What can a parent do to ensure that they can take their toddler to the movies, not waste their money, and still get to enjoy the whole movie? Well I’ve been taking my son to the movies pretty much since the time that he could walk (around a year). And since then, I’ve learned a few tricks.
Pick the Right Movie
Obviously, you’ll want to choose either a kid-friendly movie such as an animated one or something they are very interested in. Even some kid movies can have pretty complex story lines for them to follow, so try to choose one intended for a younger audience. Avoid the 3D. Let’s face it, getting toddlers to wear 3D glasses is not a battle worth fighting for 90 minutes, let alone 30 seconds. So save your extra 3 dollars and stick to the 2D. And then pick the best time. A time that isn’t too close to nap time and when they eat the best so that they’re pretty full. It‘ll make all the difference.
Skip the Previews
Believe me, I love watching the previews as any other person. But when taking a toddler it’s best to skip them. Because time is a precious commodity. It may also be a sensory overload. As they are often loud, fast-paced, and just a little too much for their little ears, eyes, and minds. So look at the showtime and add 15 minutes to it. That’s the time you’ll want to be seated.
Choose a Good Seat
Seat placement is vital! We either like to get the personal ones on the side or ones right next to the aisle. Ar the beginning our son would start to get a little antsy around the 50 minute mark. This is when he would either want to get up or have to pee. Having the seats next to the wall gives you the opportunity to let them walk a little bit within a small space that won’t interrupt others. While sitting next to the aisle gives you a quick getaway when you do need to go outside the theater or make a quick bathroom break. With all that said, try to make sure that the seats aren’t too close to the screen. It may enhance their emotions to the movie, making “scary” moments a little scarier.
Break Out the Snacks!
This is the biggest part of it all. The key to survival. Bring a huge supply of drinks, snacks, and all the goodies! I love to take all of his favorites gummy bears, m&m’s, and potato chips. And then buy some popcorn and drinks at the theater. But make sure to file it all out in different stages. I usually let my son start right off the bat with the popcorn. And then introduce the first goodie within 20 minutes because that’s usually when his interest begins to kind of taper. Then the next snacks come within 10 minute intervals.
Engage with Them
Ask your toddler questions during the whole movie. Convey shock and surprise when big events happen. It’ll get them talking and peak their interest. Getting your kid excited is key, and they’ll be much more inclined to tackle on a new situation when they see your enthusiasm too. Just obviously whisper so that you don’t disturb the rest of the theater.
Be Prepared to Go
The first try isn’t going to be perfect by any means. And that’s okay. It’s bound to happen. With us, it was during that dreaded 50 minute mark. Listen to your child. Please don’t be those parents who let their kids go to the point that they break - crying, screaming, and ruining the experience for everyone else. Trust me, you won’t be the first parent who has left the theater with an overwhelmed kid. Yes, it could feel like a waste of time and money in the moment, but you don’t want to force you kid into something they aren’t ready for quite yet. It’s just not right. Nip it in the butt. First try to take a breather to the bathroom to get a recharge. Sometimes it has worked for us, other times it hasn’t. But it’s worth the effort.
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try Again
And again. And again. It’s going to take a few theater trips to get a hang of the whole theater etiquette thing. Namely, the darkness, large space, having to whisper, and trying to stay in one spot for a long time. But with a little bit of patience and a lot of trial and error, your toddler can flourish into a film fan.
We started our journey a little over a year and half ago. And even though it still can get a little crazy towards the end, my toddler is doing great now! We’ve seen many movies and even attended a big boy movie with lots of adults and long duration of time this week (Star Wars). But it took a lot of time, practice, and learning to get there.
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