Is a 2 1/2 year old too young to see Shrek 3 at the movie theater?

Question

I was planning on taking my 2 1/2 year old to the movie tomorrow to see Shrek 3. He likes watching cartoon shows that are like 1/2 hour long. Is he still too young? What was everyone expierance when they took their little one?

Answer 1

sure take him! i took my son to see Cars when he was 2 1/2 and he sat through the whole movie.
as long as it's something he's interested in it should be fine.
just be prepared to have wasted the money if he decides that he doesn't want to be there anymore. that's the advice i got when i took my son to the theatre.

Answer 2

At that age, it really depends on the individual child. Some 2 year olds are able to sit quietly for that length of time and not get scared when the lights go down, and some children don't reach that point until age 5 or older.

1/2 long shows at home are very, very different from a full-length film at a theatre. At home, he can jump off the couch and lay on the floor, or run out during a commercial and use the potty, but at the theatre there are other people all around, it will be dark, and very loud.

Has he seen Shrek 2, or another movie of similar length? Did he sit down and watch it all, or did he get up and go play after 30 minutes?

I saw Shrek 3 about a month ago (where I work we sometimes are able to see new movies early), and I really doubt that your son will really understand what's going on. There is a lot that you have to remember from the other movies, and a lot of new things are introduced.

Personally, I think I would wait until it comes out on video. That way, you can hit pause and get a snack, or stop it to go out and play something different for a while. My son is only 15 months, but I know I won't be taking him for a good long time yet. My brother and sister didn't go until they were about 4, and my mom says she took me to see a movie at 4, and had to take me out, even though I watched movies at home. It was the dark and the noise of the theatre that scared me. Didn't take me again for another year.

But if you think your son is mature enough to go, then your best bet is to go to an early afternoon show. It will be least full then, and mostly other families with smaller children. Or see if your local theatre has a program for mothers with babies (my theatre calls it 'stroller days'). Once a week, there is a particular showing where they invite babies and toddlers to see new releases, and they don't put the lights all the way down. That way, the little ones don't get scared, and if you child cries at least you'll be with a sympathetic audience.

Answer 3

I took my 2 1/2 year old son to see Shrek 3 and he did pretty good. Near the end he was getting a little fidgety, but once he saw Shrek on the screen again, all was well. He really liked it and talks about it every day since.

Answer 4

I took my 2 1/2 year old to see Shrek 1 or 2 and she was prefectly fine - just started to get squirmy towards the end. I am now planning on taking her and my now 2 1/2 year old son to see Shrek 3! It is my son's first time going ...

I think it just depends on the child - if they can sit still and watch TV for an extended amount of time then they'll most likely last the movie. But just be prepared to have to leave if your child begins to get too bored. Good luck!

Answer 5

Every child is different, but my 2 1/2 year old nephew LOVES the Shrek movies and has sat quietly at home through both the entire first and second Shrek movies. They plan on taking him to the theater to see Shrek 3... I think he will love it!

Answer 6

We took our 3, 2 and 1 year old to see Shrek III and all three did fantastic. I would suggest going during the early showing (before 5) because thats when other parents of young children tend to take their young ones as well so if you hear the occasional 3 year old scream or loud talking from time to time from a little one you can totally relate.

Answer 7

I would try to see how he does at home with a full animated movie before I would take him to see Shrek 3. I use to take 3 and 4 years old to the movie theater in the summers for the Regal Cinema Centers free movies when I was a day care teacher. Most of them did fine, but I had to take a few out the theater for some thinking time for behavior issues. Oh, and bathroom breaks can be fun too! (Kid bladders are sooo small...LOL!) Yet, you are only taking one child, so it may be easier... Good luck!

Answer 8

Tell your son that he must listen to you because you are his mommy. Explain to him that every time he does not listen, there will be consequences. I would make a timeout chair in a corner or just some place where you can see him. He will have to sit there for 3.5 minutes (one minute per year). Make sure you explain to him the concept of timeout, and if he screams and cries when you put him there (which he WILL do at first) tell him that it is his choice to either listen to you and no timeout, or don't listen and a timeout. When he tries to get up, the time will start all over again. And when he has successfully taken the timeout, ask him why he got it and what he can do next time so he won't have to have another one. Give him a hug afterwards, make sure he says he's sorry, and let him go play. I hope this helps! Best of luck! -Elle

Answer 9

My daughter is 2 1/2 and I just took her to see Shrek last weekend - and she did not watch it entirely - she became distracted and wanted to walk up and down the stairs! She's not at the age where she can watch a movie, even a 1/2 hour one... (Every child is different)

Answer 10

I just went to see Shrek 3 with a group of my friends and their lil ones. 2 or 3 is generally the age when children can view movies at the cinema! Shrek 3 is quite entertaining, and I really think that your child will stay attuned to the movie, and not be bored/fussy.

Answer 11

I say go for it.....You won't know how your son will do until you try it.

But I also say... sneak in some toddler-appropriate food!!!! I always bring some of those Gerber Veggie/Fruit Puffs for my daughter when we go to the movies....I get her the "Sweet Corn" flavor and she munches on a baggie of that instead of popcorn from the theatre.... she calls it "baby popcorn". :) And I always have a juice box or two that is 100% juice....

Things like that will hopefully keep him occupied long enough to get through the movie. My daughter has been going to full-feature movies since she was very young... and she's always handled it well... I know some kids that are 6 and can't sit through a movie at the theatre so.... You just have to go by your own instinct ...you know your child best.

Good luck! :)