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Original poster

How old for panto/How old for cinema?

20 replies

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 22/12/2018 13:27

Hello all

I’m sure this has been asked 1000 times but what age would you take your kid to panto or a U film at the cinema?

DD is 3 next month and we want to take her to the panto next week and the cinema to see a U film soon too.

Is that too young?

OP posts:
KindergartenKop · 22/12/2018 15:49

Will they sit through a whole film without getting annoying at home?

Littlebelina · 22/12/2018 15:54

DS would sit through a children's film (we went to sat morning kids showings) at that age but had to leave the panto at the interval age 3. Was fine by 4 though and a friend's little girl was ok at 3.5. I would see if your local cinema does a cheap kids cinema and try that before you fork out for the panto

Littlebelina · 22/12/2018 15:56

Ps he wasn't noisy\getting up at the panto, just got a bit scared as it was very loud

wendz86 · 22/12/2018 16:11

My eldest is 7 and still struggles a bit still. My youngest went to panto at 6 months and cinema at around 15 months and was fine but she's very chilled !

ARandomPoster · 22/12/2018 16:22

Dd1 went to her first panto aged 1, and her first movie aged 4.

Dd2 went to her first panto at less than a year old and her first movie aged 2.

They sat through each performance, although had to nip out of the cinema for the loo. Panto was fine as there is an intermission and a fair bit of interaction and child noise.

eurochick · 22/12/2018 17:35

I took my daughter to the cinema at just turned 4. She sat through a whole film fine by then.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 22/12/2018 17:37

Panto never, they're shit.

Cinema when they can sit still and quietly for the length of a film.

BillyAndTheSillies · 22/12/2018 17:45

We are taking DS to panto on Christmas Eve, he'll be three in February. We've taken him to a few theatre things like Peppa Pig and paw patrol live before so hoping he'll be OK.
We haven't actually done the cinema before but hopefully some audience participation will keep him going.

BackforGood · 22/12/2018 18:12

Too young for both.
Full length films are not designed for 2 yr olds.
Cinema is not designed for 2 yr olds.
Panto id definitely not designed for 2 yr olds.

It's not fair on them, and it's not fair on other people who have paid what is usually a LOT of money for a night at the pictures, to be disturbed by a 2 yr old.

Gravel1 · 22/12/2018 18:27

have seen a whole theatre of kids crying as the scary witch was too good but go for it its memorable if nothing else

hidinginthenightgarden · 22/12/2018 18:55

DD turned 3 in October and has done both.

Panto went better than cinema as more interactive.

Original poster
PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 22/12/2018 19:29

Yeah, agree @backforgood my gut tells me the cinema needs to wait for a few years. I clearly remember my first film was “Basil the Great Mouse Detective” and as Google says the release date was ‘86 I’d have been 4.

Panto though....hm. The theatre I’m thinking of going to is likely to be rife with the yummy mummy set who may want little Maximus Decimus Meridius to be inspired early by the smell the greasepaint and the roar of the crowd so I’ll take my chances first week of Jan at the last matinee show of the run.

It’s 10 days before her 3rd birthday so in for a penny...

OP posts:
Aragog · 22/12/2018 19:36

Depends on your child. Dd was 3y and sat during the whole film and enjoyed it.

But then I've taken year 2 school trips to the cinema and some of the 7 year olds can't sit for a whole children's film. So it really depends on the nature of your child.

There are often special children's morning viewings of some films, where a little more noise and disturbance is expected.

cliffdiver · 22/12/2018 19:39

I agree it depends on the child.

DD1 went to the cinema / watched shows etc from 3 and was fine.

DD2 is 5 in March and she can't even sit through a film at home. We took her to the cinema when she was 3 and was bored as soon as she ate her popcorn / sweets during the adverts.

FreeButtonBee · 22/12/2018 19:42

We’ve just managed first proper cinema trip with DS2 today - he is 3 and 4 months.

Was a little restless but was a practically empty cinema so didn’t bother anyone.

He’s also recently managed a short kids theatre show of 45 mins but I don’t think he’d manage a full panto. I’d save that for next year.

HauntedPencil · 22/12/2018 19:52

You never know until you try! I had to abort a panto at the interval last year with 6 4 and 2 year old but to be fair it was shite as well

My DS was fine in the cinema at 3.

swimmerforlife · 22/12/2018 19:57

Both my sons were about 4 when they could comfortably sit through a whole film.

elliejjtiny · 22/12/2018 20:05

My 4 and 5 year olds can't sit through a film at home yet.

Etino · 22/12/2018 20:31

Start ‘em young!
Movies are usually too loud for babies’ ears but once they’re 2/3 we’ve taken ours to movies concerts and ballet. 20+ years on everyone goes to everything several times a week.

Valkarie · 22/12/2018 20:35

Cinema on a kids showing is cheapest. Then if she is not ready at least you haven't lost too much.

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