Parenting Today

Enjoying family time together is a great way to make memories, improve connections, and foster a love for quality interactions. Turning an ordinary night into a themed movie event is one way to ensure a cold night inside is even more special!

A Themed Movie Night for Family Fun

Step 1: Choose Your Theme and Movie

Choosing the movie and theme is arguably the most important step. A few things to consider:

How old are the kids involved? Check Common Sense Media for guidelines if you’re unsure about appropriate content.

• Is there a seasonal element or holiday you can incorporate?
• Do you want something new for everyone, or is it ok to repeat?
• How late can everyone stay up? Is this a weekend matinee or a nighttime show?
• Will everyone be equally excited, or do you need to plan alternatives?
• Does this movie theme have recognizable elements for décor and food?

These are just a few questions to consider as you pick your theme. Just because a movie is fun doesn’t mean it makes a good family theme night, so start with something you know everyone will enjoy!

Step 2: Pick Appropriate Snacks

Incorporating themed food into your movie night is one of the easiest ways to make this event feel special and memorable. You can browse online for fun recipe ideas for most movies, but here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:

• Food can be literal replicas of items in the movie.
• Food can also be a nod to the film’s themes.
• Planning snacks versus a full meal can be simpler and give you more creative license.
• Themed drinks are always easy!
• Choosing fun names for your food goes a long way to making it theme-appropriate.
• Make a menu to display next to food for an added element of fun.

Step 3: Shop Your Home for Décor

Decorations for a themed movie night don’t have to be complicated or expensive; you’re just trying to create some ambiance in one room! The best way to find décor is to shop around your house for items that you can repurpose. Here are a few easy decorating ideas to get you started:

• Print iconic images from the movie and put them into existing frames to display.
• Use crepe paper or balloons in themed colors and hang around the room.
• Create a seating area appropriate for the theme: cozy spots with lots of pillows and blankets for a scary or holiday film versus cardboard cutout “seats” for a pirate movie or medieval adventure.
• Adjust the room lighting; put candles, flashlights, or colored bulbs to match the theme.
• Look through the kids’ toys for anything that matches the characters or themes, then display those items on the TV console during the film.

Step 4: Make Invitations

Sending invitations to your movie guests is an easy way to make this experience more exciting. Print simple invitations that include the movie title, menu, and logistical information. Try to match the movie’s theme with your language and font choices!

Step 5: Set Up a Costume Booth

Having everyone dress up to match the theme is another way to complete the scene. You can either ask people to show up in costume or set out a costume box/booth in the TV room when they arrive. Here are a few easy ideas for costumes:

• Themed makeup is quick and inexpensive, especially if you buy basic face paints.
• Think about accessories like gloves, hats, and jewelry that will stand out to match the theme.
• If you don’t have anything obvious for a costume, put out nametags and have everyone choose to embody a character for the evening.

Step 6: Enjoy the Big Event!

After all the hard work and planning, it’s time to enjoy the event! Here are a few reminders to make this night memorable for the whole family:

• Bonding is about being together, not about perfection.
• Let everyone enjoy the theme in their own way, even if it means not dressing up or eating the snacks.
• Put away phones and other distractions to focus on family and friends.

Ideas for Movie Night Themes

If you’re eager to try a themed movie night, here are a few great ideas to get you started.

• Harry Potter: Provide robes and wands made from sticks, have snacks in the four colors of the Hogwarts houses, and decorate with candles.
• Toy Story: Set up your kids’ toys in the “front row” of the audience to watch the film, make snacks that are vintage childhood favorites, and challenge everyone to move their body like a stiff toy figure all night.
• The Wizard of Oz: Use paper to create a “yellow brick road” path into the TV room, make snacks that feature ruby red raspberries/green grapes/lollipops, and have everyone dress up in black and white with colorful socks or accessories.

Check out dozens of ideas for more themes here!