Get SunSmart! Children's Art Competition 2026

Healthy Ireland in collaboration with the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) are calling on all pre-school and primary school children, depending on their age category to either colour-in our SunSmart images below or draw their own SunSmart Superhero Squad using the SunSmart 5S's for inspiration!

The SunSmart 5 S’s provide simple information on how to protect your skin and stay safe in the sun.

The SunSmart 5S’s are:

• Slip on clothing that covers your skin such as long sleeves or collared t-shirts.
• Slop on sunscreen on exposed areas, using factor 50+ for children.
• Slap on a wide-brimmed hat. Protect your face, ears and neck.
• Seek shade especially if outdoors between 11am and 3pm.
• Slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes.

We want children to be creative and learn how to enjoy the sun safely by:

Colouring in the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S’s picture (Pre-school, and Junior Infants to First Class)

or

Drawing their own SunSmart Superhero Squad, using the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S’s for inspiration(Second to Fourth Class, and Fifth and Sixth Class)

The winners of each category will receive :

• an OPW Family Heritage Card. This exclusive Heritage Card lets you explore our rich history and stunning landscapes. This Card gives unlimited access to the country’s most iconic landmarks, including its castles, abbeys, cathedrals and much, much more. Enjoy FREE admission for 12 months for 2 Adults and 3 Children into all fee-paying OPW managed sites, such as Castletown, Casino Marino, Dublin Castle, Derrynane House, Clonmacnoise and many more locations throughout the country. Visit Heritage Ireland for more information.
• A family day pass for Dublin Zoo for 2 adults and up to 4 children.

And

• A National Book Token worth €20

There will also be 10 lucky runner-up prizes in each category who will receive a Healthy Ireland SunSmart goodie bag.

The competition is open to all pre-school and primary school children. There are four categories

• Category 1: Pre-schools

Download, print and colour in the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S's images from the link below.

• Category 2: Junior Infants to First Class

Download, print and colour in the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S's images from the link below.

• Category 3: Second Class to Fourth Class

Draw a picture of your own SunSmart Superhero Squad using the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S’s for inspiration. You can draw your picture on a piece of plain white paper using crayons, pencils, pens, colouring pencils, markers or paint.

• Category 4: Fifth and Sixth Class

Draw a picture of your own SunSmart Superhero Squad using the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S’s for inspiration. You can draw your picture on a piece of plain white paper using crayons, pencils, pens, colouring pencils, markers or paint.

Ask a parent, guardian, or teacher to post your picture to

Healthy Ireland SunSmart, NCCP Cancer Prevention Function,

National Cancer Control Programme,

King's Inns House,

200 Parnell Street, Dublin 1,

DO1 A3Y8

by the 22nd May 2026

Or take a photo of your picture and email it to healthyireland@health.gov.ie by 5pm on Friday 22nd May 2026

When sending in your entry make sure to include -

• Child’s name
• Child’s age
• Child’s class category – Pre-school, Junior Infants to First Class, Second to Fourth Class or Fifth and Sixth Class
• Parent, Guardian, or Teacher’s Name
• Parent, Guardian or Teacher’s Email Address
• Parent ,Guardian or Teacher’s Contact Number

For more information on the SunSmart campaign visit hse.ie/sunsmart

• Republic of Ireland Entry Only
• Excludes employees of the Department of Health and HSE's National Cancer Control Programme, their immediate families (defined as parents, spouses, children and siblings), their agents or anyone professionally associated with this promotion.
• Competition runs from 13th April to the 22nd May 2026. Entries submitted after the closing date will not be accepted.
• No purchase necessary.
• Only one entry per individual is permitted.
• Winners artwork will be featured as part of the 2026 SunSmart campaign via the HSE and Healthy Ireland social media channels
• Winners will receive an OPW Family Heritage Card, a Dublin Zoo Family Day pass, and a National Book token, no cash alternative.
• Each category will also have 10 runners up.
• Runners up will receive a SunSmart goodie bag.
• Each entry must be submitted by an adult aged 18 years or above.
• Winners of all categories will be chosen by a selection committee within 21 days of the competition closing. Entrants (those who submitted artwork on children’s behalf) will be contacted within 14 days of the selection by email to confirm eligibility and acceptance of the prize and they will receive their prize within 28 days of this notification.
• Entrants must send all required details when submitting to be eligible to win, it is their responsibility to ensure that they provide the correct personal and contact details.
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, administered by or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
• All artwork must have been completed unaided and must be an original work.
• The winners agree to allow Healthy Ireland to use their name and county of residence when announcing the winners of this Competition on their social channels.
• Proof of date of birth may be requested
• Submission of artwork is taken as giving permission for it to be displayed on Healthy Ireland and HSE promotional images and materials including social media channels as part of the 2026 SunSmart campaign.
• We reserve the right not to award prizes in any category. The decision of the adjudicators is final and no correspondence will be entered into.