4 year olds at the movies

[Anonymous]

DS's 4th birthday is coming up and he has requested a movie theater party for him and his friends. DH thinks most 4 year olds will not be able to sit through an entire movie, especially after eating cake. Am I crazy to think that DS's idea may actually work and the kids will actually sit and watch the entire movie?! (There will be, at the most, 7 kids)

Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't want to be in charge of several 4yo at the theater.

That being said, maybe if it's a daytime show for a movie that's been out for a while (so the theater would be relatively empty), it might be okay.

[Anonymous]

Horrible idea, even if they sit through. A birthday party where 4 year olds just sit on their ass? I will pass.... Just have a home birthday party and show a movie at home so they can still run around too.

[Anonymous]

If you can do it in your house instead of the theater, you'll be fine. Have lots of concession-type snacks and pick a movie that's 90 minutes or so. Cake at the end.

Would NOT do this in an actual theater.

[Anonymous]

I would decline for my 4 yr old. He would not be able to sit and even if we did attend, I would need to be there with him to assist with the dark and the loudness.

[Anonymous]

Is there a way that you can do a home theater experience? My apartment building has a movie room so maybe you can ask around. Otherwise you might consider finding one of those AMC summer movie days where kids can go to the movies for free or one of the outdoor movie nights around town. I think at that age they need interaction and more engagement so perhaps you can help your little one figure out something more interactive they can do at his party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can do it in your house instead of the theater, you'll be fine. Have lots of concession-type snacks and pick a movie that's 90 minutes or so. Cake at the end.

Would NOT do this in an actual theater.

Agreed! I think this would be perfect, although some parents might get uptight about "screen time." Ugh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would decline for my 4 yr old. He would not be able to sit and even if we did attend, I would need to be there with him to assist with the dark and the loudness.

This is a good point. Are you planning a drop off? I don't think my 4yo would stay without me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can do it in your house instead of the theater, you'll be fine. Have lots of concession-type snacks and pick a movie that's 90 minutes or so. Cake at the end.

Would NOT do this in an actual theater.

cute idea!

[Anonymous]

Depends on the kid. My 4 yr old would NEVER sit through a movie and would probably be scared by the over-stimulation. Some of his friends would be fine.

[Anonymous]

I think 4 is too young. I would probably wait until 7 or 8. And I would do cake after..not before

[Anonymous]

I showed frozen at a very informal bday party for my 4 year old. I was surprised that many of the kids did not sit through the movie. My kid could literally watch tv/movies all day long without moving from the couch, but I discovered not everyone is like that, so I had to do a bit more supervision than I expected. About 7 kids as well.

[Anonymous]

Also would not try this in a theatre. Not only are the kids not likely to sit, but it would be really expensive given that most parents aren't going to drop off their 4 year old to a movie theatre party.

Like PP, I've hosted movie parties at home and even older kids never sit through them. I do love the movie party ideas that some people shared.

[Anonymous]

Are you planning on paying for the parents? No way most 4 year olds will sit in a theater without a parent.

too young.

[Anonymous]

I think it would work if you have an adult willing to take any squirmy kids for a walk. It wouldn't be my favorite idea of a bday party (as the mom of 4 year old guest) but it's a couple of hours, not a big deal. Also, with just a few guests, you can actually ask the parents of the guests whether they think their kids could do it and would enjoy it.