Going to the pictures - how old?

[Nutjob]

My ds (5) wants to go to the cinema this afternoon to see Treasure Planet. However, this would mean taking his sister who is three and has never been before. Is 3 too young? I don't fancy paying to get in, then having to leave after 10 minutes!!! How old were yours when you took them?

[expatkat]

DS is 3 and had one very successful trip to the cinema, and one which was not. Most but not all of his 3-year-old friends have done well at the cinema, and some started at 2! Is your DD very sensitive and prone to fearfulness? Has she had the attention span for full-length videos at home? Is Treasure Planet likely to have scary bits? I think you have to make the decision based on DD's personality and the film itself.

[nerdgirl]

My eldest was two and a half when he first went to the cinema and my youngest was only two 'cos he got fed up being left behind.

The first time I think they were mesmerised by the place for the first twenty minutes and then discovered the popcorn which can take a long time to eat when you're two!

The little guy is three now and he loves it. It's a big treat to sit in the dark and eat popcorn and m&m's and watch the latest Disney.

[hmb]

DD was 3, but she was never upset by being in the dark. Ds is almost 3 and I'm not thinking of taking him for a while, because the dark room and the noise whould make him flip. Our local Odeon do 'kid freindly' showings where the lights are dimmed, but not switched off, and the sound is kept a little lower. As the room is full of young kids no-one expects 100% silence either. Does your local cinema do one of these?

[debster]

My ds saw Monsters Inc when he was 3.5 and loved it. He also saw The Wild Thornberrys last week and is just 4. He loved it both times. Was completely awestruck and didn't freak out when it went dark (which I was worried about).

[Nutjob]

Thanks for your messages girls!! Well, call me mad but I have booked the tickets. We are going to see Treasure Planet at 1.20 this afternoon!! Just told my dh and he thinks I am mad, but dd has promised she will behave (ha, ha). I will report back on how it went.

[Nutjob]

Well, just got back and it was OK. HOWEVER, the main reason was because she was asleep on my lap for three quarters of the film!!! TBH it is a bit of a 'boys' film, and not much in it to keep a Barbie/Fairy/Princess mad three year old entertained. Oh well, at least I won't be afraid to try again!!

[expatkat]

Glad it worked out, Nutjob.

[Lindy]

Well done!

My friend took her 20 month year old to Harry Potter, he was so good - but he is incredibly well behaved - I might consider taking mine (nearly 2) ...........when he's 14!!

[Fionn]

Nutjob - would you recommend TP for a 4.5 year old boy then? He's seen Monsters Inc and Lilo and Sitch at the cinema and loved them and easily has the attention span for a film, I just thought the story might be above his head. Also, is it enjoyable for adults like Shrek and Toy Story (in which case I'll take him) or the usual non-classic modern Disney fare (in which case his dad can go!)?

[CAM]

Took dd at age 3 for first time, no problems. Went to see The Wild Thornberries with her (now 6)yesterday and the cinema was full of all ages from 2 to 14.

[Nutjob]

Fionn - well it was OK, but not great. I think it was a bit long as it goes, nearly 2 hours, and nowhere near as fun and interesting as Monsters Inc or Lilo and Stitch. But my ds loved all the ships and the pirates, and especially the farting alien!!! Probably more of a 'Dad and son' film really.

[sb34]

Message withdrawn

[Fionn]

Great, that's them off for 2 hours at the weekend then! Thanks!