Would you take a two year old to a pantomime?

[mrsclaus44]

Dh and I were meant to be taking our older dc to the Christmas panto later. Our two year old was going to be babysat by her grandma.

Unfortunately Dh is unwell and can't go. So I wondered if I could use his ticket for our 2 year old. I just don't know how she will react. It's about 2.5 hours long with an intermission. From previous years it will be loud and busy and there are some mildly scary bits. Our seats are on the end of an aisle so I'd be able to take her out quickly if needed but equally I don't want her to be going out every 5 minutes because she's being loud. What do you think?

It's not about the 2 year old making general noise. It's about them getting scared and crying.

The booing and baddy cackling etc can be very overwelming, the music, the lights on and off and explosions etc. going to one of Northern Ballets tots shows would be fine or one of the Postman Pat / Thomas shows that go around which are made for that age but panto is quite different.

It's a panto, it's aimed at children. It's not like a RSC show where you can expect silence; the audience are literally encouraged to shout out and participate. We've been taking DD to the panto since before her 2nd birthday, and other age appropriate shows. I'm surprised by the responses tbh, and always surprised when theatre going families say their 4/5 yo has never been with them.

I think under 4's are too young. Put DH ticket on local Facebook marketplace. Maybe someone will buy it from you.

Another vote for take grandma.

Pretty sure I took my youngest as a 2 yr old. No problems

Not sure it's worth it, two year old won't understand, won't like being stuck in one place, won't like all the loud noise and lighting necessarily and if you have to take them out you leave the older ones (who I'm sure would be fine) but they would see you having to prioritise the baby. Maybe one of the grandparents could babysit the two year old and the other one could come with you to use up the ticket?

It depends if she's just 2 or almost 3 - big difference at that age.
If nearly 3 I would take her. I took my 3.5 year old this year and it was great.

Thanks for all the comments, decided not to take her. She's actually just gone for a sleep so won't be up in time anyway. Grandma doesn't want to go, not really her thing. So it'll be me and the older dc and hopefully we will have a nice time.

I did last year and she loved it!! Its perfectly possible but depends on your child really, you know them best.

No way far too young. Invite one of your older child’s friends.

I used to work in theatre doing panto season on the box office and as an usher. It was completely normal and welcomed to have small children, toddlers, babies etc. The whole show is aimed at kids.

My own kids at 2 were far less likely to be overwhelmed by loud noises, lighting + the baddies than they were at 4 or 5.

CBeebies put on a panto for teeny tots every year because teenies love the music and performance.

I took my youngest at around 2.5 - 3. He loved the first half. But then the 'baddy' scared him and he spent the whole second half hiding behind the chair on the floor! However, we were still able to stay and he didn't spoil it for anyone.

I took mine. He had the best time.

I don't think a 2y will get anything out of a pantomime and it may mean you being in and out, which will disrupt your older child's viewing.

If you don't want to waste the ticket, maybe you could offer to take in of your older child's friends, perhaps?

We went to the pantomime yesterday and there was a 2yr old (or younger) in front of me. They were very good indeed but totally not interested in the pantomime - after about ten minutes they sat on mother's lap and went to sleep.

I would leave the little one with grandmother and offer the ticket to somebody else - on your local Facebook page if there isn't anyone you know to offer it to.

i would have taken one of DCs friends.

Not unless you have a spare adult to take her out if needed

Absolutely.
My children have been raised in/on the theatre though, so if yours aren’t used to attending, I wouldn’t bother.
My littlest was 3 weeks old when he was our baby in a pantomime. I was still pregnant with my oldest when I was a panto princess. Fast forward a few years and they have both been in multiple shows and have seen multiple shows since birth, their big Christmas present is tickets to a west end musical this year.

Asked eldest if he wanted to do this and he said no, he'd rather it just be us. Not sure panto is considered cool among 13 year olds. We had fun anyway.

Probably not. My 2yo only lasted 20 minutes watching moana in the cinema but it was an autism/relaxed showing so she could wander and talk a bit.

No. Well none of the 2 year olds that I've been responsible for over the years! I took my DGD (now 18) to the cinema for the first time when she was 4,to see one of the Toy Story films. She just about managed to sit still and watch the film.

No way

Hell for you, him and everyone else

You took 13 year old teenage son to a panto? Did I just read that right!?

No. I wouldn't. Too young.

Took my then 2 year old to a one hour panto, and she managed Disney on Ice at a similar age which is about 2 hours including intermission, but I wouldn’t risk it if you have an older child who will be upset if you have to leave early.