Khalifa Children's Creativity Storytelling Competition Launched To Inspire Young Writers In Abu Dhabi

The Khalifa Award for Education's General Secretariat, part of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, has introduced the Khalifa Children’s Creativity Storytelling Competition. This contest is aimed at children aged 7 to 15 and aligns with the Second Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week, scheduled from 17th to 23rd November 2025.

Humaid Al Houti, Secretary-General of the Award, stated that this competition aligns with the Khalifa Award's goal of nurturing creativity and talent in children. Organised alongside the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), it aims to boost imagination, creative expression, and national identity among young participants in Abu Dhabi.

The competition features two categories: Creative Buds for ages 7 to 9, requiring stories of 150–200 words, and Emerging Writers for ages 10 to 15, needing stories of 200–300 words. Registration is open from 1st to 10th November, with winners announced during Early Childhood Week.

Al Houti highlighted that the Khalifa Award for Education also offers the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning Field. This award is unique globally and acknowledges best practices in child empowerment and care. The new storytelling competition builds on this foundation by positioning Abu Dhabi as a centre for educational creativity and innovation.

This initiative aims to reinforce national values, instil loyalty and belonging, promote environmental awareness and sustainability, and enhance children's appreciation of Arabic language and literature. It also serves as a platform to discover early literary talents among children.

Evaluation criteria include correct use of simple Arabic, creativity, coherence, educational and moral values, and adherence to word limits. Submissions must be original works written in Arabic and not previously published. Entries found to be copied or generated using artificial intelligence tools will be disqualified.

Awards and Recognition

Three winners will be chosen in each category. They will receive cash prizes, a commemorative shield, and an accredited certificate of excellence. Winning stories will also be published on the Award’s media platforms to encourage young writers and celebrate their literary achievements.

The competition not only supports creativity but also strengthens national values among children. It offers a chance for young talents to express themselves while promoting cultural awareness through storytelling.

With inputs from WAM