Early Years Sensory Dance Performance
Experience a captivating early years sensory dance performance that weaves together story, music, and movement, creating a rich and immersive world for young children and their grown-ups.
This unique collaboration between Makers of Imaginary Worlds and Turned on its Head was developed with and for families in Nottingham through a series of Research & Development (R&D) creative play sessions from 2022 to 2024. Designed to spark curiosity, imagination, and joyful interaction, the performance invites little ones and their caregivers to explore sensory storytelling in a playful and engaging way.
Nottingham locations for Hoopla festival Summer 2026:
4 August, 2026 – St Ann’s
6 August, 2026 – Forest Rec
11 August, 2026 – Aspley
13 August, 2026 – Bulwell
Find the full list of events and reserve your free tickets here: Hoopla 2026
“” Love the fabrics. Low-cost ideas of getting some material and making different things out of them.”
Parent 2024
Unlock the secret to transforming an old jumper into a unique, upcycled cover for an exercise ball!
This creative and eco-friendly project not only gives new life to your clothing but also sets the stage for exciting movement play adventures with your little one. Explore playful ways to engage their imagination, build coordination, and encourage active fun – all while enjoying the warmth of a handmade touch!
Sensory Ball
The sensory ball is versatile and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Tactile
Extra sensory and tactile elements can be added to the ball to enhance playtime.
Active Play
This design is specifically created to encourage active play among children, with a stalk to assist younger ones in holding and manoeuvring large balls.
Free instructions
The free pdf tutorial in the download link below, showcases the use of an extra-large upcycle jumper and an exercise ball.
Research shows that “children that engage in activities outside… are involved in more active play, have higher levels of physical activity and that this “contribute(s) significantly to children’s health”.
Mackett/Paskins (2005).
Audience Feedback
Don’t take our word for it – here’s what the audience say:
Watching performances, she really liked watching, and she doesn’t usually just sit and watch something.
Parent
It’s incredible that your child will express themselves in ways you haven’t seen before
Audience
I think engaging with the dancers, she really enjoyed that. Yeah, but I mean my little daughter said: they’re very talented.
Parent
Audience research from Hoopla! Early Years Festival showed the project transformed parents’ perceptions of local parks, boosted children’s confidence, communication, and imaginative play, and inspired low-cost, creative play ideas at home. Feedback from RoseHill School staff further highlighted its impact on communication, emotional regulation, and engagement, particularly for autistic pupils.
We collaborated with Pavlos Panagiotidis, PhD researcher from the University of Nottingham. This student interviewed audiences at four outdoor performances in 2023 and delivered a comprehensive report.
2024
We toured to
7th July Timber Festival
30th July Hoopla Festival Hyson Green, Nottingham
1st August Hoopla Festival Bulwell, Nottingham
6th August Hoopla Festival Aspley, Nottingham
7th August Bulwell Playday
8th August Hoopla Festival St Anns, Nottingham
9th August Topsy Turvey Theatre Porto Ellesmere Port
16-18th August Just So Festival, Stoke
24-25th August BOING! International Festival, Kent
