Funny Kids Movies About Protecting Their Houses

It's so hard as a parent to draw our kids into meaningful conversations, isn't it?

Especially if the conversation is about something extremely important, but rather abstract in the minds of our kids, as the topic of building character?

Then again who says you have to sweat it out?

I'm a lazy parent – if there's an easier way to do the job as well without me having to do all the heavy lugging, I'll take that option any day, and twice on Sundays.

Which is why I love family movie nights.

Did you know that it's been scientifically proven that movies have the ability to persuade and teach our children?

Really. It's true. This article on the power of persuasion by Dr. Jeremy Dean discusses the psychological reasons behind why movies work so well to influence our thought process. One of the comments he makes is this "Stories work so well to persuade us because, if they're well told, we get swept up in them, we are transported inside them."

So, what if we secretly stacked the cards in our favor? What if we, as parents, were very strategic in the movies that we choose and then used that impressionable time right after the movie concluded to discuss and impress upon our child the favorable character traits we want them to glean from that show?

It's amazing what kids will open up and say in this very vulnerable and open state. I am sharing this with you because I have personally found it to be so much more effective with my kids than just trying to talk about "doing the right thing". At times when I've tried to discuss "doing the right thing" with my teenagers, all I ever received was the classic eye-roll.

Call me "sneaky" if you must. But hey, it works. And I'm all about doing things that work, especially if they are easy.

Therefore, let me equip you, my dear parent friend, with this list of 25 of the best family movies that I believe will help you in this venture. These movies will appeal to all age groups and engage the entire family, however for the purposes of this article, they are sorted by Rating.

Teaching important ideas and values using 'sideways learning' as above is a common positive parenting technique. To become the positive parent you've always wanted to be, sign up here to get our FREE mini-course How to Be a Positive Parent.

[Update: We're getting a lot of additional suggestions in the comments – both below this post and on various Facebook discussion threads. I've tried to consolidate them in the first comment below. Be sure to check it out as well since we have over 75 movies in the list now! And do share the favorites in your family in the comments below if we missed it.]

Rated PG

1. Cinderella (2015)

Good Character Traits: Kindness, Compassion, Courage

Based on the original story and put out by Disney, you know it's going to be good. I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but let me at least say this much. My favorite line from the show is "Take courage and be kind". Those are words to live by if you ask me.

2. Frozen (2013)

Good Character Traits: Kindness, Sibling Love

What is lovable about this story is that it is not a traditional "man saves the day" movie (not that there is anything wrong with that). Two sisters display what love between family members is all about.

3. Grace Unplugged (2013)

Good Character Traits: Kindness, Love, Self-Worth

A young girl goes against her parent's belief system and runs away to become a famous song-writer/singer. When she finds success, she becomes painfully aware that being true to your core values is more important than fame.

4. Brave (2012)

Good Character Traits: Self-Love, Bravery, Grit

A rebellious little girl who is betrothed to a prince wants to be anything but a "princess". What she really longs to do is be free, climb her favorite mountain, and use her archery skills. She attempts to run away and be "herself" and learns some lessons along the way.

5. Soul Surfer (2011)

Good Character Traits: Grit, Bravery, Compassion

This is a documentary film based on teenager Bethany Wilson who loved surfing. She loses her arm to a shark attack, and then recovers. Talk about a display of grit! This girl goes back out on the water and continues surfing in order to keep the fear from overcoming her life.

6. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Good Character Traits: Courage, Grit, Tolerance

Hiccup doesn't fit in with his family because they are all Vikings and he is more of a thinker. His family wants to use strength, he wants to use his brain. When he finds a dragon and befriends it, his family doesn't understand.

7. Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove (2010)

Good Character Traits: Grit, Compassion

Kirra is spending the summer with her grandfather. She discovers a baby orca stuck in her grandfather's run down seaside amusement park. She does everything in her power to see the orca reconciled with its pod. The movie teaches a good lesson about protecting wildlife.

8. Up (2009)

Good Character Traits: Tenacity, Healing, Friendship

A love story and a friendship story all rolled up into one. Sometimes people that are hurt tend to shut out others. This movie is an example of a child turning a grouchy, old person's heart toward all things good – love and friendship being one of those things. The meaning behind this one? Don't give up, you're never too old to realize a dream.

9. Marley & Me (2008)

Good Character Traits: Love, Healing

A family adopts a puppy in to their family. He quickly becomes a huge part of their life and a wonderful, though quite ornery, companion. The story has a beautiful and realistically done ending that portrays the value of life and just how deeply a pet can infiltrate our hearts.

10. Facing the Giants (2006)

Good Character Traits: Faith, Hope, Love

A dynamic story depicting the fight between fear and faith. A football coach instructs his kids to use their faith in God not only on the football field but off the field as well.

11. Nanny McPhee (2005)

Good Character Traits: Obedience, Kindness, Honesty

A wayward clan of seven kids has run off several nannies. In fact, they are so sure they can run off any nanny that their Dad hires, that they secretly keep track of the number of nannies they have run off. When Nanny McPhee is hired for the job, she uses a little bit of magic and common sense to get these kids whipped into shape.

12. Shrek (2001)

Good Character Traits: Acceptance, Loyalty

Shrek is a story that could be best summed up as not judging a book by its cover. Shrek and Fiona are both Ogres. Fiona looks like a princess during the day, but her outer beauty fades at night. The moral of this story is that it's what inside that counts.

13. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Good Character Traits: Self-Love, Friendship, Honesty

The Grinch felt so lonely and unworthy that he hid himself in a mountain and swore never to come out. Well, maybe he would come out once in a while if only to be ornery and mess up life for someone else… That's how the Grinch lives and he really thinks that he doesn't need anyone else. That is, until he meets a very special little girl who teaches him about love, friendship, and the true spirit of Christmas.

14. The Sand Lot (1993)

Good Character Traits: Friendship, Sportsmanship, Loyalty

This is a fun film about boys. A new kid comes to town and he makes friends with the locals and eventually proves himself as a baseball player. They play every day in their "Sand Lot" until one day, their ball goes under a fence. Then, the adventure really begins.

15. The Goonies (1985)

Good Character Traits: Friendship, Compassion, Inner Conviction

This is a wonderful story about a group of friends who go for an adventure searching for a hidden treasure. Along the way, they discover a "creature" who is not being cared for very well because he looks different. The kids choose to operate out of a position of love and not judge him by his appearance.

16. The Karate Kid (1984)

Good Character Traits: Resiliency, Grit, Balance, Patience

A kid is being bullied and wants to learn about martial arts in order to defend himself. The Master, Mr. Miyagi, teaches him that martial arts is about much more than "fighting". Life happens and tough things happen sometimes. The lesson behind this movie is that when tough things happen, it's how a person chooses to deal with those things that determines their destiny. Mr. Miyagi said it best "Lesson not just karate only. Lesson for whole life. Whole life have a balance, everything be better."

Rated G

17. Monster's University (2013)

Good Character Traits: Teamwork, Friendship

With Billy Crystal and John Goodman doing the talking, you know this one will be cute. The lesson behind this movie is that all the characters must learn to work together in order to win the competition.

18. Charlotte's Web (2006)

Good Character Traits: Kindness, Love, Self-Worth

This is a story about an unlikely friendship between a pig and a spider. When the pig's life becomes endangered, the spider has a brilliant plan to try to save his life. There are many wonderful quotes from this movie that display self-worth, including this one: "No, my webs were no miracle, Wilbur. I was only describing what I saw. The miracle is you."

19. The Lion King (1994)

Good Character Traits: Grit, Healing, Honesty

A young lion gets tricked into believing that he causes his own father's death. He learns to go back and face the truth and claim what was rightfully his all along – the Kingdom.

20. The Secret of Nimh (1982)

Good Character Traits: Courage, Grit, Tolerance

This movie is truly heartwarming. It's the story of Mrs. Brigsby, a mild-mannered mother mouse who will move heaven and earth to save her family from the Farmer Fitzgibbon's plow. She faces many obstacles including a ferocious cat and a mysterious rat, and through her sheer grit, conquers them all.

21. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Good Character Traits: Obedience, Trust, Honesty, Gratitude

There are so many life lessons in this movie. It would seem that each character has something to teach. There are characters ranging from a little girl who is spoiled and has everything, to a boy who runs his mother like a yo-yo. Then, there is Charley who seems to have absolutely nothing as far as material items. However, he is a very grateful child who chooses repeatedly to do the "right thing" even when all the kids around him do not.

22. Mary Poppins (1964)

Good Character Traits: Obedience, Kindness, Honesty

"Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down" and "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" are just two of the many fun sayings that our family has brought into our vocabulary after watching this movie. Mary Poppins, the Nanny in this movie teaches her kids all sorts of life lessons, the main one being that every action has a consequence. She is very practical and doesn't let much slide by.

Rated PG-13

23. The Blind Side (2009)

Good Character Traits: Compassion, Grit, Teamwork, Empathy

Since this is a Biography, it opens the doors for real-life discussions, especially if you have older kids. A homeless and traumatized boy who becomes an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family.

24. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Good Character Traits: Grit, Honesty, Integrity

Based on a true story. The movie would appeal to older kids. It's the story of a single dad who becomes homeless and his struggle to make life normal again for his son. It gives an opportunity to discuss what it would really feel like to not have the comforts of everyday life and find oneself suddenly homeless.

25. Hope Floats (1998)

Good Character Traits: Grit, Compassion, Healing, Honesty, Loyalty

A child watches her parents go through a divorce. The film beautifully describes in an honest way what a divorce can feel like for a child. Watch this movie if you want to have discussion with your child about heartbreak and healing. But this not a "Debbie-Downer" by any means, the title has it right. Hope really does "float". A real discussion opener.

[Editor's Note: We're getting a lot of additional suggestions in the comments – both below this post and on various Facebook discussion threads. I've tried to consolidate them in the first comment below. Be sure to check it out as well since we have over 75 movies in the list now! And do share the favorites in your family in the comments below if we missed it.]

Closing Credits

It seems in our family as if the "Family Movie Night" is one of the rare moments that all are enchanted and involved. It truly involves everyone in our family. From the tiniest to the oldest, a great movie can invite us all in. Whether we are watching in the comfort of our own home or at the local theatre, there will be plenty of things to discuss after the movie is over. My hope is that you will take heart and be encouraged by this.

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The 2-Minute Action Plan for Fine Parents

Take a look at your upcoming week. Carve out a two hour time slot to enjoy a family movie. Write it down and commit to it.

Pick one of the above movies or another one that personally resonates with you (most can be rented or you may even have some of these in your own stash). Or, if it's in your budget, set a date to go to the theater to catch one of the latest releases.

Plant the idea in your child, and get them excited about the upcoming "Family Movie Date".

The Ongoing Action Plan for Fine Parents

Practice making movie time at home a recurring "special event".

Have younger children make "tickets to the show".

Make personalized popcorn holders for the next movie night.

Practice using open ended questions with your children after the movies you watch.

Make a point to have a Family Movie on the schedule, not to add pressure, but to add a moment of peace to our sometimes hectic lives.

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Source: https://afineparent.com/building-character/best-family-movies.html