Doodle for Google

FAQ

About the Contest
What is the "Doodle for Google" contest?
Doodle for Google is an annual art contest open to students in grades K-12. Students are invited to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com, as well as win some scholarships and tech packages for them and their schools.
Why is Google doing this contest?
Doodles are meant to surprise and delight people when they visit Google’s homepage. They’ve often celebrated talented people, places, and culture. The Doodle for Google contest offers K-12 students an opportunity to display their own Doodle on Google.com and win big prizes to support their creativity.
How long has Google been doing this contest?
We've been hosting the Doodle for Google contest every year in the U.S. since 2008, so this is our sixteenth year. This website shows details for the U.S. only contest, but the Doodle for Google contest takes place in other countries throughout the year as well.
Can I see the previous Doodle for Google winners?
Yes! Check out our previous winners and the 2023 winner’s artwork.
About entering and eligibility
Alright, I’m ready. How do I get started?
Check out the instructions on the How it works page and use the Submit your Doodle page to send in your artwork before the March 21th deadline.
Who is allowed to submit?
Parents, teachers, nonprofits, and after school programs are welcome to submit artwork on behalf of students K-12. When teachers and after school programs enter Doodles on behalf of their students, parents or guardians must sign the entry form. Teachers can enter multiple Doodles at one time, but only one original Doodle per student. Regardless of the entry channel, the $50,000 technology award will go to the winning student’s school.

All students must be enrolled in a U.S. based school (including homeschool) or a school in Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and freely associated states, or The District of Columbia. Children of military personnel abroad can enter this year, and will be judged with applications from their home state.
Are students enrolled in homeschool eligible?
Students enrolled in homeschools are eligible to participate in the contest. If the National Winner is enrolled in homeschool, the homeschool in which they are enrolled will receive $5,000 in value towards Chromebooks for Education and/or tablets with Google Play for Education. The National Winner may then donate $45,000 in value towards the establishment or improvement of a computer lab or a technology program for a public library or public school in their community that meets Google’s criteria for awards.
What happens if two Doodles are entered from the same student?
We can only accept one Doodle per student. Our judging platform will verify that each Doodle entered is in fact a unique entry. If we receive two entries from the same student, we will receive the Doodle that was received first. Any other entries from the same student will be disqualified. We ask that all parents check in with their child’s school before entering to avoid duplicative efforts.
Do you accept group entries?
No, we do not accept entries created by more than one student. Each Doodle should be individually made.
Do students have to be U.S. citizens to participate?
Yes, at the time of entering the Doodle, the student must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. legal resident (e.g., must be able to show proof of legal permanent residence, for example, a "green card"), and be enrolled in a U.S. based school or homeschool or a school in Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and freely associated states, or The District of Columbia. Children of military personnel abroad may take part in this year's contest.
What materials can be used on the Doodle?
Students may create a Doodle using any medium or materials. However, please note that Doodles will be reviewed and scanned in a two-dimensional (2D) format. If students create a 3-dimensional (3D) Doodle, make sure to take a clear photograph and enter the photograph rather than the original. Consider different mediums of art:

  • Paint, pencils, crayons, markers, chalk, pastels, charcoal, oil pastels
  • Clay, building blocks, found objects (rocks, paper, plants, etc)
  • Film and stop motion (see below for more details on video submissions)
  • Virtual reality, and digital art

AI generated art is not accepted. For more information, see the How it works page.
Can all students create video and/or audio Doodle submissions?
Only students 13 years or older can submit audio or video Doodles.
What is allowed in videos and audio submissions?
The audio or video submission should be considerate of the privacy of the student, as well as others who may be depicted within it. Please note that these audio and video submissions should not include people other than the student. In addition, they should not contain any content, element, or material that could compromise the student’s privacy (including, for example, filming in private spaces in their home or indicating their home location).
Do Doodles have to be drawn directly on the entry form?
No. As long as you’re able to take a clear photo of the Doodle and combine it with the completed entry form, students can submit a Doodle created on any material. Simply combine the Doodle and entry form by printing hard copies or by digitally editing the photo and the entry form together. For more information, check out the How it works page, and enter your art via the Submit your Doodle page.
Can I enter the contest online?
Yes. See the How it works page for detailed instructions, and use the Submit your Doodle page to enter a Doodle via the digital submission form.
Can I tape the Doodle to the entry form?
Yes. If the Doodle is drawn on another sheet of paper, you can tape it to the official entry form. Just be sure that the tape is clear, the Doodle fits above the description, and the information on the bottom of the entry form is visible.
How should the Google logo be incorporated?
Students can trace the Google logo on the entry form, or start from scratch by using any materials they wish. Students are free to design their Doodles however they want as long as they use the letter G-o-o-g-l-e.
About the judging process
How is the contest judged?
Please see the judging section of the How it works page for details about how the contest is judged.
Who are the guest judges?
Each year, we have a panel of guest judges to help us judge Doodle for Google. The 2024 judges will be announced soon, stay tuned!
Is the public involved in the voting process?
Yes. Once the entry period is closed and our judges have narrowed the field to the top 55 Doodles, the public will be invited to vote online. You can spread the word for your favorite Doodles by sharing them with your friends and family.