The Dinosaur Toy Forum Diorama Contest 2026 sponsored by Happy Hen Toys is now open!
Another year, another contest – it’s diorama time again! And thanks to our generous sponsors, Happy Hen Toys, there are cash prizes!
Rules, regulations, terms and conditions
Anyone can enter. All members of the Dinosaur Toy Forum, including staff, can participate. Non-members who wish to participate are invited to register an account on the Dinosaur Toy Forum (this is free).
Dioramas. Dioramas must feature prehistoric creatures: from ammonites to Allosaurus. We are using a very broad definition of “diorama” to encourage a wide variety of entries. So the ‘diorama’ could be anything from a traditionally constructed self-contained diorama scene, to a photograph of toys arranged outside. So, this is as much a photography competition as it is a pure diorama contest. Dioramas must be new (never published or shared on the internet before) and must have been produced by the entrant. Stealing somebody else’s diorama will result in disqualification.
One diorama per member. Entrants may submit one photograph of their diorama. Once submitted it cannot be exchanged for an alternative entry.
Title. Entries should be accompanied by a creative title. If no title is provided, the entry will be listed in the contest as “Untitled #”.
Photoshop. Photoshop is allowed for basic, manual manipulation, but the original photograph(s) used in the diorama must be your own. Using somebody else’s photographs will result in disqualification. This includes for background scenes (e.g. stock images are not allowed).
AI. The use of AI is not allowed in any form. AI generated backgrounds are not allowed.
Winners. There will be three winners in first, second and third place respectively (no joint positions). These will be selected by an anonymous public poll open to all Dinosaur Toy Forum members. This poll will take place within seven days after the closing date (see below). A tie-break poll will be created in the event of any tied positions. There will also be three additional honourable mentions for dioramas in positions four to six.
Prizes. This year the contest is sponsored by Happy Hen Toys who have provided the following generous cash prizes:
Prizes will, preferably, be transferred to winners via PayPal, and if this isn’t possible, then via bank transfer. Any currency conversion or transfer fees will come out of the prize money. Winners will be contacted by email after they have been selected and officially announced.
Anonymity. Entries must be anonymous until the winners are announced. We therefore request that entrants do not watermark or sign their entries, or discuss them on the forum until after the results are announced. Again, dioramas must be new (never published or shared on the internet before) and must have been produced by the entrant.
Image file. Entries should be submitted as a jpeg (.jpg or .jpeg) image file at least 1500px wide. Larger images are allowed, but when the images are shared online the contest organiser will resize them, so that all entries are the same width, for consistency and for ease of viewing on the web.
Submission. Send your entry as an email attachment to dinotoyblog@gmail.com with the following format:
The email title should read as follows: “diorama contest 2026 [ forum username ]”
The body of the email should include the diorama title.
A confirmation reply email will be sent to entrants within seven days of receipt. Please be patient. If, after seven days, you have still not received a confirmation reply, then feel free to email again to ask if your entry was received.
Deadline. The contest is open from today (Thursday 28th May 2026) until the deadline on Sunday 1st November 2026. Entries received after Sunday the 1st, according to Eastern Standard Time, will be invalid.
Additional terms and conditions
By entering this contest, you agree to give the Dinosaur Toy Blog and Dinosaur Toy Forum the right to share your photograph in the public poll, in public blog and forum posts, and on social media, for the following purposes: the public vote, announcement of the winners, and promotion of this and future Dinosaur Toy Forum Diorama Contests.
I wish everyone the best of luck! We hope you have a great Dinosaur Toy Forum Diorama Contest 2026, sponsored by Happy Hen Toys, and have lots of fun making and sharing your dioramas! And remember, it’s the taking part that counts. 😎
Thanks again to our wonderful sponsors Happy Hen Toys for supporting the contest again!
All articles on the Dinosaur Toy Blog are written without the use of 'AI'