It's the beginning of the school holidays and kids are bored already, waiting for Christmas. So get them using their artistic skills and they could win £200 plus £500 for their school.

We're encouraging youngsters to pick up a pencil, grab some crayons, or dabble with paint and enter our schools’ artwork competition in association with Bluewater.

The leading fashion, leisure and events destination is simply magical at Christmas time and with the theme of ‘Christmas in New York’ at Glow, Bluewater, families can be part of the fairytale.

Glow, Bluewater, is a state-of-the-art events and exhibition space that includes a private gallery that opened on November 30. Bring the children to the ice-skating rink, try out the incredible snow slide, or meet Santa in his grotto, while taking in the stunning backdrop of a New York skyline, featuring the Rockefeller Centre, Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty.

Creative kids can capture their favourite Christmas holiday activity at Bluewater and win top prizes for themselves and their school. Whether it’s the ‘Christmas in New York’ experience, eating out at one of The Plaza’s top restaurants, playing a round of golf at the Pirate’s Cove 36-hole Adventure Golf Course, watching a movie at the 13-screen cinema, or enjoying Bluewater’s 50 acres of parkland and seven lakes, let them draw or paint what inspires them.

The competition closes on Friday, January 13, and finalists will be selected by the KM Group with the top artworks being put to the public vote.

The lucky winner will receive the following:-

A £100 cinema voucher and £100 ‘Jamie’s Italian’ restaurant voucher

£500 for their school

A trip to Glow, Bluewater, for their class to include a tour and fun workshop session and lunch.

Send your artwork to: Gravesend Messenger, 7 High Street Gravesend Kent DA11 0BQ.

Superstar Peter Andre swapped the jungle for jingle bells when he arrived at Bluewater to open ‘Christmas in New York’ last Thursday, and got some skating advice from Olympic champion Robin Cousins.

Now it’s the turn of your family to explore the winter wonderland where Christmas wishes come true.

’Christmas in New York’ at Glow, Bluewater is open until January 8, 2012. For further information or to book tickets in advance please visit: www.glowbluewater.co.uk