In the new era of ‘Staycations’ I’ve racked my brain as to what to do this summer with the kiddo’s. And with our Twins just turning 1 month old on Saturday I’m all about Staycations this year. So I’ve thought about the things my parents use to do with all of us kiddo’s when I was little and one of the first fun thoughts that popped into my head was the Drive-In. I LOVED going to the Drive-In. My dad making us lay down in the back to sneak us in. Oh the memories! But the Drive-In is all but extinct…until now!
Enter the white sheet and binder clips. Or any other clippy-do-dad that you can hang up a sheet with. I found these guys at the local Dollar Store. Score! Also you’ll need some kind of projector that you can plug into a lap-top. We found one similar to this projector
Next thing you’ll need is a place to hang the sheet from, or on. I already have a rope strung between a grouping of trees where I have my Mason Jar Lanterns hanging so that worked out easy for me. But it wouldn’t take long to tie a rope or clothesline up. Or you can magnet your sheet down the side of a Van or SUV. Or how ’bout projecting right onto the side of your house? Improvise SuperMom’s!
The next step is the hardest, but still simple as can be. Hang the edge of your sheet from the rope, and clip clip away.
It was a little windy so I grabbed a few big rocks to hold down the bottom of the sheet movie screen with.
Done. Hard part’s over. By now the kiddo’s were flocking and wondering what the heck Mom was doing now. I kept silent amongst all the questions. Letting the drama and suspense fill the air. It was movie night after-all!
Ok, maybe I lied. I guess the hard part was setting up the projection-station. So what did I do? I grabbed a big cooler for my impromptu table to set my lap-top, projector and external speakers I swiped from the desk-top on. The speakers aren’t necessary but I wanted to play the movie loud. Like way louder then would ever be allowed in the house. Like move theater loud. Couple of camp chairs later and we were in business.
Oh yeah. And blankets for the kiddo’s to lay down on. But not Walter. He had to stay off the blankets at least until the movie started. Then he could join us.
Once it got darkish, around 9:30 for us, we were ready. The kiddo’s got their PJ’s on, grabbed their blankets and picked a spot. I popped some popcorn of course. I also splurged and gave them some treats too.
We decided on Hoodwinked for our first Stay-In Movie Night. Next time I’ll let the boys pick something “cool” like Star Wars or Spider Man.
All I can say is this was a HUGE hit with the kiddo’s. They had so so so much fun. It was easy to set-up and once you have your viewing area in place it doesn’t require any planning ahead, which made it a HUGE hit with Mom. SuperDad on the other hand…well it went something like this. “We have a new $2,000 TV and you want to go watch a movie on a sheet?!!?” But once he got his candy and I handed him the bug zapper he settled in and had a great time too!
Making memories. Isn’t that what life is all about? =)
Do you have any other Staycation ideas? I’d love to hear them!
You can connect with Marcy on her Blog, Facebook,Twitter or Pinterest.
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Theresa--Capri + 3 says
January 1, 2014 at 12:46 amWe love your idea of an outdoor theater in the summer. We are featuring your post in Favorites of 2013 for Artsy Play Wednesday. Thank you for linking up. We hope you will share your posts in the New Year. Happy New Year!
Sarah says
August 1, 2013 at 12:14 amWhat a fun and clever idea! I\’m adding this to our summer bucket list for next year!
I’m also featuring your post at the Hearts for Home Blog Hop tomorrow! Thanks for sharing and linking up!
I hope you’ll stop by and link up again, and don’t forget to grab an “I was featured” button.
Kristen B says
July 30, 2013 at 10:29 amWhat a fun idea. It’s still daylight when my kids go to bed but when they get older we’ll definitely do this.
Thanks for linking up at Artsy Play Wednesday. Pinned to our group board.
Chrissy says
July 30, 2013 at 9:31 pmThanks! I wish the mosquitoes weren’t so bad here so we could be outside more!
Jill says
July 29, 2013 at 6:53 pmthis would be so much fun!
Chrissy says
July 30, 2013 at 9:31 pmThanks, Jill!
Emily says
July 27, 2013 at 6:18 pmwe totally do this same thing! My parents live ina lag home, so we just staple the sheet to the side of the house… the kids LOVE it every summer. Great tutorial! thanks for linking up to the Tasteful Tuesday party… You are being featured today. I’d love for you to tweet, share or +1 your feature :o)
Emily @ Nap-Time Creations.com
Jacquie says
July 26, 2013 at 6:57 pmlol! My husband would say the same thing! This is a great idea – love the easy set-up. We looking into a projector so we’ll have to try this in the fall!
GodlyGlimpses says
July 25, 2013 at 5:16 pmLOVE this idea!! Thanks for sharing. I am off to search for a projector now!
Belinda Letchford says
July 23, 2013 at 8:37 pmLove this! My daughter celebrated her 17th this way. We watched My Fair Lady. It was one of the best parties we’ve had. A great idea to add it to a staycation list.
Suzanne says
July 23, 2013 at 8:02 pmThis is a great idea and you explained it so well! I’ve seen posts that left me confused as to what they used to project the movie. Some projectors aren’t even that expensive so it’s totally do-able!
ellie says
July 23, 2013 at 3:04 pmThis is on our SUMMER BUCKET LIST! What kind of projector do you have? Just about to buy one! XO, ellie p.s. So fun to find you at Pin It Tuesday!
Pary Moppins says
July 23, 2013 at 1:32 pmWe love outdoor movies! Thanks for the tutorial and for linking up at Pin It Tuesday!
Gretchen says
July 22, 2013 at 11:34 pmVery cool! My kids would love this :). I actually thought about doing an outside movie for their birthdays last year, but we’d just moved into our new house, and I was afraid the new neighbors would be worried that we were always noisy ;). Now that we’ve proven we’re generally reasonably quiet after dark, I think it’s time to revisit the idea.
Michelle says
July 21, 2013 at 1:16 pmThis looks like so much fun! I think any kid would love this! We’re definitely going to try it!
Bonnie says
July 12, 2013 at 11:52 amI love the idea of outdoor movies! Last summer we took this same idea except that our “seats” were the pool and inflatable rafts and things. We watched “Jaws” 🙂 (obviously that’s not appropriate for family movie night, but plenty of other ocean options available of a non-thriller variety)
Lisa says
July 9, 2013 at 5:23 pmSo much fun this is exactly what I want to do with my kids this summer
Lisa
Creative Raisins
Chrissy says
July 11, 2013 at 2:42 amDoesn’t it look like a fun activity! I know any kid would love it!
Chris says
July 9, 2013 at 1:50 pmGreat idea! And if sound is a problem then it might be a good excuse to try a silent film too (Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton?)