Perhaps you know where to take your infant or young toddler for a day of childish fun and stimulation, but where can you go for entertainment with your tiny tot in toe? If you live in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, then you should know that Northern Virginia boast several movie theaters that will enable you to enjoy yourself without having to hire a babysitter.
Theaters are now welcoming parents to bring their babies along to special movie showings. Lighting is increased to allow you to feed and change your child, and the sound is lowered to protect little ears. There’s no need to be embarrassed or to flee the theater if your child cries. Some theaters even offer changing facilities right in the auditorium. Children under one year old are usually free. Read on to discover three movie theaters in McLean, Fairfax, and Alexandria that provide a film-going experience specifically catered to babies, moms, and dads.
REEL MOMS Tyson’s Fairfax Square ~ McLean, VA ~ 703-506-9857
Loews Georgetown 14 ~ 3111 K Street N.W. Washington, D.C. ~ 202-342-6033
Loews Cineplex sponsors Reel Moms every Tuesday at 11 AM. The Tyson’s Corner theater does not have changing facilities, which can make things a bit tricky. Most parents change babies in their strollers or right in the aisles. Reel Moms tends to show the latest and most popular R and PG-13 rated movies, so I wouldn’t advise brining older children; but it’s a great opportunity for a parent of a frequently slumbering infant to see a movie of his or her choice. You’ll be seeing movies like The Lion King scores of times in the years to come, so why not attend a film of your own choosing while you still can? Adults pay regular admission and babies are free.
BABY MOVIES Fairfax Corner 14 ~ 11900 Palace Way ~ 703-502-4060
The National Amusements theater at Fairfax Corner shows baby movies every other Thursday at 10 AM. The facilities here are among the best I’ve seen. The theater is large and spacious with carpeted areas for the kids, and the theater supplies diaper changing facilities, along with pads and wipes, at the front of the auditorium. Gymboree sets up in the lobby about one hour before the movie starts, providing a parachute, balls, and bubbles for the kids. Adults are $6.25. Children under 13 months are free; 13 months to three years are $1. Baby Movies tends to show PG and PG-13 rated movies, often favoring romantic dramas and comedies. BABIES AND MOVIES MONDAY Alexandria Old Town Theater ~ 815 1/2 King Street ~ 703-683-8888
Old Town Theater offers a “guilt free” movie experience for moms, dads, and sometimes crying babies. Films are shown every Monday at 1:30 PM. A changing table is provided. If you have a morning napper and you don’t want to disturb your child’s schedule, this is one of your few opportunities to attend an afternoon show, as most other baby-friendly movie theaters hold morning showings. Adult admission is $7.
HAVE FUN
A baby changes your life forever. But you don’t have to give up all of your old amusements. For the first one or two years of your child’s life, you can still attend a movie weekly-without having to shell out cash for childcare. Once your toddler becomes very active, however, it will be time to search out other amusements. You don’t want to chase your son or daughter around the theater, and as they grow older and understand more, you probably won’t want them exposed to some of the content in these movies. But while they are sleepers and crawlers and creepers, you still have the opportunity to enjoy a morning at the movies!
