With the theme of "Bringing Our Missing Children Home," OJJDP invites fifth graders each year to participate in the National Missing Children's Day poster contest. The winning poster is the inspiration for the National Missing Children's Day poster and artwork for the following year.
The contest creates an opportunity for schools, law enforcement, and child advocates to discuss the issue of missing and exploited children with youth and their families and to promote child safety.
Each state hosts its own poster competition and submits the winning entry to OJJDP for the national contest. The winning poster artwork inspires the National Missing Children's Day logo design for the following year's event.
The national poster contest winner, parents/guardians, and the winner's teacher will win a trip to Washington, DC, to attend the National Missing Children's Day Commemoration. The 42nd Missing Children's Day Commemoration will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Contest Submission Information
Fifth graders are invited to submit their entries for the National Missing Children's Day Poster Contest. The contest is open for entries.
OJJDP's Missing and Exploited Children's Training and Technical Assistance Program and the National Criminal Justice Training Center at Fox Valley Technical College collaborate with OJJDP to coordinate the poster contest each year.
Prospective participants should check with their state contest managers for the state submission deadlines. Posters entries must be submitted to your state contest manager for local judging by the submissions deadline.
The poster must be submitted with a completed application, which includes a description of the poster and a brief biography of the artist. Access the poster contest packet for more details. Contact the National Poster Contest Manager at [email protected] to find out how to contact your state manager.
2024 Winning Poster
The 2024 National Missing Children's Day poster contest winner is Hanna L., of Chesnee, SC.