During its 26-year history, Out of the Box Festival has welcomed more than one million visitors, attracted almost 4000 volunteers and put 4000 artists on display in the heart of Brisbane.
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Queensland Performing Arts Centre scholar in residence Professor Judith McLean said the festival was filling a vital gap in the arts industry by catering for children aged eight and under.
Professor McLean said that age group was a crucial period for neurological development and artistic work for young children was in short supply.
"Developmental theory says most learning occurs between birth and five years of age, which is when we acquire an understanding of language, relationships and attachments with others," she said.
"In Queensland at the moment, we are suffering from not enough good quality work for young children and this needs to be addressed by the policymakers.
"Children deserve theatre, dance and performance. Why is it okay for grown-ups to have theatre and not kids?"
Professor McLean said nothing could beat "the live experience" of artists performing in person.
"The intention is for kids to come and have some serious fun and play, with the purpose of being part of an audience and engaging with theatre on a whole range of levels," she said.
"Children all know TV and there's very good content on TV, but nothing beats the live experience.
"To see someone, follow a story and be able to project themselves onto that character is the beginning of the journey of learning empathy."
Out of the Box Festival director Brett Howe said the event started in 1992 and took place every second year.
"We put children at the centre of the festival ... the arts inform you in a different way of learning," he said.
"Playing is the best way of learning and children are experts in that space.
"The act of giving them QPAC is of huge significance ... we are saying they are important and have a lot of meaning for us .... and the idea of children playing quietly in the corner goes out the window."
Mr Howe said this year a festival day pass had been introduced to encourage people to plan their day before they arrive and ensure they were not inhibited by financial barriers.
The Out of the Box Festival website said the day pass allowed visitors to reserve a place at their chosen events and allowed guests to create a personalised itinerary of their time at the festival.
Mr Howe said the staff and volunteers also learned from the children during the festival.
"It's all part of the arts industry growing up – kids are important now," he said.
"I can’t wait for the first day when kids get off the bus and a wave of excitement and fear hits."
Brisbane Times is a media partner for Out of the Box Festival, which will run from June 26 to July 1 (excluding Friday, June 29).
