Creative Writing Competition for Children 2026

We are thrilled to announce our 7th annual Creative Writing Competition for children!

This year, we are running the competition as part of the National Year of Reading, and in partnership with Rebel Reading Society!

‘Stories That Made Us Readers’

What is the Creative Writing Competition for Children 2026?

To celebrate the National Year of Reading 2026, Bright Light Education invites young writers to take part in our special Creative Writing Competition: Stories That Made Us Readers. We are SO EXCITED to have children’s author, Nat Harrison, judging the final round of the competition this year – WOW!

This year, we want children to think about the books that sparked their imagination, made them fall in love with reading, or opened the door to new worlds, and then write an original story inspired by one of them.

Your child’s entry should not copy the original, but it can be based on its themes, settings, characters, or ideas. For example:

  • Write an exciting journey inspired by The Girl Who Raced the World, about a brave character who travels to a new place and overcomes a challenge along the way.

  • Write a magical adventure in the style of Harry Potter, set in a mysterious school of your own invention.

  • Create a thrilling snowy quest inspired by Pugs of the Frozen North, inventing your own team of quirky animals racing across an icy landscape.

  • Write a farmyard tale in the spirit of Charlotte’s Web, featuring unlikely friendships or a courageous hero animal.

  • Imagine an emotional adventure inspired by The Last Bear, telling a story about bravery, nature, or helping an animal in need.

  • Dream up a fantastical quest inspired by Narnia, where your characters step into a world you’ve created.

  • Or take inspiration from Matilda, Percy Jackson, The Worst Witch, The BFG, How to Train Your Dragon – whatever book made you a reader!

The key goal:

Celebrate the joy of reading by writing a completely new story inspired by the book you love most.

Enter the Creative Writing Competition

Competition Overview:

Present your story handwritten and as neatly as possible on an A4 piece of paper – add illustrations around your writing if you can! Your story must be no longer than one A4 page.

The competition is open to all children from ages 7-13 (Years 3-8). All children around the world can enter, but entries must be written in English. Note that we do not accept typed stories (unless for specific circumstances) to reduce the risk of AI entries.

Competition Categories:

Group 1: 7-9 year olds (Years 3 and 4)
Group 2: 9-11 year olds (Years 5 and 6)
Group 3: 11-13 year olds (Years 7 and 8)

How to Enter:

  • Please enter via the relevant link below.
  • We welcome entries by schools! Contact us if you need to enter in bulk.
  • The competition is open from February 1st 2026.
  • The deadline is February 28th 2026.
  • Winners will be announced March 16th 2026.

Terms and Conditions:

By entering the competition, you are agreeing to the following T&Cs:

  • The entry must be a fictional story based on the task.
  • It must be an original piece of work written independently by the child.
  • The child must not include their personal details within their story.
  • Entries must not include unsuitable material; entries must be suitable for a child audience.
  • The use of AI is strictly prohibited.

Judges:

The first round will be judged by a selection of creative writing specialists.

The final round will be judged by the amazing children’s author, Nat Harrison. Nat is the author of ‘The Girl Who Raced The World’, which has been shortlisted for the Stanfords Children’s Book of the Year 2026, as well as listed on Waterstones List for Best Children’s Fiction 2025.

The Girl Who Raced the World
Buy via Amazon
Buy via Waterstones

The Girl Who Raced The World

Piccadilly Press
Released 25th September 2025

A page turning adventure bringing Jules Verne’s classic Around the World in Eighty Days to life for young readers with a thrilling twist. Perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell and Emma Carroll.

It is 1872 and, when Maggie Appleton’s beloved mother dies, she is left with nothing but a letter for a mysterious stranger called Passepartout. When she tries to deliver it, Maggie is caught up in an adventure beyond her wildest dreams – a gamble to race around the world in eighty days, something everyone says is impossible. Everyone, that is, except Passepartout’s new employer, Mr Phileas Fogg, who has bet his entire fortune on the journey.

With a thief on the loose, a detective on their tail, and a letter full of unread secrets, it seems the odds are against them. Will Maggie solve more than one mystery, and find a place where she truly belongs, before time runs out?

Nat Harrison

Why not download free teaching resource guides and activities created for The Girl Who Raced The World designed by The Rebel Reading Society team?

Teaching Resources

Prizes:

  • We believe that all children who enter (and follow the guidelines) should be awarded for their hard work. Therefore, all children will receive a Bronze, Silver or Gold certificate, which we shall send via email for parents and teachers to print out.
  • Children’s author, Nat Harrison, will read the winning stories, which we will share on our YouTube channel! 
  • We have received lots of generous donations of prizes, and these will be shared amongst the finalists. Prizes include:
    • Signed and personalised copies of Nat Harrison’s book, The Girl Who Raced The World.
    • Signed copies of Ant and Dec’s children’s activity book, Propa Happy!
    • Signed copies of Stephen Mulhern’s children’s book, Max Magic!
    • Life Skills Journals by The Happy Confident Company
    • Copies of our book, Imagine If: Creative Diary for Children!

ENTER HERE

Years 3 - 4

Click this button to enter if your child is in Years 3-4 (7-9 years old).

Enter Here

Years 5 - 6

Click this button to enter if your child is in Years 5-6 (9-11 years old).

Enter Here

Years 7 - 8

Click this button to enter if your child is in Years 7-8 (11-13 years old).

Enter Here

Rebel Reading Society:

We are running this competition this year, in partnership with Rebel Reading Society. Rebel Reading Society are on a mission to get children reading. Through collaborations with authors, they promote the latest best books in children’s literature, reaching out to parents and schools to find ways for children to rediscover/discover the joy of reading.

Through engaging activities, exciting incentives, and a supportive online community, we make reading fun, rewarding, and a habit that lasts a lifetime. Whether it’s through reviews, book discussions, or interactive experiences, we help young readers stay motivated and excited about every page they turn.​

Follow them on Instagram @the_rebel_reading_society

Rebel Reading Society

Are you a school teacher?

Did you know that as part of the National Year of Reading, we are offering all primary schools in the UK free access to our Stories that Spark literacy lessons? These lessons promote reading and writing for pleasure!

Contact us for further details

Frequently Asked Questions

.

Can my child enter if they live overseas?

Yes, absolutely! The competition is open to children all over the world, as long as the entry is written in English.

Is it free to enter?

Yes, it is completely free!

Can the entry be typed?

We do not accept typed stories to reduce the risk of AI entries, unless for specific circumstances. Please email us to discuss this if it applies to your child.

How can a school enter?

We welcome entries from schools. Once your students have written their story, please send them to us via WeTransfer, which will enable you to send them in bulk. Ensure the file name for each entry includes the child’s name, so that they can be easily identified for awarding purposes!

What age does my child have to be to enter?

The competition is open to 7-13 year olds.

When will the winners be announced?

Winners will be announced on March 16th 2026.

What do the winners received?

Gold, silver or bronze certificates will be awarded to all children who enter, and these certificates will be sent via email. Book vouchers will be awarded to the winner from each category.

Get In Touch

Call: +44 208 088 4514
WhatsApp: +44 208 088 4514
Email: info@brightlighteducation.co.uk
Hours: M-F: 9am - 5pm

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