Welcome to the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest!
We’re on a quest to find and celebrate the best handwriting by students in grades K–6 in the United States!
Is there a 2025 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest Grand National Champion or Nicholas Maxim Award winner in your school or classroom?
Your student can join these previous winners in the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest Hall of Fame!
Get Started Today
Join the competition to motivate students’ progress in handwriting, boost their confidence, and win prizes, too!
Visit the How to Enter page to download a complete entry packet. Each school’s grade-level winners must be submitted to Zaner-Bloser by February 1.
Handwriting Competition by the Numbers
Scroll to see facts about Zaner-Bloser's nationwide contest, now in its 34th year, or download the complete Fast Facts Flyer.
All participants write the same sentence on official contest entry forms.
It contains all 26 letters of the alphabet!
Who Can Enter the Contest?
The handwriting contest is open to all students in grades K–6 (K–2 entries in manuscript and 3–6 entries in cursive).
Students with disabilities are invited to compete for the Nicholas Maxim Award for Manuscript and Nicholas Maxim Award for Cursive. Named in honor of a talented past participant, these awards recognize students with cognitive, intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities who excel in handwriting.
See Complete Entry Details
All participants write the same sentence on official contest entry forms.
It contains all 26 letters of the alphabet!
Get Ready to Win!
Winners are chosen from schools who teach the Zaner-Bloser method. If your students are learning the four Keys to Legibility with Zaner-Bloser Handwriting, Zaner-Bloser La escritura, or The Superkids Reading Program, they could be on their way to a win!
See lists of previous winners or browse stories published nationwide in the news.
Grand National Champions and Nicholas Maxim Award winners receive a trophy and cash prize.