tl;dr - What to do / bring when showing a six year old Force Awakens?
A question for the more experienced uncles (and, OK, Dads can help, too. Even the mom's. This isn't really gendered.): My nephew is six. He lives 1,000 miles away. I'll be visiting for Christmas to show him Star Wars. His mother has graciously given me the exclusive Right of Star Wars.
His dad is a dickbag who is out of the picture, though the glorious state of Oklahoma mandates that he gets to see the kiddo from time to time. But, that's a different matter.
A year and change ago, I showed him A New Hope and brought lightsabers. It was glorious; he loved star fighters and light sabers and the force. We dueled, and he won every damn time. Because four year old cheat.
Due to timing constraints, he's not seen Empire or Jedi. I know -- I know! -- this is a failing on my part as an uncle. Still, plan is for me to fly in around Christmas and take him to the movies to see The Force Awakens. He knows this is going to happen, and is excited.
What should i bring? What should i be ready for? What should i be prepped for that is non-obvious?
I'm going to go ahead and ping in Jason Morningstar , who knows the ways of the good uncle.
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If he is six, I'm assuming that you don't take him to the midnight showing. (if that was your plan, my first piece of advice is, don't take him to the midnight showing!) Instead, you should go to the midnight showing, so that you know what is in the movie. Then you can prep him more specifically for things that will be upsetting and/or confusing to a six-year-old. www.commonsensemedia.org is a great site for parents of small children that will identify pretty much every problematic thing in a movie, along with tips for dealing with those issues in a way that everyone can still enjoy it. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteOh shoot, I just realized I have to make the same sort of decision. This is going to complicate my travel plans this year.
ReplyDeleteI bought my nephew the original trilogy on DVD for his birthday earlier this year. I'm assuming he's watched the heck out of them by now.
Keep in mind small children are apt to have needs like frequent bathroom breaks or getting bored with stuff adults are into. Don't get too attached to an expectation of watching the movie without interruption.
Does he like dressup? You could get him a Jedi (or Sith) robe to go with the light sabers.
ReplyDeleteVivian Spartacus Eh, this kid has seen some shit. Like, the movie Lucy. I'm not too worried about a Disney-made Star Wars movie. But, I appreciate the sentiment.
ReplyDeleteLarry Lade You are right. I'll need to go in with the view that it is about him, not me. I'm not used to that, and it should be exciting.
Misha B You, ma'am, are brilliant. We have an adult black robe, which'll work for me. So, yeah, need to find the kiddo sized stuff. Question is, do I bring him options, or just one?
I would start by asking him what would be fun for him. He may want to bring friends. I thnk Vivian Spartacus is saying really smart things.
ReplyDeleteHe and friends might enjoy making these:
ReplyDeletehttp://makezine.com/projects/pool-noodle-lightsaber-for-full-contact-jedi-battles/
Has it seen other movies in the theater before? If not, ask his parents to take him to one. Something like Shawn the Sheep. Movie theaters can be an intense experience for little kids. They're a lot louder than at home, the screen is bigger, it's dark. He should get some experience in seeing a movie in that environment, or he might end up walking out just due to the intensity.
ReplyDeleteTed Cabeen Good point. I've checked, and he has. Hooray!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely don't make your shared viewing your first viewing. That's a recipe for disappointment.
ReplyDeleteJason Morningstar friends is a good idea! Then, parents need to be there and suddenly I don't have to be in charge! This is sounding better and better.
ReplyDeleteChristopher Amherst Yes! With the caveat of transportation costs, and not having a lot of time on the ground to figure it out. But, I like this train of thought!
ReplyDeleteTell him to tell you who you will be and step off the airplane as that guy.
ReplyDeleteJason Morningstar That is godlike uncle advice. Thanks.
ReplyDelete