Taking Child to the Movies

I have an 18month old I know what you mean. I have tried Wilderness drive in in Trenton and the regal bargain theatre in hamilton place behind big river grille. They charge 2.50 per person all day and 1.00 on wednesdays.

I started taking my kids to movies at young ages and it is true sometimes they will sit but sometimes they won't. If you do take her take lots of snacks that seems to help. But now I can take my kids and they will sit through a whole movie, so there is some advantage to taking them early but it's if you want to try it and have the patience :). I always get my kids a snack and an icy (at there age now).

S.,

I have a friends daughter staying with me for a few weeks. She wanted to go she Shrek III, but I had the same problem, my son is 5 months old and we went to the Drive-In on Summer Ave, behind Garden Ridge. He was asleep the first part, and then he sat in his bumbo set in the back of the trail blazer and watched the rest of the movie. Hope this helps!!

My son has a few movies (Toy Story, The Incredibles, Ice Age) that he LOVES and will sit very still and watch (and requests to watch them). Some others, though, he won't watch at all (Cars, Finding Nemo, etc.). He definitely has an opinion (he was two in February), and his attention span for things is directly related to his interest in whatever we're doing (watching a movie, doing an art project, reading a book, etc.).

I haven't taken him to a theater to see a movie yet (again, he's 27 months old), but have friends that have taken their children younger than him to movies before. I think it depends on the child and on the movie! ;)

I'm not sure if you have Regal movie theaters where you live, but they have a free family movie fest each summer. They play a different G and PG movie each Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 10. It's free (first come, first served) ... so you can "try" your little one out going to a movie that way (without wasting money, etc.). They play really great movies, although not usually the newest releases. You can get more information at http://www.regmovies.com/freefamilyflicks/index2.jsp.

I plan to take my son to one (or more) of the movies this summer to see if he might like it, too!

H.

I took my daughter to the movies for the first time when she was 3 and she still didn't sit still for the whole movie. I guess it just depends on your child. My stepdaughter, who is almost 4, has never been to a movie, but she is not all that interested in watching a movie at home on tv.

I took my daughter to see The Tigger Movie when she was about 13 months old. She would watch The Teletubbies for 45 minutes, and that's about how long we made it through the movie. We had taken her to a couple of movies when she was 2-5 months old and she did fine, but at 13 months she was too mobile. I would say take her as long as you keep in mind that you may not get to see all of the movie. Is she's not too sensitive to the loud volume, she may really enjoy seeing the characters on the huge screen.

Hey S.
I took my boys (I have triplet 2 year olds) to the movies for the first time about a month ago. They did relatively well...My suggestion...and what we did was go to a free movie. Our local theater (Tuscaloosa) offers them during the summer, and it was full of kids....so it wasn't' a big deal if they made some noise...and it was free so if we had to leave...I didn't loose anything...except maybe some hair!! :)

A.
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Hi S., I took my 3-1/2 y.o. and then 7 m.o. to the movies for the first time last summer for a local program called movie camp. Movie Camp is a summer matinee program offered in VA. where literally hundreds of children go to the movies for free every Wednesday morning at 10a.m. We are moving to Alabama this summer and I have hopes to find a similar program for my girls that are now 4-1/2 and 18 mos old.

My thoughts are take'm to a matinee during the summer(when it's mostly children in the theatre anyway so excellent behavior is not required), sit near an aisle(so if you have to step away you don't disturb too many folks), and just keep in mind that if you don't expose her to movies and teach her what is expected she'll never learn.

We just saw Shrek III lastweek. We went to the 12:00 matinee and Emily (the 18 month old) slept through the first 20 minutes or so, woke up refreshed and enjoyed the last half but loved the credits best when there was music and Donkey and Puss where dancing. Oh, and by the way, I take the stroller in, sit on the "handicapped" row, and I keep her buckled in as long as I can and take plenty or popcorn or raisins! If you try to hold her for an hour +/- you might be exhausted from the wrestling match.

Good luck,

Michelle

I haven't viewed the other responses so I hope this isn't repeating information. We've been taking our kids to the movies since they were babies. Only not to the theaters, we've been going to the Drive-in in Argo to watch them. They play the latest movies and it's only $10 a car. And when we went a couple of weeks ago he was playing Shrek III. It's really nice that the kids don't have to sit still and if they get sleepy you can put them back in the car (or lay them in the back of a truck) to sleep.

If you have a truck you can go in I would highly suggest it. It gets you up higher so there's less chance that someone parking in front of you will block your view. Bring your lawnchairs and snacks, there's no restrictions on bringing food in. Hope this is helpful. Since they got use to the "movie" concept they both can handle going to the real theaters now.

S.~

I have to say, I have taken both of my kids to the movies, but my daughter has been going since she was about 4 months old. We went as a family. I don't want to get a babysitter. I would have that time during the movie to cuddle my baby, and also at the same time, laugh at a good movie. Its how you feel and how comfortable you are with getting up and walking to the back to comfort your child if he/she gets whiney. I would also always sit on the aisle, because sometimes the sound does get loud. I think it is good for a child to hear those kinds of noises, just like don't allow your house to be too quietwhen your child is sleeping or if there is noise, they will wake up and stay cranky....run your vacuum, play some music, sing and dance...so on and so forth. My daughter loves the movies...she loves TV...but I let her be a kid. She is now 7, almost 8. I make her stay outside and play, and don't allow her to watch much TV, its not even on one time a day most of the time. Its upto what you do...but do what you are comfortable with. Good luck.

i wouldnt waste the money. you might only make it 15 minutes and then you've already spent all the money (movies are expensive these days!). if you really want to try her out at the movies, see if any of the theaters in your area do the kids summer movie thing. they'll play movies that are already on DVD usually at like 10am and either free for really cheap. here theres a place that does it for $1 and for another dollar you can get a drink and popcorn. its great b/c if your kiddo freaks out or pitches a fit you can leave and you're only out $2. we did this last summer when DS was 13months and we lasted 15 minutes. then we went back last week and he loved it. i'd wait till shes 2 if i were you.

I think our son was 2 1/2 before he would really sit through a movie. We tried to take him to see Shark Tales when he was about 15-18 months old and it was a disaster, but he ended up falling asleep. By the time he was 3 he would actually get excited about new movies coming out and now at 4 it is his favorite treat. I would suggest waiting until she can stay glued to the TV when a movie is on at home. Also, for some reason, Pixar and Dreamworks films are usually a sure bet with my son. I think he prefers their animation. Hope this helps.

Hi S.,

Shrek III is pretty active, she might do well. One idea is to get her her own little snacks (or bring them yourself - much cheaper.) Dole them out slowly to her during the movie - it should keep her pretty occupied along with the movie. They also have those booster seats, so she will be up higher & able to see better. Go & have fun - it's mostly kids anyway!

Have fun!

I know other people have taken their kids at younger ages, but my daughter went when she had just turned 4 to see Charlotte's Web when it came out. She went with a neighbor and her daughter. Turns out that the previews they show for so-called "kids" movies were pretty scary for a 4 year old, even though they should have been rated G. We are very picky about what we let our kids watch, and even a couple of shows on Noggin don't make the cut in our house. If I had to do it over again, I'd wait until 5 or so.

Just my 2 cents.
J.

Go ahead and take her! But it needs to be a matinee on an off day when the theater is likely to be sparsely populated. I took my son to see Nanny McPhee and we were the only ones there. That allowed him to get up and walk and sit at his leisure. I recently took my 3 and 2 year olds to see Shrek III and we almost made it through the entire movie! Just be prepared to leave early if necessary and load up on the popcorn!

Yes, you are correct that IS a little young to take her to the show. Are you wanting to take her for HER or for YOU? (I want to see the movie myself!)

Many theaters offer special showings for moms and young kids. I'd call to see if you can find one of these. Otherwise, take her to the earlist showing of the day when hopefully the crowds are down.

Keep in mind that theaters are very loud and dark. My kids would have been terrified at that age, but every child is different.

I took my little boy to see Spiderman 3 and he is only 9 months. He did ok most of the time but we went too late and he got sleepy. Try to go when it is not nap time and you should be fine. She might not pay attention the whole time but she shouldn't be fussy.

Sorry, this is a pet peeve of mine, because children that age are just too young to go to a movie. My concern is the child getting bored, or scared, which other ladies have touched on here, but my other concern is for other movie goers. We went to see Pirates of the Carribean, and this couple had a three month old in the movie! That's crazy.

I understand people want to see movies, but until your child is 3, I really don't think they should go to the movies. If they do, it has to be kid friendly. I like the drive in movie suggestion. Great idea

Hi S.. I am the mom of three daughters, ages 7yrs., 4.yrs, and 18mths. old. We took them to the movies from the time they were only a few months old. When they were infants we would make sure they were sleeping if it was a movie for my husband and I. We took our 18mth old to see Shrek 3 and she sat through the entire movie. We make sure we take candy (junior mints) or other type of snack and her pacifier also. It is so loud if they do make any noise it shouldn't disturb anyone. I think the more you take them, they get used to sitting through it. All of my children have sat through every movie we've been to. You could try and if she didn't sit still get a refund and wait until she's a little older. I recommend getting her used to the theater, though. That way you and your husband can have the joy of taking her to see many great movies in the future.

My son was almost 3 when I took him to see a movie, he loved tv! About 5 minutes into it he started complaining it was to loud and "hurt" his ears. I thought it was something he would get used to. His protests got louder and louder, neeless to say by the time we left the people in the movie were very happy with my decision of leaving!

Hey S.,

I've been told that Shrek III is not geared for the younger children (toddlers). I was told it hits more in the range beginning with 8 - 10 years olds.

I took my daughter to the movies for the first time at age 3 to see Curious George about half way through she was ready to go. I then took her again at age 4 to see Charlotte's Web and she got tired but lasted a little longer. I'm sure there all different in their attention span but I would wait a little longer unless your prepared to leave early.

Honey, Take that baby to the movies, you and him will love it! I am single-single mom and my baby and I have been going on movie/dinner dates since before he could even talk good. He is two now and I now he has seen at least 10 movies and he loves it. When we ride by theaters, he say "Momma, I want TV!" If your daughter acts up a little bit, thats ok. Its normal. However, I do advise you to take her after her nap and during the day. This way, if the big screen doesn't get her attention, it want be as many people in there to disturb, plus, you want have to pay as much. At fifteen months, her ticket should be free. In addition, my cousin, who is also a first time mom, had joined me in the mom-son movie dates. Her son is 9 months old, and he has already seen Spider-man 3 and Shrek 3. Yes, he wimpered a little, most part he watched and ate (gerber puffs), or went to sleep.

I took my neice at 3y.o. and she sat thru the movie, but she was up and down. I have a 3 year old daughter right now and I have not taken her yet. I plan to take her @3.5 y.o. Most everyone I know states they really do sit thru a movie till they are about 4. Hang in there. I wanted to take my daughter that young too.

Both of my children were around 2 years old when we took them to the movies for the first time.
When I took my oldest, I wasn't worried at all because he had always been very well behaved in public.
With my youngest, I was a little worried because he has ADHD and I wasn't sure that the movie would hold his attention long enough and that he might start getting "fidgety" and wanting to get out of his seat and roam around, etc. But he really suprised me! We bought him the little kiddie sized popcorn and drink and let him hold it, and he did great! I didn't hear a peep out of him throughout the entire movie unless he was laughing (it was one of the Rugrats movies.)
Now 15 months of age, personally, I wouldn't. But that's just me... because at that age, my two wouldn't sit through an entire movie at home so I was pretty sure that they wouldn't if I took them to the movies.
If you think your daughter will sit through it without getting restless, then go for it. She might suprise you! You won't know until you try.

I know that at 2 is a good time, but my son is 15 months old too and I sorta wonder when I could take him. The change and not having anything to distract them it just might work. Try it on a film during the day that you might not lose too much money. I will try it too and let you know how it goes. Good Luck,T.

The first time I took my son to the movies was to see Harry Potter with me he was 3 and a half years old and sat thru and watched it. Any younger i think he couldn't have sat there that long!