Movies in the Park – Nine Tips for Making the Most of Summer’s Best Family Venue
If you’ve gotten into a weekend rut this summer, shake yourself and decide to check out the next movie in the park. These are well-organized, secure, clean, and perhaps best of all, free. Homewood, Hoover and Vestavia regularly feature movies in their parks (see the BirminghamMom.com calendar or check the community center office), and there are probably many other similar programs around town. Here are a few BirminghamMom suggestions:
1. Although the usual camp chairs are fine for movies in the park, adjustable beach chairs are the way to go if you have them. Obviously, they sit low to the ground so you’re not obstructing someone’s view, but the big advantage is the ability to recline them and settle back for the movie just as you would stretch out at home. If you have an attached cupholder, lucky you.
2. Bring a picnic blanket if you want to define a territory and home base for your kids. They won’t be able to sit still for an entire movie, so the blanket gives them someplace to loll around.
3. A picnic is ideal but if you can’t prepare sandwiches or a main dish, bring a cooler with sodas, chips or popcorn, and fruit. You can always pick up burgers or chicken fingers on the way and you’ll still save money by bringing your own drinks. There are usually vendors like Little Caesar’s and ice cream/snow cone trucks, so you’ll have choices.
4. The problem with sitting at the perimeter of the crowd is the traffic as people step away to the restroom or older kids stand around visiting with their friends. The center may be better. Of course, you don’t go to a movie in the park to follow a flick with a complex story line. Assume there will be plenty of distractions, which is part of the fun.
5. Movies in the park are a bit like live entertainment in that there are often spontaneous reactions from the crowd. There’s nothing like a collective hiss for a bad guy.
6. Another great feature of movies in the park is that while the sound volume is adequate, you can still carry on a quiet conversation without disturbing other attendees, since they are usually camped out a few feet away. If you’re there for a kid movie that doesn’t particularly interest you, use the time as a sort of date to have a nice conversation with your spouse while the kids are glued to the screen ahead.
7. Movies begin at dusk, which is typically near or after 8 p.m. This can be pretty late for the really little ones, but it’s a nice indulgence for the kids who are old enough to appreciate a pardon from the usual family curfew.
8. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are often allowed in the park (true for Veteran’s and Homewood parks). How often do you have the chance to include Fido in your family time outside the house? If he’s a good dog, bring him out to socialize.
9. The best thing about movies in the park is that you’re bonding with your community and making summer memories in the balmy night air as your kids laugh and tumble around. Does it get any better than that?
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