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 under the age of 18 nationwide

• 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

  • 5 and under: 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 (5 and under is 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)

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

6. Prizes for Winners: 

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

• Non-cash prizes shipped nationwide 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 nationwide, 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!