Kids Take Over is HOTA’s mini fest taking place Wednesday 27 – Saturday 30 September, during the School Holidays. While HOTA is always known for being kid friendly, during Kids Take Over HOTA becomes the ultimate kids creative paradise!
With a program bursting indoors and out, Kids Take Over is designed for kids and by kids, and features a combination of free and ticketed workshops, visual arts experiences, performances, and everything in between.
It’s the ultimate memory-maker, boredom-buster, and creative play festival for kids on the Gold Coast. Check out the listings below for the full program line up. You can find further details on The Home of the Arts Kids Take Over festival at https://hota.com.au/whats-on/live/festivals-and-series/kids-take-over.
Be sure to check out what else is on offer at HOTA and the HOTA Gallery by reading my recent reviews.
What’s on during Kids Take Over at HOTA
Fluffy: Thursday 28 – Saturday 30 September. Open from 10am-2pm each day. Tickets $15. Recommended ages 4-12.
This immersive family show is a free play environment for audiences of all ages. Matching imagination, art creation and physical performance with 200kg of recycled shredded paper. The audience throw, stick, roll, crunch, rip and build characters, lands and stories of their own. Part narrative, part make-your-own adventure, performers lead spontaneous stories, quirky interruptions and help the audience build an evolving communal sculpture work along the way. Kids can hunt for unboxed gifts revealing clues and materials to start new stories.
Brats Carnival: Wednesday 27 September, 2pm. Tickets $22.50. All ages.
A high-energy super fun afternoon show for all ages – from tots to teenagers and their mums and dads – brought to you by the finest team of circus artists and mischief makers behind international touring sensation Briefs Factory. This show has been created specially to get youngsters excited about expressing themselves, watching top notch circus superstars and getting on stage to have a boogie. Hula hoops at top speed, acrobatics at alarming heights and seriously cheeky clowning antics, put on your party outfit and join the Brats Carnival! Ideal for youngsters who enjoy wild circus skills, pumping music, ridiculous acts of amazement and eye-popping party tricks.
Lego Battle – What’s your story: Saturday 30 September, 6.30pm. Tickets $15. All ages.
Join Andrew and Damien from Clicking Bricks at HOTA’s Kids Take Over Lego Battle! Gather your friends or family group and get ready to unleash your creativity. Each table will come up with their unique story based on personal experiences, cherished friendships, or significant moments. Build together as a team using LEGO bricks to bring your story to life. Let your imagination soar as you plan and create intricate builds that capture the essence of your tales. Amazing prizes to be won, including a four yearly Dreamworld annual passes, Lego Pirates boxes, and Lego Vidiyo boxes.
Proudfoot and Friends: Thursday 28 – Saturday 30 September, 10am daily. Tickets $22.50. Recommended for ages 7 and under.
Get ready for the foot-stomping, rib-tickling, toe-tapping time of your life at the Proudfoot & Friends stage show spectacular! Join local award-winning children’s performer Lucas Proudfoot and a cast of unforgettable characters on a non-stop musical adventure around Pelican Bay. You’ll meet wise, respected elder Aunty May, cheeky best friends Ned and Sis and all their magical animal friends, like Hopa-tee-woo Kangaroo, Boompa-tee-moo Emu, Big-Gulp Pelican and everyone’s favourite Ruby the Frog! But watch out for Cane Toad Bill and Fruit Bat Charlie from Smelly Mud Swamp – those shady characters are always up to no good… This music based comedy show features state-of-the-art digital puppeteering and choreographed animated projections that delight and captivate little ones (and big ones!) as proud First Nation’s performer Lucas leads them on a hilarious interactive sing-along adventure.
DJ Skool: Thursday 28 – Saturday 30 September, 10am – 1.30pm, sessions every 30 minutes. Tickets $15. All ages.
Armed with headphones and a fully setup DJ booth, Kids will learn how to create their own party play list and mix their own beats. It’s DJ skool with DJ Fletcher!
The Quest: Thursday 28 – Saturday 30 September, 10am – 2pm. Free, bookings not required. All ages.
Join forces with Mr Grumblebelly and set out on an epic adventure to restore the 6 Strings of Harmony. Along the way, you’ll discover the magic of Aetheria and the incredible bond that music creates. Are you ready? The fate of music and harmony lies in your hands! The Quest starts on the café driveway with each participant receiving a passport and playing card. This will be your guide for the Quest. Be aware, you may get messy. Activities are full of colour and imaginative play. You can start your quest any time from 10am- 12pm, completing it in one day by 2pm or doing half one day and half the next- Perfect if you’re going to see one of the shows in the Theatre!
Quest activities include:
- The Trolls Salon
- Fran’s Funky Shirts
- George’s Guitar station
- Trent’s Techno
- Celine’s country club
- Classically colour your imagination
Picnic Party: Thursday 28 – Saturday 30 September, 11.45am daily at the Lawn Bar. Free for all ages.
Lunch under the shade or dance your lunch off with live music before letting your imagination run wild with our big blue building blocks.
Thu 28 Sept – Jerome Williams
Jerome Williams, local Gold Coast musician comes with a warning: wear comfy shoes! Bringing high energy to his performance and taking you on a ride from toe-tapping to thigh slapping and ultimately dancing with your hands in the air like you just don’t care. There could be some howling too!
Fri 29 Sept – Salmon Head
A fun and playful performance for all ages. Not only were the kids up and dancing but parents were swaying, stomping their feet, and bopping to the beats. A quirky and memorable performance by a man with a salmon on his head! Highly recommend for anyone wanting a performance with a twist!
Sat 30 Sept – Bunny Racket
Whether you’re three or 103 years old, you won’t be able to resist the beautiful madness of King Bunny and his gang of fluffy punk-rock friends. Plugged in with influences ranging from The Ramones, KISS, Black Sabbath and The Muppets.
Family Movie Night Under the Stars: 29 September, 5.30pm. Free, for all ages.
Bring your picnic blanket and join us for some holiday fun with a family movie night under the stars! Eat, drink and laugh your night away with SING, a special one night movie showing on the Outdoor Stage. Food and drinks available from 5.30pm. The area will be licenced. This event is in laid-back picnic mode. Doors open at 5.30, movie starts at 6.30pm.
Market Day: Sunday 1 October, 9am – 12pm.
Kids Take Over the HOTA Markets with their own Mini Market Stalls. Come and check out these creative entrepreneurs in the making!!
