The Washington Post’s annual Peeps diorama contest has a long and storied history, starting all the way back in 2007. It’s a simple concept: Make an elaborate diorama, but with Peeps. As the contest has grown, so has the malleability of the marshmallow-y treat. Not only do Peeps come in bird and rabbit shapes, Peeps also come in far more flavors now, too, including the very confusing Hot Tamales Peeps. There’s even a Peeps cereal: a Lucky Charms-esque breakfast filled to the brim with mini-Peeps.
The Washington Post’s Peeps diorama contest returns on TikTok
Check out the 2022 entries below
April 14, 2022 at 11:37 p.m. EDT
While the American Dream lives on, and thrives in this sparkly treat, The Post’s Peeps diorama contest nearly died. After being discontinued in 2017, the Peeps were left without a shoe box for four straight years. Enter The Washington Post TikTok Team.
@washingtonpost It's not too late to submit for this year's Peeps diorama contest! Winners will be announced live on TikTok, Friday at 3 pm ET. Make sure to tag us and use the hashtag: #PostPeeps2022 ♬ original sound - We are a newspaper.
Starting in 2021, we revived the contest on TikTok. In the midst of lockdown, we received more than 80 elaborate cabin-fever-induced submissions. The revived contest once again allows Post readers to submit their dioramas in picture form, but they’re also encouraged to show off their dioramas in a TikTok.
After asking our 1.3 million TikTok followers for Peeps dioramas, we were once again overwhelmed with TikTok and photo submissions — and one lengthy YouTube video from a very creative 7-year-old. The dioramas were judged on the following criteria:
Theme: These are often film references or news stories. Typically, the best themes are relevant to the year of the contest. See: this year’s “Squid Game” submission.
Originality: While Peeps have become more versatile, there’s only so much you can do with the two basic shapes. Contestants who really find a way to create an original master-peep-ce truly succeed.
Craftsmanship: Although a diorama typically exists within a shoe box, this is more about what someone can do with a small space and with the tools available to them in their apartment, house or Peep-filled castle.
Showmanship: This is where the new TikTok element comes into play. For those who submit their Peep dioramas on TikTok, this is where they can get a leg up on the competition. The local PBS station out of Minneapolis demonstrated that in this year’s Mister Rogers-themed PeepTok.
Edibility: Can you eat it? How much of it can you eat? Does the shoe box look edible? Is it cake? Am I cake? This category confused our judges (and likely readers) the most.
The winners will be announced Friday, April 15 at 3 p.m. Eastern time. Watch live exclusively on TikTok. In the meantime, here are a dozen of our favorite entries this year:
Peeple
This TikTok creator and Peep lover managed to incorporate a Peep-themed magazine cover and a dog.
@jonathanwarrenthedog I’ll say it again, I think this year belongs to Peep Davidson. #postpeeps2022 #peeps ♬ original sound - don’t spam like :(
‘Peep Game’
That first game in “Squid Game” was shocking television, but nothing compares to this red-icing-laced Peep massacre.
A Peep inside Canada
Canada has so much to offer. We’re grateful for this Peep inside.
@longcovidlife My entry for this year’s @washingtonpost Peeps Diorama Contest. #postpeeps2022 @Ryan Reynolds ♬ Life Is a Highway - Tom Cochrane
Mallowline in Paris
With its cookie hats and Peep children, this Madeline-inspired diorama checked all the judging boxes, especially our fifth and most important principle: edibility.
@abbythrom7 Mallowline in Paris #postpeeps2022 ♬ original sound - KawaiiWarrior17
‘Look at the Booones!’
This Monty Python submission was better than the movie. Huge kudos to Sandy Bucceri and her 7-year-old son, David.
‘This is fine’
Bradley Roan dusted off a classic meme for this totally peaceful (everything is fine!) diorama.
‘Won’t you be my neighbor?’
Who better to bring Mr. Peep Rogers to life than a local PBS station. The stop-motion here earned some huge showmanship points from our judges.
@twincitiespbs Hey @We are a newspaper. Will you be our neighbor? #postpeeps2022 #misterrogersneighborhood #pbskids #twincitiespbs ♬ original sound - Official._ Shows
Washington Post TikTok Team
More than 1,000 Washington Post TikToks were created in Dave’s apartment, which was re-created for this TikTok. User @july7girl even incorporated the sound from an original Post TikTok.
@july7girl When your favorite tik tok account hosts a peep diorama contest, you have to create the best diorama you can! @We are a newspaper. #PostPeeps2022 #postpeeps2022 ♬ original sound - We are a newspaper.
Salem Peep Trial
Some people make a Peep diorama for fun, some people create one for homework. This CalCreative eighth-grade class deserves an A+.
Jurassic Peeps
Finally! An entry that incorporated Peeps cereal. The judges took notice of this new and original use of Peeps.
Red Hot Chili Peepers at 9:30 Club
Dream of Cali-Peep-ication. This Peep concert diorama rocked. Display it in the Smithsonian, or the actual 9:30 Club.
@lauraloujeu Am I missing shows at the @9:30 Club a little more than usual these days? Yes, yes I am #postpeeps2022 ♬ Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Washington Post Peeps Hunt
In the spirit of bringing back beloved Washington Post traditions like the Peep diorama contest, TikTok user @acirehtote made a strong case for the return of The Post scavenger hunt.
@acirehtote Hey @We are a newspaper., please consider this our formal plea to bring back the Washington Post Hunt. #PostPeeps2022 #WashingtonPostHunt #Peeps #WashingtonPeepsHunt ♬ Baby Come Back - Player
Follow The Washington Post on TikTok for the latest news and Peeps.