A successful movie night with your children can be great fun, as well as educational.
A movie I gladly watch even today, and which brings back memories of early childhood and time spent together with parents is “Lassie Come Home”. This movie taught me something very important – to love animals, to consider them my equals and to be friendly toward them. My example can show you how movies we watch together with our children can be a very important educational experience for them.
So you better quickly check out our five tips and organize a fun family movie night with your kids!
1. Pick one night a month for a family movie night
Unfortunately, due to busy lifestyles, it is necessary to specifically designate a time for family activities. Together with your family, plan for one day a month when you will relax and enjoy a movie. Turn off your mobile phones and focus on the family moment.
2. Parents pick the movie one time, and children the next time
Pick a selection of movies that match your child’s age and make selecting a movie into a game! Let your child choose a movie one time, and you pick one the next time! That way, the child will feel involved in this family activity from the beginning. Of course, make a rule that says that a movie cannot be watched multiple times (to ensure that you don’t end up watching Frozen again).
Pick a movie which has nice, gentle, but also important life lessons and messages. Messages of friendship, solidarity, and love. Some of the movies I love and would recommend are:
- “The Muppet Movie“
- “A Christmas Story“
- “Babe“
- “Pippi Longstocking“
- “The sound of music“
- “The Goonies“
- “Matilda“
- “The Wizard of Oz“.
Talk with children about how the protagonists of the movie handled certain situations because it is a perfect opportunity to explain certain virtues and values to them. That way, a family movie night becomes a fun and educational activity!
3. The magic is in the atmosphere
Try to make the evening special. Dim the lights and prepare special snacks just for this occasion. Why not select special PJs which you will always wear when watching movies? The idea is to make the family movie night an unforgettable party for your children!
4. Invite guests
Let your children invite their friends from kindergarten to join you. Children acquire social skills by following examples set by the family and this way you will encourage them to nurture their friendships from a young age.
5. After the movie ends, talk about your impressions
After the movie is over, talk with your children about what made the strongest impression on you and them. Maybe your child will want to know more about how movies are made. Additionally, tell them about how the protagonists of the movie handled certain situations because it is a perfect opportunity to explain certain virtues and values to them. That way, a family movie night becomes a fun and educational activity!
