Halloween Contests

Two Halloween contests, three stores, and store credit up to $100 in every category. Everyone who enters takes home a prize.

Judging day: Wednesday, October 21st, 2026

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Bring your carved pumpkin in on October 21st. Pumpkins are displayed and judged that same day.

Contest Categories
  • Ages 15 and Under
  • Ages 16 and Up
  • Employees
How to Enter
  • Bring your completed carved pumpkin to your nearest participating Play and Talk on October 21st, 2026.
  • Pumpkins will be displayed and judged that day.
  • One entry per participant.
Judging
  • Creativity
  • Craftsmanship
  • Overall Halloween Spirit

Halloween Art Contest

Drop your artwork off any time up to October 21st. No need to wait until judging day.

Contest Categories
  • Ages 15 and Under
  • Ages 16 and Up
  • Employees
How to Enter
  • Submit your completed artwork to Play and Talk by October 21st, 2026.
  • Entries may be drawings or paintings using the medium of your choice.
  • Include your name and phone number on the back of your artwork so we can contact the contest winners.
Judging
  • Creativity & Originality
  • Artistic Skill
  • Halloween Theme
  • Overall Presentation

Prizes

Awarded in every category, in both contests.

$1001st Place Store Credit
$502nd Place Store Credit
$253rd Place Store Credit

Everyone else still wins something. Participants who do not place receive a prize just for participating. Pumpkin contest winners leave their pumpkin with Play and Talk in exchange for their prize, and each participating store displays its top 3. All other participants take their pumpkin home after the contest.

Participating Locations

Gulfport Store10330 Factory Shop Blvd
Gulfport, MS
Foley Store2601 S McKenzie St, Ste 286
Foley, AL
Mobile Store (Hillcrest Rd.)2370 Hillcrest Rd, Suite E
Mobile, AL

Contest Rules

Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest Rules
  • One pumpkin per participant. Contestants must bring their own pumpkin; Play and Talk will not provide pumpkins.
  • Entries must be family friendly. Pumpkins containing offensive, inappropriate, or discriminatory content may be disqualified.
  • Pumpkins must be structurally sound. (No excessively rotten or leaking pumpkins.)
  • Each pumpkin must include the participant's name and phone number and age so the winners can be contacted following judgement.
  • All pumpkins must be submitted by October 21st, 2026 to be eligible for judging.
  • Pumpkins may be carved, painted, or decorated using any safe materials.
  • For safety, battery-operated lights or LED candles only. No open flames or real candles.
  • Good sportsmanship is expected. Please be respectful of all participants, judges, and their creations.
  • Do not touch, move, or alter another participant's pumpkin.
  • Judges' decisions are final.
  • Winning pumpkins will remain with Play and Talk in exchange for the winner's prize. All other participants should take their pumpkins home after the contest.
  • Play and Talk is not responsible for any damage to pumpkins during display or judging.
  • By entering the contest, participants give Play and Talk permission to post their pumpkin on social media during and after the contest.
  • Most importantly: have fun, be creative, and enjoy celebrating Halloween!
Halloween Art Contest Rules
  • One entry per participant.
  • Entries must be submitted on a piece of paper. (No canvas, sculptures, digital files, etc.)
  • No AI generated artwork.
  • Artwork should not include the artist's name on the front of the piece.
  • Entries may be drawings or paintings using any art medium.
  • All artwork must be family-friendly. Entries containing offensive, discriminatory, graphic, or otherwise inappropriate content may be disqualified.
  • Please write your name, phone number, and contest category on the back of your artwork.
  • All entries must be submitted by October 21st, 2026 to be eligible for judging.
  • Artwork should be clean, dry, and ready for display.
  • Please be respectful of other participants and their artwork. Good sportsmanship is expected throughout the contest.
  • Do not touch, move, or alter another participant's artwork.
  • By entering the contest, participants give Play and Talk permission to display and post their artwork on social media during and after the contest.
  • Judges' decisions are final.
  • Most importantly, have fun, be creative, and enjoy celebrating Halloween!

Questions about the contests?

Stop by any participating store or give us a call. Entries are accepted right up to October 21st, 2026.

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