to bring their favourite animals to life! As spring awakens nature all around us, we want to see the wonderful creatures that capture your imagination - from fluffy bunnies and chirping birds to roaring lions and playful puppies!
About the competition
Spring is the perfect time to celebrate the natural world and the animals we love. Drawing is one of the most joyful ways to express creativity, and we're inviting children and young people across three age categories to pick up their pencils, crayons, paints, or markers and show us their favourite animals through their eyes.
Age categories
We've created three categories to ensure everyone can take part:
Little Artists (Under 5s) For our youngest creators, this is all about having fun and expressing themselves. Scribbles, splodges, and colourful marks are all welcome! Do you love cuddly teddy bears? Are butterflies your favourite? Perhaps you adore the ducks you feed at the park? Or maybe you dream about dinosaurs! Show us the animals that make you smile.
Young Creators (Ages 6-10) Primary school artists, show us your amazing animal world! Whether you love pets like cats and dogs, farm animals like horses and chickens, wild creatures like foxes and owls, or your favourite zoo animals, we want to see it all. What animals have you spotted on nature walks? Which creatures fascinate you most? Let your creativity run wild!
Teen Talent (Ages 11+) Our older artists can explore animals in all their forms: from realistic portraits to abstract interpretations, from springtime wildlife to endangered species. Perhaps you're passionate about conservation? Or fascinated by marine life? Maybe you have a beloved pet or dream of exotic creatures? Express your connection with the animal kingdom through your art.
How to enter
- Create your drawing on paper (any size up to A3)
- Use any materials you like: pencils, crayons, paints, pastels, or mixed media
- Make sure your artwork shows the theme of "PLAY"
- Submit your entry by Saturday 16 May by emailing a photograph to familyhubprogramme@peterborough.gov.uk
- Please ensure you provide the artist's name and age and contact details of a parent/guardian
Prizes
Winners in each category will receive:
- £25 gift voucher to use with over 350 brands
- A certificate of achievement
- Their artwork displayed at Gladstone Family Hub and Community Centre
Important dates
Competition launch: Tuesday 21 April
Submission deadline: Saturday 16 May
Winners announced: Friday 22 May
Disclaimer:
This competition is open to all children and young people in the specified age categories. By entering, participants agree to have their artwork potentially displayed publicly and shared on our social media channels (names will only be shared with parent/guardian permission).