When did you first take your child - to the movie theater?

My2Beauties wrote: OK - so I've noticed that the animated cartoon movies that come on cable now hold Hanna's attention pretty darn well, not to mention she can watch Dora, Blue's Clues, etc... for hours on end if give the chance. There are some cute movies out right now that I would love to take Hanna to see, such as Cars or what's that other cartoon movie out, I can't think of it - anyways, do you think 2 is too young? I wonder if she could pay attention that long in those seats at the theater around all those other people and be quiet??? Thoughts??

Brias3 replied: I was able to bring Aliyah to Broadway plays with us since she was a year old, she had such a great attention span and was so well behaved. Mason, however, is another story. We bring him to the theater with us and have since around last year (he'll be three in October) but he's sometimes a little difficult to handle during movies. If she sits well for movies at home, she'll probably be just fine. I always park it near the aisle though in case

Ashlynn's Mommy replied: Cynthia was 4 when she went to the movie theatre for the first time. I was afraid to take her sooner because of how big the movie screen is. I was paranoid I guess.

PrairieMom replied: The boy just turned 3, and we saw our first movie last weekend. My co-workers were amazed that I haddn't taken him yet.

MyLuvBugs replied: We weren't planning on taking Lorelei to a theatre until she can sit still for over an hour without too much trouble. Right now she's constantly on the move, and although she'll "watch" TV or a show it's spiradic (sp?). She just can't sit still for very long. Hopefully by the time she's 3 or 4 we'll be able to take her.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Over the Hedge is the other movie.

Maddie was almost 3 when I first took her and we were with a bunch of her friends. Ethan has been several times (b/c of Maddie) but the last time we took him we decided it would be a long time before taking him back. He cannot sit still that long. He's such a boy and so much like me. I never could sit thru an entire movie.

ETA: You should take her..I bet she would love it. And besides, if she acts up, it's a kid's movie...I don't think anyone would get upset. Buy her some popcorn or take some fruit snacks...I'm guessing she will do great!

My3LilMonkeys replied: Brooke just saw her first (Over the Hedge) a few weeks ago and loved it. She got a little antsy about 3/4 of the way through but some popcorn settled her right down.

MommyToAshley replied: We took Ashley a few months ago for the first time (so around 3-1/2) to see Curious George. She did great, sat through the entire movie, and had a great time. I was afraid of how she would do because she doesn't watch a movie or a show all the way through at home.

We just recently went to see Cars. She started to get a little restless towards the end of the movie, but we went later in the day and the movie was much longer. But, overall, she did great.

AlexsPajamaMama replied: I am also wondering the same thing. Alex can sit through endless tv shows given the chance, and I think the big screen might hold their attention well.

I dont know if I'm going to risk having to leave half way through...Id rather spend the same amount of money to just purchase it when it comes out on DVD. JMO

My2Beauties replied:
Yeah I figured a popcorn, a drink, and some candy oughta do the trick and the big screen will probably mezmerize her - she loves to watch cartoons and movies at home and she has a fairly good attention span. I think I might take her one weekend soon. Thanks for your input guys!

Boo&BugsMom replied: Our Tanner will be 4 next month. He went to his first movie, Over The Hedge, this last month and he did really well. He's actually better there than at home because he has no choice but to sit and watch the movie in the theater. He really enjoyed it and was well behaved.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Oh, I should also mention that two of my daycare kids who are both 2 have been to the movie theater to see Cars. Both did really well too. I don't think it's too young.

luvmykids replied: The first was Curious George last November, the twins were almost 4 and Macie almost 2. It didn't go as well as I hoped but I think the movie itself just wasn't entertaining enough, we've been a lot since then and they all do great if the movie is anything that grabs their attention.

Potty break first though LOL!

Kaitlin'smom replied: Kaits been a few times she slept thought most of one of the harry potters I took her in Feb so just 3 to see Courious George and she did awsome, we took her to see cars not so much she did not like it, it was boring to her, and for me it just did not move well, it was slow for me. Kait and I left after about 1 hour, TBH I know she woudl not be able to sit though it. We played some games and had her picture drawn (turned out so cute, I would show but my scanner no work right) and then we went to the van and watched Scooby do while daddy finshed the movie. I dont mind taking her if its something I know she will actually like and is not to long. Oh I took her to the theatre to see the Velvatte Rabbit Live and she adored that.

MommyToAshley replied: I just posted this in the freebie forum, but if you have a Showcase Theatre near you, then they may have the bookworm program. Kids under 6 get in free on a specific day (kids ovre 6 get in free but have to write a book report). Parents get in free with the child. It might be a good way for you to try out the movies without worrying about the price you paid if you have to leave.

C&K*s Mommie replied: We have never taken the girls to see movies, but my brother took Christian when she was 2. She sat through the movie, just fine.

You should take her, she may enjoy herself. I am off to check out the Freebies section..... (thanks DeeDee )

3xsthefun replied: Kaitlynn was 4 when she saw her first movie. She done pretty good, she did talk some but over all she sat there and watched the movie.

Maegan hasn't been to the movies yet, I'm afraid she won't sit still enough. She will watch a movie here ok on tv. But sometimes she still gets bored and starts walking around. So I don't think she is quiet ready yet.

Nina J replied: I recently took Emily to see Cars, she really enjoyed it. I think that you've got to pick a movie that you now your kid will like. Emily likes cars and all that kind of stuff, so she was fine when she saw the movie.

Although, the only problem now is she loves the character Mater from the movie, and everytime she see's something with him on it she wants me to buy it

flirtycuddle replied: My daughter is almost 18 months and has been to see Ice Age 2 when it first came out and she was a lil fussy at first. I just put her in her stroller cuz the booster seat scared her and let her play with a toy. Of course it was around nap time and she fell asleep and slept through most of it. She watched the last hour or so with out a prob once she was rested. She has since been to the movies with grandma and grandpa and sat through the whole thing fine....just make sure you go when you know they arent tired or anything and have something to occupy there hands if need be. Plus it is a kids movie and there will be tons of kids so dont worry to much