Clean & Healthy Waterways Schools Challenge
Primary School-Age Children Are Invited to Join London’s Clean & Healthy Waterways Schools Challenge
Enter now for a chance to win a Clean & Healthy Waterways workshop for your classroom!
Primary school-age children across London are invited to take part in the Mayor of London’s Clean and Healthy Waterways Schools Challenge 2026.
This exciting creative challenge invites young Londoners aged 4 to 11 to imagine a future where everyone can connect with clean, healthy waterways and the nature around them.
Winning designs will be featured on picnic benches in four London boroughs, helping celebrate and support London’s rivers, canals and wetlands for years to come.
Design submission deadline: 26th June 2026
About the Challenge
Groundwork London, on behalf of the Mayor of London, is inviting primary school-age children from across London to submit creative designs inspired by this year’s theme: The River of Life
London’s waterways are part of what makes our city special. From the Thames to canals, wetlands and smaller rivers, these spaces connect communities, support wildlife and help people enjoy nature close to home.
This challenge encourages children to explore what rivers and waterways mean to them, from wildlife and adventure to wellbeing, community and the future of our city.
We want to hear from children across all London boroughs and welcome submissions from children of all backgrounds.
The Theme: The River of Life
People sometimes describe rivers as “the river of life” because rivers can reflect our own journeys through life.
Like rivers, life can have twists and turns. Sometimes it feels calm, and sometimes it feels challenging. Rivers, canals and wetlands connect people across London and remind us that we all share this wonderful, complicated and fascinating journey together.
We’re inviting children to create designs inspired by:
- life in, on or beside London’s waterways
- wildlife and plants that live in rivers, canals and wetlands
- memories or experiences near water
- hopes for cleaner, greener waterways in the future
Prizes
There will be eight winning designs, and each will be painted on a picnic bench and placed in one of the following London boroughs:
- Barnet
- Ealing
- Hackney
- Wandsworth
Designs will feature the winner’s age and name of the school. The child’s name will be anonymised for data protection purposes.
The first prize winner will receive a Clean & Healthy Waterways workshop for their class, specifically designed for their year group and the curriculum.
Key dates
- Submissions open: 5th June 2026
- Submission deadline: 26th June 2026
- Winners contacted: w/c 6th July 2026
Unfortunately, late entries may not be considered.
Who can enter?
The challenge is open to:
- children aged 4 to 11
- primary schools, home schools, or play schemes across Greater London
- entries submitted by teachers, parents, guardians or play scheme leaders
Schools and play schemes may submit multiple entries, but each child may only enter once.
Design requirements:
- to be created on white A4 or A3 paper using the official template
- to be colourful and creative
- to clearly respond to the theme The River of Life
- JPEG or PNG files accepted
- maximum file size of 16MB
Children can use:
- coloured pencils
- paint
- felt-tip pens
Please do not attach additional materials such as glitter, sequins or buttons.
After submitting entries, please retain the artwork at school. Winning entries will be contacted and required to provide the original designs before schools break up for the summer holidays.
How to enter
- Download the design template
- Create your artwork
- Complete the online entry form
- Upload your design before the deadline
Information Pack, Terms and Conditions
The Information Pack contains everything you need to know about the challenge, including the Terms and Conditions. Please read it before submitting your entry.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the challenge, please get in touch at waterways@groundwork.org.uk. Or call our team:
Molly: 07549 019169, Clare: 07913 604364
