Competitions - why they help your teen build skills - and deadlines for entry
- The Parents' Guide to
- Dec 27, 2025
- 3 min read
Competitions are a great way to help your teen focus on something that interests them and do something a little different from others. There are lots of competitions online: writing fiction, creating fashion, submitting essays, creative, science, cookery as well as many relating to curriculum activities. We’ve listed a few below as a starting point, but with a little online research, your teen’s bound to find a competition specific to their personal interests.
Some competitions may require a little effort for entry, others may require a lot. Working to a specification, creating something that meets that specification and working to a deadline (in this case, the competition close date) demonstrates terrific transferable skills.
Entry is great to include on CVs, personal statements or to talk about in interviews. If they win or are acknowledged as a good entry, it can be a great confidence booster. However, win or no win, entering a competition demonstrates initiative, intellectual curiosity, drive, research skills, preparation and organisation. These are all desirable skills and should be the primary focus when including them in applications or talking about them in interviews.
If you’re looking for other things your teen can do that they’ll enjoy, will build character, develop their skills and help them stand out during interviews, take a look at The Parents’ Guide to Developing Skills and Character.
2026 Competitions
Art
Royal Academy of Arts – Young Artists summer show – Schools must register for candidates. Registration from 05 Jan to 04 Mar 2026. Judging in May. Exhibition 14 Jul to 30 Aug (age 4-18)
Business / economics
Young Economist of the Year - deadline tbc July 2026 (years 10 -13)
Gaming
BAFTA Young Game Designers - registration open, deadline tbc (age 10 - 18)
Geography
Young Geographer of the Year - run via schools, details to be released in Apr (age 14-16 and 16-18)
Fashion / Design
Young Fashion Designer UK – registration open, deadline Fri 1 May (studying fashion/textiles at GCSE or sixth form)
https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/badge-comp/ - Design the LGBT+ History Month Badge for 2027. Ages 5-18. Opens May, deadline tbc
Film / Photography
Childnet Film Competition – deadline tbc likely Jun (age 11 - 19)
RSPCA photography competition – opens early May 2026, deadline tbc likely August (age 12-15 or 16-18)
Wimbledon Shorts – opens shortly, deadline tbc likely Jul 2026 (under 25)
Literature
Author of Tomorrow – opens early 2026, deadline tbc (age 16 - 21)
Foyle Young Poet of the Year, The Poetry Society – opens in the spring. deadline tbc likely Jul (age 11-17)
Music
BBC Young composer - register by noon 02 Feb (age 12 - 18), entry deadline 16 Mar. Awards 16 Apr.
Science / Maths
Big Bang Competition (for STEM) – now open, deadline 4 Mar (age 11-19)
The UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) - registration closed 31 Dec. deadlines mid-late Mar, vary by region. 25 Jun UK final. 23&24 Jul int'l final at Farnborough Air Show
IEA Budget Challenge - deadline 30 Jan 2026. Finals take place in Mar 2026.
Assorted
Inspiring ways for your teen to stand out from others
If you’d like to know how your teen can build their character, develop skills, stand out from others and improve their chances of success at interviews, all while doing things they enjoy, read our suggestions in The Parents’ Guide to Developing Skills and Character.
It includes sections on:
the most sought after skills and which hobbies help develop them
Self-development and increasing confidence
Getting work experience (including virtual placements)
Benefits of research and how to take a different approach
How different hobbies impact mental and physical health
We always love to hear from you, so do let us know if there are any subjects you’d like us to chat to you about. Stay safe and keep happy, Vanessa and Darius - info@theparentsguideto.co.uk
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