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My First Poem 2026 |
Poetry Contest
| Ideal for Pre-K & Kindergarten


My First Poem 2026 Graphic

A brand new contest to introduce poetry to your students!

My First Poem is a fun way to introduce younger students to rhyme. The specially designed template will help them to create their very own poem, filled with their favorite things and dedicated to their special person. 

It celebrates their uniqueness and captures their personality at this age, resulting in a wonderful keepsake, as their poems could be published in a real book! 

Taking part in My First Poem also encourages language development, which is vital for future reading and writing skills.

There is a $500 Amazon gift card to be won - tell us why your school deserves to win, and what you would spend the money on to help with their learning, play, and development in your class. You can do this on the teacher entry form, or include a note with your entries. 

You will also receive a free copy of the book the children feature in, so everyone can see their poems and feel a sense of pride and confidence.

Download the entry form and get started today!

Closing Date: Friday Feb 27, 2026

We've worked with over 20,000 schools. Here's what some of them have to say...

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!

Katie Miller, Blue Eye High School
See more...

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You'll get access to...

Editable Entry Form
Entry Form
Teacher Info Card
Teacher Entry Form

Contest Rules

To make sure your entries are valid, please follow the rules listed below:

Closing Date: Friday Feb 27, 2026
  • Only one entry per student, there is no limit to the number of entries per class. 
  • Please submit your entries all together where possible!
  • Poems can be on the entry form, a letter-sized sheet of paper, or the editable PDF.
  • Poems must be each child's own work/words.
  • Ensure that all children's names, ages, teacher name and school are included on the entry form. (Entries can be submitted with first names only or initials if needed.)
  • Templates can be scribed/typed by an adult.
  • Entries can only be accepted if written in English
  • Open to children in a US Pre-K or kindergarten class.
  • Free to enter.

If you are unsure on any rules or have any queries, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.

For Schools

1st Prize - $500 Amazon gift card

For a chance to win the $500 Amazon gift card for your school, simply let us know why your class deserves to win, and how you would spend the money! Will you spruce up your outdoor areas, improve your reading library, or refresh your toys and resources? Write a note to let us know and include it with your entries to be considered for the prize.

For Students

All children whose poems we'd love to publish will receive a certificate of merit, and all entrants receive a bookmark.

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!

  Upload

Upload your entries

  File Sender Services

You can use different file sender services to enter digitally, such as: WeTransfer, Google Classroom, Dropbox, Send Anywhere, Egress, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Smash, Files.com, Apple iCloud Drive, FileCloud

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 My First Poem
77 Walnut Street
Unit 11
Peabody MA 01960

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Get In Touch

Email
[email protected]

Tel
323-244-4784

Post
Young Writers My First Poem
77 Walnut Street
Unit 11
Peabody MA 01960

Closing Date: Friday Feb 27, 2026