Competitions

The Big Issue Kids Christmas cover competition is back!

The Big Issue's kids' Christmas cover competition is back for another year. If you know a budding young creative here's how to enter

Are you – or do you know – a talented young artist? The Big Issue’s annual competition to design one of our festive magazine covers is now open.

Since our first kids’ cover in 2013 we’ve seen thousands of bright, bold and cheery entries from our young readers pack postbags in The Big Issue office. The winning images have lifted spirits and boosted sales for our vendors at the most important time of year for them.

This year, as issues around homelessness and child migration – particularly into Britain – grip, we are asking for entries around the theme of WELCOME. We know the young artists will come up with ideas that’ll knock our socks off.

Designs can take any form, from drawings to paintings to digital art. So have pens, pencils, crayons, tablets – and glitter – at the ready.

martin-wellstead-kids-cover-christmas-comp-winner
Last year's Christmas cover winner, Martin Wellstead with his winning design

Apart from the winning design being on the front of a magazine sold across Britain in its tens of thousands, we will also be offering a special prize for the best group entry – from a school or nursery class, or any other creative group of youngsters who send in a bundle of entries. So tell parents, teachers and youth workers.

“This is the best time of the year,” said Big Issue editor Paul McNamee. “The Kids Cover Competition has become a Big Issue tradition. Christmas is such a vital time for The Big Issue vendors, and a hard time on the street, that when we see the wonderful ideas everybody across the organisation feels spirits lift.

“All those who enter take so much time, all to help The Big Issue vendors, it’s humbling and hugely encouraging. I salute all those sending in their ideas. Settling on a winner is a very tough task. Don’t delay. Get the entry in today!”

Our deadline is November 28. Don’t delay. Create Christmas cheer – AND history.

We’re delighted this year that our friends at The Week Junior are supporting the competition. The Week Junior editor Anna Bassi will join the judging panel.

Here’s how to enter

Anyone aged 13 or under is eligible to enter. We print as many entries as we can squeeze into the magazine’s pages, and all entries will feature in our spectacular online gallery. Unfortunately, we can’t return artwork.

Where to send

Post your entries to: Christmas Kids Cover Competition,The Big Issue, 43 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 1HW

Email high-resolution pictures to: editorial@bigissue.com

Facebook: facebook.com/BigIssueUK

Instagram: tag us @bigissueuk with the hashtag #bigissuekidscover

Make sure you include a name, age, address and telephone or email contact on all entries.

Closing date November 28

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Illustrator Oliver Jeffers shares advice for Big Issue's Christmas Kids Cover Competition: 'We're all artists'
Previous winners of the kids cover competition
Christmas Kids Cover Competition

Illustrator Oliver Jeffers shares advice for Big Issue's Christmas Kids Cover Competition: 'We're all artists'

Big Issue's Changemakers of 2024: Nominate a group or person making the world a better place
The Big Issue Changemakers

Big Issue's Changemakers of 2024: Nominate a group or person making the world a better place

Big Issue's festive Christmas Kids Cover Competition is back for 2023
Previous winners of the kids cover competition
Christmas Kids Cover Competition

Big Issue's festive Christmas Kids Cover Competition is back for 2023

Win a collection of Nick Cave artwork!
Nick Cave and Kylie
competition

Win a collection of Nick Cave artwork!

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know