We know that summer time is movie time and we want to ensure that your movie time is great family time.  Common Sense knows that it is critical for you to be involved in your kids’ media choices and help them become critical media consumers. Here are some sure-fire tips to help you stay on top of your kids’ movie choices.  As an extra benefit, I have included a cheat sheet to help you decide which high-profile summer movies are appropriate for you and your kids.

·      Schedule it. Plan a date and time, and don’t break it. Turn off cell phones and ban multitasking during the show.

·      Do your research. It can be hard to decide which movies are appropriate based on the trailer alone, so use this cheat sheet to help you pick which high-profile summer flicks you and your kids will love. Want to stream a movie in the comfort of your living room? Check out our list of family-friendly movies that are currently streaming on Netflix.

·      Location, location, location. Switch it up! If you’re staying at home, hang a sheet in the backyard, rent a projector, and sit on beach chairs for a fun, movie theater feel.

·      Take turns choosing the movie. If you’ve got little kids, pre-select movies to choose from (to avoid watching Care Bears IV over and over again). If you’ve got teens, tell them you’ll watch anything they choose (within your discretion) as long as they return the favor when it’s your turn. Enforce a “no complaining” rule.

·      Talk about it. Either when credits roll or the next day, make time to chat about what you watched. Talking with kids about how movie characters handled fictional situations can be a subtle way to reinforce your family’s values or get them to open up about their lives.