This post has been sponsored by AMC Theatres and Coca-Cola Freestyle, but all opinions are our own.
Over Thanksgiving break, my husband and I decided it was time for our family to experience our first movie together as a family of four. Strangely enough, this was a right of passage I’d been eagerly awaiting since my first son was born.
I’m a kid at heart when it comes to movies, and I’ve been waiting for the day when I could recreate some of my memories of going to the movies with my family. You know…back in the day when The Little Mermaid was in theaters and ticket prices were at an all-time high of $4.75. I loved the experience of feeling like a big kid in my own over-sized seat with a box of Whoppers in one hand and a soda in the other and being taken away into another world.
Now here we are, 27 years later, and I’m taking my own sons to their first movie experience–probably a little too excited when you think about the reality of the situation. A dark, quiet theater with a 2 and 4 year old for just over an hour and a half. . . .but it was awesome!
When you’re ready to take your little one to their first movie on the big screen, here’s a few pieces of advice:
1) Choose the right time!
Not only are Matinees typically cheaper, but they’re also where the families are. Unless you’re willing to be a little daring, head to an earlier show time and you’re more likely to be surrounded by parents in the same situation as you. Kids are going to be a little noisy and more mobile, but when everyone else’s child is walking in front of you just as much as yours is walking in front of them, it makes the whole event a little less stressful!
Apps like this one from AMC Theatres make it incredibly easy to find featured AMC Movies now playing, available times, and theater features like the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines.
2) Keep Calm!
Your first movie with kids can be an extremely stressful depending on the age of your children, but your attitude going into the situation can make or break your experience. You know your child better than anyone, and use their cues to determine if they’re ready to sit through a movie. Do they sit through a movie at home? What attracts them to a movie at home that you can use to your advantage in a public setting? If you’re confident they’re ready, then be confident walking into that theater! And even if you decide half way through they’re not ready, that’s okay too. It’s not the end of the world to walk out of a children’s movie and go enjoy an ice cream instead.
3) Your Best Defense is your Backup!
Bring a backup parent, grandparent, or friend while bringing more than one child to their first movie. Making an older child leave because the younger needs a distraction, use the potty, or just can’t sit still is like taking a new toy away from a baby. Be prepared to tag-team when needed to allow as much of the family to enjoy themselves as possible.
You also must have a backup to sneak off to buy some special sweets for your sweets!
4) Be Willing To Treat!
If you’re able to afford it financially, indulge your kids with a little candy, popcorn, and soda for their first movie experience. Not only does it signify that it’s a special time for your child, but it also helps to have these tricks up your sleeve when the movie begins to loose a little of its luster.
Stop by the snack counter and let your child watch them fill up a bag of popcorn or pick out a box of over-sized candy. And more recently, they’ll have a blast if you let them choose their own soft drink with the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine.
The new Coca-Cola Freestyle machine allows you to create your own soda combinations! Start with your basic sodas like Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, or Dasani and enhance it with various flavors, no-cal or low-calorie options, or caffeine-free. You’ll have over 100+ flavors at your fingertips …and for your child to get a little creative.
You can find the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines at participating AMC Theatres (found here).
The holiday season is the perfect time of year to focus on spending quality time with your family and friends, and what’s more fun than going to the movies during the chilly winter season?
Enjoy the movies!
*Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Coca-Cola Freestyle & AMC Theatres as part of the #AMCandCocaColaFreestyle campaign. All opinions are 100% our own!
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