Summer is a perfect time for movies, and movies are a great way to spend quality time with your children. Whether it is an old classic movie or a new movie, one good way to spend quality time as a family is to grab a movie, popcorn, blankets and settle down for the adventure that awaits in the storyline of the movie. This was one of my favorite family activities going up. Every Friday evening was movie night, we would rent a few movies from the library and then everyone would vote on which movie to watch. These nights were special for our family and ones that I will never forget!

 

Below are a few tips on making this a practice in your family:

• Schedule it - Make it a regular date and time and do not break it. Turn off cell phones and ban multitasking during the show.
   

• Take turns choosing the movie - If you have little kids, pre-select a group of movies to choose from If you have teens, tell them you will watch anything they choose as long as they return the favor when it's your turn. Or simply vote on a few choices!
   

• Location, location, location - Hang a sheet in the backyard, rent a projector, and sit on beach chairs to celebrate a classic like The Wizard of Oz. Or take family movie night on the road during vacations or at the grandparents’ house.
   

• Make it a theme night - This can be simple or elaborate. Eat popsicles with March of the Penguins or make food art with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. Dress in costume for A Princess Bride!
   

• Discuss it after as a family - When credits roll or the next day, make time to chat about what you watched. Kids might be interested in learning more about animation or Hollywood history. Visit the library to follow up on interests piqued by the movie. Talking together about how movie characters handled fictional situations can be a helpful way to reenforce how to act or not act in life.

 

Top 20 Family Favorite Movies:

The Wizard of Oz

Little Women

The Bells of St. Mary's

Ben Hur

The Lion King

Jurassic Park

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Muppet Christmas Carol

The Sound of Music

E.T.

Babette's Feast

Star Wars

It’s a Wonderful Life

The Princess Bride

Lord of the Rings

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

A Man for All Seasons

Pride and Prejudice

The Song of Bernadette

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Resources from: Catholic Culture; Catholic All Year; Loyola Press; Archdiocese of Hartford; Common Sense Media;