By Sierra Filucci

Originally published on Common Sense Media

Making a trip to the movies is usually a no-brainer. You like the actor or director or the movie poster is cool, you go. Simple. But if you have little kids, you have to put a bit more thought into a visit to the multiplex, especially the first time you go. Here are some tips for making the first, and hopefully subsequent, ventures to the theater a success.

Determine whether your niece or nephew is really ready. What's the right age to take kids to their first movie? Well, it depends on the kid. Lots of kids see their first movie around the age of 3 or 4, but some parents and Savvy Aunties wait until kids are a bit older, especially if they're sensitive to loud noises or scared of the dark.

Choose the right movie. Obviously, you want something kid-friendly -– usually, animation films fit the bill. But also look for movies that are slower-paced or shorter than the average blockbuster. These kinds of movies aren't always playing in the theater, but keep your eye out for special screenings at art house theaters, churches, or schools where they show older kids' movies on the big screen. Here's a list of great first movies to watch at home or at a special screening.

Skip the ads and trailers. Lots of theaters show a slew of commercials before the feature. Kids younger than about 8 aren't able to distinguish advertising from content. Also, movie trailers are often louder and faster-paced than the movie itself, which can be a scary introduction to the theater.

Plan it right. Most little kids are at their best earlier in the day, so a theater's first screening can be a great time to go -- and it's usually filled with other kids who won't care if your little one talks through the whole thing. Make sure they are well fed, and decide ahead of time if you'll be buying popcorn or candy so you don't have to negotiate in the theater. (And if you buy popcorn, make sure you have water –- that popcorn is salty!)

Go with the flow. You won't be the first person who has left a theater with a screaming, crying, or otherwise overwhelmed kid. Yes, you might feel like you wasted your money on tickets, but you don't want to force your niece or nephew to sit through something they're not ready for. On the other hand, sometimes a short break in the lobby will be enough to prepare them for one more try.

Photo: MIKI Yoshihito via Flickr cc
Published: March 18, 2014