First trip to the cinema

[Shaggy]

Hi Everyone,

My almost-four year old daughter has said that she wants to go to the cinema, which sounds fun, especially as I haven't been to the movies in about ten years.

My question has 2 parts. First of all, Epic seems like the big movie at the moment. Has anyone seen it? Did the kids like it?

Secondly, we are off to Bluewater tomorrow. The cinema there seems to be super delux with sofas and stuff like that. While I think I'd prefer somewhere like the Ritzy in Brixton (the sort of place we used to go to years ago) has anyone been to the Bluwater multiplex? Is it a good place for a first-time cinema goer, or is it going to freak her out?

[Lochie]

I just wanted to recommend the Ritzy for kids. They have plastic booster seats at the back of the cinema that you can just take and pop on any of the chairs so the kids are the same height as you...

My 3 yo son also seems to like going to the cinema there (he is a bit jumpy) as the screens are smaller so a bit more intimate.

Have fun where ever you go! :-)

[hazelnunhead]

This might seem a little far out, but you can get the Overland to Dalston Kingston Station , and as you come out from the station on the hight street is the lovely independent RIO movie theatre.

They have special saturday mornings for children, (cheap as well) as well as mid week times for babies and carers. I have always loved going there .... and they serve good coffee and lovely cake!

[Shaggy]

Great -- thanks for that.

[hazelnunhead]

heres the link

http://www.riocinema.ndirect.co.uk/2013/apr13/childrensfilms.htm

[Jessie]

Brixton Ritzy has a kid's club - tomorrow is The Princess Bride - perhaps not the best film for a 3 year old, but great choice for thirtysomething year old...

[Fuschia]

I would go for a cheap kids Saturday session somewhere

New films out are mouthwateringly expensive

I took a total of 4 to see nemo 3d, cost me upwards of ?50 all told snd they weren't even very impressed

First time I took no 1, it was Cars, he was more impressed by the music in the toilets and he insisted endlessly that he wanted the loo so he could break dance in the loos!

[nunheadmum]

I find Peckham Plex good for the kids. I generally stick with the 2d versions, rather than 3d. If you pick one of the films that's not newly out, generally the screen isn't that busy therefore you don't feel bad if you need to run in and out a bit. If you can go during the week, often the older films can be quite cheap.

Were I going myself, I'd go elsewhere but it works for the kids.

[Fuschia]

EYEwateringly expensive I meant

[Bumpkin]

I second Peckhamplex, why bother driving miles when we've got a fab cinema on our doorstep that's so cheap. I've never found it busy for kids shows. Also a big fan of the Ritzy but am newly converted to Peckham as can walk there.

[LizzieF]

Epic seems to be aimed at slightly older kids (maybe at those who are starting to doubt the existence of fairies?), but it's good fun and quite pacey so it should hold her attention. Maybe the nasty insect lot will be a bit scary... dunno.

I took our oldest to see Cars 2 at a similar age and he struggled to sit still (funny reading the toilet comment - he went for about five toilet breaks during the film!) if there was anything other than slapstick or action scenes.

Mr. F.

[nunheadmum]

Yes, I find that sometimes the big blockbuster cartoon ones are just too smart for the kids when they're young. They seem to prefer things with people in them and not too much crazy action.

But then sometimes it's as much about the event of going to the cinema (and the popcorn/sweets unfortunately!) than the film itself...that will come with age. So pick something you won't hate but aren't desperate to see every minute of.

[Pickle]

The first time we went there was a Winnie the Pooh film on which was ideal - gentle and only about an hour long. We went to Peckham, cheap and cheerful.

[gillandjoe]

How old do toddlers need to be to go to the cinema? My 20month old is probably way to young still, but i'm itching to go!

[sbain]

We took my ten month old and 3 year old to see "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs" in Brixton the weekend before last - the kids club showing. It was great - they were perfectly happy for my ten-month old to come along and it was really cheap. Doen together with a trip to Brixton Market for lunch made a lovely daturday morning.

[pilsbury]

I can see info about the kids club at the ritzy on their site, but is there something similar at Peckham plex or are people just taking their kids to the regular showings?

[nunheadmum]

I've only ever gone to the normal showings of kids films. No problems with kids in tow.

[KatsuQueen]

Hi, do they have kids booster seats in Peckhamplex?

[sunbob]

Is the no 37 the best way to get to Brixton? Just wondering how early we will need to leave to get there for 10.30.

[pripolla]

I think the 37 is the quickest and easiest way to get there. About Peckhamplex, I've seen booster seats there.