Children’s Spring Poetry Contest

Calling all budding poets. Do you love playing in Toronto’s parks? Write a poem and enter the contest by noon on May 5.

Enter a Poem

The Children’s Spring Poetry Contest invites youth six to 14 years old to express their creativity and be inspired by the beauty of Toronto’s parks.

Take a closer look at the flowers and trees exploding with petals and leaves. How does it feel climbing to the top of the play equipment or splishing around in the splash pad? Share what you discover, feel and see when you’re outside.

The City’s Poet Laureate Lillian Allen is selecting winners in three age categories. All winners receive a signed certificate.

Young people writing poetry is a beautiful way to engage their hearts and imagination. Writing poetry is a gentle and powerful way for them to reflect and think about the beautiful gifts of spring and renewal and themselves and nature. They too can be creators! The world is kinda tough sometimes, but spring gives us hope! And hope springs eternal!
Poet Laureate Lillian Allen

Be Expressive

What is a poem? It could rhyme, though it does not have to. It could be a short or a long poem. It could be free verse, narrative or acrostic, dub or spoken word. Anything goes.

Make it as descriptive as you like. The more expressive a poem is, the more chance it has of winning.

Poem Requirements

Eligible poems must meet the following criteria:

• Be an original poem
• Written by a child six to 14 years old living in Toronto with a postal code starting with M, for example, M5V 3C6
• Include a title
• Be 300 words or less

How to Enter

Complete the online entry form below. The deadline is noon on May 5.

The contest has three age categories:

• Six to eight years of age
• Nine to 11 years of age
• 12 to 14 years of age

Enter a Poem