My toddler is 2 and a half years old. Can I take him to watch Ratatouille in the cinema. Or is he too small.?

Question

Any experiences please share.

Answer 1

My grandaughter is 3 and we took her a couple of weeks ago. She talked all the way through part of it then fell asleep. However each child is different, does he sit and watch a film at home? If he does, I would take him.

Answer 2

2 and 1/2 may be a little young yet. But only you can judge his maturity. Would he sit through a video like that at home on the TV? If he does get bored, how disruptive might he become? If he does not sit through it, how upset will you be if you have to take him out early? Will he be with other children who could be a distraction?

If you decide to try it, bring a non-sugar treat for him to munch if needed, and a couple of favorite quiet toys - just in case.

But there is also something very magical about the movie theater, when the lights go down and that giant picture appears that can enthrall even a two year old. It could well be an experience that he will remember for a lifetime.

My daughter the other day was watching a DVD of "Empire Strikes Back" with us, and she could remember seeing it in the theater, and how fascinated she was by the opening ship flying overhead. She still remembers that today, and she was only 18 months when we took her with us to the show.

So only you can judge your child's maturity and attention span.

Answer 3

I took my daughter to her first movie when she was 3. She saw Shrek 3, and even though shrek is one of her favorite movies, I still don't think she was quite ready. She still got fidgety, she still didn't understand that she couldn't talk, and that she had to sit still the whole time.
On another note, I would recommend watching the movie before hand. Even though I thought Shrek would be good for her to watch, I personally would not care for her to see it again. I feel even though it was a cartoon, and I had seen the first two with no worries, this one was a bit too much for her. I have never seen Ratatouille, so I can't judge that. Also, as a suggestion, I don't know about your area, but we have a discount movie theater. It is only $2 to see a movie. Granted, they aren't new movies, but it is ok. Maybe if you had something like that in your area you might want to try that first so you aren't wasting a bunch of money if your child can't handle sitting thru a movie at a theater.

Answer 4

I took my boy to watch surf's up and was 3 and lucky we went at the end of the week when everyone else had been to see it which was a good job as he got up and started to mess about but no-one else was there so i didn't need to leave as my 2 older kids wanted to watch it (think that what was the movie had penguins in anyway) rent a film cos then it doesn't matter if he messes about, or if you want to take him to the cinema be prepared to leave if it's busy and he is annoying all the other people.
Never took my lad again is 4 next month but i am going to wait at least another year b4 i take him again

Answer 5

Ratatouille is now on DVD, so I'd either rent it or buy it. The movie is very long and even if you found the movie at a dollar cinema, you'd most likely leave before it was over due to the length. A two year old isn't capable of sitting in one place for that length of time.

Answer 6

I took my son to his first movie when he was 3. He was kind of wild at the time and I was nervous as all get out. I explained to him that we would need to sit and watch the movie. Put a small bag of popcorn in his lap. If he gets too restless, take him for a short walk outside and then take him back into the movie.

You have to remember that very young children have a short attention span. Don't be upset if they laugh or exclaim over the movie out loud. Just remember that there are also young children there as well and it probably won't be the quietest place.

If your child seems not to be handling it very well, then just pack up and go home and try a few months later.

All kids react differently and your toddler may surprise you by being very well behaved (mine did).

Answer 7

Sounds to me like he is doing very well in the developmental part. Does he have any brothers or sisters? Or is he in preschool? I ask because kids with older siblings, tend to talk later because the older sibling (depending on age bracket) will do everything for them (give them what they want..) so they dont have to piece sentances together. The preschool one... My 2 1/2 year old didnt start talking until I took her to preschool. I took her into a speech therapist because I was worried about her. Sure enough a fdew weeks after being in preschool she was making full paragraphs. Your son sound like he may just be waiting until he knows he can do it perfect before doing it at all. Look back at other milestones. Did he walk or crawl a little later? He might have been waiting until he had his confidence up. I am a preschool teacher (hence why my daughter is going) for the 3 year olds, and most of my 3 year olds can do what your son is. My suggestion, dont worry. He'll be talking before you know it and then you'll be wondering how to get him to stop for 5 minutes!!

Answer 8

Sure! The issue is whether he will sit still that long, but he probably will. I took my infants to the cinema without a peep from them (to see a mommy movie-romantic comedy). Just talk to him about ettiquette and be prepared to exit if he 1) gets scared by the big screen or loud noise or 2) needs to potty etc. Kids' movies are full of wiggly toddlers who talk, play, scream, cry, and generally behave like toddlers. Moms aren't upset by this. Just tell him not to kick the chair in front of him if he does, and get him a booster chair from outside the theatre...most theatres supply them.

The best way to teach our kids how to behave in public is to take them out and work from there. If they can't handle it, wait six months and try again. And let them KNOW that we aren't going again for 6months because they aren't ready yet. This worked with restaurants and other outings for me. My 9 and 10 year old have been going to first class restaurants, museums, plays, etc, since toddlerhood because I taught them that these were treats and if they want to experience them again, they have to show me their good manners. Everyone comments on how well bahaved they are in all situations, and I have NEVER spanked my kids, ever. Kids are smarter than people think.

Have fun mom!

Answer 9

My 2yo twins LOVE Spiderman. They live and breath him! lol
We took them to see Spiderman 3 when it come out a few months ago (they were nearly 2) and they sat there and watched it from beginning to end and were better behaved than half the adult there.
There are family friendly showing times (at least in Australia), where you can take your kids and watch a movie. Give your cinema a call and see if they have these sessions. Then you don't need to worry if he does whine a bit!
Hope I helped xx

Answer 10

I think your toddler is too young. Better to buy the DVD (which is already out) and see if the willingness/ability to follow or be entertained for close to 2 hours is there. If it is, then more children's movies are sure to come to the cinema for you to share that experience.

Answer 11

yes you can take him that is fine, but you'll find he'll probably get distracted and bored quite easily especially as ratatouille is a LONG film, 2hours plus with all the trailers, so no drinks beforehand, and give him plenty of (quiet) snacks to keep him entertained. And a blanket, so he can sleep, which I'm betting he will.

But ratatouille? I do not envy you having to take your son to see that. My little sister, who is seven, tried to make me take her but I made her watch Stardust instead (its PG) and she loved it, it's like a modern fairytale. Seeing as your son probably won't really know whats going on you should treat yourself and go and watch Stardust instead, ;-)