2026 OPT/PBS KIDS® Writers Contest

Ozarks Public Television proudly presents the annual OPT/PBS KIDS® Writers Contest, designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest empowers children in grades K-3 to celebrate creativity and build literacy skills by writing and illustrating their very own stories.

An overview of the contest rules is provided below; however, we encourage families to review the complete Contest Rules before getting started.

Who Can Enter

Students in kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade
One entry per child
Stories must be original and created by a single author
Children of Ozarks Public Broadcasting employees are not eligible
No purchase necessary

Story Requirements

Children may submit an original story in fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose
Each entry must include a minimum of 5 illustrations created by the child
*Word count requirements vary by grade:
- Kindergarten & 1st Grade: 50-200 words
- 2nd & 3rd Grade: 100-350 words

*Additional word count requirements are outlined in the complete Contest Rules.

Judging & Awards

Entries will be judged by a panel selected by OPT, with an emphasis on creativity, storytelling, and illustration quality.

Winners will be notified by June 1, 2026
Prizes of nominal value will be awarded at an awards banquet on July 23, 2026
First, Second, and Third Place winners will be selected in each grade level

New This Year

Winners will have the optional opportunity to be interviewed and filmed reading their story. These recordings may be featured in Ozarks Public Television broadcasts and online platforms to celebrate and showcase the creativity of our talented young writers and promote contest participation. Participation in filming is not required and will not affect judging or eligibility. Families may choose to opt out of this opportunity.