Proud parents can help build their child's future by entering him/her in cute baby contests. From magazine covers and modeling jobs to cash and products, learn how to help your baby capture first prize. If you're interested in sharing your baby's beauty with the world, consider entering him into one of these fun cutest baby competitions.
Cute Baby Photo Competitions
The contests in this section work well for families who wish to show off their adorable new baby or their beautiful budding toddler. The easy entry procedures and stress-free participation make them good choices for all parents. If you think your tot is an absolute shoo-in for first prize, take a look and give it a shot.
Gerber Photo Search
Gerber has long been synonymous with adorable, smiling babies. If you think your little darling could be the next Gerber baby, enter the company's annual contest. It is open to children between age zero and 48 months old. Children must be legal residents of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico to be eligible. An agency or manager must not represent children.
- Entering the Contest: Entry is free, and parents or legal caregivers can enter by uploading a recent photo of their child on Gerber's photo search Instagram page. This takes place during a designated submission period in the fall. Judging criteria is based on overall visual appeal, the expressiveness of the child, and how consistent the baby picture is with Gerber's 'Growing Up Gerber' mission.
- Prizes: The Grand Award Recipient receives a cash prize of $25,000, down from $50,000 in past years, which can be used for the child's future education or other purposes. The baby who wins the contest will also be featured on the brand's social media channels and be considered the official 'Spokesbaby' of the brand for one calendar year.
FirstCry Parenting
This website doesn't house one single contest but several contests that might appeal to parents of cute kiddos. Some of the current contests running are Baby of Summer '21, Baby of the Month, Happiest Child Contest, and many more. Prizes range depending on the contest entered.
LullaPanda
Enter your tot's stunning photograph and see if it is enough to bring home a cash prize. Each month new winners are chosen, and new cash prizes up to $2,000 are offered.
Bidiboo
Bidiboo is a website with a contest for kids of all ages. For babies, there is a zero to three years of age category. Contests are done monthly, and winners can win up to $2000 per month. To enter their little one, parents must connect with Bidiboo via Facebook.
The contests are done in the form of 'votes.' It is free to join. You can vote every ten minutes, but individuals are limited to voting for the same participant only ten times per day. If you don't want to wait ten minutes to vote, the website allows you to purchase bonuses, so your votes are in without having to wait. Bidiboo is run by a New York and Paris-based company and is a safe site to use according to websites such as Scam Advisor; however, some have complained that the ability to buy votes or bonuses makes the contest unfair.
Parents can choose whether they want to allow everyone access to their child's folder, allow friends and family to see the photo on social media, or keep the photo private. The website does identify the name and age of participants in their contests if you make the child's image public.
Our Cute Babies
Our Cute Babies holds a monthly contest for children two and under. There are 30 categories, including action shots, siblings, beautiful eyes, messy kids, and favorite toys. There is no cost to enter, and you can upload as many photos as you want. The contest runs from the beginning of the month to the end of the month, but it is not carried over to the next month. There is no monetary prize, but winners are featured in the Our Cute Babies Magazine.
There are two different ways to win this contest. Visitors can vote for their favorite photos, and the top three winners in each category will receive a ¼ page photo in Our Cute Babies Magazine. Two Contest Administrators and three guest judges will choose 90 photos from all categories to be featured in a ½ page photo in the magazine.
New Parent Magazine
The website for New Parent Magazine has a weekly cutest baby contest that offers the opportunity to win unspecified cash and prizes. This contest accepts baby photos of tots who range in age from 0 to 24 months. Once you have created an account, you'll upload your adorable baby photo, and it will be posted on the website. Registered users vote for the cutest baby that week; however, each user is limited to one vote per week to keep things fair.
The weekly winners can advance to the semifinal and final rounds, and ultimately one winner will be chosen to appear on a featured issue of the print magazine and receive the Grand Prize, which is to be announced. New Parent retains all rights to the photo once you enter the contest. Cell phone photos are not eligible, and photos must be submitted by the legal parent or guardian.
The Cute Kid
The Cute Kid offers five categories of competition based on age, ranging from zero to one year. Parents must register on the website, and each photo requires a $19.95 entry fee. The Cute Kid offers a monthly showcase contest, in which one overall winner gets $1,000, and four get $500 in each category. Honorable Mention winners receive prizes, but not cash.
The Grand Prize annual winner is selected from monthly category winners. In addition to other prizes, kids can receive a college tuition investment fund of $25,000 and a trip to New York City. Monthly winners are announced approximately 15 days after the contest ends.
Participants are judged by casting agents and professional photographers on appearance, charisma, expression, and image concept/setting. Entry in this contest means talent, modeling, and casting agents may see your baby's photographs. There is also a People's Choice contest each month, in which winners are chosen by popular vote and may qualify to receive unspecified cash and other prizes.
Highlights Hello Magazine
Highlights Hello, designed for little ones aged zero to two, offers babies the chance to be featured on the magazine's back cover. Parents can enter their contact information and upload an image of their infant waving or looking at a copy of the magazine. There is no registration or entry fee required, and the entry form is easily located on the site.
The Baby Corner Monthly Contest
Baby, pregnancy, and parenting website The Baby Corner hosts a cute baby photo contest each month. It is free to enter, but you'll need to register for an account on the website. Winners are chosen by popular vote and are featured on the 'Winners' page of the website and on the home page during the month following the win. Winning babies also receive a Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Puppy, or the cash equivalent.
Strider Monthly Photo Contest
If you have an older baby or toddler, you may want to consider the Strider monthly photo contest. This maker of balance bikes (designed for kids as young as six months) offers a monthly contest. The photo must be of your little one on or with a genuine Strider balance bike to be eligible. There are three winners chosen each month. Winners are featured on the brand's social media channels and receive a $200 (first place), $100 (second place), or $50 (third place) voucher. You can enter the international contest by submitting a photo and contact information on the Strider website.
Family Magazine (Military Families)
If someone in your family is in the military, you may be eligible to enter the Family Magazine Cute Kid Contest. This contest is held annually and has 1rst, 2nd, and 3rd place winners and four runners up. The big winner of the competition stands to take home a cash prize of $1,500. Judges browse through photos and choose seven semi-finalists. Those lucky seven are then featured on the website, and readers get to weigh in on who they think is the cutest kiddo.
Great American Photo Contest
The Great American Photo Contest features both monthly baby photo contests and an annual contest with the winners of each monthly contest. To enter, either fill out the entry form on the website and upload a digital photo or submit the entry form and photo by postal mail. The annual contest begins each year on the first day of July. The contest is not free; parents or caregivers must submit a $19.99 entry fee when entering their child in the contest. Online votes determine winners, and only registered users may cast votes. Babies must be 48 months or younger at the time the photo is taken. Monthly winners receive $1,000, and annual winners receive a U.S. government bond valued at $25,000. Those entering the contest should be aware that the company does share your information with third-party advertisers. To opt-out, you must send an email to unsubscribe@greatamericanphoto-contest.com.
Baby Modeling Contests
If you think your child is beautiful enough to score an early modeling career, consider entering her into one of the baby modeling competitions in this section. Typical prizes include magazine covers, cash, and modeling contracts.
Show Off Clicks
Show Off Clicks is an annual international contest with various age groups, including a zero to two category. To enter little ones in this contest, parents should register on the Show Off Clicks website and upload a photo of their child. You can also upload photos and enter the competition via the site's social media pages Entry is free, and there are two levels in the contest.
- National Level: The first level of the contest is national and is judged by a combination of public voting and a select jury panel. Winners of the national contest receive The Fame Award, which offers them a digital certificate and registration on Show off Clicks as a registered model ($500 value). Professionals at Show Off Clicks also promote the winners help facilitate modeling contracts.
- International Level: Those that move on to the International Wall of Fame are judged by international public votes and a jury panel. The top 15 overall winners receive a professional modeling portfolio, including a photoshoot by a celebrity photographer and the potential to be featured in a music video (valued at $750).
- Star Kids: From the top 15 international winners, three children are chosen as Star Kids and are awarded an international fashion photoshoot and a one-year professional modeling contract (worth $20,000). Travel expenses for the child and one parent or guardian are also provided. The five most active and energetic kids will also be featured in a music video by Jazz Records.
Sunburst Model Search Pageant
Sunburst Model Search Pageant allows babies to enter and be accompanied by a parent on stage. The company has been involved in the modeling and pageant industry since 1978 and holds local, state, and international pageants. Categories include Baby (under one), Tiny (one year), and Little (two to three years). Parents must fill out a registration form and pay a $45 entry fee.
Parents are encouraged to get their little ones to smile and show personality. Babies and toddlers are judged on overall looks, appearance, and personality. Both winners and runners-up at the state level receive crowns, trophies, and a wave of the entry fee for the state finals.
State finalists advance to the international competition. At the international level, participants are offered exposure to modeling scouts looking for new talent. All winners at this level receive a $1,000 cash prize, with the opportunity to win up to $10,000 for top scorers.
Bailey Agency Babies and Kids Contest
Bailey's School of Fashion, a fashion, and modeling school created by celebrity Cynthia Bailey offers a monthly contest with a division for babies from birth to age one and toddlers between the ages of two and three. Parents must submit a $20 processing fee and email the Bailey agency a photo of their child along with information such as the child's age, full name, and contact information.
Winners are chosen based on overall appearance and featured on the Bailey Agency website and social media sites. Winners also receive an autographed photo of Cynthia Bailey.
Potential Places to Find Cute Baby Photo or Modeling Contests
Some companies may not offer contests every year, but it can be worth it to check back in case they are currently offering one.
Gap
Well-known fashion brand Gap doesn't have a contest restricted to babies, but they have offered casting call contests in the past. Children who are entered in the casting call may be eligible to model for the brand. Although the company doesn't always offer a casting call, you can check the official Gap website to get updates on possible contests.
Pampers
Although there isn't currently a Pampers baby contest, the brand has offered some in the past, such as Facebook contests in which parents could upload their baby's cute photos for a chance to have them 'liked' the most for a chance to win diapers and other prizes. Check the Pampers website or visit them on social media for possible upcoming contests.
Gymboree
Gymboree has hosted a 'Smile Baby Smile' contest previously for babies ages zero to three. The grand prize winner received a modeling contract, while nine runners-up were awarded shopping sprees valued at $500. Entries were taken via Instagram. Check the Gymboree website for possible upcoming contests.
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn hosted a seasonal photo contest where parents of adorable kiddos could try and capitalize on their offspring's good looks in hopes of a $2500 shopping spree.
Live's 'Oh Baby!' Contest
While not live, the Live show with Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest has offered the 'Oh Baby' contest in the past. For several weeks in June, parents and caregivers could submit cute baby photos (aged two and younger) to the show's website for a chance to win. One lucky little one was awarded an all-expenses-paid family vacation in Fiji.
Entering Your Child in a Photo Contest
When entering your little one in a photo contest, make sure that you do the following and give them the biggest leg up on the competition that you can.
- Follow ALL of the contest rules. Different contests have different photo requirements. Make sure that you read all of the fine print.
- Use flattering lighting and simple background. Don't let anything detract from your kid's cuteness.
- Tell a story. It can be in the face, the eyes, the entire ambiance of the image, but whatever it is, you want your photograph to pull at emotions.
More Contest Sources to Consider
In addition to the sources mentioned above for contests and competitions, many other places may offer contests in various local areas. Prizes range from simple exposure to free products. These contests may offer annual competitions or accept ongoing cutest baby of the month or week submissions. If you'd like to find competitions near you, consider checking the following:
- Local news stations and newspapers
- Local radio stations
- Local photography studios
- Libraries or community centers
- City or region-specific magazines
- Department stores or local businesses
- Hospitals and birthing centers
- Malls and shopping centers
- Camera stores and photography groups
- Baby or pregnancy expos
- March for Life or Right to Life events
- County fairs and festivals
Keep It Fun
Make sure to do your research before entering any contest, so you understand the terms beforehand, and it can be an excellent experience for you and your child. If you make cute baby contests pleasant and free of anxiety for you and your child, it will yield a positive outcome for everyone. Remember, a child is a child, and each of his activities should have the ultimate goal of fun.
