What age did you first take your child to a pantomime? Is just 3 too young?

[MsUnderstood]

I have a shy ish 3yo and am wondering about panto this year, what do you think, too young? When did you first take yours and is the expectation that they stay still etc or is it ok if they have ants in their pants? (a la Sat am cinema type shows)

1. My kids liked shows though and some children don't. Often it's the noise or it's just terrifying for them. If you risk it, book an aisle seat.

Depends on the panto I think - are you planning on a small local one or a big one in a proper theatre?

We took DD when she was 3 and 3/4. She loved it. She was shy at that age.

I am planning to take DS this year to a panto, he is just 3. However, I took him to Fireman Sam in the summer at a big theatre and he loved it.

I took my ds last year - he was 3 and a half. We saw Jack and the bean stalk and he still talks about it now.
The baddie was being particularly nasty in one scene and ds shouted down from the circle "I'm going to EAT you, monster!". The chap tried hard not to giggle but had to hide his face in his cloak.

Thank you all, I think I might leave it for a bit actually since she isn't actually asking to go, I just saw an ad today and thought it looked nice. So it was almost more for me than her, which isn't a good reason! I will wait until she's 4 I think.

we took my DD when she was 3 and a half she was ok for the 1st half but wriggly during the 2nd half!

They are long and a lot of the jokes are aimed at adults!

maybe have a look around and see if there a local small one that is cheap!! then it isn't too bad if you leave half way through!!

3 should be fine...my dh took our 3yo ds and 5yo dd to the cinema and ds was fine...although dh said he was obsessed with using the loo!

I took dd2 to see a panto last year at the alhambra and she was 3, she loved it and can't wait to go again this year.

mine have all gone from babies!

ds3 is 2 and always comes, have never had a problem with him. lots of kids get restless towards the end of the first half, dont worry about her making a noise, it is a kids show and she is supposed to make noise! i think ds2 was 3 the first time we went and we left after the first half but he really enjoyed what he did see, he just got a bit bored. the 2nd half is usually much shorter but i didnt know that at the time or i might have stayed. we go to quite a lot of kids plays and they always love them

My ds went with my dh, his cousins and my dad just before he was 3. He was quite good. Stood up a few times and got on and off peoples laps and went to the loo. He had a drink and snacks etc.

He had been to the same place not long before to see the Tractor Tom show so sort of knew what to expect. We just thought ,if he gets too upset or wriggly we'll just go home but he was fine.

i am taking dd (3) to two pantos this year. she is scared of her own shadow, but hoping it will be ok.

also have an 8 month old, who is coming too.

i must have already gone mad without realising!

I took dd when she was 3.3.yo and she loved it. I will take ds for the first time this year and he will be 4.3 yo. He's a child who can't sit still though and talks non-stop.

I started a thread asking this very thing this time last year! Took ds to see Peter Pan. He was 3.2 and LOVED it, but then he is obsessed with Pirates. What are you going to see?

god - i can't even remember. i think it is snow white and the 7 dwarfs. i did think it sounded fairly tame.

anyway, took both dds to a firework display tonight and they survived, so i guess they will be able to handle a panto????

took the DSs (nearly 5 and 3) to see Joseph this afternoon.

They both know it really well and had been very excited. Although they loved it, DS2 did ask if he could go home at the interval... Hew as fine later when it all perked up a bit though.

IME, I wouldn't waste your money on a big posh panto this year - maybe take him to a smaller one or even am dram one locally, which he'll enjoy just as much if he does enjoy it and, if he doesn't, you won't feel as though you've lost a lot of money!

school age. some preschoolers will be fine, many will not . if its expensive and you have to take dc out after the lights go down becasue they are terrified how chesed off will you be? if at all, wait till they are older.

Tok my niece and nephew when they were 6 and 4 to see Dick Whittington (English not their first language and they didn't know the story). They both absoloutely loved it. I was landed with taking them to a panto every year after that as they loved going so much!