Outdoor cinema night for little ones. Need your bright ideas, please!

[PotsAndPothos]

Hi MNs!

DP, DD3, and I are coming out of winter hibernation, dreaming of spring/summer adventures. I'm toying with the idea of an outdoor kids cinema night in our tiny courtyard and small patch of grass.

A family member can lend us a projector, we'll use a bedsheet on the wall for a screen and every blanket and pillow we own will be seating for the kids.

I've made some mum friends locally and a couple are on our street with kids of similar ages. Currently, there would be around 10 kids, 8 months to 7 years, from just the mums I know well.

Here's where I'd love your sage advice:

1. When's the best time for this? Spring's earlier sunset but hit-n-miss temperature/weather or summer's later daylight but warmer evenings? I'm a bit torn and accounting for bed times (babes in arms are quite chill though)

1. Our street is close-knit, but I don't know all the neighbours. I've heard there are more homes with kids of similar-ish ages, but not sure how many, the kid numbers could jump up. But I don't like the idea of children feeling excluded from something fun. Would it be a good idea to extend the invite to the street group? (Might childless neighbours be offended?)

1. I'd like to make it clear that parents are to stay, not drop-off and run. How can I convey this in a friendly way? This might be a good opportunity for the dads to join in too as they've not really had much of a chance. Any suggestions on making it an evident 'family' invite?

1. The fun bit! Any ideas for movie magic, stress-free fun? I'm thinking fairy lights, a fun movie followed by a bit of playtime for the kids. Movie suggestions? Popcorn alternatives and cost-effective drinks? Easy to serve nibbles? I really want to avoid DP and/or I having to be in and out of the kitchen the whole time with little time to socialise or me stressing beforehand prepping food (I've been terrible for that in the past!).

Last year zoomed by, I'd really love to have fun stuff to look forwad to this year!

Can't wait to hear your thoughts. Thank you!

Do you have room for an inflatable pool that can be turned into a big 'bed' for the kids? All the pillows and blankets go in there, might contain some of the younger ones.

Funnily enough on fires DD and my friends kids attend forest school where they've made a number of bonfires and learnt about fire safety. It's a great life skill. A lot of adults could do with it too. (yes the school is Ofsted rated as Outstanding, everything they do is regulated and sanctioned) Thank you for your concern though 👍🏽

I would maybe do it indoors, so the picture is better quality and if any want to doze off they’ll be nice and warm, but you could have an “interval” where they go outside and play in the fairy lights/glow sticks/whatever, then those that want to can go back in and snuggle down. You could even get them changed into pjs before starting the second half.

@dancinginthewind I think there's an overestimation of how dark and late it might be. Also it's just an opportunity to gather and do something different and fun. These kids have hung out before and they're actually a pretty relaxed crew and tend to work things out between them and the older kids seem to be naturally good at hearding the littles. We've been quite lucky there actually.

Good lord there are some miserable people on here! It’s a small social event for the street a couple of evenings a year, not a weekly rave! Do the moaners never entertain in their garden? Ever? What a waste!

So true. I'm originally from a small village in the Med. I overwhelmingly prefer the UK in so many ways and have been here so long I consider myself british. The only thing I trully miss is the joyful sense of community we had back there. When we visit everyone is so happy to gather, neighbours pile in, multiple generations enjoy each others company and respect one another from the wisdom of the elders to the wonder of the little ones. And I'm a naturally interoverted person that values a lot of quiet and alone time! We've gotten quite lucky that a lot of our neigbours here are very like-minded too though.

This.

Comments like this are why dh and I moved to a home where we no longer have direct neighbours. Why on earth would anyone think they have the right to tell someone they shouldn’t have a gathering (a harmless one with small children no less) in their own garden. Imagine thinking that your garden shouldn’t be used as an extra room (why on earth would you have one if not to use it?). It would be different if it was a noisy weekly piss up causing major lack of sleep and disruption, but a few neighbourhood kids and their families in the back garden once or twice a year with most of the street invited is pretty much dream neighbour territory.

MN hates people enjoying their gardens - especially if they have a hot tub or a BBQ😂