[Kristian]

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

[Kristian]

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

[Kristian]

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.....

[Kristian]

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!

[Knyght_byte]

my nephew didnt mind the cinema once he was around 5yo, but he's never enjoyed my system as i think the volume in such a small place is too overwhelming compared to the cinema, although the cinema is louder, its still a large area.

I'd probably recommend ice age over monsters vs aliens for a 3 year old, ice age is a bit more simplistic. Saying that though, aliens vs monsters does follow the tried and tested alien spaceship kidnap scenario that has been used in cartoons for decades...

[nheather]

I took my son to see Bugs Life as his first cinema experience when he was about 4yo.

The sound, colours, size of screen, darkness, etc. just resulted in sensory overload and I ended up taking him out less than a 1/3 of the way through.

That was before the days when everyone had Home Theatre systems at home so perhaps the youngsters of today would cope better.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Achy]

I say no - they're not too young, and if they start to get restless then you can always leave !

I took my 3 1/2 year old boy to the Odeon Kids Club (Sundar mornings, Adults go free), it was to see Wall-E which he'd already seen a few times on DVD.

He fell asleep about half way through, but enjoyed the 'experience'.

Then my 2 1/2 year old girl wanted to go as she felt she missed out, so we all went to see Horton hears a Hoo... also already seen on DVD, and they were mostly fine, but getting a bit restless with about 20 mins to go.

I think it helped taking them to see a film they'd already seen as they knew what was going on and I didn't get endless questions about the plot !
(Wish I could get preview DVD's for my wife... who's that? is he a baddie? why's he shot them etc etc).

[Marky1973]

My eldest has already come round to my way of thinking too......last time we went, just as the sound dropped in the films (5/6 minutes in) she shouts (about the two people sitting down in front of us), "Why do people come in after the film starts Daddy?"

[Mark Hodgkinson]

What a coincidence! I took my 3yr old girl to see Ice Age 3 yesterday, her first visit to a cinema as well

She's a confident little thing, for the most part, but does tend not to like big crowds, loud noises or the dark so I was a little wary. We'd been talking about if on and off for a few days with me explaining what the experience would be like, as best I could. Her first ever movie watched at home was the original Ice Age but she made me turn off the amp/5.1 as it scared her but she was in her 2's then so my expectations were around 50/50 for a successful visit.

To cut a long story short, we left 10 minutes before the film started. As soon as the lights were lowered she instantly asked to go to the loo and once in there she explained that she didn't like the dark and she wanted to see Mummy. I explained to her that nothing bad would happen, the dinosaurs couldn't jump out of the screen and get her and that Daddy would always make sure she was safe. She tried again but after a few seconds she said she still wanted to go home.

She left feeling a little disappointed, probably with herself, but I'm glad we tried and the next time we go she'll be more prepared for what lies ahead

She also said she'd be OK once she was 4 and that I could buy her the DVD

[Marky1973]

Ha ha....smart girl......at least she didn't specify she wanted it on Blu Ray.......

[Mark Hodgkinson]

Originally Posted by Marky1973

Ha ha....smart girl......at least she didn't specify she wanted it on Blu Ray.......

She didn't but no doubt I'll end up buying the BD anyhow

[nheather]

She didn't but no doubt I'll end up buying the BD anyhow

I've only just joined the BluRay club and have started buying new films on BD. For example my 10yo daughter loved Twilight at the cinema so I got it on BD for her.

She watched on the 50" Pio and was very impressed - all was great until the next big car journey.

Guess what she wanted to watch on her portable DVD player

Now try explaining to your daughter who is not particularly interested in the merits of HD over SD that she can't watch her favourite film during the long car journey.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Mark Hodgkinson]

Originally Posted by nheather

I've only just joined the BluRay club and have started buying new films on BD. For example my 10yo daughter loved Twilight at the cinema so I got it on BD for her.

She watched on the 50" Pio and was very impressed - all was great until the next big car journey.

Guess what she wanted to watch on her portable DVD player

Now try explaining to your daughter who is not particularly interested in the merits of HD over SD that she can't watch her favourite film during the long car journey.

Cheers,

Nigel

I guess you'll be first in the queue when portable Blu ray players arrive then

[Marky1973]

Originally Posted by hodg100

I guess you'll be first in the queue when portable Blu ray players arrive then

Me first........its bad enough that I keep leaving the BD player set to 1080p after a projector viewing and then it won't work on the TV which stops at 1080i.......its not esay to explain to a 3 year old!

[Mark Hodgkinson]

Originally Posted by Marky1973

Me first........its bad enough that I keep leaving the BD player set to 1080p after a projector viewing and then it won't work on the TV which stops at 1080i.......its not esay to explain to a 3 year old!

I find explaining AV to my little girl easier than explaining it to my Mrs!

[IronGiant]

"I'll explain it to you when you're older" doesn't go down too well with my wife either

Dave

[baldrick]

Someone else may have eluded to this, but when I saw the digital showing of Quantum of Solace at the cinema at Bluewater the volume was nigh on ear shattering! My wife actually had to stick bits of tissue in her ears it was so loud!

[Marky1973]

Originally Posted by hodg100

I find explaining AV to my little girl easier than explaining it to my Mrs!

Originally Posted by IronGiant

"I'll explain it to you when you're older" doesn't go down too well with my wife either

Dave

I find that the

"Yes, dear that's right......now give me the remote and step away from the telly" - while smiling in a friendly manner approach usually works.....

[Sad099]

I took my 3 year old daughter to the cinema a few weeks ago to see Ice Age 3 in 3D - she loved it and sat pretty much through the whole film without any problems

only time she made a noise was she knocked off her glasses when she went to scratch her face - we put the glasses on again and she was as good as gold.

We went to the Vue in Staines - they had no problems letting her in.

We also took her to see coraline in 3d a few months back (before she was 3) and again no problems what so ever - the guy at the cinema even let her in free when he saw her