We go to the cinema? Why not!

“This place is unique in the world, a land full of wonders, mystery and danger… it is said that to survive here you have to be as mad as a hatter, and luckily I am…” (The Mad Hatter, Johnny Deep)

How many years have I not been to the cinema? About three. Last time I had a huge belly and I cried from beginning to end, even though the plot of the film was not at all tragic… surely due to my hormones going crazy!

Not being able to go to the cinema, paraphrasing the famous Mohammedan proverb, I brought the cinema to myself, recreating the suggestion of the big screen in my family . Children after the age of 3 are able to follow medium-length films if they are interested. With younger children, however, it is better to choose shorter films, or stop watching from time to time.

Make yourself comfortable!

The choice of the film to watch at home with the family is naturally very subjective. Nothing prevents you from doing, for example, a “non-stop” overview of the episodes of your children’s favorite cartoon . While watching, you can stay on the sofa, comfortably seated on armchairs, rows of chairs or benches. My family and I generally prefer to lie down on the carpet in the living room, surrounded by comfortable cushions.

A fun idea, especially to involve younger children, is to recreate a sort of home drive-in , making small cars with one or more boxes. Unless your child already has a toy car to sit in and enjoy the chosen movie.

If you decide to make a home made machine , you need:

• 5 paper plates
• a carton
• pieces of cardboard
• tempera colours
• scissors, cutter, glue and tape

Cut out two doors in the left and right sides of the box, then glue the plates together to create four wheels and a steering wheel. With the pieces of cardboard, assemble the various parts of the dashboard. Then, using the colors, give free rein to your imagination!

Some easy recipes

In every self-respecting cinema, popcorn cannot be missing ! Kids have so much fun watching them crackle in the pot. Once ready you can put them in a bowl, or create popcorn bags by recycling bread bags. Those who have the possibility can print the word popcorn on a piece of paper, cut it out and paste it on the bags and at this point… all that remains is to turn off the lights, get on the sofa and start the film!

If you feel peckish halfway through the film, you can snack on something sweet! The fruit and yoghurt popsicles are genuine, easy and quick to prepare. It takes very little time, they are very colorful and you can stock them up in the freezer! Various types of fruit can be used: strawberries, fish, bananas, kiwis, etc… if you don’t have ice lolly molds at home, you can use plastic cups.

• 250 g of your favorite fruit cut into small pieces
• 250 ml of plain yogurt or the flavor you prefer
• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• some popsicle sticks

Mix the fruit and yoghurt in a bowl, add the sugar and then pour the mixture into the various ice lolly moulds, add the sticks and place in the freezer.