Watching a movie together is a wonderful way to unwind and enjoy quality time with your family.
Why not make it more fun by hosting a movie night with your kiddos? It doesn’t have to cost a lot or even take up much of your time.
Here are eight ideas for creating kid-friendly movie nights at home.
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Cuddle Up in Cozy Pajamas
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Before you start your movie night, make sure everyone is comfortable. If you’re going to be sitting around for a while, it’s important that everyone feels comfortable and cozy. Make your next movie night extra fun by ordering new short-sleeve pajama sets for the family. Kids and adults will love snuggling up in some Disney pajamas before setting in for the evening’s festivities.
Make It a Family Affair
Another great way to make your movie night kid-friendly is by planning it with family members. Invite your immediate family and friends, or even host a movie night at a park or beach to accommodate a larger crowd. This way, everyone can enjoy the fun together!
Make sure you have lots of places for your guests to sit comfortably. If you lack seating options, consider renting some chairs from a local party supply store. If you host the event at a park or beach, you may be able to rent a pavilion with benches or seating.
Come Up with a Theme
A theme can make your movie night more fun for both you and your kids, as it sets the tone for the evening. Themes don’t have to be complicated or expensive. They just need to be easy for everyone involved. The best themes are ones that everyone already loves (like Disney, Harry Potter, superheroes, etc.).
Once you have a theme in mind, use it to determine what movie(s) to show, what snacks to provide and what costumes to wear. You can make the theme as simple or complex as you like. Just remember to have fun with it!
Create a Home Theater Experience with Movie Tickets
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Want to give your kids a theater-like experience at home? Print out movie tickets they can “redeem” on movie night. The Internet is filled with tons of printable and customizable ticket templates you can use.
To go all out, put up a projector and screen instead of watching the movie on your television. This will make the experience feel more like visiting a real movie theater. Depending on how many people attend your movie night, using a projector screen could make it easier for everyone to see and enjoy the film.
Stock Up on Snacks and Drinks
Load up on drinks and snacks before movie night. If you’ve set a theme for the event, use it to guide your snack and beverage options. Movie night snack ideas are everywhere.
Whatever you make or buy, ensure you have enough for everyone but don’t go overboard. A variety of healthy and not-so-healthy snack options should be available so that everyone can enjoy themselves without feeling guilty about eating too much junk food (or not having any options).
Ensure that there are plenty of drinks available, too. Whip up a kid-friendly drink menu that fits your movie night’s theme. It’s always good to have bottled water and sodas on hand, too, in case someone would prefer one of these beverages over your signature drinks for the evening.
Play Dress Up for the Occasion
Dressing up as a character is a fun way to take movie night to another level. If you’d like to dress up as a character from your favorite movie but don’t know where to start, try looking online. Hundreds of websites offer costumes for sale. All you have to do is decide which works best for your needs. Of course, you can always make costumes, too.
Not interested in buying or making a costume? No problem! Shop for character pajamas that match the theme. Character PJs are fun for the entire family, and they’ll get lots of wear long after movie night.
Make a Blanket Fort
Building a blanket fort is one of the best ways to create a fun movie night. Gather all of the cozy blankets and pillows you can find and arrange them on the floor in front of your TV set or computer monitor. You can even make creating a blanket fort a game by asking your kids to help build it. Choose a super soft oversized blanket so the fort is cozy (and cute!).
When you’re ready to start the show, turn off all lights except for one flashlight or some fairy lights strung up inside the fort. Everyone will have a blast watching a movie from the inside of a cozy blanket fort.
Host a Backyard Drive-In Night
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Instead of an indoor movie night, consider hosting a backyard drive-in night. For younger kids, you can make cars out of cardboard boxes and have them decorate them with paint or markers. Lawn chairs are best for grownups, though you may have a few adult guests who want to make their own “car” and sit with the kiddos. You’ll want to have lots of blankets and pillows for people to sit on so they can enjoy the show comfortably.
Use a projector for the full drive-in experience. If you don’t have a projector, you should be able to rent one. You’ll also need to set up some speakers to make sure everyone can hear.
Conclusion
If you’ve been searching for a way to bring your family together, movie night is the perfect solution. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it will create memories that last a lifetime.
