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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Is 2.5 year old too young to go to the movies?

30 replies

CADS · 26/07/2006 22:51

DH wants to take ds to see Cars, I think he is still too young to go to the movies.

Opinions, please.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Angeliz · 26/07/2006 22:52

DD went when she was just 2 to see finding Nemo.
She loved it so if he has the attention span i'd say go for it.
I couldn't see dd2 sitting for that long so i think it's all about each individual child tbh.

singersgirl · 26/07/2006 22:53

We took DS2 to see "Finding Nemo" at 21 months. He was OK till the last 20 minutes, which was a bit tough because DH and I both wanted to watch. Certainly from 2.5 he was fine.

Original poster

CADS · 26/07/2006 22:54

Actually, I think DH wants to watch it.

OP posts:

Angeliz · 26/07/2006 22:55

Just go, you've nothing to lose.

tortoise · 26/07/2006 22:55

I hoping my 2 and 3 yr olds will be ok so i can take ds1 9 and ds2 6 to see under the hedge during the hols.

CurtainTwitcher · 26/07/2006 22:59

cads dont know but am thinking of taking ds and he is 2.9yrs. only thing that puts me off is that he will not like the noise as cinema is quite loud.

imaginaryfriend · 26/07/2006 23:20

DD went for the first time around 2.5 but I'd say it depends on concentration span - does he sit and watch DVDs etc. at home quietly?

cat64 · 26/07/2006 23:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

sparklemagic · 26/07/2006 23:48

I agree with Cat, though of course it depends on the nature of the child - thoughtful and sensitive children can find the cinema scary, with the darkness and the noise; but if your ds is more happy go lucky, you might get away with it.

My DS is four very soon and I'm only just now thinking of taking him! He is a sensitive soul and I know it would have been too much for him before; also has only recently gained the ability to sit down to a feature length film; also talks ALL THE TIME and ASKS QUESTIONS ALL THE TIME and I wouldn't like to disturb others to that degree.

FairyMum · 27/07/2006 00:21

My 7 year-old has never even been. Probably depends on the child. Mine are easily scared so I worry about the adverts and also about loud noise as they arer all sensitive to sound. I could never take my 2 year-old.He would freak. He doesn't even watch tv yet.

Alipiggie · 27/07/2006 03:59

My just 3yr old ds sat all the way through Cars, it's a brilliant movie no scary bits at all. He got a bit restless, but then we were there 30 mins before. So if you can get there just before the movie starts you should be on to a winner.

poopy · 27/07/2006 06:55

We took DS and DD to see Cars last month ... DD's first trip to the movies - she is 2 and a half.
We picked a 10am show on a Saturday and it was a couple of weeks into the run so the theatre wasn't full.
She sat beautifully through all the trailers and then 5 minutes into Cars she got bored. But we did manage to get through the whole film because it wasn't packed and she just played up and down the aisle while DS and DH watched the movie and I watched her (with one eye on the film). It was a fun family morning and it is a FAB film ...

doodledo · 27/07/2006 10:39

Poopy -lol sounds just like my trip to the cinema with dd 2 2and a half. She also sat through all the trailers and therefore led us into a false sense of security. Have to say though that the trailers went on and on for 30 mins which even us adults found excessive.
We also ended up with dd2 playing/walking up and down the aisle helping herself to maltesers and popcorn every now and then ....
I think go for it but maybe take some ear plugs if you think the noise might be too much ( and if you think your two yearold will wear them..)

roisin · 27/07/2006 10:45

Cars is 141 mins and a PG.
Personally I would definitely choose a U, and preferably a much shorter film for a pre-schooler's first trip to the cinema.

roisin · 27/07/2006 10:50

From BBFC:
PG Parental Guidance - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

Unaccompanied children of any age may watch.
A ?PG? film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

U It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ?U? film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

more here

mythumbelinas · 27/07/2006 10:58

The other week, my sis babysat my 2.5 dd and took her to watch under the hedge .. and she fell asleep for most of it.
I thought that wasn't too bad considering she's taken my then 6yo dd, 5yo niece and 3yo nephew to watch another cartoon before .. 3yo nephew was scared of the darkness and insisted on sitting on her lap, wanting to go to the loo a couple of times, etc...
i'd say it depends on the child

Original poster

CADS · 27/07/2006 11:05

Thanks everyone

I'm worried about the noise too, climbing all over the place, not wanting to leave at the end and throwing tantrums.

I think we will put it off for a while and DH will just have to wait till Cars comes out of DVD.

OP posts:

sparklemagic · 27/07/2006 11:20

oh, I didn't realise it was a PG! personally I would only take DS to a U.

roisin · 27/07/2006 11:26

Lots of cinemas run a Saturday morning kids club, which shows older films. This can be an excellent "first cinema experience" as you can go and see a film the child has already seen on DVD: so no unexpected shocks and surprises, it tends to be a relaxed child-friendly atmosphere, and is usually a lot cheaper too!

HTH

cat64 · 27/07/2006 11:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

HunieBunie · 27/07/2006 12:06

Well said Cat.

misdee · 27/07/2006 12:12

i took 6 children to the cinema last week to see garfield 2, the youngest is 17months, eldest was 9years old. 2 of them have CP, 1 has AS traits. i have to say i was very worried at how they would behave, but was plesently surprised. a few clattering moments when 2 fell of the stupid plastic booster seats, and one needed the toilet midway through, but they didnt run up abnd down the aisle like other children there did, but then i have been taking my children to the cinema since they were babes-in-arms so they know how to behave in cinemas, and know if they do misbehave then we all leave and they dont get to see the film.

FairyMum · 27/07/2006 12:30

Agree with you cat64

m1m1rie · 27/07/2006 12:35

Quite right. If your child misbehaves or refuses to do as they are told, then take them outside. Mine get one more chance. Taken outside and told why they have been removed, made to promise to be good and taken back in again. If the behaviour continues then I take them home (or better still, shopping - now THAT's a punishment!!)
DD1 went to the cinema for the first time aged about 3.5 and was a bit daunted at first by the noise and the darkness. But she sat on my lap and watched the film without much fuss. DD2, however went for the first time a few weeks ago (aged 2.5) and absolutely LOVED it. We went to see Over The Hedge and she sat and watched every minute and is still telling everyone she meets all about it! We went to the first show on a Saturday morning (it was a preview show) so everybody else seemed to be very young families. All the children in there behaved really well (which helps, because if one breaks ranks many others will follow). I would say go, but play it by ear. If it is not being fun, then leave and put it down to experience!!

sparklemagic · 27/07/2006 15:33

I agree Cat, being able to sit down for the whole film has been a criteria I applied to my DS which is why at almost 4 he's not been yet.

ALL people, not just toddlers, seem to behave dreadfully at the cinema now! last time I went, people talked through the film as if they were in their own front rooms, and the noise of all those people eating was gross! Some people ate nearly ALL the way through the film! Others were up and down getting more food or whatever....worse than toddlers, they were!

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