Movie night ideas your kids will love!
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Ah, the movie night. A parent’s saving grace. The night when you get to order pizza, sit down, and let about an hour and half go by with your kids almost entirely entertained. Yes, I mean entertained without your having to jump up and down to baby shark until you either pass out from lack of oxygen or wind up in a padded cell singing “doo, doo, doo". So, how do we keep movie nights sacred? How do we keep our kids wrapped into movie night so we can sit ourselves down for the first time in twelve hours, catch up on some reading or much needed tidying, or hey just enjoy the film- Encanto is a masterpiece! Here are ten movie night ideas your kids will love! (You might even enjoy them too!)
Movie Fort Night
Kids Movie Night Blanket Fort
This one is straight forward and all kinds of fun. Remember building blanket forts as a kid? Trust me, it is still just as thrilling as an adult. Sometimes I don’t know who’s more excited to get in the fort, my husband and I or the kids. (Watch out for the kid who wants to sit on the fort though. For some reason it doesn’t stick in her brain that the structure will collapse and crush all the inhabitants therein.) Combine the fun of a blanket fort with movie night and you’ve got a recipe for infallible kid entertainment. Throw some kind of screen in there (tablet, laptop, etc.), or better yet build your fort around the tv, and get movie watching!
Movie Night with Friends
This one feels like a no-brainer, but I’m including it anyway. Invite that family you and your kids know you can always have a blast with to join in on a movie night. Really, how can you go wrong with this one? I have fond childhood memories of watching movies with our go-to family friends. Everyone knows that, when it comes to movies, the bigger audience, the better. Everyone can bring a different snack or drink, and kids can cozy up on the carpet with sleeping bags, bean bag chairs, and foam kid’s couches.
Outdoor Movie Night with a Projector
Outdoor Movie Night with Projector for Kids
For this one, you’ll need to put in a little prep work. Check the weather and make sure Mother Nature is on your side. If it’s clear skies, it’s time to start setting up. We have a portable projector that is extremely handy. You can hook up to your phone or laptop and stream from whatever services you normally use. Hang up a plain white sheet or a projector screen like this one, pick out a movie, and watch it right outside on your deck or lawn. Just don’t forget the bug spray.
Movies in Mom and Dad’s room
This is not something that happens often at our house so when it does it is a source of great excitement for our kids. As you saw in the movie fort photo, we combined this idea with the movie fort idea. Jordan tied a sheet across the posts of our bed frame. Then we added a couple more blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals turning Mommy and Daddy’s bed into a super cool movie fort. Obviously, the fort isn’t required, but it definitely adds to the thrill of the evening!
You could also do this in your kids’ rooms. If you don’t vibe with the idea of a tv in your kid’s room, we are on the same mommy wavelength. The projector we suggested for outdoor movie night is a great option! You can project the movie onto your kids’ bedroom wall and then pick up the projector when you’re finished. It is seriously SO easy!
Little Tikes Drive-In
Little Tikes Drive-In Kids Movie Night Idea
Another little trip down memory lane will take you to the drive in theater. While drive-in theaters are closing left and right, we can still provide our kids with a fragment of an idea of the magic of the drive-ins. Let your kiddo watch the movie from inside their Little Tikes car. Hello, built-in cup and snack holders! Trust me, they are going to love this. Make it a theme by watching one of the Cars films. I mean, c’mon it doesn’t get much better than this. Bonus points if it’s a hot day, and you do a Little Tikes car wash in preparation for the big night!
Themed Movie Night
There’s a trend going around right now where you choose a movie and then use that movie as the theme for your dinner, drinks, and movie snacks. I have no idea where this originated, but we love this idea. It immerses your family in the movie and builds up your kids excitement to watch it. It’s also a great way for combating picky eating. I’ve found myself giving my daughter a bowl of cheerios and telling her that they are Boo’s (from Monster’s Inc.) favorite cereal. Listen, I’ll do whatever it takes to get that kid to eat, alright?
Movie Dress Up Night
Dress Up as your Favorite Character Movie Night Idea For Kids
Have you ever been to a midnight release of a highly anticipated film? (We are looking at you Harry Potter.) Or maybe you’ve been the the recently released Barbie Movie. Then you already know that your kids are going to love dressing up like the characters in your film of choice for movie night. All those halloween costumes you have stuffed in a box in the basement? Yeah, it’s time to let them shine, baby. Bust those bad boys out and let your kids go wild dressing up for whatever movie you’ve got easy costumes for.
Movie and a Spa
Piggy Paint Non-toxic Kids Nail Polish and Spa Headband for a Movies and Spa Treatment
I am not exaggerating when I say my kids are obsessed with “spa” nights. Get them some bowls of warm water and let them relax and soak their feet. You can also simply let them have a bath before the movie begins. If you’re down for a little labor, you can get on the floor and paint their toenails with Piggy Paint. Give them the real royal treatment and use some lotion for a foot massage. (Don’t forget a cute spa headband! My girls find those to be a must.)
Double Feature Night
With really little ones a double feature may mean two short films or a couple episode’s of a favorite show. With older kids and teens, double features are much more doable if you’re up for it! Dare I mention the all night movie marathon?
Book Turned Film Night
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie has been turned into a TV Show on Amazon Prime Video
This is another one that takes some prep work. For longer books and chapter books, you might need to plan this a few days to a few weeks in advance. For shorter books, like children’s picture books, you could read the book right before watching the film. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is now an adorable, wholesome kid’s show on Amazon Video. Your kids will love to read the book and then see Mouse come to life on screen!
I hope this list gave you some ideas to up your movie night game! Let us know in the comments how it goes if you try any of these with your kiddos!
