5 Reasons Why Family Movie Night is the Perfect Weekly Tradition

Family movie night has fast become one of our favourite ways to spend time together. As a family of 5 – with a 9 year age gap between my youngest and oldest child – it can sometimes be difficult to find common ground, but not so with family movie night.

Family movie night is a core part of our Slow Sunday ritual  

and it’s a fantastic way to come together as a family and relax before the bedtime routine.

Family time is so important, and it’s essential to have quality moments together.  A weekly family movie night tradition is a great way to bring everyone together, have fun, and create lasting memories.

Here are five reasons why you should make family film night a regular part of your routine.

 

Quality Time Together

Family movie night is a chance for everyone to disconnect from their devices and the outside world, and focus on spending quality time together. Whether you’re snuggled up on the couch or gathered around a blanket fort, this is a chance to connect and bond as a family.

Builds Stronger Relationships

Watching movies together is a great opportunity for parents to connect with their children and for siblings to bond. It’s a chance for everyone to share their opinions and thoughts on the film and create an open and honest conversation. Over time, these movie nights will create lasting memories and strengthen the relationships within the family.

Encourages creativity and imagination

Movies can be a great way to encourage creativity and imagination in children. By exposing them to different worlds, cultures, and characters, they can broaden their horizons and develop their imagination.

 

Opportunities for discussion

Family movie night can also provide opportunities for discussion and learning. You can use the film as a starting point for conversations about important issues, such as values, relationships, and life lessons.

Affordable entertainment

Family movie night is an affordable way to have fun and enjoy quality entertainment. With streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, you have access to thousands of films at a low cost.

 

 

As British expats living in Austria, we decided to sign up to all three streaming services. If I was to just pick one, it would be Disney + because the films and documentaries featured have broad appeal.

 

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Start a Family Movie Night Tradition

start a family movie night tradition

Schedule it:

Choose a day and time each week or month for family movie night and stick to it. This consistency will help to create a routine and keep the tradition alive.

Choose the movie:

Have each family member take turns choosing the movie for the night. This will provide an opportunity for everyone to share their favourite films and for the family to watch a variety of genres.

 

If you have a large age gap, like we do, ensure that the films chosen are suitable for the youngest family member. Common Sense Media is a good resource to use when researching films.

 

Snack time:

Prepare a special snack or treat for each movie night. This could include chips, candy, or other favourites, and will add to the excitement of the event.

 

The snacks you choose will again depend on the age of the family members present. It’s best to avoid anything that could be a choking hazard around young children, especially when the room is dark and you can’t see what they are putting in their mouths. Be cautious with popcorn, hard candies, marshmallows, chewing gum and hot dogs with very young children because they can cause a choking hazard.

 

Make it cosy:

Create a comfortable and cosy atmosphere in the living room or designated movie-watching space. Set up comfortable seating, dim the lights, and have plenty of blankets and pillows available.

Discussion time:

After the movie, have a discussion about what everyone thought of the film. This can help to spark conversation and provide an opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts and opinions.

Special themes:

Occasionally have special themed movie nights, such as holiday-themed films or movies that are based on books. This will add an extra element of excitement and provide a new experience for everyone.

Invite friends:

Sometimes invite friends or other family members to join in on the movie night. This can provide an opportunity for everyone to bond and create new memories together.

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Sian Thomas
an image of This Playful Home founder, Sian Thomas. The photo includes a photo of her daughter when she was around 18 months old

I’m Siân (rhymes with yarn), a play advocate, proud parent to three, and former teacher. My mission is to infuse more joy and less overwhelm into the lives of parents. Discover play-based activities with me that not only make learning FUN but also forge deep connections with your young learners, creating memories to cherish forever.