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Keep up the love for creativity with this poetry contest for 4-18 year-olds.
Pet Poetry invites young poets of all ages to celebrate their love for animals, whether furry, feathery or scaly! Writing a poem is a fun and creative way to express a passion for creatures big and small.
🐾 Write an animal alphabet poem or acrostic
🐾 Riddle me this - guess the animal with a clue on each line
🐾 Write about a funny moment with your pet
🐾 Imagine the world through an animal's eyes
🐾 Explore dinosaurs, mythical creatures, or even an entirely made-up pet
🐾 Write about an endangered species or wildlife conservation
Poems can be written or typed and be in any poetic style, allowing students to write in a style that works for them.
All poems have the opportunity to be published in a special Pet Poetry book. Plus, our favorite poet will win a $50 Amazon voucher!
Download the entry form now (alternatively poems can be typed in Word or Google Docs) and as soon as they're ready, email, post or upload work to us - see the How To Enter tab for more details.
Closing Date: Monday Jun 29, 2026
We've worked with over 20,000 schools. Here's what some of them have to say...
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This is my sixth year using YW to publish my students' writing and they are so easy to work with! My students are always excited to use the provided theme and challenge themselves to be chosen!
Thank you so much for another opportunity! The class really enjoyed this.
Justina Denapoli, Father Vincent Capodanno Catholic Academy, NYSee more...
The students enjoyed the freedom of this project (Peculiar Pets). It got them excited to write.
Amanda Peterson, Christ The King School, NYSee more...
Peculiar Pets was a great activity!
Anne Piccoli, Immaculate Heart Of Mary School, NYSee more...
Thank you for the intriguing prompts and engaging activities! I look forward to these contests each year.
Mike Carter, Millis Middle/High School, MASee more...
My students absolutely loved the challenge of writing mini sagas!
Darla Bubar, Edward Town Middle School, NYSee more...
The story starters are so fun!
Nichole Charbonneau, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, MASee more...
My students look forward to this contest every year, and so do I!
Rachel Barnes, Monomay Regional High School, MASee more...
This was such a fun way to have my students engaged with their writing!
Christina Guertin, Midland Street School, NYSee more...
This is my sixth year using YW to publish my students' writing and they are so easy to work with! My students are always excited to use the provided theme and challenge themselves to be chosen!
To make sure your entries are valid, please follow the rules listed below:
Closing Date: Monday Jun 29, 2026
Only one entry per child. Schools can enter as many entries as they like.
Open to both schools & independent entrants.
Open for 4-18 year-olds
Poems can be typed in Word, etc or written on sheet of paper.
The child's name & age must be included with their poem (entries can be submitted with first name or initials if required)
The poem must be the child's own original work.
Poems can be in any poetic form/style.
Free to enter.
US entrants only.
Copyright remains with the poet.
If you are unsure on any rules or have any queries, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.
For Schools
Participating schools receive a free copy of the book their students feature in.
For Students
Our favorite poet wins a $50 Amazon gift card.
Every entrant receives a bookmark and those poets who we'd love to publish will also receive a certificate of merit.
Student winners will be chosen from entries received Feb-June 2026.
Enter Online
Email
Email your entries to [email protected]
and please ensure your students' names and ages are on their work, and that you include your name, school name and school address in your email. Thank you!
Please ensure your name, email and school name and address are included with your entries if you send entries digitally via a non-Young Writers service.
Send by Mail
Send your entries, along with your school entry form, to:
Young Writers Pet Poetry 77 Walnut Street Unit 11 Peabody MA 01960
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