I can’t remember the exact moment when my son would sit through a movie in a theater without squirming, crying or making a mad dash for the exit, but somewhere between 2 1/2 and 3, I felt comfortable venturing out. There is something exciting about a morning, afternoon, or early evening out at the movies. My son, in particular, enjoys the experience, particularly if we tag along with one or more of his friends.
Photo Credit: Disney/Pixar
Over the weekend, we finally took my son to see Cars 2 (you can find my full review here). I think you can probably guess that he absolutely loved it. The entire weekend he was talking about how he is “Mater” and his friend is “Lightning McQueen.” Every time he saw a poster he talked about the film. Apart from the short potty break, he sat through the entire film, although I can’t say that he was quiet. Him and his friend recounted many of the lines from the film in their excitement.
My daughter, on the other hand, was not as easy to control. She is a year and a half and won’t sit through an entire movie. I was fortunate to have Aracely to help keep an eye on my son while I held, rocked, and played with my daughter. Which brings me to my top tips for taking children to a movie theater while maintaining some sense of sanity.
Evaluate your child’s developmental readiness. While some 2 1/2 year olds may be mature enough to sit through an entire film, I personally think my son was more ready as he was nearing 3.
Practice at home. Can your child mostly sit through a 60 or 90 minute film without getting bored or antsy?
Make it a playdate. My children just act differently when we’re out with other people. Specifically, my son is much more willing to sit through a movie when he’s with a friend.
Don’t forget the snacks. Part of my son’s experience of going to the theater always includes eating popcorn. This is also the rare occasion when we might allow him to have a sip or two of soda (gasp!). Snacks also provide a bit of a distraction.
Take care of their needs. If your child is not potty-trained, be sure to change his/her diaper before the film starts. If your child is potty-trained, be sure to stop for a potty break right before the film begins.
Skip the previews. The first 10ish minutes of previews can be bypassed if your child will only sit for a limited amount of time.
Find a family-friendly theater. Many theaters offer specific days and times where families can enjoy a film without worrying about babbling, crying, or running around.
One of our favorite theaters to frequent is the UltraLuxe Cinemas in Anaheim. Along with airing feature films like Cars 2, the theater offers G-rated family entertainment on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 am for just $2.50. June’s Kidtoons feature is Thomas & Friends Hero of the Rails (be sure to visit the site later this week for July’s feature).
During the summer, families can also enjoy a variety of flicks for just $5! The Kids Summer Series includes 10 popular films such as Ramona and Beezus, Tooth Fairy and Alpha and Omega. Showtimes are Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:30 am and families choose one day to see the films each week.
My husband and I really enjoy a night out at the movies, but these days it’s very rare. UltraLuxe offers two options for adults to see first-run films with their children during Parent Movie Morning and Baby’s Night Out. Parent Movie Morning and Baby’s Night Out feature dimmed lighting, reduced volume levels, and changing facilities inside the auditorium. Parent Movie Morning occurs every Wednesday at 10 am and Baby’s Night Out typically occurs once a month in the evening.
Have you taken your child to the theater yet? What tips would you add or change? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
No compensation was received for this post. We were invited to screen Cars 2 at the UltraLuxe Cinemas.
- Discover Luxury at Sonesta Irvine: Your Ideal Staycation - August 8, 2024
- CHOC Walk Returns to the Disneyland Resort – Special Events and Ways to Support - June 28, 2023
- Beastly Ball Returns to the Los Angeles Zoo - May 8, 2023
Leave a Reply