This year's theme is:

I care for myself by…

We all have a lot going on - and now more than ever, it’s important for us to take care of our bodies and minds. What are your favorite things to do that make you feel better when you’re feeling down? How do you take a break? What activities make you feel calm or give you energy? What or who brings joy to your heart? Our theme this year invites you to share how you nurture your mind, body, and/or spirit as you face the opportunities and challenges every new day brings.

How it works

Use your imagination to create a Google Doodle based on what self care means to you.

How to enter

We're excited to see some great Doodles this year! Students can work with any materials they want, but all Doodles must be entered using the entry form. Parents and teachers can mail us the completed entry form or submit it online as a .png, or .jpg. The contest is open for entries until March 4, 2022 11:59 p.m. PST, so here's some information to help you get started:

1. Download or print the entry form.

2. Doodle: Artists create their Doodles using any materials they want. From crayons to clay to found objects.

3. Write: Artist’s statement - Tell us about what you have drawn and how it represents how you care for yourself. Fill out the rest of the required information and have a parent or guardian sign the entry form.

4. Submit:

   • Enter the contest online (recommended) or by mail (see step 3 on the entry form for details).

   • Entry form Doodles: If the Doodle is created directly on our entry form, you can either upload them to our site as a .jpg or .png (visit the enter tab) or mail them in (address listed on the enter tab).

   • Other Doodles: If the Doodle wasn't created directly on our entry form, take a high-res digital photo or scan of the Doodle in good lighting and combine it with the entry form.

Judging Criteria

Doodles will be judged on the following parameters:

1. Artistic merit: Based on artistic skill

2. Creativity: Representation of the contest theme, use of the letters in the Google logo, and the unique approach to the Doodle

3. Theme communication: How well the contest theme is expressed in both the artwork and the written statement

Doodles will be grouped and judged by the following 5 grade groups:

• Grades K-3

• Grades 4-5

• Grades 6-7

• Grades 8-9

• Grades 10-12

Finalists will be judged on a state-by-state basis as described below.

1. State and Territory Winners: 10 or more winners for each grade group, 54 in total

2. National Finalists: 1 finalist for each grade group, 5 in total

3. National Winner: Featured on Google.com

Competition Levels

Fifty-Four State and Territory Winners

The Guest Judges and Google Doodlers will select the best Doodle from each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands as the State and Territory winners. These 54 State and Territory Winners will be displayed in an online gallery on the Doodle for Google website.

Five National Finalists

For a period of 5 days, the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will vote for their favorite Doodle from the 54 State and Territory Winners. These votes will help determine the National Finalists.

One National Winner

A panel of Google employees will choose one of the five National Finalists and announce the National Winner in June.

Learn more about what the 2022 winners and finalists will receive on the prizes page.

Disqualifications

• Doodles that are not original works, contain logos, or copyrighted imagery will be disqualified.

• Only one application per student. Only the first Doodle entered for each student will be considered, and any additional Doodles will be disqualified.

• Please read through contest rules for more information.

National Winner

One National Winner’s artwork will be displayed on Google.com for one day (24 hours). They will also receive:

• A $30,000 college scholarship

• A $50,000 technology package for their school/non-profit organization

• Google hardware

• Fun Google swag

National Finalists

The four National Finalists, who do not become the National Winner, will have their doodles featured on the Doodle for Google gallery. Each National Finalist will receive:

• A $5,000 college scholarship

• Google hardware

• Fun Google swag

State and Territory Winners

54 State and Territory winners will have their doodles featured on the Doodle for Google gallery, and will receive:

• Google hardware

• A congratulatory message from Google

• Fun Google swag