Make Movie Watching Enjoyable for All

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Looking for things to do with the family? What better way to enjoy a relaxing evening or a rainy afternoon than by watching a good movie together. However, choosing a movie that the whole family will enjoy is no easy task. So where do you begin?

First thing's first - don't be afraid to ask your local video store for help. At Blockbuster, sales associates and store managers are always available to give you a hand. "Parents ask our staff all the time to help them find a movie for their kids to watch," says Lori Ross, Vice President of Marketing for Blockbuster Canada. "We begin by asking parents their children's ages and interests, then parents are shown the suitable sections with age-appropriate titles we think their kids will enjoy."

Along with talking to a sales associate or store manager, parents shouldn't hesitate to pre-watch a video before letting their kids watch it. Parenting Magazine suggests that by watching a movie first, the parent can choose a movie that is valuable for a child's development, in addition to just being entertaining. Some things to think about:

• Be alert for issues of race, religion, ethnicity and class - make an effort to be sure that your kids are watching videos that feature diverse families and kids
• Pick movies that contain positive lessons about sharing and resolving disagreements
• Make sure the movie is age appropriate - young children often can't discern between reality and fantasy

The best way to regulate what movies your kids are watching is to simply sit with them. "Viewing videos with your children not only ensures that you know what your kids are watching, but it is a great way to spend time with your family," adds Ross. Moviemom.com suggests that sharing a movie with your kids shows them that you are not just seating them in front of the TV to give yourself a break; you are sharing something with them that you think is worthwhile.

Blockbuster also recommends the following tips for parents to make movie watching a fun family event at home:

• Designate a regular monthly "family movie night" that doesn't compete with after-school activities
• Get creative - tie your dinner menu and even simple decorations to the film of the night (for example, serve pizza for dinner and Reese's Pieces for dessert on the night you're watching E.T.)
• Choose movies you know your family hasn't seen to create the feeling of a fun family event