Amongst the hustle and bustle of people rushing from stage to stage, watching their favorite artists perform and soaking up the sights and sounds of Austin City Limits Music Festival, a miniature version of the festival exists for the smaller festival goers. A safe haven for kids and families, Austin Kiddie Limits ensures adult fun and kid fun are not mutually exclusive.
“As much as we want to experience things, we want to introduce these new experiences to our children as well,” said Amanda McFarlane, a mother of four and one-time Austin Kiddie Limits attendee. “It also gives them something to do while also creating a safe, fun environment for the kids.”
Free for kids under the age of 8, ACL created Austin Kiddie Limits in 2006 to expose children to live music and festivals in a safe, family-friendly environment. The program has its own little ACL performing artists poster featuring children’s music artists such as Uncle Jumbo, a Grammy nominee for best children’s album. The space is also packed with numerous activities such as craft stations, drum circles and more.
“It’s a whole world within this festival,” said Uncle Jumbo, who played alongside another artist last year at Austin Kiddie Limits. “I love that it’s spacious and it’s big enough to make kids and families feel safe. The sound is on point. The stage is beautiful. It’s just a great place to be.”
Over time, Austin Kiddie Limits has become more accessible to parents. A special entrance offers streamlined access into the space and a family service tent allows parents to privately attend to their kids’s needs. Kelly Hitchcock, a mother of twins and past Austin Kiddie Limits attendee, said while some people see bringing kids to a music festival as taboo, it gives both parents and kids an opportunity to bond and make new memories together.
“You only have so many years with your kids (and) if you have to leave your kids at home, you’re probably not going to go,” Hitchcock said. “But if you can bring your kids for free, and there’s dedicated programming for them … (it) keeps it family friendly for everybody.”
Uncle Jumbo said he loves making music for kids because of their natural curiosity about things and seeing the joy and connection it brings them.
“(Kids) are always looking for their next favorite song. They don’t go into listening to music … with the same skepticism that adults do,” Uncle Jumbo said. “When the kids feel a connection, they give themselves into that connection instantly.”
Having performed at both ACL and Lollapalooza, Uncle Jumbo said festivals shouldn’t neglect younger crowds to appreciate music.
“For a lot of kids, this is their first opportunity to be at a concert,” Uncle Jumbo said. “It’s a way to develop little music lovers.”
With all the accommodations the festival offers, McFarlane said parents should look forward to making lifelong memories with their kids at ACL.
“Their true spirits were just really blossoming, and you can just see the true happiness bursting from them,” McFarlane said. “That’s definitely something that will stay with me.”
