Hard Quiz Kids
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Television |
| Founded | June 8, 2024 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Children's comedy quiz show |
| Parent | Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
| Website | www |
Hard Quiz Kids is an Australian children's comedy quiz program that debuted on ABC Family on 8 June 2024. The show is hosted by Tom Gleeson and serves as a derivative of the original quiz series Hard Quiz, also presented by Gleeson. Production is handled by Thinkative Television, with filming taking place at the ABC Melbourne studios located in Southbank, Victoria, in front of a live studio audience. Participants are mainly between the ages of 10 and 13, with some contestants aged 14.
Format
Each installment includes four competitors, each choosing a distinct specialist topic; repetition of subjects is not permitted, including those featured in "Tom's Round." Correct responses earn 5 points, while incorrect answers result in a 5-point deduction.
Expert Round
Players take turns answering five questions about their chosen specialty. They must buzz in to respond and will be barred from further attempts if they answer incorrectly or hesitate too long, allowing others to buzz in. Contestants may also attempt to answer questions from other players’ specialties during a "Steal," which awards 10 points for a correct answer but deducts 5 points if incorrect.
Tom's Round
Contestants lock in responses to five multiple-choice questions on a topic selected by Gleeson via their monitors and signal with the red buzzer. Each question offers four options except the final one, which provides six choices and carries double points (10 points). The contestant with the lowest score is eliminated, with their podium displaying the message "Too Sad."
Caroline's Round (Against the Clock)
Players answer general knowledge questions within a time limit that varies between 35 and over 90 seconds, buzzing in to reply. When time expires, the contestant with the lowest score is removed from the competition.
Tiebreaker: Hard-Off
If there is a tie for the lowest score requiring elimination, a "hard-off" round determines who leaves. Gleeson presents two options related to difficulty or hardness; the first contestant to buzz attempts an answer. A correct response eliminates the opponent, whereas an incorrect one results in the respondent’s elimination.
When more than two contestants are tied, multiple questions are asked sequentially. Correct answers secure safety and continuation until only one player remains at risk. An incorrect answer leads to that contestant’s elimination while sparing others.
Final round: Hard Quiz (Head to Head)
The last two contestants alternate answering questions on their chosen specialty in a best-of-five format. The winner receives a limited-edition large brass mug trophy and concludes with the phrase "Thanks for playing, hard."
If tied after five questions, additional specialty subject questions are posed. Should the tie persist, a numerical question from Tom’s specialty is asked; the closest guess determines the winner.
Tom's Tiebreaker
For ties remaining after extra questions, contestants guess a numerical answer related to Tom’s specialty subject; the closest estimate wins.
Series overview
Series 1
Winners appear in bold text
Awards and nominations
|- |2025 |14th AACTA Awards |Best Children's Series | | | |- |2025 |TV Week Logies |Best Children's Program | | |