The Hawaii Children's Discovery Center held its first-ever robotics festival yesterday. Judging by the response, it won't be the last.

Hundreds of kids used robots to go bowling, pick up a pencil, move a ball and even chase their little brothers around. The reactions ranged from intense concentration to squeals of laughter to lots of questions about how things work.

Which is just what the 10-year-old children's center in Kaka'ako has always been about. But for as long as it's been around, the center had never really thought much about incorporating the world of robotics into its exhibits.

All that changed when Disney/Pixar officials suggested hosting a special robotics-themed event to mark the upcoming release of its animated robot film, "WALL-E," according to the center's founder and president, Loretta Yajima.

"When we started calling around, we found out how much robot activity there already is in the schools and community," Yajima said. "What you see today is the result."

Several school groups already heavily involved in robotic exhibits and competitions turned out to share their expertise with younger kids, who either just wanted to play or learn more about how the machines operate.

"One of the things about robots is that they engage kids at all ages," said Aaron Dengler, a teacher of robotics at Punahou's Case Middle School. "The interest level and complexity grows as the kids get older."

Dwayne Abuel, a technology coordinator at Highlands Intermediate School and head of the Robofest technology project in Hawai'i, said the robots also have the ability to get parents more involved in school activities.

"The parents really get into the robot activities, too," he said. "And anything that gets parents more involved in the school is invaluable."

Mimi Hang, a graduating member of McKinley High School's robotics team who plans to study physics at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts in the fall, said team members liked the opportunity to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for robots with a younger crowd.

"We're always trying to reach out to the community and spread our message about robots," Hang said. "There are programs like ours in many public and private schools and we want the parents to know about them."

At yesterday's event, there were robots that looked like dinosaurs, race cars, insects and something out of this world. There was even a robot that could mimic children's fears and phobias and help deal with them. Phobot, as its known, could be programmed to become upset and act crazy by sensing too much light, noise or touching; it could be calmed, though, by children who held its hand or simply quieted down.

Liane Usher, director of exhibits and programs at the Discovery Center, said the mix of robots and children was right in line with the center's mission.

"When experimenting with robots, children imagine new possibilities," she said. "Plus, robots really appeal to children, which contributes to their great ability to spark curiosity — an essential ingredient to learning."

Kailua resident Laura Herbert, who has brought her children, Ian, 8, and Emma, 10, to the center many times over the years, said the robots add a new dimension to their learning.

Yajima said the center, which recently announced plans for a $5.4 million expansion, would continue to grow in new directions.

"We're going to be doing much more of this. It's really the beginning of a new world for us," she said.