Top Tips for Taking Kids to the Cinema

With the likes of The Garfield Movie, Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4 and Sonic 3 coming to cinemas in 2024, it’s probable to say you might be spending a few weekdays or weekends at the cinema this year!

Cinema with the Kids

1. Explaining the experience to the kids

Prepare the children with everything they can expect for their first big screen experience. Watching a movie in the cinema is a vastly unique experience to watching something at home… the kids will be in a large, dark setting, loud surround sound, and of course, other people to consider.

2. Is your child ready for the big screen?

Typically, films will be around 60 to 90 minutes, which is a long time for a child to sit still and focus on a screen. See if your child is ready for the cinema by watching longer episodes of a show or try watching a movie at home. This will give you an indication of your child’s attention span, toilet habits, and how fidgety they become.

Grab some popcorn, try having your child sit up straight, draw the curtains, and see how the film at home goes!

3. Pre-book your tickets

We recommend booking cinema tickets in advance to avoid any last-minute queue rushes and limited seat choices. Booking tickets early will ensure you get the seats you want, and you won’t need to waste the kid’s attention spans on a queue.

When booking your seats, our advice would be to book an aisle seat. This way you can easily access the doors for toilet breaks, a little stretch if your child becomes fidgety, or if you need to get a snack or drink top-up.

You can also look out for family-friendly viewings during the week or during mornings on the weekend. These tickets are typically better priced, and some cinemas offer more light during viewings and quieter surround sound to not overwhelm little ones.

4. Choose the right movie

To keep the kids engaged – ask them to choose a film of their choice. This way you can guarantee they will be interested in the film, making it more likely for them to watch the entire viewing.

We recommend reading reviews, checking what age the film is suitable for, and be sure to know the running time! Having your child sit through an hour and a half movie compared to a 2-hour movie does make a significant difference.

5. Skipping trailers and adverts

Save your child’s precious attention span by skipping the long adverts and trailers. These advertisements usually range between 15 to 20 minutes. If you arrive just before the adverts finish, then your child won’t have the chance to become fidgety or bored before the film starts!

6. Bring snacks and drinks

With a long viewing time, it is key to bring with you as many snacks and drinks as possible – especially for younger children. Packing their favourite snacks will make the experience even more special as they enjoy watching their favourite characters and tasting their most-loved foods.

You can also stop at the pick and mix station to indulge in some sweets, chocolates, and biscuits to accompany your popcorn. Don’t forget your water or juice!

7. Comfort may be needed

Visiting the cinema for the first time can be a big experience for many children not used to a large room with an enormous screen. For comfort, feel free to pack their favourite soft toys, action figure, or blanket to give them that extra support if needed.

More quick tips for your child’s first cinema experience

• Avoid viewings during typical nap times.
• Book a film viewing during the day while it is nice and early to ensure your child has energy.
• Most cinemas can give your boost seats if needed.
• If your child needs extra comfort, have them sit on your lap.
• Don’t be embarrassed to leave during the viewing – whether for a stretch, or being your child wants to go home.
• Ask your child what they learnt after the movie, this encourages social skills and understanding real life situations.
• We hope you enjoy exciting upcoming releases such as The Garfield Movie, Despicable Me 3 and many more to follow. To discover new movie releases and the best quality toys to accompany your child’s favourite characters, check out our Movie Page!

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