5 things you need for a good snuggle on the couch family movie night
When you take the family to the movie theater you have to contend with inflated snack counter prices, sticky floors, and potentially distracting movie-goers. So planning a movie night at home obviously has its perks. You’ll get to skip the lines and the over-the-top ticket costs and snuggle up in the comfort of your own home—you can even pause the film for bathroom breaks. Here are five things you’ll need to pull off the perfect family movie night.
- The right flick.
Before movie night can commence, the first thing you should do is pick a movie that your entire family will love. If your kids are old enough, let them vote on the film to screen. If they’re too young to cast a vote, make the selection yourself or with your significant other. Try to find a kid-friendly film that will also appeal to the adults in the room, a la Toy Story or Shrek. - A slew of snacks.
Next, come up with the evening’s menu. You can go about this one of two ways. First, you can actually enjoy dinner in front of the TV. Whip up a typical meal, but let the kids eat it in the living room. Then just have some movie theater candy for dessert. Second, you can go about dinner in the usual way (i.e., in the dining room) and then line up a smorgasbord of movie snacks a few hours later. Cater to your audience with the exact selection, but if all else fails, you can’t go wrong with classics like popcorn and M&Ms. - Extra pillows and blankets.
Another benefit of “going to the movies” in your own living room? You’re not confined to a squeaky movie theater recliner. Have everyone bring their pillow and comforter out into the living room and make things extra cozy. You can even get into your jammies a bit early and really embrace the at-home movie night. And if everyone ends up snoozing in the living room? That just means your family night was a cozy success. - Admission tickets.
If you really want to get into the home-movie-theater spirit, go all the way. Print out admission tickets and tear them as the rest of your family comes through the door—or piles onto the couch. Make it clear that there will be no admissions without a ticket! - A basket for devices.
If you break out your phone at the actual movie theater, you’ll get at least a disapproving glare or two, if not an outright reprimand from your neighbors. Adopt the same no-device policy in your home theater. Avoid any potential fights among your pint-sized movie-goers by collecting phones and tablets before they can become a problem. Silence or power down the devices and then stow them away in another room until the movie is over.
8 Seriously Fun Ideas for Family Movie Night [B-Inspired Mama]
How to plan the perfect family movie night [SheKnows]
Tips for Planning a Family Movie Night at Home or the Theatre [Spaceships and Laser Beams]