It’s a Friday afternoon. You’ve just come home with the kiddos after school, and they’re bouncing off the walls.
After a long week, the whole family deserves a night of reprieve. Gather around because this particular Friday, you’ve decided to put together the most amazing, unforgettable movie night of their lives!
If you want to throw a movie night that your kiddos (and their friends) will truly remember, we have the all-stations guide with the first stop at Funtown.
Before you board this train, take a moment to think about your own dream movie night as a kid - what would you have done to create the scene of your dreams? This is all you need to create a night the little ones won’t forget.
Now that your ticket has been stamped, you are ready to board the Polar Express and head full-steam ahead for an awesome family movie night!
Time to Plan!
First things first, when are we hosting this fiesta of fun?
Selecting the perfect date and time is necessary for a successful kids’ (or family) movie night. If the kids in question are younger, starting in the early evening will work best. For older kids or teenagers, they might appreciate a later start.
Consider the family’s needs and schedule, aiming for a time when everyone can relax and enjoy the experience.
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The Biggest Decision of All - The Movie
If you don’t want the hair-pulling task of picking the film of the night, let the kids vote on their favorite family movies, making them feel like they made the choice.
Give them three popular choices from the best movies for kids, like The Little Mermaid, Tangled, and The Jungle Book, and cast a vote. This means that everyone will feel like they have a say.
Here are some of the best movies for kids:
- Toy Story
- Finding Nemo
- The Lion King
- Moana
- Zootopia
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Despicable Me
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Pre-Screen the Movie!
Sometimes, kids’ movies can be a little darker than we thought. Some movies might even give kids some mischievous or unconventional ideas.
If you have the time, try prescreening the movie or doing your research to make sure the topic matter is relevant (and appropriate) for the kids watching it.
Consider the Season
If you are struggling to pick movie options for the kids, think about a film that might fit the season and seasonal events.
If it’s October, take a look at some Halloween movies to hear shrill shrieks. Perhaps it’s nearing Christmas, and a Winter Wonderland film is the world you want to explore.
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Fun Decor to Set the Scene
If you have preplanned the movie, try incorporating the themes into your decorations. Take inspiration from the colorful characters in movies like Kubo and the Two Strings and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to make your movie night one to remember.
Imagine their eyes light up as they walk into a Spiderman -inspired room they've only ever seen in their dreams.
Or, if you want to play with the power of a good movie soundtrack, let the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song play as they enter the room. Why not bring excitement into the mix with a few instruments?
Aye, aye, captain!
Theme Ideas for Creative Minds
Here are some of our favorite movie night theme ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
Superhero night: This option is perfect for those who dream of soaring through the skies with red capes on their backs. Decorate with posters of famous superheroes, use a themed tablecloth, and get them the capes of their favorite characters for an extra fun touch.
A fantasy adventure: For the creative thinkers, bring elements from Harry Potter with wands, house banners, and kid-friendly butterbeer. Or have an Alice in Wonderland-inspired tea party for the adventurous little hearts.
Under the sea: For the little ones that want to be mermaids or pirates, decorate with sea shells and nautical elements - adding in some fake seaweed for a final touch.
Creating Comfort
You need to create a comfortable setting for everyone to truly relax and enjoy the movie.
To create a warm and cozy atmosphere for the ultimate movie-watching experience, pillows and a soft Minky blanket scattered on the couches will set the ambiance for the movie night of their dreams.
If you want your children to be actively involved in creating their own sense of comfort, a pillow fort can transform into a kingdom of blankets and pillows where they are the rulers! By giving one kiddo the role of ‘captain,’ they will take matters into their own hands.
As they make their own fun with the pillow fort, it’s time to turn your mind to something more important - the food!
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Movie Snack Time
Do you know what would make the ultimate movie night even better? Amazing snacks.
We know sugar-before-bedtime isn’t ideal, but this might be one time when you should overlook this rule.
Picture bowls full of tasty sweet treats and buckets overflowing with popcorn to make the kids’ eyes light up.
Whether you choose to go with traditional movie snacks or themed treats, there are many fun ideas to inspire you. Here are some of our favorites.
Traditional Movie Snacks
When you think of movies, you can smell the salt and butter on a steaming packet of warm popcorn. Always include popcorn! Especially when you can get creative with flavors like caramel, cheese, or even drizzles of chocolate.
Bring out platters of candy and savory snacks to cater to every taste, including classics like gummy bears, chocolate bars, pretzels, and nachos. Balance the sweet treats with healthy alternatives, like fruit salad or veggie sticks with hummus to bring a sense of balance (even if they might not be touched).
This variety ensures that everyone will find something they love, resulting in full tummies, a sweet time, and making the movie night more enjoyable and memorable for all.
Themed Movie Snacks
If you really want to create the ultimate movie night, extend the theme to your party snacks.
For a Frozen -themed night, blue jello or snowflake cookies will add a touch of merriment. Seashell-shaped cookies and Swedish Fish will be a good choice for The Little Mermaid or Finding Nemo.
Involve the kids in prepping the food to make the fun (and mess!) go even further. They will enjoy it even more if they've made it.
One Last Stop
Once all the hard work is done, the movie is playing, snacks are on the table, and the room is decorated to perfection, it’s time to put your feet up and watch the movie with the kids.
Watching together (even if you’ve seen the film 100 times) is a special bonding moment that might not be repeated in their teenage years.
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Wrapping up the Night
Now, the movie credits are rolling, the kids are either:
A: Bursting with energy
B: Asleep in your arms
If everyone is still awake, you can wrap up the night with some more family bonding time. Have a Post-Movie Discussion
If you feel the film was thought-provoking or simply a good watch, encourage the kids to share their thoughts. Ask questions like “What was your favorite part?” or “Which character did you like the most?” and watch the kids share their enthusiastic opinions!
Take-Home Goodies
If your kids invited their friends to your movie night, send them home with something small to remember the night, like a coloring-in book and pencils featuring the movie characters. Your kids could also write and decorate thank you cards to give to their friends!
The Closing Credits
Hosting a kids’ movie night might sound chaotic and messy, but the outcome can be a joy-filled experience that inspires creativity in both you and the youngsters.
Movie nights bring everyone together, create lasting memories, and spark imagination. We hope these movie night ideas have inspired you! By following these steps, you can make your next movie night a hit with kids and parents alike.
