How to Host a Fun Art Competition for Your Kids Using Drawing Pads

July 4, 2025

Want to spark creativity, build confidence, and spend meaningful time with your children? Hosting a fun art competition at home is one of the best ways to do it! With just a drawing pad and a bit of planning, you can turn your living room or school classroom into an exciting art showcase.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need from theme suggestions to judging tips using drawing pads like the myFirst sketch book. Whether it’s for a birthday, school holiday, or just a rainy weekend, these kids art competition ideas are simple, exciting, and suitable for all ages.

Why Kids Art Competitions Are Worth It

Before diving into the ideas, let’s talk about why art competitions are great for kids.

Encourages creativity and expression
Builds confidence and public speaking (if they present their art)
Develops focus, patience, and storytelling skills
Creates bonding time with siblings, classmates, and family
Gives kids a break from screens while still being fun

With the right kids art competition ideas, you’ll not only have a memorable day but also help your child grow in meaningful ways.

How to Plan a Kids Art Competition at Home or School

Hosting a drawing pad competition doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a simple step-by-step:

Step 1: Choose a Format

Decide how many kids will participate and if it’s solo or group-based.
You can run it:

At home with your own children or cousins
Over Zoom with cousins or friends in other homes
In the classroom or childcare setting

Step 2: Set the Rules

Set a time limit (e.g. 30 minutes)
Let kids use either paper or digital sketchpads like the myFirst sketch book
Encourage originality (no tracing or copying)

Rules should make the process fair but still fun.

7 Fun Kids Art Competition Ideas to Get You Started

1. Draw Your Favourite Food

Let kids draw their favourite local meal maybe chicken rice, nasi lemak or bubble tea! Great for young children to express what they love.

2. Create a Superhero Version of Yourself

This prompt gets children thinking about what powers they’d want and what challenges they’d solve.

3. The World in 2050

A futuristic challenge! Let their imagination go wild with robots, flying buses, or eco-friendly homes.

4. Family Portrait Challenge

Draw your whole family including pets! Bonus points for creativity and background details.

5. Merlion in a New Adventure

Get national pride into the mix by letting kids reimagine Singapore’s Merlion maybe surfing, flying or in outer space.

6. Magical Creature Mash-Up

Combine two animals into a new creature. A cat-elephant? A dinosaur-fish? Endless fun.

7. Express Your Mood

Let them draw how they feel today such as happy, excited, calm or silly. It’s a creative and emotional release.

These kids art competition ideas can be used anytime, and you can repeat them with a twist (e.g. themed rounds or time challenges).

Tips to Make It More Fun

Create DIY Certificates – Celebrate every participant with awards like “Most Colourful” or “Best Storyline”
Let Them Explain Their Art – Give each child a chance to present their drawing
Record or Snap Photos – Keep memories of the competition
Theme Music or Timer – Add some excitement with background tunes or countdowns
Let Siblings Judge – Swap roles for fairness and involvement

These tips make your kids art competition ideas more engaging and memorable.

So the next time you’re stuck indoors or want a creative weekend plan, try one of these kids art competition ideas using drawing pads or a digital sketch tool like the myFirst sketch book. It might just become your family’s new favourite tradition.

👉Ready to start your own sketchpad showdown? Explore myFirst Singapore's creative tools today and host your first fun art competition from the comfort of home🎉

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