Plan a “Teen Beach Movie” Family Movie Night with Disney Channel on July 19th (8pm EST) #TeenBeachMovie

Thank you to Child's Play Communications for providing the trailer and promotional items to facilitate this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you are planning on hosting at least one family movie night or sleepover this summer, July 19th would be the perfect evening for it. That is when Disney Channel's "Teen Beach Movie" airs for the first time!  This fun summertime musical is geared towards tweens and young teens, but any adults who enjoyed the movie "West Side Story" will likely also enjoy this tribute to the film.

My family was sent a wide array of props to create a fun beach-themed family movie night of our own.  Read on to see how easy it was to add some fun elements to the standard movie night event, but first checkout this "Teen Beach Movie" trailer . . .


Fun things to include in your "Teen Beach Movie" Family Movie Night . . . 

1.  Inexpensive inflatable beach or pool toys to sit on, such as a raft, a surfboard, or inner tubes.

2.  One or two beach blankets would be great for anyone who likes to sit on the floor.

3.  An inflatable beach ball

4.  A beach bag to hide goodies and treats within.

5.  Whistles to wear around the neck like a lifeguard.

6.  Summer-themed temporary tattoos.

7.  Beach-friendly snacks, like popcorn and fruit.

8.  Leis from the party store or make your own like we did using the free printables from the Teen Beach Movie party kit.

For more fun ideas, such as banners, games, and recipes, checkout the free Teen Beach Movie party kit.  To learn more about this family movie starring Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Grace Phipps, and Garrett Clayton, visit DisneyChannel.com.

Tune into Disney Channel on Friday, July 19th at 8pm EST to catch the premier of "Teen Beach Movie"!

"Game of Your Life" is the Perfect Family Movie Night Choice for Gamers (Dec. 2nd at 8pm EST on NBC)

The newest Family Movie Night film from Walmart and P&G, Game of Your Life, does an excellent job of engaging the general population of tweens, teens, adults.  This movie is centered around gaming, a pastime enjoyed by people of all ages.

There are three concepts in this movie that makes it successful in speaking to today's youth.  The first is that geeks are cool!  In fact, there are several references made in the film that only a true geek would understand and appreciate fully.  The second is the idea of an elite gaming academic program in college.  What hardcore gamer has not dreamed of going to school for game design and then ultimately being paid to create the same games he or she loves to play?  The third concept that many young people can relate to is the pressure of having to contribute financially to help their family in today's struggling economy.

Two important themes introduced in this film that will open opportunities for discussion with your children are plagiarism and what it really means to be on a team.  It is a common misconception that the team members who perform better are more important than the others.  This film shows this to be untrue, but rather every team member is important to the success of the whole team.  Other themes are having to experience the loss of a parent and the inner struggle of deciding when it is acceptable to break the rules.




As an adult, I found this movie to be very entertaining.  I never found myself to be bored or to be looking at the clock.  I would recommend it for anyone from middle school age to adult.

You can catch the premiere of Game of Your Life on NBC this Friday (Dec. 2nd) at 8pm ET/7pm CT.  Visit FamilyMovieNight.com and Family Movie Night on Facebook to learn more about this and past Family Movie Night films.


I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of P&G and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Review: "Who Is Simon Miller?" Premieres 8/6 on NBC at 8pm EST

With young children in our household, Family Movie Night usually only consists of an animated film that is Rated G.  Our oldest son is approaching the age of 8, but I am still wary about what types of films he is able to watch.  The element of danger still makes him very anxious, whether it presents itself in a video game, a television show, or a movie.  Walmart and P&G are about to air their 7th Family Movie Night made-for-TV movie . . . Who Is Simon Miller?  This is a spy film I am considering allowing our son to watch since he has been "playing spy" so often in recent weeks.  I was on the fence until my husband and I attended an online screening.  Now I am confident that Who Is Simon Miller? is a movie that our 7.5 year old son will be able to watch and enjoy.

(Click any image to enlarge)

Who Is Simon Miller is about an average dad (Loren Dean) that is secretly leading a double life as an undercover government operative.  When he goes missing, his wife Meredith (Robyn Lively) along with his teenage son Kevin (Drew Koles) and daughter Sarah (Skyler Day) take off to Europe to track him down.  Finding themselves in unexpected danger, the trio uses their individual skills and knowledge to work as a team to hopefully retrieve their father safely, whomever he may really be.

As you will see from the short trailer below, this film has the intrigue of a light spy movie without any violence and gore.  Who Is Simon Miller? would make the perfect first spy movie for a grade school-aged child.  The only thing I could suggest to make this movie more kid-friendly is the addition of a few more spy gadgets.  You can never have enough of those.



You can watch the premiere of Who Is Simon Miller? on Saturday, August 6th at 8pm EST on NBC.  To learn more about this movie or to stay up to date about future Family Movie Night projects by Walmart  and P&G, visit FamilyMovieNight.com and Family Movie Night on Facebook.


I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of P&G and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.