A movie, or even taking your infant to the theatre, might cross your mind, whether you need to occupy your toddler so you can begin preparing dinner or you’re searching for a fun activity for a wet weekend afternoon. As you are probably aware, there are a lot of different viewpoints on how much screen time is appropriate for toddlers as well as what kinds of programming should be permitted. There are also concerns on whether a toddler inside a movie theatre is even a good idea in general. Well, let me break it down for you.
If you want the quick answer, yes, a movie outing can be very successful. I’ll give you a few tips below, but first let’s address the elephant in the room.
Table of Contents
Are movie theatres safe for toddlers?
I don’t know if there is anything else more circumstantial and dividing then screen time and children these days. Despite the advice coming at you from all sides, there is really agreement among experts on the use of media with toddlers, despite how easy it is to feel overwhelmed. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against exposing infants under the age of 18 months to screen time, including movies and TV shows. The AAP also advises that a small a small amount of instructional programming, can be beneficial for kids between the ages of 18 and 24 months. Up to an hour of screen time is acceptable when your toddler turns two, but parents should watch with their kids to ensure that they grasp what they are seeing.
Movies should thus be the uncommon exception rather than the rule on your toddler’s list of activities because they can last anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours. The main worries regarding screen time are that it can harm your baby’s sleep and weight during the first few years of life, when their brain is developing the fastest, as well as language acquisition, emotional and social development. Basically, as long as this is not going to be a regular occurrence, you should be fine.
Some tips
1. Select the right movie
This should be an obvious one, as you are dealing with a toddler, you know the one that likes shows such as Cocomelon, Peppa Pig, and Paw Patrol. You must also consider whether there might be any frightening scenes for a small child. Personally, my daughter watched Vivo and we discovered she is terrified of Lutador, the Burmese python in the movie. Do your best to scoop out the movie beforehand as even an obviously appropriate movie might not work out.
2. It’s going to be loud
Keep in mind that this will likely be the biggest screen and loudest sound system your child has ever experienced. At first, it will feel overwhelming. Prepare your child for what is to come by having a conversation with them in advance. When those lights went out and the first sound blared, my son was a little shocked.
3. Skip the trailers
With a toddler who can be pretty sensitive in a big, loud theatre – you never know what trailers come up. Just like tip 1, you want to make sure what your child is going to see is appropriate in several different ways. A trailer is kind of a wildcard, as you do not know what they are going to really show and even though it is “appropriate” for the audience it might negatively affect your child. I get that you want to show up early and get good seats, that is a great idea. You should show up early, get good seats and then duck out and hang out at the lobby to skip the trailers.
4. Bring backup snacks
It’s possible that your kid won’t like popcorn, and you probably don’t want to give him or her too much chocolate before they have to sit still for an hour and a half. When you leave, smuggle in some kid-friendly munchies and a milk sippy cup.
5. Be prepared that it might not end well
I would be prepared for a couple of different scenarios. Your child might get freaked out by something and you will want to leave crying, traumatized, or they might even fall asleep and miss the movie. Either way, you should be prepared for all of these possibilities and try not to let it bother you if it isn’t successful.
Enjoy yourself, and your time with your child!