Edit Article

Want to go to the cinema to escape the heat, or just have a good time? When bringing younger children, there are a few things you can do to make a good movie choice that is both age-appropriate and fun.

Ad

EditSteps

  1. Choose Summer Movies Appropriate for Children Step 1.jpg
    1
    Always check with your local theater. Either by calling or visiting their website, to find out what films are playing and what they are rated. Do not rely on trailers to determine what age the movie is intended for, as movie companies will often either misrepresent or put all-age jokes in the trailer.This is to allow the trailer to be played on any channel, maximizing profits for them.
    Ad
  2. Choose Summer Movies Appropriate for Children Step 2.jpg
    2
    Use word of mouth. Critics and other sources won't know your specific situation (kid's age, etc.), and thus aren't as reliable. Friends who know you and your children will know their likes and tolerances.  
  3. Choose Summer Movies Appropriate for Children Step 3.jpg
    3
    Finally, if need be, use online or newspaper sources. Try to look out for words saying family-friendly or all-ages. Certain websites are more oriented to critics(IMDB) and some are more user oriented(Rotten Tomatoes). Use multiple sites to get the full picture.
    Ad

We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
sabbaticals?
Yes
No
sabbaticals
how to plan a sabbatical
Can you tell us about
cleaning clothes?
Yes
No
cleaning clothes
how to remove mildew from fabric
Can you tell us about
dehumidifiers?
Yes
No
dehumidifiers
different ways to use a dehumidifier
Can you tell us about
computers?
Yes
No
computers
how to dock a laptop
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
...
Tell us everything you know here. Remember, more detail is better.
Tips
Provide Details.
Please be as detailed as possible in your explanation. Don't worry about formatting! We'll take care of it. For example:
Don't say: Eat more fats.
Do say: Add fats with some nutritional value to the foods you already eat. Try olive oil, butter, avocado, and mayonnaise.
Submit

EditUnderstand the MPAA movie ratings

G is for all ages. No nudity, Very mild violence and language


PG is for ages 10 and older. Brief Nudity (Non-Sexual), Mild violence and language


PG-13 is for ages 13 and older. More Brief Nudity (Non-Sexual), Moderate Violence and Language


R is for ages 17 and older. Nudity (Full Frontal), Intense or Strong violence and Strong Language


NC-17 is for ages 18 and older ONLY. Graphic Nudity (sexual rape or assault) Intense Violence (Extreme) and Strong sexual dialogue

EditVideo

Added MPAA :)

EditTips

  • Don't use trailers to decide if the movie is age-appropriate. Sometimes, trailers don't give you the full picture of the movie, and inappropriate parts of a seemingly-harmless movie could be unforeseen.
  • If a movie is rated PG-13, it may be okay for your eleven or twelve year old child to watch it, depending on the content of the movie. However, some PG-13 movies may not even be appropriate for 13-15 year olds, so be careful!
  • Make sure you are aware of the film's running time. A later show might alright for a shorter movie, but a 2.5 hours epic might be best for a matinee.
  • Pack foods to bring along, even toys for really small children. The pre-movie wait can be quite long, and you should try not to bother other viewers. Try to keep your children happy and quiet.
  • If in doubt, watch the movie yourself alone. It may be best to pay a little extra, in order to have a fun movie experience that is suitable for everyone.

EditRelated wikiHows

How to
Pick a Really Good Movie to Watch (for Kids)

How to
Choose Appropriate Movie Ratings and Television Ratings for Your Teenagers

How to
Entertain Kids when You Are Babysitting

How to
Choose Age Appropriate Gifts For Kids

How to
Choose a Good Movie to Watch

Article Info

Categories: Movies

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,375 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No

Become
an Author!

Write an Article