Record for World Kids Colouring Day 2021: 30,958 images submitted by children from 19 countries

From Europe to Asia and South America, World Kids Colouring Day this year inspired tens of thousands of children in 19 countries to discover nature in their surroundings and capture their impressions in imaginative pictures. With 30,958 entries for the campaign day on 6 May, STAEDTLER received significantly more pictures than in previous years. “We are delighted that the motto has been so well received by the children,” says Britta Olsen, Head of Brand & Communications at STAEDTLER. "There were several similarities in the entries from different continents, for example, many of the children painted trees. At the same time, regional differences and special features are noticeable." Motives with mountains or animals such as penguins, iguanas  and leopards were submitted from Ecuador, for example. And while colorful, detailed jungle landscapes arrived from Malaysia, children in Germany liked to draw apple trees, flowers and bees – including a bee tea party. 

"We were very impressed by the pictures of the children. The large number of motives depicting the diversity of species in the different regions was overwhelming. Not to mention the children’s creativity in how they put their experiences and impressions on paper," says Britta Olsen. In addition to classics such as watercolours as well as coloured pencils, felt-tip pens and watercolour pencils, the colourful works of art also used natural materials: Sticks and leaves become a tree; pebbles and flowers adorn the painted forest path. "Parents, but also schools, kindergartens and daycare centres have used the motto ‘Let`s discover nature – on land’ to motivate the little ones to go outside for World Kids Colouring Day. Some even went on a treasure hunt in the outdoors," says Britta Olsen. 

The children were not only able to get creative, but also painted and crafted for a good cause: STAEDTLER is supporting the child rights organisation Plan International Germany for the third time. Thanks to the numerous pictures, Plan International Germany will receive 30,958 euros from STAEDTLER this year - one euro per submission - to support the "Allin Mikuna" project in Peru. A total of around 600 families in the province of Paucartambo in the Cusco region should be able to secure and improve their livelihoods. To this end, Plan International Germany is organising training courses on organic agriculture as well as measures for the cultivation of food and for better income opportunities for women.

For several months now, hundreds of families with children under the age of five have found support in healthy nutrition and in building their own sustainable businesses. In addition to start-up financing for 300 families and a seed capital for eleven groups of entrepreneurs, numerous activities rely on information and exchange, especially in schools. Here, children learn more about healthy nutrition and environmental protection through workshops and develop joint action plans in groups to reduce pollution. “Thanks to the generous support, we can improve the nutritional situation for disadvantaged children in Peru in the long term,” says Kathrin Hartkopf, spokesperson for the Management Board of Plan International Germany. "The children also learn how to protect nature more efficiently. We look forward to the competition next year and thus to continuing our successful cooperation with STAEDTLER."