Circus Play: Madagascar 3 Review and Give Away
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This post is sponsored by Nuffnang. All opinions expressed are my own.
Twin four year old boys, a two year old boy, an eight month old baby girl and two wide eyed parents. There we were, confined in a dark room, with strangers. How long do you think we lasted in that dark room?
Let me blow your socks off. We were in there for over 95 minutes. I kid you not. Over 95 minutes.
Not a tantrum was had while we sat in that dark room; there was none of that mad dash or rumble, normally associated with my young brood. Albeit, our eight month old baby needed the occasional rocking; but she was, for the most part, settled.
What wonderful event conjured such a rare contented stillness?
The venue: Gold Class Event Cinemas. Think: big comfy chairs; ample space; kids able to see the screen without a booster seat, no matter where they are in the cinema; and the food – oh, the food! Forget the popcorn; they serve amazing MEALS; (yes, capitals well deserved).
The movie: DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted. You would think, with a circus theme, it would be pretty darn hard to leave your audience impressed. Expectations for creativity and entertainment are high. Yet, our entire family was thoroughly entertained. My sons are active. To have them entertained for 95 minutes, in a cinema, is no ordinary achievement. The movie also had my husband and I wowing and chuckling away. Again, this is no ordinary achievement given that we had four kids under five with us at the cinema, (i.e. high underlying stress levels).
After a most splendid movie experience, we dashed off to do some Circus Arts of our own.
Check us out…
Circus Play for Kids
A child’s work is play and observing a child play never ceases to amaze me. Inspired by Madagascar 3, here are 10 ways my children incorporated circus play into their play.
1. Face Painting. Lions, tigers and bears. Perhaps add some zebras, giraffes, seals, elephants and monkeys to your act. The possibilities are endless.
2. Flying Trapeze. Get on a swing and fly through the air to your heart’s content.
3. Hula Hoops. The trick is to sway backwards and forwards, not sideways.
4. Jump Through Hoops. Do the impossible and jump through that tiny hoop.
5. Throwing Balls Through Hoops. Place the hoop at varying heights and angles to jazz it up.
6. Juggling. For under 5′s, throwing and catching one ball is juggling. Wouldn’t you agree?
7. Tightrope Walking. Place a skipping rope or mark out a path with masking tape on the floor and walk on it, placing heel to toe, heel to toe; or perhaps you prefer the sideways shuffle like our Mr. Two Year old.
8. Spinning Plates. Balancing a plate on the end of a stick is fun enough. Spinning a plate on the end of a stick would be great, but even the pros had a hard time doing that.
9. Circus Music. Grab a few plastic plates and sticks to start up some funky circus rhythms.
10. Create a Circus Atmosphere Through Lighting. Don’t forget the finer details; use a dim room with a lamp, combined with a torch for a spotlight, to create that magical circus ring atmosphere.
Win Fantastic Madagascar 3 Prizes
To help you create your own circus play memories, we’re giving away these fantastic Madagascar 3 Prizes:
- 1 x Madagascar film poster; (valued at $25)
- 1 x Madagascar watch; (valued at $10)
- 1 x Madagascar Passport cover and luggage strap (travel set); (valued at $15)
- 1 x Madagascar circus set (juggle bag); (valued at $25)
- 1 x Madagascar 3 circus tent; (valued at $75)
For a chance to win one of the above prizes, tell me if you could be an animal, what would it be and why. We’re looking for fun, creative answers. Click here for the Terms and Conditions. Entries close 13th September 5pm AEDST.
Now, enjoy making your circus play memories. Go check out , DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, only at the movies September 13th.
Book your family Gold Class Tickets at EVENT CINEMAS.
Plan your circus training party at CIRCUS ARTS.
N & M: 4 years, 2 months
E: 2 years, 1 month
K: 8 months
September 2012
MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED (C) 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.
About the author
Pauline LessonsLearntJournal; because #playmatters. On Lessons Learnt Journal you'll find activities for children, play, parenting, maths games, handwriting, reading and much more.
Pauline is a Christian, Wife, Mother of 4, Primary School Teacher. When not blogging, she may be found virtually hoarding on Pinterest, trying to decide which Instagram filter to apply, or compulsively refreshing her Facebook feed. Most days you'll find her chasing her kids and that much needed nap.
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That all looked like so much fun! I’ll bet my kids would love this movie AND the circus arts!
If I could be any animal, I’d have to choose a dragon!
The whole being able to fly thing really sits well with me, but I often find birds a little boring (sorry birds) and I like the mythical and magical association with a dragon.
And in terms of defences, well, who wouldn’t want to have a flame thrower at their disposal? haha
Yep, definitely a dragon (but I’d be a purple one). By the way, dragons really like cool circus tents and juggling sets. Well, that’s what I’ve heard
Thanks for a fun post and cool comp.
Thanks for your entry Jane. A dragon would be very cool indeed. xoxo P
If I could be an animal I would be a lion. A lion is the king and he is loud and proud. He is fiercely protective of his family but as gentle as a lamb with his cubs. He can quietly stalk his prey for hours but play like a great big oaf with his family.
Having a three year old and 18 month old twins myself, that is no mean feat to sit in a cinema for 95 minutes, a challenge I could not see myself doing! Well done!
Thanks for your entry Calum. I love your description of the lion. We didn’t see ourselves lasting that long in the cinema either – but kids do surprise you ;P. Good luck with the competition.
If I was an animal I’d be a koala. Oh no, not a koala the joeys eat their mums poo. No, no I’ll be a kangaroo. Umm, can I change my answer? I don’t want to be pregnant for the remainder of my life.
Okay, I’ve finally got it, I’ll be a….a…whale. I like to eat a lot!
Penny – you sure do know a lot about animals ;P xoxo P
I’d be a pig because they wallow in mud and get all messy (something I’m not particularly keen on as a human) and are still considered the cleanest animal. I don’t get that?!?!
Oink! We adore pigs Christine. Thanks for your entry. xoxo P
I would be a fish because it swims under water (per my little girl)
Love the logic Kim
xoxo P
LOVE the video! So cool to see and hear you. I haven’t been a fan of 3D either, and was glad to hear you liked it even though it was 3D.
As for an animal? I would love to be a dancing hippo in a pink tutu. It is just how I am feeling right now.
If only we could have 3D without the glasses – that would be awesome. Love hippos with pink tutus. I would be a panda with a purple tutu right next to you Holly
xoxo P
Firstly, it looks like you and your family had a fabulous time. You mentioned laughing a lot. There is nothing like hearing your child laugh. I think I’ll definitely have to take Cam along to this film
My entry,
I don’t know how I feel about it, but I think I’d probably be a Wombat. I work long into the night. When morning comes I just want to sleep all day.
You know what cracks me up without fail? Seeing and hearing my kids blow raspberries on each others tummies and hearing the combined laughter that comes out of that silliness. Nothing quite like it. Thanks for your entry Jackie. I am very much like the wombat you’ve described
xoxo P
If could become any animal I would choose a “Teacup Pig”. The girls won’t be able to resist but to squeal with delight at the sight of a miniature piggy (me) and producing the high-pitched “awws”
LOL- now who on earth can resist the charms of a teacup pig? Thank you for your entry
I want to be a turtle! I get to swim in beautiful waters, see lots of species of fish and make the Great Barrier Reef my permanent home! How cool would that be?
The Great Barrier Reef is very beautiful Thanh. Thank you for your entry
I would have to say a dog! They get all meals provided and sleep whenever they like! They’re always wagging their tails, so it has to be a pretty good life, right?