Living room camping for 5y old

[Moviecampingnight]

I promised DS that we would camp out in the living room on Saturday night and have a movie night.

He's so cute, he's been counting down the days and is so excited.

I feel like people did this during lockdown and may have ideas of how to make it extra special? Any crafts we can do beforehand? I remember seeing people going all out during lockdown making tickets and popcorn boxes etc.

I mentioned marshmallows and he said "but mummy, we can't have a campfire for real life in the living room!"

I have a bit of time tonight to do some prep, would love lots of ideas!

That sounds like great fun! Can you put a flickering fire on your TV screen, or else some pictures of big open spaces where you are camping out? My nan did this for me as a child, and my favourite memory was of a torch with different colour filters so I could read in the blanket fort ( she used a dining table and the back of the sofa to make the blankets unto a tent for the night. Maybe identify some sounds of wild animals? Or spot star constellations? And of course a proper camping dinner maybe with jackets and cowboy beans. Or themed to your DC's interests.

Marshmallows will toast over a tea light , if you trust him around candles.

Alternative idea if you don't want naked flame...

Melt a bowl of chocolate in microwave or over got water. Have fudge pieces, marshmallows, fruit and similar, put on skewer and dip in the chocolate!

Oh my god so many ideas that hadn't even crossed my mind, thank you!!

He loves anything to do with stars and has a little projector showing planets etc so that will be perfect.

I love the idea of a game identifying sounds, that will be great fun.

I think I'll find a way to melt the marshmallows but also love the idea of a chocolate fondue !

Ah DS used to love a living room camp out, we did it every other Saturday night for many years. Particularly lovely in the winter when it's dark early and you can snuggle up.

I dont think you need anything special, just the novelty of it is enough although suspending a sheet over your heads makes it feel like a den.

Get him to make some tickets and a movie poster to put up. Then have a big performance of admitting you to the sitting room after checking your ticket!

Popcorn, chocolate fondue with marshmallows and strawberries, blankets, forts, loads of cushions.

He'll love it.

Awww let's see if it becomes a regular occurrence for us too!

Yes it did cross my mind that it will be well past his bedtime by the time it gets dark!

We have a little beach tent thing we are planning to set up downstairs with his mattress and lots of snuggly blankets and pillows. Not big enough for both of us, so I'll have the pleasure of sleeping on the sofa :)

Oh yes, I'll take movie suggestions too! He seems to watch a lot of movies at school so we don't have much of the obvious ones left to watch. Any favourites you'd recommend at that age?

According to my DDs, the dining table is a great "tent".

Films my 4 year old have loved are: Trolls, sing 1 & 2, Wizard of Oz, Jumanji (Robin Williams one) and some U rated Studio Ghibli (Ponyo etc.). This sounds a great set up. Does your little one have a sleeping bag?