I have been taking Mr 4 to the cinema since he was a few months old and we’ve encountered a few hiccups along the way. Overall he is a gem to take to the cinema though and it’s one of my favourite activities to do with him.
Here are my tips for making a trip to the cinema that little bit more smooth.
- If you are unsure how they will react to the cinema environment, head to a Babes in Arms screening first. The sound is turned down and the lights are left on so you can still what you are doing if you need to get up. An added bonus is that the tickets are cheaper than a normal session.
- We have started sitting in the first row as you go up the stairs. It’s perfectly in line with the screen and no one can sit in front of your little one, blocking their view. You can also make a quick exit if they start to get restless.
- Make use of the booster seats available. These have been an absolute blessing when we go to the movies as they have a cup holder and a little place to put popcorn too. If your little on is a bit older, some cinemas do have cushions too.
- Buy your tickets online. This is a great tip even if you aren’t going with the kids, it means that you can jump the queue and don’t have to worry about getting to the cinema only to find out that the session is booked out. It also cuts down on time spent inline trying to entertain excited kids.
- Buy one popcorn and bring little containers to distribute between kids. I learned this one the hard way. Little hands and big popcorn containers do not mix. As hard as they try, there will be the inevitable spillage and having their own little containers helps to cut down on the chance of it happening.
Do you take your kids to the cinema? What are your tips to help make it an enjoyable experience?
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We’ve always gone (cost permitting) because I love it. My youngest still gets the lecture ‘you can’t talk, everyone here has paid to see the movie and they don’t want to listen to you’ but that’s about it. We don’t even get popcorn, unless it’s free at the blogger screenings!
Great tips, Tegan. I’ve never seen those booster seats before. Do you have to ask for them?
Some great tips there. My tips are to take water bottles because that popcorn makes you thirsty!
The first time we took the kids to the movies we turned up and it had sold out, we were all devestated!! We ended up booking online and going the following week and loved the whole experience. We queue jumped which was great but still had a little hold up as I needed a ticket for the baby. We saw planes which is such a great movie. The only downside is the cost, so the movies for us will be a couple of times a year. Great tips Tegan.
We took our nephews to see Frozen a couple of weeks ago and one of them slept the whole time and the other fell asleep with about 10 minutes to go. Both decided that they no longer liked their choc tops just as they were melting everywhere. Hehe we really could have done with these tips a few weeks ago… at least we will know for next time! xx Lucy #TeamIBOT
Clever tips! Where were you when my kids were little? I could have used these suggestions …
That popcorn tip is awesome! Hubby just took our little miss to the cinema and they actually had a kid size popcorn. I couldn’t believe it.
You’re brave. I have never tried the cinema with my kids and I kind of missed the boat for the babes in arms sessions. I think I’ll keep the movies associated with date night for now and try the movies in a couple of years time. Great tips though!
Good tips Tegan, we always love the movies, and because our local is ridiculously cheap ($6 for adults) it’s a regular thing.
Great idea for the popcorn, it can get messy. I always put together a “goody bag” for each kid, then we just buy drinks, and our cinema doesn’t mind if you bring your own snacks, which is so good. No wonder they’re always busy, they know how to keep customers happy. x
We totally bring smaller cups to distribute the popcorn in! I’ve never taken my kids under the age of 3 – they are just too restless! But I do love the movies, it’s a nice break for me also!
Great tips. I like to take sandwich bags rather than containers to divvy up the popcorn, easier to seal and less room used in my already overflowing handbag.
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Haven’t taken little ones under three but once they hit three they loved it and have always been well behaved (well mostly!). We love the cinema but with 4 it can get expensive! Thankfully the older ones ‘prefer’ to go with friends these days and pay their own way 😉 Although last week Miss 15, Miss 13 and I went to see Walter Mitty and it was great spending time with the older ones. (Great movie too!)
We love taking the kids to the movies. My eldest was 4 at his first movie, but my youngest was 2 when he saw his first movie, Smurfs 2. We have since seen 2 more movies, but the last movie he was restless in despite any attempt to keep him occupied, so Hubby left 5 minutes before the end of Walking With Dinosaurs. I think it was a little boring for him, but brighter animations tend to keep him enthralled. I also make a quick trip to Woolies beforehand to buy lollies and maltesers and take the kids a water bottle each in my bag. I have even given the a zip locked bag of treats each before as with 5 kidlets it is far cheaper than buying from the snack bar 🙂
Really great tips Tegan. I have been wondering whether to take my 3.5 year old to the movies but was not sure if he was ready yet. I love the movies and with young kids you do not get to go much.
Good tips ! Also ask when movie actually starts as my toddler lost attention by the end of all the adverts. Didn’t know about booster seats – will definitely check out. Yes she did have a problem seeing the screen though there was only one section and front row was way too close so she sat on the stairs – which is probably a safety hazzard – for the last quarter of the movie 🙂
I have yet to take my kiddo to the movies and I think when I do, I’ll definitely have to start off with a kiddie one. We don’t even watch movies at home with him lol so actually I think I will have to start there. Great tips!
So far we have never ventured taking my son out to the movies. I always imagine the worst things that could happen and I worry that sitting still for 2 hours would be asking too much of my toddler. But your tips have got me thinking about it again. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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