Movie Theater - Rancho Cordova,CA

Mine were 2.5. They both behaved better than most adults--someone is always kicking my chair or talking/texting near me! It it's a kid movie, no one expects a completely quiet crowd. But is is a good time to start teaching them how to behave in public.

They usually sit better in a movie theater due to the largeness of the screen, darkness,and entire experience. All of mine have been between 2 - 2.5 when they've seen their first movie and did fine through the whole thing.

I think our son was around 3. I can't quite remember EXACTLY. If it had not gone well, we would have taken him out of the theater, but it wasn't an issue.
It is important to explain to them in advance what is expected of them at the movies, though. Consideration for others especially (not talking/whispering during the movie, crinkling snacks throughout the movie, etc). And also what to expect for them to experience (darkness, dimming lights when the previews begin, a little bit of noise from opening snacks during the opening moments, LOUD stuff when the movie gets loud, possibly hearing rumbling from the show going on next door, etc).

Our kids (both of them) always were great! They get annoyed by boorish behavior by adults in the theater, but are usually well behaved enough to keep it to themselves until we leave afterwards.

I remember a few years ago taking my 2 kids to see Where The Wild Things Are. My daughter was 8 at the time. She was miserable throughout the entire movie, because it was a packed theater, so nowhere to switch seats, and she was seated by a mom with 4 kids---NONE of whom apparently had been instructed how to behave in a theater. Several of the kids were talking, asking questions of their mom during the movie. Asking for snacks. Mom was OPENING crinkly packages of stuff every 10 minutes.
It seriously was the kind of scenario, where you wonder why the heck she brought the kids, because they couldn't have cared less about the movie. They were bored, and it was evident. She was opening snacks non-stop to keep the occupied. The kids were probably in the 4-6 year old age range, and were not behaved appropriately for a movie situation.

Do I sound snarky about it? Too bad. I spent $50 for me and my 2 kids to enjoy the movie, not listen to her kids make noise for 90 minutes and ruin the movie for my daughter. :( Yes, it was supposed to be a "children's movie"... but that doesn't mean bring any and all kids, even if they ruin other patrons' experiences.

Teach your child early what is appropriate behavior in a theater, and what is not, including the difference between the advertisements at the beginning and when the actual movie starts. Talking, asking questions, rattling stuff, standing up and down, kicking the seat backs, etc... is rude to other patrons who have also paid good money to enjoy the movie. And I really don't care if it IS a "children's movie". My kids are annoyed by other misbehaved kids (and adults) whether it is an animated movie like Toy Story, or a more mature movie like War Horse. They are there to see the movie. If your children aren't, don't take them.

Wow, didn't mean to go on such a rant! My husband and I love movies and so do our kids. If my kids couldn't behave, then I would still go to the movies, but I would leave the kids at home with a sitter. I just wish more parents did the same. If your kids CAN behave... then welcome aboard!!

I waited till 3.5 almost 4. We saw some pirate cartoon... I can't remember the name. He was ok with it but, I feel, could have done better. He was up and roaming the isle, kept switching seats, climbing.... This was also about an hour after his nap since I didn't want him to be grouchy.

Now, he's 4 years 2 months, and it's a world of difference. We took him, 2 weeks ago, to see the new Ice Age. MUCH BETTER! He sat in his seat, had some candy and a soda (MAJOR SUGAR) but he still just sat there and watched the movie. This time was actually an eveing showing at 7:30. I think that may have helped some. All of his day's energy had already been spent.

About the last 15 or 20 mins of the movie he got in my lap and layed there watching it.

Good luck. You know your child best. And it's like I told my husband, before we went, Be prepared that if he isn't enjoying it, just to cut your loss of buying tickets and leave. Then try again later.

And about what someone said below... Who honestly cares is children make noise in a movie theatre during a kids movie??? That's wonderful that their children listen perfectly, not all do and mine is one of them. Does that mean that I am not going to allow HIM the experience of going to see a movie? Out of fear that someone else is going to be annoyed? Hah! Yea, I don't see that happening. You cannot make everyone happy and don't try to.

Now I wouldn't let mine out right scream or run around or kick the seats. He did kick them a couple of times, but I just explained to him again and again why not to do it, and he finally quit. It's going to happen. My son talked, not loudly, but he still asked questions and I answered them. he was curious and it was a new place. He also had his snacks and if they crinkled a little bit, who cares??? That's like saying don't laugh out loud at the funny parts of the movie because it may irritate someone. It's a PUBLIC theatre so don't worry about what others think or how you may or not offend them. You just have fun with your child :)

Took a 17 month old to the dollar movie yesterday. It was the Disney documentary "Chimpanzee". She was fascinated and sat and watched it with very little fussing or disturbance.
Having said that, it depends on your child and on you. I suggest that you won't really know how it will work out until you try it. Choose one of the cheap summer movies that you think both of you will enjoy. Go and sit toward the back of the theater so you can easily leave if it becomes necessary.

My son was 2 1/2 the first time and sat through it very well. If he can sit through it at home, I think its easier at the theatre. It's new and exciting and the screen is really big.

If you think he might be fidgety, wait for a little while to give him popcorn or treats. That always seems to help occupy them.

Also, limit the amount of juice at the beginning so you don't have to leave if he's potty trained.

We took our son at 2 1/2 to his first movie and he had trouble sitting through it, even with the popcorn and treats to keep him busy. Now, at 3 1/2 it depends on his interest level in the movie, but we took him to Ice Age and he was figgety, but seems somewhat engaged. We made it through.

My daughter was much better about watching the movie and keeping still, at the same ages.

age 3 is when we started with both sons.....worked well as long as the movie held their attention. (age-appropriate, G-rated)

both of them hated booster seats, so we always took a pillow along. :)

Depends on the child and his/her ability to sit through shows at home. My son has always gravitated towards screens and would move his head 180 degrees (as best as he could) when he'd be sitting in a restaurant with his back to the screen. Doesn't matter what was on it - he'd be entranced. My daughter, on the other hand, cannot sit longer than 5 minutes without getting off the couch and moving around. She's my mellow child, and definitely less active than her brother. My son had no problems watching his first movie after he turned 3. I'd hold off with my daughter. She's also very sensitive to sound so keep in mind how the surround system might affect your child.

We took our son to a birthday party at the theater when he was 4 to see Spy Kids.
He liked it but there was a part that scared him and he ended up sitting in my lap.

I love the resource commonsensemedia.org. It reviews books, movies, tv shows and video games. In the movie reviews it will give you a recommended age and warn you about scenes that may have to discuss with you child.
Our community offers free or discounted children's movies during the summer, so I took my children to one of those as their first movie theater experience so that I wouldnt feel as though I had wasted money if we had to leave early.

We tried taking our son to see Cars 2 when it came out. He was newly 3 at the time and it was not a great experience. Fortunately, it was a matinee, so at least it didn't cost us a fortune! As soon as his popcorn was gone, he was ready to leave.

We took him to see Beauty and the Beast 3D a year later and it was a huge success! 4 seems to be a good age to be able to sit for that period of time and follow a story line. Can't wait to take him to Finding Nemo next month!

I took my son when he was 2 yrs old. It was Toy Story 3. I thought for SURE he would sit thru the whole movie since he LOVED TStory. Well no. By the time previews were over, he wanted out of his seat. He had eaten his fill of popcorn already. We had waited till the movie had been out a month or so (less crowded). There were probably 4 or 5 other groups of people in the theatre only, so my son didn't bother anybody while he climbed up and down the stairs for 45 minutes here and there.

so my tips: go after the movie's been out a while so it's less crowded and you're bothering less people if indeed your child won't sit still. Get snacks and spread them out. Maybe it'll get your kid to sit in the seat longer.

Mine were young because I worked at a theater part-time so they could come with me. Probably around 2 though is when it got easy.

Mine were 3 & 5. They were fine because they were excited about the movie and being in a theater. They knew the rules.

A matinee is your best bet as they don't cost as much and there are USUALLY more kids there.

Most theaters have the booster seats to help children be able to see the screen better.

Make sure he goes to the bathroom BEFORE the movie starts - so you don't have to leave during the movie to do it.

have fun!!

We took my daughter to see Toy Story 3 at the drive-in when she was 2. That worked out great because she was able to lay down in the back of the truck and also able to walk around a little when she became restless.

We have since taken her to the movie theater to see Cars 2, The Muppets and Beauty and the Beast in 3D. We always go mid-week, mid-day and after it's been out a little while so it's less crowded. I just brought the "diaper bag" with little snacks and juice cups. Luckily our theater has armrests that go up, so she is able to "snuggle up" to one of us if she starts to get tired.

Depends on the child.
Go to show that is being shown for young children. Some theaters do not turn the lights all of the way Dow, they adjust the sound..

Our daughter did great at about 2.5. But I prepped her with expectations and was prepared to leave if she could not handle it.

Three to four years old. Depending on child.