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Films

Related: TV discussion forum.

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Original poster

What age to the cinema on their own (to see U or PG?)

17 replies

roisin · 03/06/2006 15:02

DS1 was complaining the other day that I always choose the films - because I refuse to pay £xx to watch complete and utter rubbish. So I asked him to ask what the cinema guidelines are for children on their own.

Apparently unaccompanied children are OK before 7 pm at any age
Later than that they have to be at least 12.

(Obviously they can't see a 12A without an adult with them.)

We went to see a film and the only other people in the cinema were two young boys, aged about 7 or 8: They were really good. They sat at the back and were so quiet we didn't even know they were there until the end!

So what age would you/do you allow your kids to go to the cinema without you?

OP posts:

scienceteacher · 03/06/2006 15:05

DS reckons he was 11 or 12, and he would have taken his younger brother with him (2 years younger). They can walk to the cinema from our house.

MarsLady · 03/06/2006 15:36

Mine start going in Y6... from about the Spring term. DS1 went to the cinema a lot in Y7. It was the thrill of being able to see 12s I think.

That's the earliest I would send mine.

WideWebWitch · 03/06/2006 15:40

Well it's interesting because when we used to go in Bristol we would often see children being dropped off by parents at the entrance and I did wonder what age they were roisin. I think I'd be fine with ds and a friend going if I wasn't going to leave the premises but what would be the point of that? So I'm going to say I reckon 11. ish and before that I'll be in with them.

Original poster

roisin · 03/06/2006 17:16

Hmmm... I can imagine ds2 going when he's 9, but ds1 is nearly 9 and can't imagine letting him go on his own! And certainly not with his little brother!

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Original poster

roisin · 03/06/2006 17:17

It just grates so that it's so expensive to take them to a cinema, and quite often they want to see something in which I have absolutely no interest.

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mrsbang · 03/06/2006 17:21

My eldest went with a friend when he was 9/10. (I took and collected).

We sometimes use a small cinema (attached to our local museum) and I've decided that next time they're showing a film mine want to see they can go and I'll have a cuppa in the cafe or wander round the (free) museum. (they're now 11, 9 and 7).

ScummyMummy · 03/06/2006 17:25

If I was sure they would not be scared and would behave, I'd do it.

Original poster

roisin · 03/06/2006 17:41

Those are pretty big ifs for me though Scummy

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ScummyMummy · 03/06/2006 17:43

Me too, roisin! Bigtime.

jollymum · 03/06/2006 19:02

My dd went to the pics last week with her "boyfriend" and she's nearly 11! First date, my baby!I went into another showing with ds aged 7 and because their film finished first, they went for a walk round the shops. My Dh used to drop ds and DD off at the the pics, Staurday am £1.00 per child, big cinema, loads of screens and go round the shops and collect them later. I thought they were both together, about 11 and 9years, so had told oldest to go with his sister to the toilet and wait outside for her. Didn't realise that the stroppy little mare waited until Daddy had left them and went into another cinema to watch whatever she wanted Because she was little, she sneaked in with an adult/family and watched loads of unsuitable stuff. Only found out because she dropped herself in it one time!Big dozey bro didn't even notice until Daddy came to collect them and she wan't there!

Original poster

roisin · 03/06/2006 19:13

that's a bit worrying jollymum.

Though the Saturday am kids club is a good idea. We normally go with them, but I think there's no reason they couldn't go by themselves.

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jollymum · 03/06/2006 19:22

because you don't know if they'll have a row, sit seperately and have some weirdo sit next to them. Mind you, being one of four my dd is well able to stick up for herself and has been told by me that if anyone touches her anywhere etc etc she does her loudest scream and points at them.

ellceeell · 03/06/2006 20:24

The first time I dropped dd1 and her friend at the cinema they were both 10 - and very excited at how grown up they were being. I got back a few minutes before the film was due to finish to find 2 fire engines outside! There had been a false alarm but it was treated seriously so they had been evacuated and not allowed back inside until the building was declared safe. Then the film was restarted so it still had another 40 minutes or so to run. Part of me wanted to drag them home then and there but instead I had a drink and waited for them. They said it was all very exciting and the firemen had been great!

Avalon · 03/06/2006 20:29

My local cinema does a kids' showing on Saturday morning - £1 for a film, choice of 3.
Adults can go, but they've got to have a kid with them.
Kids can go in by themselves from 7 and I've let mine go.

Original poster

roisin · 24/06/2006 14:18

Just to pop back in on this one.
DS1 (almost 9) went to see Chicken Little on his own today at the cinema - and loved it. He was so engrossed he didn't even notice one of his best mates was there with his brother!
Ds2 chose not to go - I'm still not entirely sure why.

I made sure he had my mobile number in case of any problems, and went through guidelines/rules carefully before he went: but he was very happy and confident. So that's great!

I hope ds2 will go with him next time: it makes U/PG cinema much more attractive to me
= not so expensive (because I don't have to go)
= not so boring (because I don't have to go)
= rare child-free time for me (because I don't have to go)

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x2ninja12 · 24/05/2022 13:25

how old do u need to be to watch a marvel movie on your own because im 13 and i wanna go and watch love and thunder

CloeFree · 25/05/2022 07:15

You don't know if they'll sit in a row, separate themselves, and have some weirdo sit next to them. Having grown up in a family of four, my dd knows how to stand up for herself and has told me that if anyone touches her anywhere, she screams and points at them.

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