Have a Family Movie Night
Plan and host a family movie night: choose a film, create tickets and snacks, arrange cozy seating, and discuss favorite scenes together.
About this activity
Plan and host a family movie night: choose a film, create tickets and snacks, arrange cozy seating, and discuss favorite scenes together.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Ask each family member to name one movie they want to watch.
- 2
Step 2
Count the votes and choose the movie with the most votes.
- 3
Step 3
Cut paper into ticket shapes for everyone.
- 4
Step 4
Decorate the tickets using your colouring materials.
- 5
Step 5
Write the movie title and showtime on each ticket.
- 6
Step 6
Hand out the tickets to invite your family to the show.
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Step 7
Ask an adult to help you prepare the snacks and put them into bowls.
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Step 8
Arrange blankets and pillows on the floor to make a cozy seating area.
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Step 9
Set up fairy lights or a flashlight to make the room feel like a movie theater.
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Step 10
Ask everyone to show their tickets and take their seats.
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Step 11
Ask someone to press play and start the movie.
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Step 12
After the movie, take turns sharing your favorite scene and why you liked it.
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Step 13
Share your family movie night on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I plan and host a family movie night where the child is in charge?
Have your child choose a family-friendly film, set a start time, and design paper tickets to hand out. Let them plan snacks (popcorn, fruit, drinks) and arrange cozy seating with blankets and pillows. Test the TV/projector and sound beforehand. Begin with a short introduction by the child, enjoy the movie, and end with a brief discussion of favorite scenes. Adults should supervise tech and kitchen tasks.
What materials are needed to host a child-led family movie night?
You’ll need a movie source (streaming, DVD, or download), TV or projector, and speakers. Gather blankets, pillows, low lights, and cushions for cozy seating. For activities: paper, markers, scissors, and tape for tickets and signs. Snack supplies include popcorn, bowls, napkins, cups, and kid-friendly treats. Optional extras: a timer, intermission game, or a simple printable program.
What ages is planning and hosting a family movie night suitable for?
This activity suits a wide range: preschoolers (4–6) can choose a short film and decorate tickets with help. Elementary kids (7–9) can plan snacks and arrange seating with supervision. Tweens and teens (10+) can lead the whole event, handle tech with guidance, and run post-movie discussions. Adjust complexity and adult supervision based on your child’s maturity and comfort with technology.
What are the benefits of letting a child plan and host a family movie night?
Hosting builds planning, creativity, and decision-making skills while boosting confidence and responsibility. It encourages family bonding, improves communication through choosing and discussing the film, and practices basic event skills (timing, setup, hosting). It’s also an opportunity to teach media choices and etiquette. Keep it age-appropriate and use the activity to practice teamwork and respectful conversation.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have coloured paper, markers, or fairy lights?
Cut plain printer paper or recycled cardboard into ticket shapes and decorate with crayons or stickers, and replace fairy lights with phone flashlights or a string of LED Christmas lights to set the theater mood.
What if we tie when counting votes or the movie won't start when someone presses play?
Resolve a tied vote with a quick run-off or coin toss after you count the votes, and if the movie won't start check the device input and cables or cast the movie from a phone so the person asked to press play can try a different device.
How can I adapt this activity for younger kids or older children?
For preschoolers, have an adult cut the paper into ticket shapes, write the movie title and showtime, and help decorate and prepare snacks, while older kids can run the vote, arrange blankets and pillows, set up the lighting, and hand out tickets themselves.
How can we make Family Movie Night more special or personalized?
Add seat numbers to the tickets, make a snack menu next to the bowls, decorate the viewing area with a handmade poster or extra fairy lights, and share photos of the finished setup and favorite scenes on DIY.org.