Taking a 2 year old to the cinema?

[tiredmama23]

DP wants to take our 2 year old to the cinema (obviously to watch a children's cartoon). I think she's way too young for this (she's barely 2 and a half) and will just be a nightmare the entire time trying to get down off the seats etc. I can't imagine this will be a relaxing experience for us! He thinks it's not too early for her to learn how to behave in a cinema. Is 2 years old too young for a cinema?? AIBU?

The kids am showings are the best place to start (plus you haven't wasted too much ££ if they don't enjoy it and you end up leaving). Alternatively, are there any theatres near you with shows for children? DH may be happy with that as they are still learning about being in a theatre, but the shows are usually very engaging and interactive. I remember taking DCs to Charlie and Lola and Room on the Broom which they loved.

Op I've just checked the age at our first attempt by looking at the film UK release date. It was at 2 years and 3 months, give or take a few days

The next attempt was at just over 4 years. I'd thought it was about 18 months later so I wasn't far out.

All I remember thinking after the first one is, never again!!! But by 4 the ability to concentrate and understand it's a "long cartoon" kicked in.

Our local cinema do toddler showings of short films. 30-45 minutes rather than a couple of hours. Is this what he means? If so, they should be fine (and there are always children moving around etc at ours).

DH used to take ours at 2.5.
Booster seat provided by the cinema, snack, drink, they had a great time
Most kids films are not really long, don’t go in at the start of the ads / trailers, and we didn’t all go, no need to pay for 2 adult tix for something I didn’t want to see.

If he wants to try it, what’s the problem?

I'm not sure it is something kids learn better by starting younger. They are ready when they are ready. One of mine went from baby age and the other hated cinema for years. If you give it a go and she doesn't like it, you can just leave. As long as no one gets stroppy with her for not coping with a situation she was put into, you are all good.

it's not too early for her to learn how to behave in a cinema.

Is he also keen for her to master other skills. Using scissors, balancing on one leg, threading, riding a bike?

Depends on the child. Remember taking my ds years ago when he was two and a half, to see Toy Story. Sat still the entire time and loved it. My friend came with us with her two and a half dd, who just wandered up and down the aisle for the entire movie picking up popcorn off the floor! As someone upthread said, you can generally tell by how your child is when watching TV at home as to their attention span.

Totally pointless

I really don't see the problem with taking a 2yo to a child-friendly screening of a cartoon.

No, she won't remember it and may well get bored, but it only costs a few pounds and she'll have fun doing something new with her dad.

Doesn't that rather defeat the object of teaching her how to behave in a cinema?!

What is the risk - a kids showing will be cheap. If she hates it then leave. She may love it. Its something she and DH can do together