Summer Vacation Creative Fun with New Blocks! "Gakken New Blocks Creative Contest 2026 Summer" to be Held, Commemorative Coupon Distribution & New "Strongest! Equipment Award" Introduced

Gakken Stationery Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Noriaki Aoki), a group company of Nippon Shuppan Hanbai Co., Ltd. (Kanda, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Ken Togashi), will begin accepting entries for the "Gakken New Blocks Creative Contest 2026 Summer" from July 1, 2026.

The Gakken New Blocks Creative Contest aims to share the boundless possibilities of New Blocks with New Blocks fans and further promote the appeal of New Blocks. Anyone residing in Japan, from children to adults, can enter.

This year, in addition to Instagram entries, applications will also be accepted via Google Forms, allowing more people to enjoy the contest. Group entries from facilities such as nursery schools, kindergartens, certified child centers, schools, and children's centers are also welcome. Please check the contest application terms and conditions for details.

Furthermore, to commemorate the contest, a 10% OFF coupon for the New Blocks series will be available for the first 100 applicants. This will support creative projects during summer vacation.

This year also features a new award, the "Strongest! Equipment Award," for creations such as weapons and armor. We look forward to receiving works filled with children's free ideas and creativity.

[Commemorative Coupon Distribution for Contest Launch]

To celebrate the contest, commemorative coupons will be distributed.

Eligible Products: New Blocks Series Discount: 10% OFF Usage Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - July 15, 2026 (Wed) Conditions: One use per person Distribution Limit: First 100 applicants How to Obtain: Will be posted on the special contest page.

[Enjoy Creating Moving Creations! "Transform! Dream Remote Control Car"]

The featured product "Transform! Dream Remote Control Car," released on July 21 (Tue), allows you to play with creations assembled with New Blocks by moving them with a controller.

Children can enjoy creating various moving works, such as sports cars, excavators, or original machines, depending on their imagination.

The contest also features a "Moving Creation Award" for works utilizing the "Transform! Dream Remote Control Car," the Rolling Cube series, and more.

Contest Overview

[Entry Period]

July 1, 2026 (Wed) - September 30, 2026 (Wed) 23:59

[Eligibility]

Residents of Japan (individuals and groups)

[How to Apply]

Applications can be submitted via Instagram or Google Forms. One entry per creation. Multiple entries are allowed during the period.

*Please refrain from applying the same creation via both Instagram and Google Forms.

[Applying via Instagram]

[STEP 1] Follow the official Gakken New Blocks account (@gakken_newblock).

[STEP 2] Prepare an image (or video) of your creation using New Blocks, and in the caption, include "#ニューブロック作品コンテスト2026夏" (New Blocks Creative Contest 2026 Summer), the title of the work, and the age of the creator.

(Example: #ニューブロック作品コンテスト2026夏 Work Title: Smartphone Creator: 3 years old)

*The "Chibikko Kirakira Award" is only for works by children aged 3 and under. Please note that if the age is not listed, the entry may not be considered for selection.

*For junior high school students and older, you can write "Student" or "Adult" instead of the age.

[STEP 3] Post with a tag to the official Gakken New Blocks account "@gakken_newblock".

*Please make one post per creation.

[Applying via Google Forms]

[STEP 1] Access the application form.

[STEP 2] Enter the required information and upload an image or video of your creation.

[STEP 3] Review the entered information and submit the form.

*A Google account is required to upload images and videos.

[Awards]

Grand Prize (1 winner): Awarded to the most outstanding work.

Moving Creation Award (1 winner): Awarded to those who created a moving work using New Blocks from the submitted videos. All moving creations, including those using the Rolling Cube series, Transform! Dream Remote Control Car, etc., are eligible for selection.

Idea Award (1 winner): Awarded to outstanding works with novel uses or surprising elements.

NEW ■ Strongest! Equipment Award (1 winner): Awarded for creations of equipment such as weapons and armor, filled with attention to detail.

Chibikko Kirakira Award (1 winner): Awarded to outstanding works by creators aged 3 and under.

Judges' Award (10 winners): Awarded to special works that impressed the judges.

*Preschoolers are eligible for all awards.

[Prizes]

Grand Prize: Certificate of Merit, Amazon Gift Card worth \5,000 + choice of "Volume 500" or "Transform! Dream Remote Control Car (Red/Yellow)"

Moving Creation Award: Certificate of Merit, Amazon Gift Card worth \5,000 + choice of "All Stars DX" or "Transform! Dream Remote Control Car (Red/Yellow)"

Idea Award: Certificate of Merit + choice of "Transform! Dream Remote Control Car (Red/Yellow)", "Metallic Strongest Equipment Set", "Build Excavator Set", or "Rescue Set"

Strongest! Equipment Award: Certificate of Merit + choice of "Transform! Dream Remote Control Car (Red/Yellow)", "Metallic Strongest Equipment Set", "Build Excavator Set", or "Rescue Set"

Chibikko Kirakira Award: Certificate of Merit + "Let's Start Set"

Judges' Award (10 winners): Certificate of Merit + Gakken New Blocks Rolling Cube Original Rail Set

*The right to win cannot be exchanged for cash or transferred to another person.

[Award Decision and Prize Shipping]

Announced late October 2026, prizes scheduled to ship mid-November.

[Announcement of Winners]

After a rigorous selection process, winners will be announced on the official Gakken New Blocks website and the official Gakken New Blocks Instagram account (@gakken_newblock).

Winners who applied via Instagram will be contacted via direct message (DM) on Instagram, and those who applied via Google Forms will be contacted via email.

If applying via Instagram, please ensure your settings allow you to receive messages from the official Gakken New Blocks account (@gakken_newblock).

[Organizer] Gakken Stationery Co., Ltd.

[Inquiries] Gakken Stationery Creative Contest Office

Tel: 03-6316-2097

Email: gnb-campaign@nippan.co.jp

◆What is "Gakken New Blocks"?

Gakken New Blocks are everyone's first blocks, enjoyable for a long time from 1.5 years old, in line with children's growth and development. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in Spring 2025.

Gakken New Blocks Special Website: https://newblock.jp/lpsp/