Etiquette of taking a toddler to a movie

[McG]

We did take our son from the age of 2 to cinema and theatre as we felt it was unfair for his 5 year old sister to be deprived ot these experiences. As others have said, we sat at an aisle seat and always came prepared by b*ying him a hot dog at the cinema as that seemd to keep him settled! I don't ever remember having him behave badly but certainly would have removed if any noise!

[Beate]

I think it's good that you are asking about etiquette - it shows consideration which from experience a lot of parents don't seem to possess. I've seen little children in free previews that weren't age-appropriate at all and you just know that they are there purely because the parents wanted to see the film and didn't want to shell out for a babysitter.

I would go for aisle seats if I was you. It doesn't really matter where in a cinema you sit if your child is quiet though a lot of parents tend to go for front seats - maybe so the kids can see better? Please note that should you put a child on your lap the person behind you will have their view obscured, so best to teach them so sit quietly in their own seat - a child wandering around is distracting too.

[The Sparrow]

I've been to a couple of Kids Club films and the audiences were far better behaved than most adult shows.

[KKO]

I was thinking of taking her to Wreck it Ralph at Bluewater on Saturday

[Allsinging]

I've taken mine since they were 3/4ish. I always made them go to the toilet before the film and make them understand that leaving the screening to go to the toilet also disrupts the film as would talking, bouncing or kicking the back of a chair...this stops the 'i'm going to run to the toilet because its fun'

Also take treats and a small drink

I think if you install these rules from the beginning children learn to behave in social settings in general...and my three have never been a problem in the cinema/restaurants etc

[KKO]

If toilet breaks weren't allowed then my wife wouldn't be allowed in the cinema

[Rainey]

I think it depends on each child and more importantly what you as the parent plan to do if they start being disruptive during the film, 2 year olds are unpredictable, if you are happy to take the child out if they start to become disruptive fine, if you plan to let them run up and down the aisle, jump on the seat, shout and talk loudly and I have seen in some cases cry for periods of time and spoil the film for all around then not so fine. Have you also consider how dark the cinema is? Some little ones who don't like the dark get scared.

I have taken my niece since she was 3 and she has always been very good, I am not sure I would have taken my son at the same age, he couldn't of sat still for that long.

Also, mentions of adults finding the disruption annoying, it is the same for other children in the audience and sometimes worse, they don't have the concentration of adults so another child's disruption in the screen can really impact on their enjoyment of the film as it can impact on how they are able to follow the story.

[baty]

Ongoing experience with GS has me thinking ....
a. take as much as you can to keep them occupied - food/snacks/drinks.
c. no point in saying shuuuushhhhh, take them out for a 'walkie'.
b. be prepared for a few toilet trips so aile seats are best.
GS is a bit OCD about washing hands so keeping an eye on that one
d. if they want to lie on the floor to watch the movie let them - as long as they are not a hazard to others
e. If they want to wear the 3D specs upside down let them, it aint worth the hassle to keep correcting.

As you can see I have had a few incidents myself. The little man is getting better with the cinema experience but we only go to childrens' cartoon films and he is not the worst behaved there. His older sister is VERY embarrised by his behaviour at times so she sits a little bit away from us. Good luck and enjoy introducing him/her to the cinema

[tilly]

I have a 2 year old daughter and she is unpredictable so I prefer to take her to a kids am screening as not only cheap but wont be so bad if you walk out. Saying that my daughter did stay still for 3/4 of the madagascar film (even with treats and a drink) so I think it depends on the film itself.

[KKO]

The movie at Bluewater this weekend will be her first Cinema experience (other than when she saw a few in Babies screenings in Greenwich but she wasn't at all aware of those)