Can a three year old sit through a panto?

[Liverbird77]

Aibu to ask if an about-to-turn-three year old would be able to sit and enjoy a two hour panto?

Me and my mum would love to take him, but we aren't sure if it is feasible.
There's no SEN or other special considerations to think about.

I am interested to hear from parents of older children. What age did you start to take them?

@Liverbird77 Depending on the theatre, the very front row may not be great for little ones as the stage is often higher than the seats so you're constantly craning your neck up and probably can't see the very back of the stage.

My eldest could have easily, but would have gotten no enjoyment from it at all.
Middle one would have possibly enjoyed some of it, but wasn’t good with loud noises, so we’d probably have left with him crying at some point.
Youngest one, no way!! He can’t sit still for 2 minutes, and had very strong (and loud!) opinions!
I wouldn’t take the chance, tbh. Just turned 3 is very young, and panto is an expensive treat for many people, I wouldn’t want to risk ruining it for others and wasting my own money by having to walk out. Could you go with your mum? Our local cinema shows the CBeebies panto every year on the big screen, that would be a decent compromise! Nobody goes along expecting that to be a civilised sitting!

DD (now 5) been going to the panto with the rest of us (youngest of 3) since she was a baby. She slept through the first one I believe but enjoyed all the rest. Panto is perfect for kids to learn about theatre, so interactive. I think even sleeping DD woke up when the water pistols were turned on the audience. Glowing wands and sweeties throughout also help.

I took my son for his third birthday, along with his four year old twin brothers. They all had learning disabilities and yet to be diagnosed ADHD, autism, tourettes and BPD I did wonder how it would be. But it was great, they were transfixed and loved it. I'd say go for it. From then on we went every year.

I’d be wary of sitting front row with a small child, check how far away it is from the stage and how high the stage is.

Quite often small children are often not able to see what’s going on as they are having to look up and are too close/too low down from the stage. I have this problem, in both cinemas and theatres. You usually end up watching feet and legs! So I avoid the front row completely!

Both of mine sat through (and appeared to enjoy) pantos at 3.

I would definitely try taking him to a children's theatre performance and see how you go - these are much shorter and geared at younger children. Also an amateur panto might be a good bet for the first one. Have a look at local reviews - some are excellent and much cheaper if you do have to leave.

It depends entirely on the 3 year old. My nephews? Yes, absolutely. My DD at 3? Not a chance. We saw stickman when she was just turned 3 and that was about an hour or so I think? Hour and twenty? And she just about did it but was getting bored by that point.

Some good ideas, thanks everyone. I would absolutely have taken him to a local village panto, but it's not running this year, sadly. O will do in future though.

I'll look for some other Christmas productions targeted at the under fives. It's disappointing, bit I don't want to risk him having a tantrum etc

Mine were both fine at that age

Take a booster seat - the one without the back. Can see better

I took my ds to a theatre version of Fireman Sam when he was 3 and he was terrified by the whole thing and we took him out at the interval.

So maybe not a panto either. Perhaps at 5?

I remember taking ds to the Thomas the tank engine live show when he was little.

It’s was loud, rather boring and the whole place smelled like dirty nappies...

My 3 year old just fell asleep. Her 5 year old brother loved it

Pantos are interactive and usually fun. So DC can get engaged , doesnt matter about noise. My 4 have enjoyed pantos, my youngest went from age of 4 and had no problems