Has anyone had a movie theater birthday party

[jennistarr1]

I'm trying to think through logistics for my three year old's party. I'm hoping someone here has had a party like this or attended one

Here's what I know
25 people=250$ included a snack pack (small popcorn/soda)

Anybody over that I pay regular price 9$ for

our theater holds 47 people

private viewing

1 hour afterwards in party room (I will do cake--not presents)

We are seeing Sherlock Gnomes

Here's what I don't know

Do they start the movie when everyone is there?

What kind of other foods should I have in the room. With popcorn/soda/cake I feel like I want to go healthy but part of me feels like pizza is the norm

Daughter wants a Moana cake (apparently three year olds don't care about a theme)

Really any random advice/chatter on the subject would be appreciated

[vtdiamond]

Is your daughter just turning 3? or turning 4?

I have 3 year old twins, and I would be worried this may be too long of a birthday party and that the 3 year olds may not have enough of an attention span to sit through an almost 2 hours movie (including previews) plus an hour long party.

Most of the 3 year old bday parties we have been too have only been 1.5 - 2 hours long max. I haven't taken my twins to see a movie in a theater yet as I'm worried they wouldn't be able to sit through it.

[jennistarr1]

She is turning three, and she loves going to the movies and can sit through them.

For the post part, her "friends" are older. Since they are too young for drop off yet, each kid will have a parent with them.

[dcrunnergirl52]

I did a movie theater birthday for my twins' 7th birthday. It was a lot of work so i can't imagine doing it for 3 year olds. The kids constantly wanted more drinks, there were arguments over who would sit next to who, the kids got restless, etc. We saw the Lego Ninjago movie and had about 25 people.

The movie started at a scheduled time, which meant all the kids needed to be there early which meant a lot of impatient kids waiting around. They have to start the movie at a scheduled time so that the theater itself stays on schedule for later showings. We also did popcorn and a drink during the movie and pizza and cake after, although no one really wanted pizza, and we took a ton home.

Overall, my kids had a great time but I swore never again, and I definitely wouldn't do it much younger than 7.

[mrssandro]

I think 3 is a bit young for a movie party. But if you are up for a challenge have at it!

[docholly]

I feel like kids are so different in their tolerance to sitting through a movie (even at an older age).  My almost five year old is still a pain to take.  He wants to go to the bathroom several times, is constantly moving around, needs a constant stream of snacks, etc. 

My seven year old was fine at 2.  

If you haven't booked it, I would tend toward taking my kid to a movie for her birthday on a different day and planning a party that requires less quiet and cooperation. 

[dcrunnergirl52]

Also, at 3 years old, my kids wouldn't have cared/known the difference if we went to the movie as just a family and maybe the grandparents and did cake at home after or if we had 25 people at the theater. I'd say do a movie with just your LO and maybe a close friend or family member, go home have cake, and call it a day (and have a party someplace easier if you want to do a big shindig).

[sju1982]

I’m another negative Nancy. Between the movie and the after party, my 3 year old would be done way before the event.

[gastro]

We would not attend a movie party when my kids were three. My oldest would have been terrified of the dark room and the noise of the movie. My second is almost three and never been to the movies and don’t think he could last quietly sitting for a whole movie.
I think it’s too young and most kids that age won’t be able to sit through a movie.

I think it’s great idea for kindergarten and up though!

[VillainV]

My almost 4yo can’t sit through a movie, so if we were invited to a party like that we’d probably just try to come to the part in the party room and skip the movie.

[spk926]

Sorry but I would wait a few years before doing a movie party!

[closertofine]

Nope. We would not be attending, and my kids are six and almost five. Plus, I like parties at that age to be...short. Like two hours is a good amount for me (and my kids). This eats up the entire afternoon.

[lolo]

I read the OP and was thinking, well, this isn't my kind of party. Then I see the replies and... I'm not alone.

That said, OP, I think it's really sweet to do something that your little one enjoys. As long as you are ok if not everyone comes, I wouldn't worry. When DD turned 3, she had 3 friends come and was delighted, so I don't think it's a big deal from the child's perspective.

[jennistarr1]

My reply got lost!

But the party is already booked.

Any advice other than "don't have it"

[jenny1980]

Feb 14, 2018 21:56:29 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

My reply got lost!

But the party is already booked.

Any advice other than "don't have it"

Make it SMALL. Like a few of her friends. You don't want to deal with a bunch of crazy three year olds in a movie theater. 

[ellipses84]

I think it’s fine. My kid wouldn’t sit through a movie at that age, so I didn’t take him, but if it was a private party with friends, I wouldn’t have been so worried about keeping him quiet or paying for a movie I have to keep taking him out of. When they do mommy and me movies, they turn the lights up halfway, so that’s an option if you want it to be more of a party with a movie on, or if you think your guests won’t do well in the dark. I’d do lots of snacks during the movie! Pizza is fine for after but I wouldn’t do a ton.

[dcn]

You could do fruit if you want something healthy.

What happens if a kid is just done and won’t sit? Do they leave? Or is there somewhere for them to hang out until the movie is over?

I’d just keep expectations low for that age group. We’d come and I’d just anticipate my kids being up and down a lot.

[redheadk]

Since it's already booked, I'd just keep it really simple. Pizza is fine in the party room, followed quickly by cake. The kids will be super restless after a movie; I doubt anyone stays for the full hour after the movie.

[redheadk]

Feb 15, 2018 0:01:24 GMT -5 dcn said:

You could do fruit if you want something healthy.

What happens if a kid is just done and won’t sit? Do they leave? Or is there somewhere for them to hang out until the movie is over?

I’d just keep expectations low for that age group. We’d come and I’d just anticipate my kids being up and down a lot.

If anyone has to go to the bathroom, they won't feel like they need to schlep all of their stuff with them if they know the other people, so that would be really nice! I love going with friends for exactly this reason. SaveSave

[jennistarr1]

Feb 15, 2018 5:38:08 GMT -5 milsaroo said:

Do you know any allergies that would prevent someone from being able to eat pizza? I’d serve fruit on the side, just in case. Maaaaybe a veggie tray if you’re feeling it’d get eaten.

Did you already invite people? So it’s 11-12 other kids and an adult each?

I haven't invited anyone yet but yes that's how many kids...plus the 3 grandparents, 2 aunts, 2 uncles, 2 teenage cousins

I have a whole mommy group of friends that are her age but since I can't invite ALL of them, I wasn't going to invite any of them, and this is making me feel better about that

I'm thinking for food, I might have things they can take with them...maybe even little boxed lunches?

[jennistarr1]

Feb 14, 2018 23:56:42 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

I think it’s fine. My kid wouldn’t sit through a movie at that age, so I didn’t take him, but if it was a private party with friends, I wouldn’t have been so worried about keeping him quiet or paying for a movie I have to keep taking him out of. When they do mommy and me movies, they turn the lights up halfway, so that’s an option if you want it to be more of a party with a movie on, or if you think your guests won’t do well in the dark. I’d do lots of snacks during the movie! Pizza is fine for after but I wouldn’t do a ton.

Well that is part of the good news I guess. Since we have our own auditorium, parents don't need to worry about disrupting "others" just other partygoers and we're all in the same boat. So on the invite, I'll mention that.

[momin2013]

We went to a party last fall where the boy was turning 4, most of the kids were already 4, and where they had about 25 people total including the parents. The kids sat through maybe the first half of the movie, and the rest of the time they spent running around in circles around the theatre.

I mean, it was a fine party and the kids had a ball, but just be forewarned that the kids may not sit through the whole thing. What I'd suggest is to have the lights "up" as opposed to it being a dark theatre, and maybe have some glow sticks that the kids can wear around their necks or whatever. My main concern at the party we went to is that kids might get hurt, and in fact there were a few trips/falls/collisions as the kids were running around in semi-darkness up and down the stairs and whatnot.

The party we went to just had popcorn and drinks, and I thought that was fine. When the movie was over they served cupcakes. I would have thought it a bit weird to have pizza in the theatre itself, but for the party room portion if you think you'll have time, I think pizza is always welcomed (particularly if it's near a mealtime).

At the party we went to, they waited until everyone was there and sitting before starting the movie; the parents basically had the say of when it got started, they just told the tech that they were ready and he got it up and running.

[minniemouse]

No advice, but I hope you have a great time. Just expect the kids to run around and not really watch the movie. Since you have a private theater that’s not a big deal. For dd’s 5th birthday we did a pajama party at our house. Crafts and games took far less time than expected, so we put on the Tinker Bell Pirate Fairy movie. In less than 10 minutes they were all up playing, dumping out toy bins, and otherwise destroying my house. Lol. My dd could easily sit through a movie at 3, and certainly by 5, but not when her friends were there.

[gretchenindisguise]

Can you have the lights not fully dimmed and not as loud as usual. Kind of like the movies they do for kids at certain theaters. Maybe even request an intermission for bathroom break and get the wiggles out dance party. Serve cake during last 1/2 of the movie.

I can see it not being a disaster if you just go into it with expectations that the kids likely won't sit and watch the whole movie start to finish in their seats. But since you have the whole theater, I wouldn't worry about it. Kids will have fun.

[curbsideprophet]

I would not serve popcorn to kids that young. Is there something else they can serve? Or can you bring in pirate booty in place of the popcorn?

It is a choking hazard and should not be given until 4 or 5.

[arehopsveggies]

A friend just did this for her 7 year old, but there were tons of little kids. It was my 2.5 yr olds first movie theater experience- since the entire place was rented out, we didn’t have to worry about kids being up or making noise. We didn’t make it till the end, but it was a great way to enjoy the movie experience without being stressed about him making any noise