For Schools & Teachers — #BeKindBeCool Kindness Awards 2026

What's the contest: The #BeKindBeCool Kindness Art Competition 2026–27 invites students to express what kindness means to them through art, posters, or drawings.
Who can participate: Any young person ages 6–18 — through a school, studio, or club, or directly by a parent or family. One teacher, leader, or parent can submit with a single form.
What's the format: Students may use any medium — colored pencil, watercolor, crayon, marker, or mixed media — on white card stock, to show how kindness can make the world a better place.
What are the prizes: A $500 first prize for each of the 4 age bands, a $500 People's Choice popularity award, plus Gan Jing Kids memberships for 80 finalists — and a place on the Times Square billboard.
When to submit: Open now. Enter by Oct 15, 2026 for the November World Kindness Day billboard showcase; final deadline March 31, 2027. Winners announced: April 30, 2027.

Why bring it to your school

More than a contest — a simple, uplifting project that builds character and community.

Builds empathy

Students reflect on real acts of kindness — a natural fit for social-emotional learning.

Anti-bullying culture

A shared, positive project the whole class can rally around, reinforcing respect and inclusion.

Easy to run — one lesson

Run it in a single 45-minute lesson or stretch it across a unit. The toolkit gives you everything.

Real recognition

Winning work can light up the Times Square billboard, with certificates for students, teachers & schools.

Prizes & recognition

For students, teachers, and schools.

Cash Prize

$500

First Prize

in each of the 4 age bands

Excellence Award

Gan Jing Kids memberships

20 per age band · 1 year each

People's Choice

$500

Popularity Award

most likes + shares · all ages, art or video

Ages 6–8 · Grades 1–3Ages 9–11 · Grades 4–6Ages 12–14 · Grades 7–9Ages 15–18 · Grades 10–12

Every student competes within their own age band. Kindness Videos compete in the Open Awards (scored on creativity & engagement).

Every participant is recognized

Kindness School

Standout participating schools earn special recognition.

Times Square billboard

Selected work lights up the Nasdaq billboard in New York City.

Certificates for everyone

Every participant — students, teachers & schools — receives one.

Gan Jing Kids membership

Excellence Award winners get 1 year of Gan Jing Kids — safe video for class & home.

Excellence Award winners get a full year of Gan Jing Kids — here's what that unlocks:

How to run it in class

Three simple steps — full prompts are in the Educator Toolkit.

Create

In one 45-minute lesson, students make a drawing or short video about a kind act.

Submit

Send the artwork or video with a signed consent form — online or by mail. A teacher, leader, or parent can submit for a group or a single child.

Celebrate

Selected work is showcased on the Times Square billboard.

Two ways to submit artwork

Online

Upload to #BeKindBeCool

Scan

Click Join & post artwork

Like & share

to win the popularity award

Fill in the online form

with the link to your artwork

Open the entry form →

By mail

Mail the original artwork

Post the physical artwork with a signed parent consent form attached to: Gan Jing World, 33 Fulton St, Middletown, NY 10940.

Label each piece with the student’s initials and their school, studio, or group — and use initials only for anything shared publicly.

Enter now or download the toolkit

Last year's winning artwork

School Edition Art Competition — 2025–26 winners illustrating "acts of kindness, big or small."

Grades 1–3 · First Prize

Comfort during a hard test

A student gently comforts a classmate struggling with a math test — kindness means noticing when someone needs a little support.

EM · McKinley Elementary

Grades 4–6 · First Prize

Kindness at home

A daughter helps her mother cook dinner in a "KIND" shirt and "LOVE" apron — kindness as the everyday love we share at home.

S.P. · Vera's Art School

Grades 7–9 · First Prize

A hand across the street

A passerby guides a visually impaired pedestrian safely across a busy street at sunset — kindness as quiet, attentive care for a stranger.

A.C. · Vera's Art Studio

Grades 10–12 · First Prize

One shared heart

Two hands reach toward a shared heart, uniting 友善待人 (be kind to others) with the vision of a cleaner, kinder world.

JW · Burnt Hills–Ballston Lake HS

See all 38 artworks on Gan Jing World →

What educators & families say

Voices from classrooms that have already brought #BeKindBeCool to their students.

“It’s a gift for the classroom — kindness really resonated and changed the whole dynamic.”

Judy GatlinElementary school teacher

“The kids loved it. If they’re doing this at age 9 — imagine them at 29, with the world in their hands.”

Larissa BankovskyPrincipal & founder, Star Academy

“More kind content, promote kindness — and our kids grow up kinder. It puts seeds into their minds, and that’s what will grow.”

Irina RatskovskayaParent, Boston

“Give it a try and you’ll love it — it’s free, easy and safe for the classroom!”

Leejun TaylorTeacher, BH-BL Central School District

“It empowers students not only socially, but academically — no matter the age.”

Adel MansillaTeacher, Boston, USA

“It’s a great gift for teachers. I hope other schools have this positive experience!”

Laurence J. LefebvreTeacher, École Jean Jaurès, France

“The impact of kindness on my students has been undeniably positive.”

Sibylle SchnellerTeacher, Switzerland

“I host classroom events and curate resources, encouraging students to take part regularly.”

Yali ZhengMentor Teacher, Hsinchu, Taiwan

“Our students stay free from negative things — it’s beneficial to their development.”

Mrs. SoimahPrincipal, SMP Harapan Utama Batam

Common questions

Everything you need to feel confident taking part.

Do I need parental permission?

Yes — one parent/guardian signature per student, built right into the entry form (we provide a ready-to-print version). A teacher can collect them and submit for the whole class in one batch.

Is it safe and private for students?

Gan Jing World is built for family safety, with a dedicated Kids platform and non-addictive design. You decide what is shared, and we recommend using student initials for anything posted publicly.

Does my class need art or video skills?

No. It’s about the idea, not the polish — any 2D medium or a simple phone video works, at any level. There’s no wrong way to show kindness.

Can the whole class take part together?

Yes. Enter as individuals, a class, or a whole school. A single teacher can submit on everyone’s behalf, so it stays manageable.

Can parents enter their own child?

Yes. A parent or family can enter a child directly — no school required. Mail the physical artwork with a signed consent form, or upload it to #BeKindBeCool and complete the short online entry form. One parent/guardian signature is needed per child.

How are entries judged?

Art is judged on the kindness message, creativity, and artistic skill, across four age bands — roughly ages 6–8, 9–11, 12–14, and 15–18 — so students compete with their own age group. Every art entry must include the student's initials and the school, studio, or group name to be judged. (Kindness Videos compete in the Open Awards, scored on creativity and engagement.)

How much time does it take, and what does it cost?

As little as one 45-minute lesson, and it’s completely free. Full lesson prompts, examples, and printables are in the Educator Toolkit.

When is the deadline?

Submissions are open now through March 31, 2027. The earlier you enter, the longer your students’ work is showcased leading up to the Times Square celebration.

See the official contest rules → for full eligibility, judging & prize details.

#BeKindBeCoolKindness Awards

An Educator Toolkit for your classroom