Posted in Lifestyle, Printables

Best Christmas Movies for Kids

(With age ratings + what parents might want to know)

One of my favorite ways to make Christmas feel extra magical—without spending a ton—is a cozy family movie night. Pop some popcorn, grab the fuzzy blankets, and print out these FREE Christmas movie tickets to hand out like you’re running the world’s cutest home theater. Kids instantly get excited when something ordinary feels official, and suddenly you’ve created a whole memory out of just… sitting on the couch together. It’s simple, it’s sweet, and it’s exactly the kind of holiday magic we’ll actually remember. 🎬✨

1️⃣ Home Alone
⭐ Ages: 8+
👀 Notes: Slapstick violence, scary burglars, mild language
💛 Why it’s great: Funny + teamwork + big sibling energy

2️⃣ Elf
⭐ Ages: 7+
👀 Notes: Mild language + potty humor
💛 Why it’s great: Pure joy and belly laughs

3️⃣ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
(choose animated or live-action)
⭐ Ages: 5+
👀 Notes: Some Grinch scariness for littles
💛 Why it’s great: Kindness + growth + Cindy Lou Who 🥹

4️⃣ The Santa Clause
⭐ Ages: 8+
👀 Notes: A parent “disappears,” Santa lore changes, some sass
💛 Why it’s great: Magical + heartfelt father/son story

5️⃣ A Christmas Story
⭐ Ages: 9+
👀 Notes: A bit of bullying, mild language
💛 Why it’s great: Nostalgia, family humor, iconic moments

6️⃣ It’s a Wonderful Life
⭐ Ages: 9+
👀 Notes: Emotional themes (depression), black & white
💛 Why it’s great: Teaches value of a life well loved

7️⃣ The Polar Express
⭐ Ages: 6+
👀 Notes: Some intense sequences, uncanny animation
💛 Why it’s great: Magical wonder + Christmas spirit

8️⃣ Arthur Christmas
⭐ Ages: 5+
👀 Notes: Silly chaos
💛 Why it’s great: Hilarious + big heart + modern Santa ops

9️⃣ Klaus
⭐ Ages: 7+
👀 Notes: Bullying themes early on, mild peril
💛 Why it’s great: Stunning animation + kindness message

🔟 The Star
⭐ Ages: 5+
👀 Notes: Cartoon peril, animals are goofy
💛 Why it’s great: Faith-based Nativity told in a kid-friendly way

CHRISTMAS MOVIE CALENDAR

25 Must-See Christmas Classics: A Holiday Movie Marathon You Can’t Miss

The holiday season is here, and there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than with a cozy Christmas movie marathon! Whether you’re a fan of heartwarming tales, hilarious antics, or timeless stories of love and redemption, Christmas classics are the perfect way to celebrate this magical time of year. From the beloved It’s a Wonderful Life to the modern charm of Elf, these films have become part of our holiday tradition, bringing joy, nostalgia, and cheer to families worldwide.

In this printable guide, I share the 25 kid friendly Christmas classics that should be at the top of your holiday watch list. Grab a blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and get ready for the ultimate Christmas movie experience.

To make your holiday movie marathon even more exciting, we’ve included a printable Advent calendar featuring all 25 Christmas classics from our list! Each day leading up to Christmas, you can unveil a new movie to watch, creating a festive countdown to the big day. This fun and interactive calendar adds an extra layer of joy to your holiday season, helping you keep track of your movie nights while building anticipation for each heartwarming film. Whether you hang it on your wall or keep it by your TV, this printable Advent calendar will be the perfect companion for your Christmas movie journey!

It’s an easy, fun, and engaging way to embrace the holiday spirit, fostering togetherness and excitement throughout the season. With a mix of timeless favorites and new holiday gems, this Advent calendar offers something for everyone, making it the ideal tradition to kick off your family’s Christmas celebrations year after year.

Posted in Lifestyle

Thirteen PG13 Halloween Movies For Older Kids

Here are 13 PG-13-rated Halloween movies that are suitable for older kids and teens:

  1. The Haunted Mansion (2003): A family visits a creepy mansion and gets entangled in a ghostly mystery in this comedic and spooky film inspired by the Disneyland ride.
  2. The Monster Squad (1987): A group of kids forms a club to battle classic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolfman in this fun ’80s adventure.
  3. Goosebumps (2015): Based on the popular book series by R.L. Stine, this film follows a teenager and his friends as they accidentally release a slew of monsters from Stine’s books.
  4. Monster House (2006): While suitable for older kids, this animated film about a house that comes to life can be quite spooky and thrilling.
  5. The Witches (1990): Based on the Roald Dahl book, this film follows a young boy who discovers a coven of witches led by the Grand High Witch. The witches have a plan to turn all children into mice.
  6. The Little Vampire (2000): This family-friendly film tells the story of a boy who befriends a young vampire and helps him and his family become human again.
  7. The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008): When a family moves into an old house, they discover a hidden world filled with magical creatures. They must protect a book that can control these creatures from falling into the wrong hands.
  8. Beetlejuice (1988): This Tim Burton classic is a quirky and darkly comedic tale about a couple who dies and haunts their own house, enlisting the help of the mischievous Beetlejuice.
  9. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010): A young sorcerer’s apprentice must stop an evil sorceress from unleashing dark forces in this fantasy adventure inspired by the classic tale.
  10. The Corpse Bride (2005): Another Tim Burton stop-motion film, this one tells the story of a groom who accidentally proposes to a deceased bride while rehearsing his vows.
  11. Stardust (2007): In this fantasy adventure, a young man ventures into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star for his beloved, only to discover that the star is a living woman.
  12. Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015): In this animated sequel, Dracula and his friends try to bring out the vampire side of his half-human, half-vampire grandson in humorous and spooky situations.
  13. Monster Family (2017): This animated film follows the Wishbone family as they go on a vacation to escape their everyday monster problems, only to become monsters themselves and face various spooky adventures.

Please note that while these movies are generally considered suitable for older kids and teens, individual sensitivity to spooky or scary content may vary, so it’s a good idea for parents to preview them or watch alongside their children to ensure appropriateness.

What is your big kids favorite Halloween movie? Let me know in the comments.

13 PG 13 Rated Halloween Movies for Older Kids and Teens