Is 3 years old too young for a trip to the cinema?

[KrisLee]

Afternoon,

I was thinking of taking my 3 and a bit year old to the cinema for the first time soon, probably to see Ice Age 3. She liked watching Ice Age 2 but the cinema is a lot different to the living room - big screen, dark room, loud sounds etc.

Is this too young? Any comments from anyone?

Cheers,

Kris.

[Bill Hicks]

Yes, yes, yes!

No one under 35 should be allowed near cinemas, restaurants and theatres!

In fact all children should be kept indoors and away from public areas!

[PoochJD]

Hi KrisLee,

Firstly, every child is different. So your 3-year old daughter may be fine with a trip to the cinema, but another kid of the same age may hate it or find it scary. So, on that issue, you are the best judge of character.

Secondly, and probably a little more importantly, I would double-check with the cinema you plan on attending, to make sure that you can take a 3-year old with you, as not all cinemas will let under-4s attend, whether or not with parents or for U certificate films. And some, will only let youngsters attend for certain "kid-friendly" screenings, so I'd double-check. More than likely, you will be fine, but just check nonetheless.

Lastly, if it's her first trip to the cinema, it may be a good idea - after considering all of the above - to attend a quieter, daytime screening, when hopefully you and her can get more accustomed to being at the cinema, and where it's (hopefully) not so noisy or full of other patrons. As you mention, going to a cinema at such a young age may scare her, because of the size of the place, the loudness of the film, or she may be completely nonchalent about it, and find the whole thing as exciting to her, as walking up Mount Kilimanjaro might be to you!

Hope that helps a little.


Pooch

[eric pisch]

Originally Posted by Bill Hicks

Yes, yes, yes!

No one under 35 should be allowed near cinemas, restaurants and theatres!

In fact all children should be kept indoors and away from public areas!

with one caveat girls can come out once they hit 18, if there not munters

[KrisLee]

Originally Posted by Bill Hicks

Yes, yes, yes!

No one under 35 should be allowed near cinemas, restaurants and theatres!

In fact all children should be kept indoors and away from public areas!

But that would mean I couldn't go to the cinema either!

I don't mind taking my kids to these places but I wish the other parents would keep theirs at home

[KrisLee]

Thanks Pooch.

Originally Posted by PoochJD

Secondly, and probably a little more importantly, I would double-check with the cinema you plan on attending, to make sure that you can take a 3-year old with you, as not all cinemas will let under-4s attend, whether or not with parents or for U certificate films. And some, will only let youngsters attend for certain "kid-friendly" screenings, so I'd double-check. More than likely, you will be fine, but just check nonetheless.

Good point, I'd not thought of that. The local Vue do a Saturday morning film for little kids so I may go to that. I think Monsters vs Aliens is on next week, but I fancy Ice Age 3

Lastly, if it's her first trip to the cinema, it may be a good idea - after considering all of the above - to attend a quieter, daytime screening, when hopefully you and her can get more accustomed to being at the cinema, and where it's (hopefully) not so noisy or full of other patrons. As you mention, going to a cinema at such a young age may scare her, because of the size of the place, the loudness of the film, or she may be completely nonchalent about it, and find the whole thing as exciting to her, as walking up Mount Kilimanjaro might be to you!

Yep, a quiet (I hope) afternoon showing would be the plan.

Cheers,

Kris.

[PoochJD]

Hi,

Taking her to a Kids Screening, may not be advisable, though, as it will be very busy, and very noisy! I'd avoid that kind of experience for her first time at the cinema, and try to go to a much quieter showing, in the daytime. The less people around her, and the quieter the environment, the better. She's still very young, and the cinema is essentially an enclosed, darkened space, which is not the easiest environment to be accustomed too, at such a young age.

Also, this may sound really silly, but how about trying a demo at home, in your living room?

By that, I mean, turning out all the lights, keeping her quiet (so as not to disturb anyone), and see how she reacts to the TV being played much louder than normal. It might give you (and her) an indication of what the cinema will be like.

If she doesn't like the dark, or gets too fidgety (or cries, or gets upset), then you can be certain that the cinema will not be any better, as she will also have to contend with other kids, other adults, movement and figiteness (sp?) from other patrons young and old, as well as the noise factor - all of which will be out of your control as well as hers!


Pooch

[Liquid101]

My son was 4.5 when I first took him to the Cinema - and he was definitely a bit overwhelmed to begin with - the louder noise, huge screen and darkness etc. After the first time he was fine, and takes it in his stride.

If you're going to see ice Age 3, then the place is going to be full of noisy children anyway, so there little chance of upsetting anybody.

I'd say yes, take her - but don't be too surprised if she screams blue murder and wants out within 2 minutes.

[leeince]

We took our 3 and a half year old to see Ice age 3 last week, it was her first time at the cinema and she loved it, big bag of pop corn + big screen cartoons what kid wouldnt?? But honestly it all depends on the specfic child I can easily see how some kids might be a bit scared by it all.

Just so you know we went to a cineworld cinema and they seem to fine with young kids, I actuall think there might have been a few kids there younger than 3.

[Marky1973]

Taken my 3 and a half year old to the cinema a few times recently - local cineworld saturday morning £1 showings and she seems to enjoy it - she gets a little bored towards the end, but that's just kids I reckon and, although we haven't yet, if she did want to leave after 10 minutes, for £1 you can't complain.....

So seen Horton Hears a Hoo, Cars, Bolt, and Bee Movie. The screenings have varied - the first thing we saw (Bee Movie) was very quiet, whereas Bolt was very busy......but she didn't seeme dphased by any of them, as long she has Daddy with her!

She is very familiar with the projector at home though - Cars is her favourite and we have watched that just about every weekend since October last year, so she is used to the 'concept'.

I say give it a whirl - if you get a cheap Saturday morning show it matters not if you have to walk out.....well unless you buy the popcorn and a drink.....

[KrisLee]

Thanks for all the replies chaps ( and chapesses ?). We'll probably try a loud TV and a dark room at home and then venture out to the big bad world of cinema with a big bag of popcorn

I think it'll have to be Ice Age 2D rather than 3D though...

[Marky1973]

I got Journey to the Centre of the Earth on Blue in 3d to watch at home and, although I know home 3d is a bit ropey, it scared her and we had to go back to CARS!

Just make sure you take the popcorn with you......first time we went I bought a small popcorn and a 500ml bottle of water......£6.......SIX F'ing QUID

[mickevh]

My sister's kids won't go to the cinema because it's "too loud."

Wouldn't a 3 YO get bored? Does you're ever sit down at home and watch a video from start to end without jumping up and running around the room twice or getting fed up and reaching for the toy box?

[Nik555]

I took my son 4.5yrs and my daugther 1.5yrs to watch Monsters Vs Aliens in 3D and they loved it, she even kept her glasses on all through the film

She must be used to the loud noises from Daddies stuff

Nik

[Marky1973]

Nope at home they tend to get up and about a bit more, but at the cinema she seems a bit more quiet.....I always ask her if she wants to leave when she starts to get bored, but she always wants to stay - but usually means I get to have a cuddle as she will crawl onto my lap......

Kids are weird though, she goes quiet towards the end and says she is bored, but won't leave and then runs halfway down the high street to tell her mum about the film.....never understand them........my 19 month old, two days ago decided she was going to be called 44......everytime we asked her what her name was, she said "44" in an exorcist style voice......I just don't try to second guess them!