What age would you take a child to see the nutcracker

[PapayaMom]

I was thinking of getting tickets to see the nutcracker for my 4 year old but don't know if that is too young. She has a long attention span but is easily scared.

I want it to be a special experience so finding the right age to see this is important to me.

Thanks!

[Periwinkle]

Took dd for the first time last year at age 5 1/2... this is the real Nutcracker, at the big theater in town. Her cousin (age 4 1/2) was bored and didn't get it. Dd however was very into it. A lot of the tots there (the 3 year-old set) were stir crazy. 4 might be okay but depends on the child. Also, a more child-focused version would obviously change this quite a bit.

[dancindoula]

If it's performed by a really outstanding company then 4yo could be just the right age to set her dancing around the house in visions of sugarplums! But then again I'm a ballet teacher so I might be biased. Seriously though, if she likes beautiful music and movement and has a long attention span it might work - if not, there's always next year. Maybe read a couple children's storybooks about it before going to see it live so she can better follow what she's seeing on stage.

[kaliki_kila]

My dh and I go to see the Nutcracker in San Francisco every year and the theatre is always packed with kids of all ages. The little girls come in their fairy princess costumes and the boys in their little tuxes. It's definately a thing for kids and if she starts whining or asking questions, don't worry cause she will be drowned out by the sounds of the other kids! I can't think of any parts that would be scary. Maybe the Chinese dragon? Even that is just a cute dance. The lights going out might be a little scary if she is afraid of the dark. You could buy her a picture book of the performance ahead of time to prepare her and also point out to her the other kids that are there. There is an intermission halfway through where you can take her to get a hot chocolate or to buy a nutcracker at the gift shop so that she has time to walk around. We went to see A Midsummer Night's Dream on the lake at Tahoe this summer and were surprised by how many little kids and babies were there!

Where are you going to see the performance? I think some venues might be more kid-friendly than others. The only experience I have is with the one in San Francisco.

[TEAK's Mom]

Heck, my four year year old is dancing in the Nutcracker this year. Granted her part is very small, but she is beyond delighted.

Both of my girls saw their first Nutcracker at age three and had no problems. The sword fighting sometimes freaks kids out, so reviewing the story in advance is always a good idea.

[AuntNi]

Are they having a children's matinee? That might be ideal.

I took my DD to a special children's version when she was two, and it was a nightmare. The Nutcracker in his costume gave her the screaming meemies, and I had to carry her out in hysterics. She's still totally creeped out by grownups with face-covering masks, and declines all invites to Chuck E. Cheese, etc.

She did love the dancing and music - the next ballet I take her to will probably be a traditional one, without face-covering masks.

[angelpie545]

The Nutcracker is one of my favorite ballets! I performed in it when I danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet and boy do I miss dancing. Anyway, I think it depends on the maturity of the child, and the venue as well. The venue I performed in was the Opera House (now replaced by Benaroya Hall), and it was the same one that the symphony and the opera performed in, so it was very fancy. However, sometimes smaller companies perform in more family-friendly venues so it depends. I personally would bring my eight year old to see the big Nutcracker in Benaroya Hall, but I'm not so sure I would take my five year old.

[mata]

I'm taking my five year old and eight year old daughters this year, and yes, I decided not to take the youngest last year when she was four. She has seen the performance on dvd and knows what to expect live this year, though. Am also looking forward to starting this tradition!

[Gunter]

i am so looking forward to taking my girls to this one day!!!

[LinzMommy2Be]

I think it depends on the kid. My grandmother took me every year starting when I was 4 but she wouldn't take my sister at 4 because she just wasn't ready (short attention span, couldn't sit still ect)-- I think my sister was 6 or 7 when my grandmother started taking her too.