Kids Can Doodle for Google and Win Some Serious Cash

The theme for this year's 2022 Doodle for Google competition was "I care for myself by..."

Believe it or not, the first Doodle for Google started as a bit of a joke. Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin were heading to Burning Man for a week in August 1998 and wanted their employees to know they’d be out of the office. Their way of reminding them was by replacing the second ‘O’ in Google’s homepage logo with a stick figure that represented the festival’s logo. Needless to say, the Google homepage artwork has evolved into something much more.

Since 2008, the tech giant has hosted its annual Doodle for Google contest to encourage students in grades K-12 to create a Google Doodle for a chance to win scholarships and, of course, have their artwork featured on Google.com.

The theme for the Doodle for Google 2022 competition was “I care for myself by…” Students delivered some beautiful doodle artwork that brought the theme to life, offering a bit of self-care inspiration to everyone after these past few years of isolation. Just see for yourself.

The 2022 Doodle for Google Winner

Sophie Araque-Liu / Google

Florida student Sophie Araque-Liu won the 2022 competition and received a $30,000 college scholarship and received a $50,000 technology package for her school.

As promised, her image, titled “Not Alone,” was published on Google in mid-August. The artist wrote that she cares for herself by “accepting others’ care for me.”

Kindergarten to Third-Grade Group Google Doodle Finalist

Google

This drawing, titled “Dreaming of My Bright Future,” was the finalist for the K-3 group.

The Maryland student wrote, “In my dreams, I can be anything I want!”

Fourth- to Fifth-Grade Group Doodle for Google Finalist

Google

This Delaware student highlighted family in their doodle, titled “Family Will Always Care for You.”

“I care for myself by spending time with my family. They taught me many things, but I can’t write them all, so I drew them all on a blanket,” the student wrote.

Sixth- to Seventh-Grade Group Google Doodle Finalist

Google

This one really speaks to us because who doesn’t love food?

The Pennsylvania student’s artwork, titled “My Self Love,” emphasizes the student’s love for making food, especially African dishes with their mom.

Eighth- to Ninth-Grade Group Doodle for Google Finalist

Google

The last of the five finalists lives in Missouri and finds being outdoors is a good way to care for themselves.

Their drawing, titled “The Life-Cycle of Health” is all about being outside with family and, of course, a sketchbook. “My optimism and mental health soar most when I’m outside because self-care is like nature; they’re both beautiful, intricate systems,” the student wrote.

If your kid likes to draw, the 2023 Doodle for Google competition is set to open submissions in the winter.