A family movie outing can be a fun way to relax and unwind, but it is also a great way to utilize those math, science, and reading skills you have been working so hard on. If you are looking for ways to turn movie time into educational time as well, look below at these 7 math lessons to tie into your next family movie outing. These tips can help you keep the fun in movie time while still flexing those little minds and imaginations!
7 Math Lessons For Your Next Family Movie Outing
1. Use multiplication to find the cost of tickets.
If tickets are $6 each and there are 5 people in your family, see if you can figure out the quick total cost. Use multiplication or even addition to find out what the final total will be. Multiply the number of people in your family x’s the cost of each ticket. Do kids and adults have the same rate? Don’t forget to add tax. 🙂
2. Use subtraction to find the cost of tickets with any applicable discounts.
Many theatres offer a student or matinee discount. Take this discount into consideration to find the new cost of your tickets. Subtract the amount of the discount from the ticket total to find your new cost. Older children can even figure out the percentage of discount they received.
3. Make predictions about the length of the previews.
The previews shown before movies can be lengthy! Make predictions on how long you think the previews will run. When they begin, start a timer. When they end, see how close your predictions were to the actual running length. How close was your prediction?
4. Create a budget for movie snacks.
Before you go, create a budget for movie snacks. Write down a list of the snacks you want and the estimated cost of each. Some movie theatres may have the costs online so you can get an accurate idea. You can give each child a set dollar amount and see what type of menu they can create while staying in that budget.
5. Compare prices to figure out the most affordable way to snack.
It is important to look at sizes when considering movie theatre snacks. For example, a large drink may cost $.25 more and you get twice as much as a medium drink. Pay attention to beverage and snack sizes and consider if upgrading is a better deal and better way to feed a family.
6. Estimate the number of seats in the theatre.
Can you figure out how many seats are in the theatre without counting every single chair? Do this by counting the number of seats in one row and then counting the number of rows. You can use multiplication to get a quick estimate of how many seats are in the theatre. If you wish you can make a prediction before you begin, then see how close you were to your prediction.
7. Look for examples of math being used in the film.
Math is used in so many ways. Look for examples of math being used in the film such as a character using a watch or clock, adding items, paying at a grocery store or general store, etc. Every time your child sees math being used in the film they can make a tally mark on a piece of paper. You can then talk about these examples of math in everyday life when the show is over.
There are many ways to turn movie time into an educational experience. Consider these 7 math lessons to tie into your next family outing, and see how fun (and educational) movie time can be!
You might also enjoy this list of 50+ Historical Movies for Kids!
It’s a great idea to teach math to kids this way. So that they apply it to real life and understand that it is important to teach it. Thanks for the great article!