how old was your child when you first took it to the cinema?

[xenabelly]

I saw an advert today for Shrek 3 that's coming out in summer. My little girls loves Shrek 1 and 2 on DVD and am wondering whether she'd like to go to pictures but not sure if the dark would freak her out - how do you find out these things?

She'll be 3.6 in summer - is that old enough or not to sit through a film - what do you all think?

DSs were quite old, 4 or 5 I think, but they had short attention spans, and DS2 in particular got nervous about the dark and the loudness. First couple of films he saw sitting on my lap! DD on the other hand started going last summer when she was about 2.5. She's a lot more outgoing than they were and more confident when we're out and about and loves going to the cinema. Odeon cinemas do 'Kids Club' screenings at the weekends - £2.50 for a ticket, and adult goes free. It's older films, but it's great to go to as it's only other families there, and it doesn't tend to be too busy. It might be worth taking her to one of those first to see how it goes, rather than her first experience being at a packed showing as it will be with a new film.

Not read all the thread, but our local cinema has special showings of popular films that are specifically for parents and young children.
They don't lower the lights, and there is not so much pressure for the children to be quiet.
Might be worth investigating for a first visit.

OK, have now read Serenity's post, and realised I've just said the same thing.

Just shows what a good idea it is

ds first went when just over 3. Scared not by dark but by trailers (noise) - gave him chocolate and he settled down and loved the film (Ice Age 2). Take chocolate!

We took dd when she was 2 and a half to see Ice Age2 and Chicken Little (whichever came out first).
She was fine. We sat her on a booster seat in between me and dh and bought her a drink and a small bag of popcorn. She thought it was great.

Can't wait for Shrek to come out

yeah dd2 who has zero attention span so took her to a kids club saturday mornings was free for kids and adults show various recent kids films 1st few times she would not sit still and even now (she 4.9 now)i wouldnt pay full price unless it was soemthing she really wanted to see

she got fed up with film type movies like 101 dalmations, babe etc but loves anything animated she adored shrek, and wallace and grommit

also she would only sit still if constantly eating so smuggle about4 packs of crisps in!!

have been thinking EXACTLY the same thing!!! DS1 LOVES both Shrek films, watches them over and over, and we are buying the Cornflake packets so he can save up the tokens to go to the movies to see Shrek 3. he will be nearly 3 and I reckon he will be fine, once he gets used to being in a big place like that, and the hugeness of the screen, ply him with some choc and I hope he will watch it as avidly as he watces the others in our front room! cannot wait I love the cinema....