Thousands flock to Cairns Children’s Festival for music, magic and Brick-mania

From performances by Zindzi and the Zillionaires, to weaving, LEGO-mania, silent discos, quiet spaces and a magical Harry Potter evening, the Cairns Children’s Festival had something for every little one.

Arlo Chenard, 5, constructs a Lego building with the help of his mother Brodie Chenard at the Brick Mania tank, part of the final day of the Cairns Children's Festival, held at the Tanks Arts Centre, Edge Hill. Picture: Brendan Radke

Thousands of children, parents and families flocked to the Cairns Children’s Festival again this year with a packed program of events at the city’s galleries and performance spaces, culminating in a daylong program of activities at the Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Botanic Gardens on Sunday.

Highlights of the festival included magic-inspired activities followed by a screening of Harry Potter film, the ever-popular tinkering tank, and Brick Mania – a building and performance space, featuring LEGO master Damien Hinds, where children could also build their own creations.

Betty Bowtell, 6, and Elsie Bowtell, 3, get blown around by fans in the Tinkering Tank part of the final day of the Cairns Children's Festival, held at the Tanks Arts Centre, Edge Hill. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mum Brodie Chenard said she was passing by with son Arlo,5, on the way to walk the Red Arrow when they got very sidetracked by the festival.

“He was so stoked to see all these LEGO creations in real life that he has just seen on YouTube... he gets this beautiful little face when he is excited and I loved seeing that yesterday,” Ms Chenard said.

The Brick Mania display where kids can build their own masterpieces, part of the final day of the Cairns Children's Festival, held at the Tanks Arts Centre, Edge Hill. Picture: Brendan Radke

Artistic Director of the Box Jelly Theatre Company, Rachel Terry, was behind several of the events staged throughout the weekend, including a sellout silent disco, which saw conga lines of headphone-wearing dancing children snaking their way through streets and cafes in the city, led by a disco queen.

She said Cairns families and kids alike embraced the opportunities from the festival.

“The silent disco really brought the festival vibes,” said Ms Terry.

Rosie Johnson, 4, makes a butterfly from tissue paper and pipe cleaners at the Butterfly Station, part of the final day of the Cairns Children's Festival, held at the Tanks Arts Centre, Edge Hill. Picture: Brendan Radke

She said other highlights included a parents versus children game-show style lying competition – the children won – and a “Free Dobbie” inspired Harry Potter game where children competed to throw the most clothes into a dirty washing basket.

“I hope parents can take that game home with them from the festival!” she said.

“Kids were doing their best for a full 15 minutes to throw the clothes into the washing basket!”

Khye Daruca, 6, and Kiki Daruna, 5, colour in butterflies at the creation station at the Cairns Children's Festival, held at the Tanks Arts Centre, Edge Hill. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s been a great celebration of arts and I think it is wonderful to give parents and children the opportunity to be inquisitive and creative together,” Ms Terry said.

As well as the usual chaos of kid-life, this year’s Cairns Children’s Festival created quiet spaces into all aspects of the program, for children who prefer a less hectic alternative.

The quiet spaces and activities “provided a calm retreat where children can take break”.

Originally published as Thousands flock to Cairns Children’s Festival for music, magic and Brick-mania