Theatre & 3 Years Old (babysitter, animated, baby, toddler)

[wktully]

The Lion King is coming to town and I'm wondering if my 3 yr old is too young to sit through something like this. Any thoughts or experiences here?

Thanks!

[summers19]

I have a family member who was in the orchestra in "Lion King" on Broadway and she advised me that kids who are about 6 years old and up are good candidates for the show. Of course it depends on how your child behaves, her patience level, etc. But I haven't taken my 4 or 6 year old kids to the show yet. I'll take them next time we're in NYC (which will probably be when they are 7 and 5).
Your 3 year old might do fine. I think my oldest would have done fine at age 4, but we didn't have a babysitter for our youngest at the time. My youngest definitely would have been unsettled and not properly behaved.

[5FLgirls]

I think it depends on the child. We took our then 3 yo to see the Nutcracker and she did great two years ago. We took our almost 3 year old to it this year and it was a disaster. She didn't sit the entire show and we spent it in the lobby while my husband and older daughters watched. If you do decide to go, aisle seats are a must. Questions you should ask yourself: Is it too long for your child to sit? Will he/she understand that it is not exactly like the movie?

[ADVentive]

I think it totally depends on your kid. Can she sit through a 2 hour movie at home? If so, then it might work out for you. You still may have to leave at intermission though.

[crazyme4878]

Definitely depends on the child! I took my oldest to everything when he was very young--speeches, lectures, open mike nights, poetry readings, political rallies (even a DFL Convention). However, I can't take my youngest anywhere where the need for quiet is a must!

Is there a less expensive local production nearby (not of the Lion King, but another play/musical)? I'm just thinking that you could try her out in a similar situation and then decide. If the Lion King isn't playing for awhile, but you need to buy the tickets now, I'm guessing you could always resell the tickets if you decided she can't handle it.

I agree on the aisle seats, as well. My older son always pays more attention if he is closer to the front.

[max's mama]

Okay, my DH and I saw the Lion King on Broadway and my 3 year old would never sit through it for the life of him. As others said, it depends on the child. My DS doesn't watch tv for more then 10 minutes, he is a very active toddler and he'd much rather run around and play. I think in the beginning the music and dancing would have attracted him, but he would get bored pretty soon.
On another note, I think we are the only people on the planet who didn't like "Lion King".

[wktully]

Thanks everyone. My son can sit through a movie that's an hour or so if the story and pictures keep his attention. He'll sit and watch Sesame Street. I've never seen Lion King, but want to start exposing him to this kind of culture. I guess the worst that can happen is he gets bored and we have to leave right?

[sincere1782]

It depends on the child. you know your baby more than anyone else. I started taking my daughter to the movies when she was 2 and never had a problem. But she is a laid back child who likes watching movies, so everything worked out. i took my friends son with us to see a movie one time and he was bouncing off the walls and running down the hall. So it just depends.

[therewego]

At 3, my youngest would sit through a movie BUT there was popcorn and drink involved and it was an animated movie. We saw the unanimated version of "Charlotte's Web" and a few times she lost interest. Real people on a stage, having to be quiet and still, no food/snacks for him, may be a little tricky. Just my opinion......

[ADVentive]

Another thing you may want to consider is that the Lion King may be a little scary for a 3yo. I remember that when my sister was a tot she was practically traumatized by watching the movie because the father lion gets killed in a stampede and it really scared her. I don't know how they handle that in the play though.