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One of our family’s favorite summer adventures is an annual trip to the drive-in movie theater.
If our schedules allow, we try to squeeze a few more trips in if possible, because we have so much fun!
I’m sharing tips and what items to pack for the drive-in movie to help you have a great experience.
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Drive-in movies are perfect for a date night or hanging out with friends and family.
Great memories are guaranteed!
The drive-in is an affordable way for families to see two first-run movies. The success of an awesome night at the drive-in comes down to a little prep work before you go.
Here’s what’s on our packing list to bring to the Drive-In Movie Theater
Table of Contents
1. Folding Chairs
You’ll probably want to sit outside your vehicle if the temperatures are warm in the evening.
We typically bring camping chairs to sit on outside our vehicle. We’ve previously taken the bench seat out of our minivan when our kids were younger and it was very comfortable.
You can also set up a great area for kids in the back of a minivan. If you’re bringing a truck, pack a truck bed air mattress, and pillows for supreme comfort.
I’m also a big fan of air loungers because they pack small and are super comfortable.
2. Pack a Cooler with drinks
We pack drinks for the kids, water, iced tea or soft drinks, and a thermos of coffee with some creamer for the 2nd movie.
Trust me when I say you’ll need something to help you stay awake, especially for the second movie.
Many of the second movies don’t even begin until around 11:30.
3. Dinner & Snacks
We typically bring pizza with us to the drive-in. Other times we’ve fed our family before but everyone is instantly hungry as soon as we arrive at the drive-in anyway.
Hot and Ready Little Caesars is always a fast option or we’ve called a pizza chain ahead of time located near the drive-in and picked it up on the way so it’s still warm.
You will also need time to mobilize everything you are bringing so who really wants to cook and clean dinner before?
You’re staying up late so it’s all about the carbs. You can’t go wrong with popcorn, pretzels, and chips.
If you’re opting for healthier options you might need to do more prep before you go.
The Dollar Tree is a great place to stop for movie theater-style candies or purchase a candy mix on Amazon.
We typically let everyone pick out one of their favorites and then have a few snacks like Twizzlers for sharing.
Extra Money for Concession Snacks
**Please note that some drive-ins may charge a fee if you bring your own food to the drive in because they make money from their concession sales.
The concession sales help keep the drive-in theaters in operation. Please buy from the concession stand if you can afford to.
4. Plates, Napkins, and Plastic Cups
These come in handy for serving meals and snacks. Baby wipes are also great for serving popcorn or smaller candies.
Baby wipes are also a great idea for sticky fingers and spills.
5. Portable Radio
Save your car battery and make sure that you test your batteries before you go. If you don’t want to hassle with finding batteries for a radio, opt for a solar-powered radio.
If you use your vehicle radio during the drive in movies you may want to bring portable jumper cables.
6. Sports stuff to play with before it gets dark
You want to get to the drive-in early for a good spot for viewing the big screen.
Having a glow-in-the-dark football or frisbee, etc makes the time fly by with kids.
Your kids will also instantly make new friends to play with.
A portable cornhole set/beanbag toss is also a nice idea for the adults while they wait.
7. Bug Spray
Better safe than sorry. You don’t want to take home mosquito bites as a souvenir. Make sure that you pack bug spray!
If you are bringing a baby, consider purchasing a stroller mosquito net to protect them from the bugs.
8. A Snuggie and Multiple Blankets
This is a place where you can wear your Snuggie with pride because you are not freezing your booty off.
Weather can be deceptive and a warm day still makes for a cool night.
9. Sweatshirts and jeans or your favorite athletic pants
You’ll most likely be consuming a week’s worth of calories in one evening… and it makes you feel less guilty when your pants aren’t cutting off the oxygen.
Before the movie starts, you might want to go ahead and help change your younger kids into pajamas.
10. A portable DVD player, Tablet, or Cell Phone with Kids’ Movies
If your 2nd movie is PG-13 or too scary or violent for small children, you can have them watch another movie in the opposite direction of your car on a tablet or cell phone.
You might want to bring headphones for them too. A power bank can be a great backup to ensure the devices stay charged.
11. Bring Plastic Bags for Garbage
You will accumulate trash pretty quickly. It’s easier to keep your vehicle clean if you have bags close by for trash and spills, or if you need to gather items at the end of the evening.
12. A Portable Crib
You can still bring your baby if you have one. When our kids were babies/toddlers, we brought our portable crib to the drive-in.
It’s a great option to help keep them safe, comfortable, and close by if you don’t want to pay for a sitter.
13. Flashlight
It can get dark quick especially if you’re trying to find your car from the bathroom.
Bring a real flashlight or use the flashlight app on your phone.
14. Glow Necklaces & Glow Sticks
Just because they are fun. Glow necklaces and glow sticks are an easy and inexpensive way to make the drive-in movie a little more magical.
Glow sticks can also help you track your kids easier when it gets dark.
15. Bring a Rope for Your Vehicle
Some drive-in theaters supply rope for vehicles to tie down their trunks.
It doesn’t hurt to have some just in case you plan on viewing the movie from the back of your vehicle. Clothesline rope also works.
16. Check your screen # for each movie
This is important if you are visiting a multiple-screen drive-in. There’s a chance that your 1st and 2nd movies could be played on different screens.
Drive-In Movie Packing List
Use the packing list above so you don’t forget any drive-in movie essentials.
Local Drive-In Theaters Near Cincinnati
We have a few options in the Cincinnati Metro for drive-in movies.
Starlite Drive-In Theatre
2255 OH-125, Amelia, OH
Holiday Auto Theatre
1816 Old Oxford Rd, Hamilton, OH
Find a Drive-In Movie Theater Near You
Use this search to find the closest drive-in movie theater to you.
Additional Summer Articles to Check Out
- Create Your Own Summer Bucket List – Free Printable
- 25 Summer Bucket List Ideas
- Tips for Creating Your #BestSummer
Did I leave anything out?
Let me know what you bring to the drive-in.
