Kids: Design holiday wrapping in our 2010 Wrapping Paper Art Contest

Hey, kids, here’s a riddle: How can you make an 81⁄2 - by 11-inch piece of paper bigger just by drawing on it?

The answer: When your design wins the 2010 Wrapping Paper Art Contest.

Ace that, and your design will be printed as a sheet of real gift wrap on a full-size newspaper page.

That’s not the only prize. You’ll also receive $25, a special arts package from Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga and a goody bag from Chattanooga Kids on the Block, the contest’s co-sponsors. Plus, a story about you and your artwork will appear in the Life section Dec. 5.

The wrapping paper will be inserted into the newspaper that Sunday, giving you and thousands of other Chattanooga families the chance to wrap gifts with your design.

And Kids on the Block representatives will use it in their gift-wrap kiosks at Hamilton Place mall Dec. 9-24. They’ll be in two locations: upstairs by the Tourist Information Center (customer service) and downstairs in the JCPenney court.

Entries are now being accepted, and you can use all kinds of materials and markers in your creation. We can’t wait to see your designs.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO ENTER

* What: Wrapping Paper Contest.

* Who can enter: Any elementary school student in grades 1-5.

* Deadline: Entries must be received at the Times Free Press by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19.

* Grand prize: A special arts package from Allied Arts, a goody bag from Kids on the Block, $25 and your picture and Christmas design printed as wrapping paper in the newspaper Sunday, Dec. 5. The winner will be contacted no later than Tuesday, Nov. 23.

* Finalist prizes: Six finalists will win Times Free Press T-shirts.

* Judges: The Times Free Press design staff and representatives from Allied Arts and Kids on the Block will select the winners.

* Entry format: Please use an 81⁄2- by 11-inch piece of unlined paper. One entry per child. Entry should have the child’s name, age, address, telephone number and school printed on the back. (A teacher’s name is also helpful.)

* Mail or hand-deliver entry to: Wrapping Paper Art Contest, Times Free Press, 400 E. 11th St., Chattanooga, TN 37403.

* For more information: Call 757-6282.