Can anyone suggest a short film to watch with a 2yo?

[DitaVonCheese]

Evening. Not sure if this is the right place

We've been trying to introduce family movie night with 2.3 yo DD but she doesn't have the concentration span for a full length film - with Marmaduke, despite the fact she'd watched the beginning about a million times, she asked to go to bed (!) halfway through and tonight we've watched Toy Story 3 but she got down and started playing halfway through. Not really too bothered (in fact, I'm happy to ignore the lack of concentration thing and just be smug that she's not that interested in telly ) but she was very excited about the idea when we sat down with our bowl of popcorn, so it would be nice to find something we can watch together, even if it's only 30 min or so.

Also out of interest, when do toddlers sit through films? Only ask because I know a few people who take theirs to the cinema so was a bit surprised DD got bored so fast.

The Gruffalo
Creature Comforts (she won't understand the humour but will like the funny animals)

Oh yes, the Gruffalo - the one that was on the BBC last Xmas. Is on DVD now.

30 mins I think, and DS was mesmerized.

It's also easy to share the enthusiasm in a genuine way, because it's really well done. And if she knows the book, that will help too.

Yes definitely the Gruffalo! lovely gentle film. I think some of the Beatrix Potter films with Niamh Cusack as Beatrix in the intro were also quite short.

I reckon 3-4 is when they will sit and watch a film without falling asleep in the cinema!

Fab thanks I am very ashamed to say that we haven't read the Gruffalo yet but that sounds fab. I thought post-posting () that Wallace & Gromit might be good too.

Tbh I think she'd rather we just recorded three episodes of Something Special and watched those with her

Dumbo is pretty short, under an hour I think?

DS1 is nearly 4 and still struggles to sit through a full-length film!

Fun and Fancy Free is a disney DVD which has 2 or 3 short films on it - Bongo is my fave. There's various "specials" of films, all at the £5 mark - shrek and the like - all run for about 30 - 45 mins I think (valuewise shocking, but would suit your porpoise?)

You havent read the Gruffalo? Or the Gruffalo Child? Or Stick Man?

I'm jealous - so much fun ahead! (not being sarcastic!)

DS 4 just started "getting" Wallace and Gromit before Christmas. Loved the Curse of the Wear Rabbit.

Dumbo - yes quite short - particularly if you fast forward through the strange drunken bit in the middle!

Gruffalo. Pretty much perfect.

Thats DS who IS 4 - not son number four (feels faint at the thought...)

There are some fab studio Ghibli short films

Oh yes - the "next chapter" button is your friend

Wallace and Gromit is great but it does contain peril which youngsters kind find.... well, perilous, really! DS can only watch Curse of the Were Rabbit, The Wrong Trousers and a Grand Day Out (and he is 6). The others are shunned with an expression of inner terror.

Panda Go Panda

There are 2 short films on the DVD, about 20 mins each I think.

Myth no We do read a lot, honest, and have a couple of JD's others but not the Gruffalo. It's on my list though.

MotherJack I can have a trawl of charidee shops, ta :)

My mum has a couple of Wallace & Gromit toys (actually the lids off novelty bath foam!) which DD likes to play with when she's there, so she might like seeing them in action even if a lot of it goes over her head.

Studio Ghibli for a 2 year old?? I've yet to see a distressing one, but I can't see a 2 year old being interested? Admittedly haven't seen the shorts - enlighten me!

MotherJack..

Yes, for a two year old :) DS has been watching them for ages (he's 3 now)

My Neighbor Totoro is the one to start with (though skip the first 32 mins if you have a fidget)

The Cat Returns is excellent

Panda go Panda isn't strictly Ghibli (it's before all that)

I can't remember the names of the shorts of the top of my head, but there's a great website with all the info on that I will find shortly.

Porco Rosso is OK for little ones, slightly old for 2 though.

AVOID Princess Mononoke, Laputa (Castle in the Sky) and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind for violence. Spirited Away is a bit much also.

Kiki's delivery service would bore DS, he wouldn't sit through it.

Oh, I can't believe I forgot Ponyo, it's perfect for littlies :)

Here's a list of everything Ghibli

Lost and Found

Lost and Found is one of the few films that is better than the book.

Thanks, I will pass all these on to DH

Well, that's where my misunderstanding lay, Jareth, as all the Studio Ghibli films I have seen are under your "Avoid" list .

I'll have a look at the rest of them - ta!! (For me - not DS )

goodasgold - thanks for that, I've been meaning to buy that for AGES!

DS will also watch The Snowman endlessly, he LOVES it (tip: avoid during the summer or your 2.5yo will expect you to conjure up snow )

Anything Charlie and Lola
The gruffalo