Sponsored in part by the Mathwig Family Charitable Trust
Get out your crayons — it's time for Prairie Public's PBS KIDS Writers Contest!
Submit your stories by March 27, 2026. Find rules, entry forms, and a suggested theme below!
Each year, children in Prairie Public's broadcast area from kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to write and illustrate their own stories to submit.
Every entrant is a winner and will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
Top stories win prizes, and are featured on the radio and online.
✏️ SUGGESTED THEME: WHAT DOES AMERICA MEAN TO YOU?
💬 To celebrate America 250 and the new PBS documentary The American Revolution, we encourage entrants to consider this question: What does America mean to you?
This theme is designed to spark curiosity. A resource guide and lesson plans, created by Prairie Public’s Education Services team, will be available soon to help educators and caregivers explore the theme at each grade level.
BONUS! We encourage students in grades 3-5 to also participate in a nationwide contest, America’s Field Trip, for the chance to win a special behind-the-scenes field trip experience at iconic American sites.
✏️ HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR STORY
Entrants can send stories via mail to Prairie Public (post dated March 27 or before) or submit a scanned PDF online.
📬 Send the story and entry form via mail to:
Prairie Public
Attn: PBS KIDS Writers Contest
207 5th Street N.
Fargo, ND 58102
👩💻 Submit entry form and story online here. (PDF only)
Attention educators!
Prairie Public is grateful for all the teachers whose students participate in our Writers Contest.
Each teacher who submits stories from their class is entered to win a $200 Gift Card.