First off: this contest is for kids.  But if you’re an adult with a kid, keep reading, because the winning child will receive a $10,000 college scholarship.  Now, pray that you’ve done enough to encourage the kid’s artistic abilities, because the contest involves creating a Google Doodle.

You actually might want to start with getting the kid’s school registered; a teacher should be able to fill out the Doodle 4 Google official form in about 60 seconds.  Then, it’s time to get any K-12 American student drawing, with the question "What if . . . ?" as his or her basis for inspiration.

Sound kind of vague?  Google suggests the questions "What if . . . I could see into the future?" and "What if . . . I could build any kind of invention I wanted?" for people who need further guidance.

And as for the contest’s prizes, I imagine parents will be happy to hear the specifics.  "A panel of expert judges and Googlers will select 40 regional winners, who will be invited to the Googleplex in Mountain View, California, in May," according to Marissa Mayer and Dennis Hwang.

On the Official Google Blog, they then continue, "Four national finalists will be announced as the result of a public vote.  From there, Dennis will select one lucky student whose doodle will be on the Google homepage for a day in the U.S.  This winner will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship and a technology grant for his or her school."  The grant is worth $25 grand.

So ring up your child’s school to get registered, and then give him or her whatever crayons or other art supplies he or she wants.  If you’ve got more than one kid, start having all of them produce Doodles.  The deadline for sending entries is April 12th, and since I don’t have any children, I can sincerely wish everyone good luck.