How to host the ultimate tween movie night

Besties. Popcorn. PJs. We’ve found THE friendship movie for the ultimate tween night in.

There’s nothing quite like a night in with your best friends. Comfy pyjamas, snacks scattered across the coffee table and loads of laughs are all part of the fun, along with the photos and little moments you’ll look back on for years to come.

If your tween is keen to get their friends together, a movie night at home is an easy way to make it happen. With a few simple activities, some favourite treats and a good movie, you can turn a regular night in into something a little more memorable.

Set up a the ultimate movie zone

Pull out the beanbags, oversized cushions, fluffy blankets and every pillow you can find and let the kids take over the living room.

Add fairy lights, sleeping bags and a dedicated snack zone and suddenly your everyday lounge room feels much more exciting.

Make friendship bracelets together

A movie night is the perfect opportunity to get creative, and friendship bracelets are a classic for a reason. Put out colourful beads, embroidery thread, letter beads and charms and let everyone make their own, swap with a friend or create matching ones for the whole group.

They can add initials, inside jokes or colours that mean something to their friendship.

Take loads of photos

Because did a girls’ night even happen if there aren’t 87 photos to prove it? Create a little photo corner with a simple backdrop, sunglasses, props and silly signs. If you have an instant camera, even better.

And don’t just save the posed ones. The bracelet-making, snack-stealing and laughing-until-someone-is-crying moments are usually the best.

You could even start a group scrapbook and have everyone add a printed photo, handwritten note or favourite memory from the night.

Pick a movie that celebrates friendship

Once everyone has made their bracelets and taken approximately one million photos, it’s time for the main event.

For a movie night with a friendship theme, DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island is essential viewing.

The movie follows lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa, whose lives take an unexpected turn when a mysterious portal transports them to Nakali, a magical island filled with creatures from the stories they grew up hearing.

As they try to find their way home, the girls face an impossible choice: escape the island at the cost of the memories of their friendship.

With its magical setting and story about the bonds that shape us, Forgotten Island offers a fitting reminder of what makes friendships so special, and why the memories we make together matter.

Movie snacks are a must

Think popcorn with different seasonings, lollies, pretzels, chocolate, fruit skewers and mini cupcakes. Add paper cups and bowls so everyone can make their own movie-night mix.

For an extra activity, set up a hot chocolate station with marshmallows and sprinkles, or let the girls decorate their own cookies before settling in for the movie.

Start a little friendship tradition

Before everyone disappears home with their bracelets, sugar highs and sleeping bags, finish the night with something they can make their own.

They could write anonymous compliments for each other, vote on the funniest moment of the night or add a message to the group scrapbook about something they love about their friendship.

For an extra sweet touch, send everyone home with a little bag containing their friendship bracelet, a favourite photo and some leftover treats.

Because yes, they’ll remember the movie. And they’ll definitely remember the snacks. But these are the nights they’ll hopefully remember most for simply being together.