FAQ
Questions, answered.
Who can enter?
Children aged 5–12 anywhere in the world, entered by a parent or legal guardian.
What are the age groups?
Little Creators (ages 5–8) and Young Designers (ages 9–12).
How is age calculated?
Using the child's age on the date the registration is submitted.
How much does it cost?
£10 GBP per submitted entry. One paid entry = one artwork.
When are the two annual rounds?
The Spring edition closes on 15 March and the Autumn edition on 1 October.
Can my child enter more than once?
Yes — each separate artwork is a separate paid entry.
What artwork is accepted?
Drawing, painting, collage and similar child-made artwork, photographed or scanned.
Can digital drawings be submitted?
Yes, if the child drew it by hand themselves using a digital drawing tool.
Can AI art be submitted?
No. Generative-AI artwork is not eligible.
Can parents help?
Grown-ups may encourage. Grown-ups must not redraw. Helping to photograph, upload or type the child's words is fine.
What does "original" mean?
A character the child invented themselves — not copied, traced, or based on an existing or copyrighted character.
What file can I upload?
One JPG, JPEG, PNG or WEBP image, up to 10 MB.
Can I change an entry after payment?
Entries are locked once paid. Contact us if there's a genuine problem.
How are winners chosen?
A judging panel scores entries out of 100 using our published rubric.
What happens if my child wins?
We contact the parent/guardian to arrange the prize, consents and plush production.
How is the plush produced?
Professional toy makers interpret the drawing into a safe, well-made soft toy.
Will the manufactured plush look exactly like the drawing?
Not exactly — makers adapt designs for safety and construction while keeping the character's spirit.
When are winners announced?
Results dates are published for each edition on the Contest page.
Will my child's name appear online?
Only with your separate permission, and only first name, age and country — never surname.
Where does the social-impact contribution go?
To initiatives expanding children's access to art and creativity. Partners are listed once formally confirmed.
How will impact be reported?
Through an annual Creativity Impact Report using verified figures only.
What happens to intellectual property?
Your child keeps their creativity. Winners' families are asked to agree a licence for toy and video production — see the Terms.
Is entry available worldwide?
Yes, subject to local laws as set out in the Competition Terms.
Who operates the competition?
Design a Toy for the World is powered by SiL · Sharing is Learning.
How do I contact support?
Use our Contact page and we'll reply as soon as we can.