Children’s Drawing Contest for Sleep Awareness Month Europe 2026
As part of Sleep Awareness Month, the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS), in partnership with 11 National Sleep Societies across Europe, invited children to explore the importance of sleep through drawing and creative expression.
The contest has now concluded, and we are pleased to share a gallery of selected drawings submitted as part of this joint European initiative. The artworks reflect children’s perspectives on healthy sleep, bedtime routines, dreams, and wellbeing in thoughtful and imaginative ways.
About the initiative
The Children’s Drawing Contest is a public awareness activity designed to engage children in learning about sleep and healthy sleep routines through creativity and art.
By participating, children are encouraged to reflect on everyday habits that support good sleep, such as consistent bedtime routines, limiting screen use before bed, and creating calm evening environments, and how these habits contribute to restorative sleep and overall well-being. Drawing provides a natural and inclusive way for children to explore these ideas and express their understanding of sleep in their own words and images.
A collaborative European effort
The Children’s Drawing Contest is delivered as a joint European initiative, coordinated by ESRS in close collaboration with 11 National Sleep Societies:
Each National Sleep Society promoted and implemented the activity at national level, adapting it to local languages, cultural contexts, and educational settings. National Sleep Societies also managed submissions and local selection processes within their respective countries.
Contest categories and timeline
The submission period for the Children’s Drawing Contest ran between 15 February 2026 and 1 March 2026.
The contest is now closed.
Gallery of drawings
We are pleased to present a gallery of drawings submitted through the Children’s Drawing Contest for Sleep Awareness Month Europe 2026.
These artworks offer a meaningful and creative reflection on children’s understanding of sleep health and the everyday habits that support good sleep. Together, they highlight the value of sleep from an early age and the importance of promoting healthy sleep in ways that are engaging, positive, and accessible.
Part of Sleep Awareness Month for Europe
Sleep Awareness Month for Europe is an annual initiative that highlights the importance of sleep for health and well-being across the lifespan.
With a specific focus on children’s sleep health, the Drawing Contest contributes to the broader objectives of Sleep Awareness Month by promoting education, prevention, and early awareness through community-based activities. The initiative complements other Sleep Awareness Month actions by bringing sleep health into everyday settings in a simple and meaningful way.
From drawings to awareness
Selected drawings from participating countries will be shared during Sleep Awareness Month to illustrate children’s perspectives on sleep and to support wider public awareness efforts.
In addition, the best drawings selected by the National Sleep Societies will be exhibited at Sleep Europe 2026 in Maastricht, giving visibility to children’s perspectives on sleep within the wider scientific and public health community.
The focus of the initiative is not competition, but participation, creativity, and shared learning.
Working together for children’s sleep health
The Children’s Drawing Contest reflects a shared commitment to promoting healthy sleep from an early age.
Through simple, creative actions, ESRS Sleep Awareness Month aims to foster understanding, conversation, and lasting awareness of sleep health across Europe, supporting healthier futures for the next generation.
ESRS would like to thank the National Sleep Societies for their collaboration and commitment to this initiative.