The Doodle for Google contest is back for its 17th year, and students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade can join in. This time, they’re asked to think about the theme ‘My superpower is…’ and create art that shows what makes them shine. The submission window is open from October 15, 2025, through December 10, 2025.
Google announced that this year’s judging panel will feature NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo and 2025 National Teacher of the Year Ashlie Crosson. The two will help evaluate submissions tied to the contest’s theme, and the winning doodle will be featured on the Google homepage for a day.
The contest is open to students attending any U.S.-based school, including homeschools, as well as schools in Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, freely associated states, and the District of Columbia. Google is also welcoming submissions from children of U.S. military families stationed overseas, who will be judged alongside students from their home state.
This year’s theme offers a meaningful chance for students to reflect on themselves. Google looks forward to seeing how they express the qualities, whether kindness, curiosity, perseverance, or creativity, that shape their homes, classrooms, and communities.
Updates for This Year’s Contest
For the 2025 – 26 cycle, Doodle for Google is adding a number of updates to help spotlight more young artists and better match the timing of the academic calendar.
- Expanded Recognition: Instead of a single national winner, five national finalists will be selected. Each will receive a $10,000 college scholarship, have their Doodle featured on the Google.com homepage, and be awarded a Chromebook.
- The Grand Prize Winner: From these five finalists, one National Winner will be chosen through a combination of judging panel input and public voting. This top artist will receive an additional $45,000 college scholarship, bringing their total award to $55,000, plus a $50,000 technology package for their school or non-profit organization.
- A New Timeframe: The contest has moved from the spring to the fall to coincide with the start of the school year. This shift allows educators to more seamlessly integrate the contest into their lesson plans and ensures that finalists can be celebrated by their peers and communities while school is still in session.
Doodle for Google Contest 2025 Judges
Giannis Antetokounmpo, as a nine-time NBA All-Star with the Milwaukee Bucks, knows a lot about talent and perseverance. He’s won two MVPs, led the Bucks to the 2021 championship, and still makes time to invest in young people. Through the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation and the Antetokounmpo Academy, he and his family help kids grow their confidence and learn important life skills through sports and education.
Ashlie Crosson, the 2025 National Teacher of the Year, teaches English at Mifflin County High School in Pennsylvania, where she helps students make sense of an increasingly complex world. Her classes are built around communication, problem-solving, and understanding global issues. Alongside her AP courses, she leads an elective called Survival Stories, a deep dive into humanitarian crises told through the voices of young people, and she mentors the school’s growing journalism program.
How to Register for the 2025 Doodle for Google Contest
The Doodle for Google contest is officially open for submissions. Full participation guidelines, educator and parent resources, and the complete contest rules can be found on the Doodle for Google website here.
Maybe you would like other interesting articles?