A great way to pass the time on the weekends is to spend time at home with movie night ideas for kids. Think of choosing a film, popcorn, and sweets, it is all fun to do together in the living room.
You have to plan the setup, themes, films, and snacks before setting a comfortable setting to watch a movie together. So, discover more about how to host the perfect movie night for kids at home through this article.
How to Set Up the Perfect Movie Night for Kids
Indoor Movie Night Setup
Watching a movie together in an indoor movie night setup is one of the kids’ activities in Bali. It is one of the perfect rainy day indoor activities for kids in Bali. Setting up a TV or a projector has its own pros and cons for watching a movie.
Pros of TV include better image quality, sharper with better contrast, easier setup, better for gaming, and longer lifespan. The main drawbacks are its smaller screen size and the limited sense of cinematic atmosphere it creates.
Unlike TV, a projector offers a massive screen size, a more immersive experience for watching sci-fi and action movies, and a cleaner, minimalist design. It comes with cons that require a darker room, more setup complexity, and worse built-in audio.
Lay cushions on the floor and pull the mattress from the bed to create a cozy cinema setup. Adding fairy lights and blackout curtains will complete the movie night setup.
Outdoor Movie Night Setup (Garden or Villa)
Setting up an outdoor movie night in the garden or villa can be a fun activity at home. You need a portable projector that is equipped with an outdoor screen or white wall, or a sheet.
To make it more immersive, you can pair the projector with Bluetooth speakers to make the sound audible for you and your kids. Also, you need insect-repellent candles and an outdoor floor cushion and a bean bag to make the setting comfortable.
Best Movie Night Themes for Kids
Disney & Princess Theme
Including movie night in your itinerary while travelling to Bali with toddlers and kids will boost their happiness. So, preparing a movie night theme for kids must be planned well to make it fun from your kids’ point of view.
Disney and the princess theme are completely vibrant, combining pink and gold décor. You can put tiaras on your daughter’s head, making her feel like a princess during movie night.
Serving a sparkling juice gives more colour to the Disney and princess theme. Many types of movies are perfect for this theme, such as Cinderella, Tangled, Moana, or even Encanto.
Adventure & Superhero Theme
If you are watching a movie together with your son, you can use an adventure & superhero theme. Allowing your son to dress up with a cape will elevate the experience of spending leisure time with you.
For kids’ movie snacks, you can serve a platter that includes chips, savory cube cheese, and crackers that give them ‘power.’ The kind of movies to watch is various, such as The Incredibles, Big Hero 6, and Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse.
Animated Movie Marathon Night
You can also play an animated movie for binge-watching at night. This outdoor movie night in Bali helps your kids explore more about movie genres. Planning a 2-film night maximum for young kids is enough to entertain them without having to take them to playgrounds in Bali.
Best Movies for Kids Movie Night (By Age Group)
Best Movies for Toddlers (Age 2–4)
Thinking of the best movies for kids’ movie night is easy. For toddlers aged 2-4, you can choose a slow pacing, simple plot, and gentle music to make them engage with the movie during leisure time. Movies to pick vary, including:
- Moana and Moana 2
- Finding Nemo
- Up
- Encanto
- Ratatouille
Best Movies for Kids Age 5–8
You can start sorting the best kids’ movies to watch for children aged 5-8. Stories can be slightly more complex at this age, though age-appropriateness still matters.
Movies like Zootopia and Zootopia 2, Inside Out 1-2, Coco, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Turning Red are a perfect choice. They all have complex stories, yet are still enjoyable to watch.
Best Movies for Pre-Teens (Age 9–12)
If you’re thinking family movie night ideas for pre-teens aged 9-12, you can start with more nuanced theme movies. Kids can follow the complexity of the plot, helping them improve their cognitive skills.
There are many movies to choose from for pre-teens, such as Matilda, The Mitchells vs The Machine, Spirited Away, Soul, and Luca. All these movies are great for teens who are ready to explore their youth.
Tips for Parents: How to Keep It Simple and Special
- Making DIY Cinema Tickets: You can take a paperboard and transform it into DIY tickets. With your creativity, this DIY makes children feel like they are in the cinema watching an ongoing movie.
- Crafting a Concession Stand: It is an area where you allow children to grab their popcorn and soda drinks before the movie starts.
- Asking Movie Trivia Quiz: Trivia quiz is fun. You can ask a simple question to enhance kids’ curiosity about the movie that they are going to watch.
- Preparing Movie Night Snack for Kids: Serving a simple snack, like platters equipped with cube cheese, crackers, sausage, and chips, elevates the movie night experience.
Let’s Create a Great Movie Night for Kids
A pleasant movie night for kids is a great way to improve family ties. It is a fun way to entertain yourself and your kids on the weekend, since kids love engaging with themed setups at home. Let’s create a cory memory for kids through the movies you watch together with them.
