Cinema =Toddler??

Updated on January 14, 2011
K.K. asks from San Diego, CA
15 answers

I've never done this and idk if i should, is it safe to take a toddler to a movie theater. My son is 14 months oand i want to take him to a movie with me. Have any of you moms done that, is it safe, is it right. Just wondering... thank you

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T.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

If it's a kids movie, fine, but do you really expect him to sit through a grown up film? He will probably want to go up and down the stairs, make noise and annoy the other adults who've paid to watch a movie. In my opinion, it's not a great idea and I'd bet that you won't even get to watch the movie all the way through. Just being honest.

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Well, there are no safety issues. I would assume you don't plan to let him down to roam around or anything. Theaters can get VERY loud though. HOWEVER -and this is a BIGGIE for most of us except the ones who are the culprits -you can take him to a children's movie (although at 14 months he's a bit on the young side) BUT DO NOT TAKE HIM TO A GROWN-UP FILM BECAUSE YOU WANT TO SEE IT! PLEASE! Not much pisses me off faster than to pay my $10 and walk into the theater to see a non-kid movie after I've arranged for childcare for my kids (and if it's not animated or specifically geared towards children -it's a non-kid movie), and to see an infant or toddler there. They WILL make noise and become disruptive at some point. Babies, toddlers and children DO NOT belong everywhere. So, if this is just a movie you want to see -stay at home and wait for Netflix or get a sitter not getting to go to movies much is just one of the things that happens when you have a baby.

And be prepared -even at a children's film, he's not going to want to sit still the whole time or be quiet at his age. I would wait until he's at least 2 and then see how he is activity and attention-wise. Does he sit there quietly, fully paying attention to feature length DVDs at home? If not, I wouldn't take him to a kid's movie until he's older and understands more about what's going on.

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

It's not a safety issue, but rather a respect of other patrons issue. Unless you're going to a kid picture during the day or a mommy&me movie outing (i've seen them where moms W/little kids all go to a 2nd run movie mid-day during the week), it would be hugely annoying to the other moviegoers to have a toddler there. The movies are too long, too loud, etc. You'd be wasting your money because you'd probably be chasing him around.

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M.K.

answers from Chicago on

Some theaters around here offer "child friendly' movie showings (i.e. Tuesdays at 11am, etc.) They don't blast the volume and they don't turn the lights completely down. The movies aren't, necessarily, children's films -- they are showing grown-up movies too, so Moms with little ones can get out of the house. Anyone going to these shows knows what to expect -- some noise and possible disruption from toddlers!

Call around your local theaters and see if anyone offers this. If not, maybe you can suggest it!

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M.J.

answers from Harrisburg on

I don't see any safetly issues with taking your toddler to the movies.
I honestly wouldn't take him. My daughter is almost two and I wouldn't take her to the movies either. I probably won't even attempt to take her to a movie until I know she can actually sit still and enjoy it.

You can always do what my fiance and I do. We wait until the movie comes out on DVD and then watch it. If it's a kiddy/animation movie then my daughter can watch it and be as loud as she wants in our house then we don't have to be embarrassed or have wasted money at a theater because she had thrown a fit and we had to leave early.

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Why? They aren't going to watch the movie let alone sit still for the whole thing.

If you do, be prepared to leave when your kid gets antsy. To stay while your toddler starts fussing is rude.

If it's a movie you really want to see, leave the kid at home with a sitter.

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

At that age, I'd never have taken my son. But I know that he'd never sit still. In fact, DH and I are just now thinking of taking him to whatever next cartoon comes out, and he's 2.5.

That's just our guy, though. Very, very busy. So he would never sit through a movie.

There's something called a movie matinee that a lot of theaters do every Tuesday or so, meant for mom's with little kids. I never tried it, but you may have better luck starting there.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

It depends on the kid. I was able to take my children to the theatre and they were so fascinated that they were still and really good.
However, some kids are fussy, fidgety, don't like how loud the sound is, get worked up around lots of other people.
I would try a matinee for the first time and see how he does. They're cheaper, so if you have to leave, it's not a fortune down the drain, and there are usually younger kids at family matinees. He may love it, he may hate it. It depends on how long he can sit on your lap without getting tired of it and restless. I started taking my kids fairly young and as they got older, they called it "going to the theatre". It was a treat and an event. We dressed nicely and acted like it was a bit of a proper affair. Acting up meant we left. It was that simple.
Don't be mad if your little one isn't quite ready for it, but you can give it a try.

Good luck!

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B.S.

answers from Saginaw on

I took my daughter and niece to their first movie at the theater when they were 2 and it went great. My daughter did better than my niece. My niece got bored. My youngest just went to her first movie at 3, we weren't sure before then if she would sit through the whole thing, she did great too.

If you thin he'll sit through it, and I assume your talking about a children movie then, I say go for it.

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V.B.

answers from Houston on

I think that if you're going to an adult movie, then no, it isn't appropriate. If you're going to a kid's movie, then maybe, but keep in mind that the theaters are VERY loud and may scare your son. My daughter just turned 5 and still covers her ears when we first walk in (she has only been to 3 movies in the theater though). Honestly, there is nothing that a kid that age is going to get out of it, so I wouldn't bother. It's more of a hassle than it's worth and they won't remember any of it, so I would say wait until he is old enough to appreciate it, but to each his own. Hope this helped!

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

One of our theaters used to have a "cry room" from which one could view the movie with their baby/toddler. It worked well for us.

Whether or not it would work to take your son to a movie would depend on his ability to stay quiet and the subject of the movie. If he can be quiet and the subject is appropriate then go for it. We would not have taken either of my grandchildren to a movie at that age because they would not have been able to sit quietly. It's important to not disturb fellow movie viewers.

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M.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Oh gosh, I could never do that with my toddler, not only is she incredibly loud and wriggly, the darkness and her tendency to run off would scare me. Plus at that age they really don't sit through movies.
So unless you are taking your older child who will appreciate the movie, I wouldn't bother.

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

My kids couldn't sit through a movie unitl they were almost 6. I removed my own toddler at 2 1/2 then never took another one in. Why put myself or any of the kids through it. Let alone the other patrons who are paying almost $10 for the show. I would find a babysitter or not go.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

He's too young.

For both my kids.... even at 3 years old, the movies were MUCH too loud for them... they hated it and they would not and could not... sit through the whole thing, even if it was a kiddie movie.

Movies are LOUD.... even for me, it is too loud.

A baby... 14 months old... will not sit through a full movie.

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S.E.

answers from La Crosse on

I did it and it worked out fine...but it depends on the kid. Also, you have to be prepared to understand that if you child is fidgety, loud, disruptive at all...you need to leave immediately, and allow everyone else to enjoy the movie (so you may be out a few $$$).

I would definately go to a kid friendly movie, and get a bunch of snacks...that alone kept my little ones quiet since it was such a treat! Call you theater to see if they have a mommy and baby session where everyone is in the same boat as you....it is a good tryout and usually cheaper!

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