Yes, this contest is 100 % free, we really do pay out $2,000+ cash, and every participant keeps the rights to their own artwork. Please read the rules below.

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1. Eligibility:

• Open to everyone worldwide — Ages 0-18!

• Free to enter (no purchase or payment required).

• Employees, officers, directors, and their immediate family members of Conserve with Crayons and its sponsors are ineligible.

• One entry per participant.

2. How to Enter:

• Download your age-group coloring page from the Current Contest tab. New templates released every contest.

  • Ages 0-5: Download and color the official coloring page/template provided on this website.

  • Ages 6-18: Download the blank template, use the fact sheet to color your own original hand-drawn artwork from scratch

• Color using crayons, colored pencils, markers, etc. (no digital/AI tools).

• Answer the conservation-themed question (ages 0–5 exempt).

• Submit via online form by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the deadline.

3. File Requirements:

• JPEG, PNG, or PDF (under 15 MB, 300 dpi or clear photo/scan). 

• Include first name, age, and country on the form (not on artwork).

4. Deadline & Dates:

• See Current Contest tab for deadline. Winners announced within 30 days of close.

5. Prizes (Total $2,000+ per contest):

• $1,000 Grand Prize (any age) + 5 free T-shirts/prints.

• $250 for 1st place in ages 0–5, 6–9, 10–13, 14–18. 

6. Prizes for Winners: 

• US: Paid via PayPal/check; $600+ prizes require W-9 (taxable, 1099 issued).

• International: Paid via PayPal; may have 30% US withholding (often refundable — consult local tax advisor). Need W-8BEN.

• Non-cash prizes (T-shirts) shipped worldwide free.

7. Optional Fun Bonus: Share a Photo of Your Artist!​

• Email a photo of your child with their artwork to conservewithcrayons@gmail.com for website/social feature (first name + age only). 100% optional, no impact on judging. We’ll ask permission first; you can ask us to remove it anytime.

• Photo Bonus: Use #ConserveWithCrayons on social media so we can find and share your entry!

8. Judging: Our panel of artists, educators, and conservation experts scores each entry out of 100:

• Panel scores out of 100: Creativity/Originality (40), Technique (30), Theme Connection (15), Effort (10), Question Answer (5, automatic points for ages 0–5). Ties broken by originality → technique → judges’ vote. Decisions final.

9. Release & License: By submitting an entry, you (and your parent/legal guardian if under 18) agree:

• By submitting, you (and parent/guardian if under 18) grant Conserve with Crayons a worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, display, and create derivatives of your entry (with credit) for nonprofit purposes (website, promotion, merchandise). No royalties or extra payments beyond prizes/free items.

• You retain full ownership of your artwork. Winners may appear on merchandise to fund scholarships. You agree to release us from liability and confirm artwork is original/non-infringing.

10. Limitation of Liability: We’re not responsible for lost entries, tech glitches, or any issues from joining the contest.

11. For Entrants Under 18: A parent or legal guardian must submit the entry and agree to these rules on your behalf.

12. Privacy: See our full Privacy Policy at www.conservewithcrayons.org/private-policy.

13. Governing Law & Disputes: Governed by South Dakota law; disputes in Brookings County courts.​

14. General Conditions:

• No AI-generated artwork allowed (we love real kid creativity!).

• Parents, please let your kids do the coloring.

• No offensive, copyrighted, or plagiarized content.

• We may disqualify entries or cancel/modify contest if needed.

• Decisions are final.

15. Conserve with Crayons is a 501(c)(3). After prizes, mission aligned compensation, and operations, remaining funds support scholarships for kids/young adults in conservation programs. Receipts posted on Transparency page.

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Questions? Email us anytime at conservewithcrayons@gmail.com. We can’t wait to see your masterpiece!