How to host a kids’ movie night
Eight easy steps to turn your living room into a cinema.
A great movie night is mostly about the little details. Follow these eight steps and you will have a cinema experience your family will ask for again and again.
Choose a film everyone can agree on
Let each person suggest one, then narrow it down. If you cannot decide, use the Movie Night Picker and let it choose. Check the BBFC rating suits the youngest person watching.
Pick your spot and set up the seating
Pile cushions and blankets on the sofa or floor so everyone can see the screen. Little ones love a den or a duvet nest.
Make the room feel like a cinema
Close the curtains, dim the lights and tidy away distractions. A string of fairy lights adds a cosy glow.
Send out cinema tickets
Make paper tickets or invitations and hand them out as people arrive. It turns an ordinary evening into an event.
Build the snack trays before the film starts
Fold the trays in advance and fill each one with popcorn, a sweet treat and a drink so nobody has to get up. Check for allergies first, and remember that whole popcorn and nuts can be a choking risk for very young children.
Set the ground rules
Agree on a short break halfway for toilet trips and snack top-ups, and ask everyone to leave phones out of reach so the film gets full attention.
Press play and enjoy
Dim the lights, hand out the trays and start the film. Try Movie Night Bingo for a bit of extra fun.
Finish with a vote
When the credits roll, ask everyone to give the film a score out of ten and pick the next movie night's film.
Ready for snacks?
Build your MovieJam snack tray in minutes, then let the film begin.
Got questions?
How long should a kids' movie night be?
Most families plan around the length of one film plus a short break. Choose a film that suits the youngest child's bedtime.
What snacks should I serve at a kids' movie night?
Popcorn, a sweet treat and a drink are classic. Check for allergies first, and remember that whole popcorn and nuts can be a choking risk for very young children.
How do I make a living room feel like a cinema?
Dim the lights, close the curtains, add cushions and blankets, and give everyone a ticket and their own snack tray.