Top Five Funniest Movies for Kids

I confess: As a mom, I've used movies and (mostly) educational shows as babysitters. How else am I going to clean the kitchen, take a shower and pay bills? All three tasks performed, by the way, in the 26 minutes it takes for a Blue's Clues episode to run. There are more parents like me out there than one might think or who are willing to admit.

Anyone with a toddler or young child can attest to the value of a movie, no matter its length. If that toddler is occupied for the movie's duration, you'll be able to unload at least one rack of the dishwasher without worrying what Junior is getting into.

As a lazy at-home mom of 16 years, the kids and I have watched many a movie together. I never enjoyed actually playing with my kids. There's too much nature outside. Inside, five games of Chutes & Ladders in any given day combined with Mom Speak (you know - that annoying third-person vocabulary spoken by moms worldwide) would put me over the edge. Movie watching, however, was my kind of thing. I'd knock the kids over to be the first one on the couch

Awful, dreadful, mindless movies drive me crazy. How many times have you personally sat with your child while struggling to get through their movie-of-the-moment? No wonder you're frazzled by the end of the day.

A young child's movie-of-the-moment is defined as any DVD (movie, TV series or otherwise) that they're freakishly obsessed with. Translated: you'll be lucky if Junior insists on watching it only five times a day.

To the rescue I come with my family's list of the top five funniest movies for kids. DVDs so good, mom and dad can sit through them multiple times.

For assistance with this important matter, I consulted the experts: my three kids, ages 16, 14 and 8. We've spent so many hours together watching movies that we can quote movie lines better than the actors themselves. I'm proud to announce that my oldest daughter has memorized the entire script of a couple of her favorite movies.

Let's count 'em down:

5. Elf, starring Will Ferrell, follows the adventures of Buddy the elf. This much-loved movie is watched almost year 'round at our house, even though it's a Christmas flick. Will Ferrell is convincingly funny as an elf. Don't forget the syrup for your popcorn (though buddy prefers it over his spaghetti).

From the Internet Movie Database website IMDB.com:

"Buddy was a baby in an orphanage who stowed away in Santa's sack and ended up at the North Pole. Later, as an adult human who happened to be raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs. Hobbs, on Santa's naughty list for being a heartless jerk, had no idea that Buddy was even born. Buddy, meanwhile, experiences the delights of New York City (and human culture) as only an elf can. When Walter's relationship with Buddy interferes with his job, he is forced to reevaluate his priorities."

4. Dave and the Giant Pickle is one of our Veggie Tales favorites. Bob the Tomato & Larry the Cucumber portray the classic Bible story of David & Goliath. This DVD is a lesson in self-esteem and teaches us that with God's help even little guys can do big things.

Adding to the craziness is the much-loved Silly Songs with Larry segment, featured in most Veggie Tales DVDs. In one word: hilarious. It'll leave your kids begging for more. Who knew that a cucumber could love his lips so much (this episode's silly song)?

Fortunately, there are enough great Veggie Tales titles to occupy Junior (your child, not the same-named asparagus from the series).

3. The Emperor's New Groove, starring David Spade as Emperor Kuzco, is full of funny one-liners. Other stars who lend their voices to this great family film are John Goodman (Pacha), Eartha Kitt (Yzma; "eeez-mah") and Patrick Warburton (Kronk, Yzma's sidekick).

Honestly, this movie gets funnier and funnier each time you, the adult, watch it. Sure, the kids will love the characters and the colorful scenes. However, I think it's the adult to whom the movie's ingenious humor is aimed.

From the Disney website:

"Emperor Kuzco (voiced by David Spade) is turned into a llama by his devious advisor, Yzma (Eartha Kitt), and her hunky henchman, Kronk (Patrick Warburton). Now the ruler who once had it all must form an unlikely alliance with a pleasant peasant named Pacha (John Goodman). Together, they must overcome their differences as they embark on a hilarious, "groovy" adventure. Discovering the good in everyone has never been this much fun! Your whole family will enjoy this comic delight again and again."

2. Mulan. We've watched this movie so many times that my oldest daughter has memorized the script. The entire script.

The star of the movie, in our opinion, is Mushu. Voiced by the hilarious Eddie Murphy, this pint-sized little red dragon was once a powerful, guardian spirit of Mulan's family. He was demoted to the humiliating position of incense burner and seems to evoke trouble everywhere he goes.

From the Disney website:

"Clever Mulan proves her worth outside of her tradition-bound society when, disguised as a male soldier, "Ping," she bravely takes her father's place in the Imperial Army. Helped by her outrageously funny guardian dragon Mushu and a lucky cricket named Cri-Kee, Mulan strives to earn the respect of her fellow warriors and their courageous Captain Shang. Mulan's adventures lead to a climactic battle atop the Imperial Palace, where her family's honor and the fate of the Emperor and all of China rests in her hands!"

1. Pixar's short, Presto, though not technically qualified as a movie makes us laugh so hard we can't catch our breath. Mom, be sure to wear waterproof mascara because you'll be crying with laughter.

This five minute short accompanies Disney's animated movie, WALL-E. We rarely watch movies at theaters, but would've paid full price to just see Presto.

The folks at Pixar are geniuses. Period. Presto is a magician who lives for fame and fortune. Unfortunately, he's so obsessed with fame and fortune (and the applause that goes with it) that he forgets to feed his sidekick bunny, Alec.

Poor Alec, he's so hungry. All he wants is the carrot, but all Presto cares about is the audience on the other side of the stage curtain. Just wait until you see what Alec does to get Presto's attention. This is slapstick comedy at its finest, people. Psst - you can find it on You Tube. Be prepared to watch it a couple of times because you'll be laughing so hard that you'll miss a couple of parts.

Pop some popcorn and curl up on the couch with your kids. It's time for a movie.

Sources:

http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/the-emperors-new-groove-the-new-groove-edition.html

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120917/

http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/characters/mushu/mushu.html

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/

https://bigidea.com/index.aspx

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319343/

http://www.pixar.com/shorts/presto/index.html