When your kids ask for screen time, exactly how much begging can you take before you give in? 2 minutes? 10? Do you hold your ground despite their determination to wear you down? I've developed a thick skin during my career as "the mean mom who limits screen time," so my kids know I mean business but that doesn't stop them, especially my 10 year old, from trying.
One day a few weeks ago my son was at it again. And you know what I said?
I said yes.
But.
He was expecting to watch something on Netflix.
I decided we would watch Buster Keaton's 1924 film, Sherlock, Jr.
Together.
And he loved it. He is no stranger to silent movies. Even though I limit screen time with my kids I love to show them silent movies. Since we threw out our television, we watch on the laptop. It's the only time I envy all those families with big flat screens.
The first silent movie we saw together was Harold Lloyd's Safety Last on the big screen. That's when I realized that watching old silent comedy films with my kids was the bee's knees.
Why You Should Watch Silent Films with Kids
Why should a silent film be your next pick for family movie night?
My kids love the physical slap-stick comedy of geniuses like Keaton, Chaplin and Lloyd. The relative lack of dialogue means that their attention is keyed up to the action–can't look away or you will miss something! Without sound, they focus on the faces and emotions. Sure it's over the top, but characters express fear, wonder, confusion, love with their whole bodies. Watching a silent movie is an immersive experience. It feels more theatrical than a contemporary film. Even if they don't mention it, kids are also getting a lesson in how music informs the action in the film.
In fact some of the same skills kids use in reading comprehension are the ones they are putting to good use when they watch a silent film.
I find that the effects on my kids' brains is not quite as severe after watching an old movie that engages their imagination and requires more effort to watch than, say, a Netflix kids' show. However, to combat the after-tech tantrums, be sure to use this technique!
A caveat. Sometimes these movies have behaviors that make you cringe. Gender stereotypes run rampant and too many of the films include racial stereotypes. Instead of staying quiet and hoping my kids don't notice (they all do) I always use these as teachable moments and encourage you to do the same. You want to raise critical thinkers, right? Ignoring offensive moments only perpetuates the damage.
Which Silent Movies to Watch?
Ah, the Silver Screen.
Even if you don't want to commit to a full-length film, watching clips of famous movie scenes is fun, too. You can find tons of clips on YouTube. In addition, many old films are much shorter than today's feature films.
Here are a few of our favorite silent films to date:
Safety Last (1923)
This might be my youngest son's favorite. He can not get enough of it. When we saw it on the big screen we (along with everyone else in the movie theater) were audibly gasping!
Sherlock, Jr. (1925)
We've watched so many Buster Keaton movies I'm not able to pick a favorite! This is the one we most recently watched together. It's also under an hour.
Liberty (1929)
This 20 minute film is hilarious! Even though we knew Laurel and Hardy were not actually going to plummet off the top of a construction site, we were all holding our breath! You'll alternate between biting your nails, laughing and gasping in fear! It's like a ride on a roller coaster! Exhilarating!
A Trip to the Moon (1902) by Georges Méliès
This short film is an absolute must for any silent film watcher. Although your kids may appreciate the prat falls of Keaton more than they recognize the genius innovation of Méliès, they will at least recognize the iconic image of a moon with a rocket in its eye.
Charlie Chaplin
It took us much too long to watch full-length Charlie Chaplin movie, but we finally got the chance to see one in the movie theater. If that's not an option for you watch some fun clips, like the factory scene from Modern Times (1936).
So there you have it, plenty of reasons to let your kids have a little extra screen time. Be sure to watch with your kids because you will enjoy it just as much as they will. If you need an educational reason to do so, think of it as a history lesson!
MORE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE SCREEN TIME:
Heather says
My family loves Buster Keaton silent films!
Erica says
Aren't they wonderful!!
Megan Saxbury says
If she whines I gave chores or more school work. Zhe finds something to do that 8s 9k fast
Erica says
I imagine that works very well!! 🙂
Emsbutler says
Our boys loved watching “The General” with Buster Keaton.
Erica says
That's a great one, too! My 10 year old loves it!
Jen Jones says
We love watching silent films, too. Our top favorite is Charley Chase's Mighty Like a Moose. It's hilarious! Thanks for this list!
Erica says
I've never seen that one. Thanks for the recommendation.
Briony says
I've never thought of watching silent films (with or without my kids), but I think for an Easter treat we will have one this evening. Thank you for the inspiration!
Erica says
Enjoy!
Lis says
Thank you for the great suggestion. I look forward to trying out silent films with my kids. We also do not have a TV, but we do have a projector, which we pull out when we want to watch movies. We just take a picture off a wall and angle the chairs and sofa towards the "screen." If you are yearning for that big screen, I highly recommend it. Best, when you're done, you just put it away!
Erica says
What a great idea!
Vipula says
Oh mu god! I just discovered your website and I love it. We are a book loving, lego making, binge watching kind of family so this content fits in right with our needs. We also travel a lot, and I we definitely need to carry ton of activity ideas to keep her 5 year old engaged. Also, we have noticed that increased TV time is directly proportionate to bad behavior but we also want to built an appreciation of visual arts. This article is brilliant suggestion on how to watch the classics with your kids!
Elizabeth Rye says
I'm just curious where you went to see Safety Last in a theatre? I was lucky enough to see it in Chicago for the first complete screening it ever had after being put in the vault. The Gateway Theatre was a sell out as we became the first viewers of this classic in 79 years. It was amazing. And for an extra special bonus it was introduced by his Granddaughter Suzanne Lloyd. Pure bliss.
Erica says
We saw it many years ago in Brooklyn at BAM. It was so great seeing it on the big screen!
Cheryle says
If your kids do watch SOME TV, turn off the sound and they have to READ the closed captioning.
Erica says
This is a good idea. My oldest son actually prefers having the captions on (as do I!).
Haz Cady says
I love this! It is old family lore that I fell off the sofa watching The General at age four. And now I should watch A Trip to the Moon since it features so heavily in The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, one of my favorite middle grade books. Thank you for this!
Erica says
The General is so good!
Janice Clarke says
I like the boxing scene in Chaplin's "City Lights".