Every October, when Zilker Park hosts Austin City Limits, drawing massive crowds to main stages scattered throughout the lawn, a smaller corner of the park moves at a different pace. Austin Kiddie Limits, a child-oriented part of the festival, allows families to be in a quieter and more contained space, with special activities designed to accommodate the young festival goers.
From hands-on art projects and hip-hop workshops offered by local businesses to child-friendly performances by musicians, Austin Kiddie Limits has slowly become a reliable stop for families who want to enjoy the music festival without having to navigate dense crowds. The area features a rotating selection of various activities each year, most of which focus on giving kids a chance to create, and experiment. Jude Winson is the owner of Cafe Monet — one of Austin’s most popular pottery studios — and noted the features that make Kiddie Limits unique.
“It’s just sort of its own little festival, in itself, and all the vendors are so nice,” Winson said. “All the kids get to do everything for free.”
Kiddie Limits provides a fun and secure environment for children, allowing guardians to feel at peace when dropping their children off. Winson highlighted specific ways in which the space is built for families.
“They allow you to park your strollers,” Winson said. “They have a place where you can give information about your child and put a wristband on them called Tag-A-Kid.”
The mini-festival relies heavily on behind-the-scenes coordination to ensure that the activities run smoothly and safely for the hundreds of children who pass through during weekends one and two. Emily Smith, a second-year staff member at Kiddie Limits, played a key role in helping prep the space before families arrive.
“Kids can get temporary tattoos, hairdos, paint,” Smith said. “Just a lot of hands-on things that keep them organized.”
According to Smith, most of the work happens before the festival opens, where staff members set out supplies, organize the different stations, and ensure vendors have what they need to operate throughout the day. Winson reflected on changes she has observed in the festival over her experience.
“It’s my 20th year,” Winson said.. “[Kiddie Limits] has grown tremendously … They bring in a couple new vendors each year, and then all the bands change every year. So it’s always a blast.”
Vendors who participate in Kiddie Limits typically come from a local business background like Cafe Monet. The pottery studio’s booth highlights the hands-on focus that sets Kiddie Limits apart from the main festival.
“The kids get to explore their creativity in a new environment without pressure,” Winson said. “[It] is really unique.”
Parents appreciate Kiddie Limits for being a manageable and convenient way to experience Austin City Limits. Caroline Morley, an Austin parent, bikes to the festival with her family and described Kiddie Limits as a reliable space for families.
“We love it,” Morley said. “It’s very family friendly during the daytime.”
Morley explained that she hadn’t initially thought about attending ACL as a family until recently. ACL’s large crowds pose a potential risk or overwhelm for children, but with Austin Kiddie Limits, these fears are downsized.
“At first we didn’t even think about it,” Morley said. “A friend had been bringing his kids for years, and now we love it, too.”
As ACL continues to grow, Austin Kiddie Limits continues to focus on providing fun and interactive experiences, local business participation, and a safe environment for families attending the music festival.
“I see toddlers, baby babies with headphones, and then eight or nine-year-olds running around,” Smith said. “It’s really for all ages.”
