Is a 3 year old too young to go to a pantomine?

[KitKat1985]

Just that really. DD1 turns 3 in Sept and I've recently had a flyer through from the local theatre advertising their pantomime for the festive season. Is 3 too young to take her do you think? I'm really unsure as to if she'd utterly love it, or would get too restless. We recently took her to a small circus show and she was okay for that, but that was only 45 minutes long. What do you think?

I took DS last year, he was 3.8. He was pretty good, enjoyed it and only got a bit restless towards the end (last 15-20 mins or so). Having said that, he is generally reasonably good about sitting still for long periods of time (not a stealth boast - he's just not a live wire type kid). My friend's DD could have no way sat through a panto at 3. She always had to be up and doing stuff. How is your DD with other things like that?

I wouldn't worry about her concentration so much but in my experience of taking school parties to the panto (6 & 7 yr olds) quite a number find the noise really distressing. There's always lots of '0h yes he is' 'He's behind you' etc and the cast really encourage the audience to participate at full volume.

The giant scared dd silly at that age, but its fine to go if you fancy it.

DD1 is pretty lively and not easily scared. My main anxiety is if she'll manage to sit still for long enough. The tickets are quite pricy, so would be a waste if I had to take her out halfway through the show if she got noisy, restless, etc.

I took my 3 year old to a panto last year and he loved it. He won't normally sit still for long but was able to for the panto. He also normally hates loud noise but he thoroughly enjoyed shouting at the stage etc. We are going again this year.

My almost 3 year old LOVED it which i was hugely surprised about!

I took my 3 year old last year. With hindsight she was a bit young. It was quite long, it did hold her attention but she found some of it really scary.

we went when ds was 5 and dd1 was 2.5
We sat in the front row of the circle, so it wasn't quite as close and in your face.
She LOVED it, sat still and spellbound for the whole thing, and can still, age 12, sing one of the songs.

But a few years later when dd2 was 2.5, I just could not imagine her sitting spellbound, (well, lets be honest, I couldn't imagine her sitting still) and she didn't go to one until she was about 5/6.

None of then were scared by the noise, but as a PP said, I have taken school groups and the reception kids were terrified.

I really think it depends on the child, I didn't think twice with dd1, but in hindsight it is surprising that she was entranced and sat still.

I've been taking my youngest since 6 months old. I think last year 2 1/2 was the first time she got anything out of it.

I wouldn't spend a fortune on expensive tickets for that age but local Am Dram would be fine.

Depends on the child. My dd was terrified by Disney films at that age but was fine with live theatre.

Panto is ideal as an introduction to live theatre as kids are not expected to sit still & they interact.

It's hard to tell, depends on the child. I'd start with a cheaper, local am-dram one first. My DS hated his first panto aged about 5 and still hates them several years later, whereas DD loves them.

Hi. Thanks for all of your replies. I think you're all right and maybe will try a cheap panto this year and see how it goes, rather than have a first go with somewhere with pricy tickets in case I have to take her out.

Depends on the child.

DS1 and DS2 were both about 3.5 years for their first pantomime.

DS1 - disastrous. Scared silly from the second the curtains rose, had to be taken out after 5 minutes, and utterly refused to consider going back in.

DS2 - a bit nervous in places, but sat through it all and enjoyed most of it.

I think mine were 4yo when they first went .
I took DS the night that my parents travelled to us, so he had his night out, sweets , drove home, and when he woke up, his GP were there

DD was scared of King Rat then fell asleep at the end.
The look on her face was worth the price of the ticket.

We went to small, local theatres (driving distance) and of course, they need to go to the loo half way through !

Mine was 3. We only went because we got free tickets. He hated it. A lot. It terrified him and he still talks about how scared he was now a few years later! We will try again when he's about 15 I reckon. Should have got over it by then.

Someone has to do it.... Oh no she isn't!

Is there a small theatre near you that does plays for children?
Could you do a trial run?
Fwiw DS went to his first theatre show at 9months and we go regularly and never had an issue with his concentration or him being afraid he's now 3.5

DD2 saw Joseph at 3 because her siblings were in the choir. She saw her first panto start 4 as her duster was in it. Hoping she will be in the panto this year too. She will be 7

Panto can be quite long & overwhelming if it's a first theatre experience. Generally it'll be an hour, 20 mins interval & then another hour.

It might be worth trying a local children's performance first that's around 40 mins long. Many are based on books & include puppets etc. Dependent on your local theatre they might have a different set up for the children's shows too so the children are closer (some have bean bags & mats to make it more inclusive) & highlight that it's not 'real' but is still enjoyable.

If you decide to go for it anyway, just ask for an aisle seat so you can get in & out quickly if need be.

DP is a techie so DS experienced his first Panto at 5 months old last year & managed to sleep through some bits. We'll be trying him again this year so we get more of Christmas Eve in the same building but I doubt he'll sit through it all but he might surprise us!

Oh no its isn't.

We took our then just turned 3 year old to a Christmas theatre show for kids last year. It wasn't a panto, it was a story about Santa's elves with lots of slapstick humour. Was only an hour and the kids loved it. It was a small stage so not crowded, and not too noisy. They loved it so much they've already been asking to go this year so I've booked tickets the minute they came out!

I took DS when he was just turned 3 and he initially really loved it. Giggled through the scary parts, enjoyed all the shouting along parts, etc. Then halfway through two of the characters came into the audience through the backdoor and walked down the steps, interacting with the audience and DS was not happy. We had to leave within 10 minutes of that because he couldn't relax. It was like by breaking the fourth wall so thoroughly the show had become too real to him and he started feeling really insecure and frightened.

DD2 totally loved the pantomime when she was 3. Mind you it was a "celebrity" show with lots of slapstick and among the "stars" were Bodger and Badger who she loved from Cebebies - not sure how she would have got on with an Am-dram version where there is often more witty scripting and wordplay. However we were lucky not to have been in rows 1 or 2 as the 'mashed potato' sketch was pretty messy

I have taken the kids every year since they were born. They are now 4 and 6. Never any problems that couldn't be managed. I love the panto, we go more for me than the kids!