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Annual Poison Prevention Poster Contest

It’s time to put your creativity to the test! Washington Poison Center invites students from Kindergarten through 12th grade to take up their markers, colored pencils, and paintbrushes to participate in our 20th annual Poison Prevention Poster Contest. The 2026 theme is "Pick Your Poison."

Creating a poster will:

  • Increase your knowledge of common poisons and poisoning prevention
  • Increase your knowledge of how Washington Poison Center can help you, your family, and friends
  • Develop language around health and safety
  • Develop awareness of and confidence in your personal role in poison prevention

 

Your artwork can make a difference by educating our communities about poison prevention. We can’t wait to see your submissions!

Gray haired man holding a tan poster with a hand drawn image of mushrooms kneeling to left of 1st grade girl in green shirt holding a trophy

How it works:

Pick a poison

Choose a harmful substance (like a chemical, toxic plant, or local venomous animal)

Learn about it

Explore how your selected poison affects people and how to prevent poisoning from it

Get creative

Design an eye-catching poster that helps people understand your poison and how they can stay safe around it

We'll choose 4 winners:

  1. Kindergarten – 2nd grade
  2. 3rd – 5th grade
  3. 6th – 8th grade
  4. 9th – 12th grade

Our Kindergarten – 2nd grade and 3rd – 5th grade winners will receive a gift card to Michaels (art and craft supply store) and a class party with the one and only Mr. Yuk.

The 6th – 8th grade and 9 – 12th grade winners will receive an iPad and a visit with their local legislators.

We will recognize all our winners in a press release, newsletter, and on our social media platforms!

Two adult men and a high school age girl smiling and standing together in front of wooden circle carved with George Washington's bust and the words "The Seal of the State of Washington." The man in the middle and the girl are holding a blue poster with a hand drawn containing information on carbon monoxide.

Contest rules & instructions

  • Contest begins: December 15, 2025
  • Submit your poster by: February 1, 2026
  • Posters will be judged by Washington Poison Center staff throughout February 2026
  • Winners will be announced during National Poison Prevention Week: March 15 – 21, 2026

Resources for schools & organizations

Help us spread the word about the contest and poison safety with the following resources:

A pile of Mr. Yuk magnets (a black border around a green face with a disgusted expression sticking its tongue out) on a gray tablecloth

Need some inspiration?

Poison fact sheets

Browse through common poisons and categories of toxic substances with our "How Toxic Is It?" fact sheets

View fact sheets
Mr. Yuk Mascot - a green character with a round head, disgusted look and sticking-out tongue) reading a toxicology book.

Safety resources

Learn about common poisons and key poison prevention strategies with our educational resources

View resources
Paper handouts in different languages stacked side by side. The handouts are checklists on poisonous items

News & alerts

Read about emerging poison concerns, newsworthy tidbits from our center, and more

Read news
Man holding out a box of naloxone hcl nasal spray in his left hand and holding the nasal spray applicator in his right hand

Learn about us

Learn about your statewide, nonprofit service for poison and drug safety

Learn about us
dark haired adult man in a cubicle looking at computer monitor and smiling