Contest Ideas for Kids
Summer is the perfect time to launch a contest for kids, when their day is dedicated to sports, games, swimming, hiking, waterslides and camping.
The memories created in the summer follow us for the rest of our lives, so here are a few contest ideas to spark the creativity of today’s kids while creating lasting memories associated with your brand.
One of my most vivid memories as a child is from when I was spending the summer months in the small coastal town of Powell River, BC with my grandparents. I remember entering myself into the local newspaper’s coloring contest. I have fond memories with my grandfather as I mixed different crayons to create a ‘make-shift’ sunset effect (I felt pretty clever at the time). I also remember the seaside walk to the local newspaper office to submit my piece of art, in person! No online submissions forms back the those days.
Short-Film Contest
I don’t need to tell you that kids are tech savvy, so why not incite your fans’ creativity through encouraging skill-building around play writing, direction, camera and team work with a short-film competition. This type of contest will get kids outside as they try various sets and locations to produce their films. Not to mention, parents will cherish their child’s films for eternity!
Toy Story (Disney Pixar) leveraged the tech-savvy of their young audience through a fun animation contest where the winning family was awarded a Disney Family trip for 4. Participants simply used Pixar’s Toy Story animation software to create and submit fun animated shorts.
Creative Writing Contest
It’s not always easy to motivate our kids to develop their writing skills. With short-story or creative writing contests, it’s beneficial to provide helpful tips around how to brainstorm and outline a story.
PBS Kids are running their national creative writing contest by having parents and kids submit their work to local PBS stations for judging and a chance to win tablets, e-readers and MP3 players.
Dance Contest
Dance contests are perfect as many of our little dancers are participating in dance workshops and summer camps.
Lifetime Canada launched Abby’s Ultimate #STRUTYOURSTUFF Contest to encourage kids to get dancing. Participants filmed themselves dancing to one of three available songs for a chance to win a trip for two to Pittsburgh for a private tour of Abbey Lee Miller’s studio, two nights accommodation and a New Balance prize pack.
Do you have any fun contest ideas that you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments below!
Stay tuned for our next post, which will address the important considerations when launching a promotion for kids, including:
- Defining a Noble Purpose
- Targeting parents, but making it fun for kids
- Getting parental consent
- Having fun!
