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Sunday Nights are set aside as family movie nights. Each Sunday, we watch movies from Walt Disney, classic movies, and other uplifting movies.
Family time can be really hard to set up on a regular basis. Even when the family is under one roof, we may be scattered through out the house. Setting up a movie night gets us all in one room, spending time with one another.
Snacks: It is important to have the snacks prepared before the movie. Popcorn poppers are often too loud to allow the movie to continue. People miss out on family time if the kitchen is far from the room where the movie is being watched.
Our family chooses to eat sliced fruit such as apples. We also like popcorn, cookies, granola bars, and other finger foods. As parents, we aim to choose food that has the least amount of crumbs or can be ground into the carpet when stepped on even though vacuuming is inevitable.
Setting: We try to set the lighting up in a way that people can move around without stepping on one another, but dim enough to make it like a movie theater. Dimmer switches come in handy.
We are lucky enough to have a surround sound system. This is another way to create a movie theater atmosphere. Set the sound to a level that you feel like you are in a theater, but low enough to talk with the kids. They always have lots of questions or comments. The point of movie night is to spend time with each other and get to know each other. So, answer their questions or reply to their comments.
Sometimes, we try to emulate a drive-in movie. We'll get pillows and blankets, mats or recliner chairs, and trays for snacks. This works great if the movie is started late because younger kids may end up sleeping before the movie's end, just like a drive-in movie theater.
The Movie: Though we try not to let our kids watch too much TV each day, there are many movies they watch over and over again. We do not choose those movies for movie night. Instead, we go for classics, rare movies, or movies the kids simply never heard about before.
Recent movies include Pete's Dragon, Pollyanna, Lambert the Sheepish Lion, and Follow Me Boys. Even though Pollyanna's main character is a girl and I have mostly boys at my house, we tell them that her best friend is a boy who likes adventure, to climb trees, and other things the boys are interested in.
We try to choose movies that will start a discussion by introducing concepts that are unfamiliar, have no swear words, or body humor. The kids are exposed to more modern shows the rest of the week.
Where can I find old Disney movies? That can be a hard one since Disney got smart and started the Disney Vault. As a result, we do not stick just to Disney movies. Many classics are found on Netflix, Blockbuster online, even Redbox. Big Box stores, such as Walmart, sometimes have old movies in a bin for a very low price. If you have cable or satellite, you may find what you're looking for there, too.
Our favorite way to get the old movies is to record VHS tapes we recorded years ago onto DVD. We used to have a large collection of movies we taped from the Wonderful World of Disney. Remember, do not try to dub purchased, full-length movies onto DVD because you'll infringe on the copyright.
Conclusion: My kids look forward to family movie night just as much as their parents do. It's a great way to have family time and relax while enjoying snacks, such as peanut butter popcorn, that we have only during movie night.
Thanks for a wonderful article Rebecca....I remember way back when I was a small child, and how much I looked forward to that family time. Thanks.
Rebecca we ALWAYS have pizza and movie night on Friday nights. We turn down invitations to all be together at home on that night (or occasionally change it to saturday night instead). I think as the kids get older they'll still be making an effort to be home on this night. We all get to the end of the week with a collective "Aaaaahhh" and an excited "it's pizza night! What's the movie?" on the way home from school. My husband and I text our excitement to each other on Fridays "Yay! Dough is made... pizza coming on!" We love watching the kids movies and have a cue with a company so we don't know from week to week what movie will arrive in the mail for the evening. It's always new to everyone and returned so it's not one watched over and over. And if there's leftovers (which I plan for!) we do it all again with a documentary on saturday or sunday! ;-) Priceless and special routine!
We own many of the movies we watch, but sometimes use an online company to watch the movies. I enjoyed your comment because it is good to know that there are others who put this activity at the top of their list. We also skip out on other activities to make sure this happens.
If I may use your board to agree here we have a night (Friday) movie night when all join in to watch first for the kids an appropriate DVD, something like "Ice Age" which excites me as much as some of the others we watch as adults. But that night has become a special event looked forward to the whole week.
Rob I'm so with you on this! I think one of the greatest joys of being a parent is watching all the 'children's movies'. They're so enjoyable and I enjoy them just as well as the later adult only movie (was trying to work out how to word that! lol)
Heather I hope I understand that "later adult only movie" right, lol I know what you mean I was unsure how to mention it myself, considered pg, pg13 or x rated and none seemed appropriate.
Oh look... there's more! hehe Sounds great too Rob. That's a creative night!
What a wonderful article! I am sitting here giggling just thinking about how much fun this could be. Petes dragon??? REALLY!!! That is one of my favorites, but you have to show Darby O'Gile and the Little People right after, then Bed Knobs & Broomsticks!!
Tomorrow is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I was just thinking of Darby O'Gill and the Little People this morning right along with Finian's Rainbow. I also love Bed Knobs and Broomsticks! I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Rebecca, What fun! Once I get myself healed up and on track, I think I'll try that too. Great family of friends party:-) blessings, Cynthia
I hope you'll be "healed up and on track" soon. Thanks!
I find it so wonderful that you can gather your family and watch these all time classics. Everyday things that really make you happy. Your children will remember this! Be sure! Lovely article
Thank you! Last night, we watched the 1968 version of Yours, Mine and Ours. The kids thought some of it was really funny, but also had a lot of questions. Times sure have changed!
I think it's really important for families to set aside time to spend together, it sounds like you all have a great time!
I agree, family time is important. We intentionally plan our time together 2-3x per week for an activity other than meals. Right now, movie time is my favorite because we discuss the movies, too. My kids have a lot of questions about some of the movies we watch.
I enjoyed it when I was a kid, too. Thanks for commenting :)
A movie is surely a fun way to spend time with the family and it takes of the stress as well from work. :D
I agree, it is fun and relaxing. I need more of both in my life. Planning it is important Thanks for commenting.
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