Doodle for Google is an annual art contest where K-12 students in the United States redesign the Google logo for a chance to have their artwork displayed on Google’s homepage. The contest has run every year since 2008, and the current cycle marks its seventeenth year. Students respond to a creative theme, and the national winner’s doodle goes live on google.com for millions of people to see.
How the Contest Works
Each year, Google announces a theme and invites students to create their own version of the Google logo inspired by that prompt. The current theme is “My superpower is…,” and students can interpret it however they like, whether that means a literal superpower, a personal talent, or something meaningful in their life. The artwork must incorporate the letters G-o-o-g-l-e into the design, but beyond that, students have wide creative freedom in how they approach the piece.
Entries are submitted during a set window. For the current cycle, submissions opened on October 15, 2025, and close on December 10, 2025. A parent or guardian must submit the entry on behalf of the student through the official Doodle for Google website.
Who Can Enter
The contest is open to students in grades K through 12 who are enrolled in a public school, private school, or homeschool program. There are no separate age or grade-level categories. A kindergartener’s crayon drawing competes alongside a high schooler’s digital illustration, though judges evaluate entries with the student’s grade in mind.
To be eligible, the student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. The contest covers all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, freely associated states, Washington D.C., and U.S. military bases abroad. Children of U.S. service members stationed overseas can also participate as long as they attend a U.S.-affiliated school.
What Students Win
The national winner’s doodle appears on Google’s homepage for a day, which is the contest’s signature prize. Past winners have also received college scholarships and technology grants for their schools. Google updates the specific prize amounts each year, so check the official contest rules page for the current figures. Even state-level finalists and runners-up typically receive recognition and smaller prizes along the way.
How Entries Are Judged
Google uses a multi-round selection process. A panel of Google employees and guest judges narrows the pool of submissions down to state winners, then to national finalists. Judging criteria typically include artistic merit, creativity, and how well the doodle ties into the year’s theme. In past years, a public voting round has also played a role in choosing the national winner, giving anyone the chance to vote for their favorite finalist online.
Tips for a Strong Entry
The most memorable winning doodles tend to have a clear, personal connection to the theme. Judges are looking for originality and storytelling, not just technical skill, so younger students shouldn’t feel discouraged by their artistic ability. A five-year-old’s honest, colorful interpretation of the prompt can be just as compelling as a polished painting from a high schooler.
Make sure the word “Google” is clearly readable in the design. That’s the one non-negotiable creative requirement. Beyond that, students can use any medium: crayons, paint, collage, digital tools, or mixed media. The official entry form asks the student to write a short artist statement explaining what their doodle means, and that written component matters. A strong statement helps judges understand the story behind the art.
How to Submit
Entries go through the Doodle for Google website at doodles.google.com/d4g. A parent or legal guardian fills out the submission form, uploads a photo or scan of the artwork, and includes the student’s written statement. The process is free. Schools and teachers often coordinate group submissions, but individual families can enter on their own without any school involvement. Just make sure the entry arrives before the submission deadline closes.