Showing my kids Star Trek

[JediKnightButler]

My wife and I want to start showing our kids the Star Trek movies but were wondering the best way to go about it. They've never seen any of the series aside from a few bits and pieces, so they don't know much about the setting, characters, etc.
Should we even just jump right into the movies or should we show them a few episodes of TOS first?
When we start with the movies, should we watch them as they were originally released or should we start with the newer "prequel" movie (I guess this would be like debating the proper viewing order of the SW movies).

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[Trekarama]

My kids, ages 10 and 12 were never too interested in any Star Trek that I would watch. TNG, VOY and ENT didn't interest them much at all, but once they saw the new movie they asked to watch my remastered original series dvds. I think the new movie is a great gateway to introduce kids and other non-Star Trek fans to the show. From there TOS or even TAS is a logical next step. Good Luck!

 

[perigee]

Agree with Trekarama Completely. Kids have NO interest in a bunch of old guys doddering around starships - you have to set the hook before you reel 'em in, and that's where the new movie comes in.

Take 'em out to the movies, then go into the very best of TOS - the movie will sell the characters, then, by picking the best episodes, you can sell them on the series. Once they are sold on the series, they May give a darn about the old geezers creeping around. But don't push that - your kids do not want to see grandad - or great grandad - dressing up like Halloween. Star Wars' latest hero(ine) is like, 12 years old. Age is a factor in kid's entertainment.

 

[Kirby]

I have a 7 year old and he will watch some TOS and TNG. Typically I'll DVR the good ones, just to filter out the stuff that will set him back like Spock's Brain and anything with Dr. Pulaski.
He was on the edge of his seat... er, couch, during the Doomsday Machine, and loved the Trouble with Tribbles. He watched Yesterday's Enterprise which confused him a little, but he did think it was pretty cool.

 

[Trekarama]

I have a 7 year old and he will watch some TOS and TNG. Typically I'll DVR the good ones, just to filter out the stuff that will set him back like Spock's Brain and anything with Dr. Pulaski.
He was on the edge of his seat... er, couch, during the Doomsday Machine, and loved the Trouble with Tribbles. He watched Yesterday's Enterprise which confused him a little, but he did think it was pretty cool.

The Trouble with Tribbles is a great episode for children. My girls loved it!

 

[VulKhan]

Yeah, show them the Tribbles episode! That was my fabourite when I was about 6!! But I loved the rest of the series, too. I would definitely show them one or the other episode. Tribbles are great.
Last friday I went to see the new ST movie again, and this time my parents were with me and so were my younger sisters, aged 9 and 12. Guess what, neither the 9 year old nor the one aged 12 liked it! My 9 yo sister left the screening room during the scene where Kirk and Spock are on their suicide mission on the Romulan ship. She couldn't stand it anymore and was kind of firghtened. The 12 year old stayed, but she thought the movie was boring.
I for one can't understand either of the both reactions, but then I'm a few years older, so I guess that makes a huge difference.
I remember when I was 9 years old like my sister is now, I used to love watching the old Star Trek movies with Spock and Kirk and Bones. Even back then, my favourite has already been WoK (but at that time I still looked away whenever the scene with the Ceti eels came on - I loved the movie, though.)
I think the best choice from these films would be The Voyage Home, because of the lovely whales and so on. Children definitely like that.
In my opinion, show them the Tribbles episode and another one of your choice from TOS. Then show them Star Trek IV and then take them to the movies.

 

[Cakes488]

I have a 7 year old and he will watch some TOS and TNG. Typically I'll DVR the good ones, just to filter out the stuff that will set him back like Spock's Brain and anything with Dr. Pulaski.
He was on the edge of his seat... er, couch, during the Doomsday Machine, and loved the Trouble with Tribbles. He watched Yesterday's Enterprise which confused him a little, but he did think it was pretty cool.

That's a spunky avatar ya got there Kirb. I waited a tad older then 7 to start showing TOS to avoid any confusion....but I picked Tribbles as the first episode to show my nephew too...and yeah he loved it. I asked him just this weekend what ep's have I shown you...and me named them all! Even I forgot what he had seen.

Kids really do love Trek...look at us...we got hooked when we were tykes...for everything that changes in life there are still some things that remain the same.

I would show a 7-10 year old TAS or selected ep's of TOS....I would quiz my nephew at the end of the ep to make sure he understood it...and he got it every time. Confusion is normal with some of the ep's when you're a kid...that's why this show is so multiple watch friendly...you gleen new bits with each viewing.

Oh and just to add: I would not show the kid any of the movies!!! Noooooo you very well may just turn him/her off totally....hook em with TOS, TAS and then after they're in love they can see the movies.

 

[Shatmandu]

Don't show them TMP, unless you want them to keel over asleep.

Start with Khan and work your way up.

Joe, zzzzz ...

 

[cooleddie74]

My friend's two little boys love most things TREK so long as it's not too deep/preachy/slow a film or episode. Spaceships, explosions, guys with makeup and pointed ears and all that good stuff can keep many kids entertained.

 

[Grant]

My kids started with TOS and then later saw the movies. They are big fans now.

I wouldn't start with the movies which are pretty much 'mid life crises.'

 

[Gary Sebben]

Don't show them anything. Introducing them to Trek is like taking them to church. It sound like you are indoctrinating them. They'll find the stuff in entertainment they like, but sitting them down for something and saying "this is good" is pushing the limits of fatherliness (and I'm the dad of a three year old).

If you really want to intro them to Trek without being a fogy about it you can suggest going to Abram's Trek since its relevant and popular and they probably want to see it. Then if they like it they'll go find other trekkie crap themselves.

 

[syc]

^ Or you can by the parent and give your children any and every venue to explore. If they are interested they'll continue to watch. Parents are like assholes... wait that explains itself.

My five year old niece loved! the original series, she was even naming off the characters when she saw them... I kinda over did it... every time she saw an astronomy book or a picture of space, she'd say "Star Trek!"

 

[Gary Sebben]

^ Or you can by the parent and give your children any and every venue to explore. If they are interested they'll continue to watch. Parents are like assholes... wait that explains itself.

My five year old niece loved! the original series, she was even naming off the characters when she saw them... I kinda over did it... every time she saw an astronomy book or a picture of space, she'd say "Star Trek!"

You criticize parents but you aren't one. You say give them every option, but you admit you over did it.

Do you really think 5 years old is a good time to intro a show with killer robots, stabbings, and salt sucking monsters? Wait, you wouldn't know, you're not a parent and don't have as big a stake in the kid you're impressing this stuff on.

 

[syc]

I'm not a parent am I? So you're arrogant and ignorant all in one right-wing conservative package.

You talk about not imposing your beliefs on kids, "indoctrinating them" I believe is what you said. But you seem to have no problem "indoctrinating" the entire thread. The question was how to introduce kids to Star Trek. Not "Should I introduce..."

I have no intention turning this into an ethical debate. There are tons of other things worse for kids. Star Trek inspires everyone from five year-old little girls to Fifty-year old men.

Anyway... butlerd, focus on the first season, its a lot less flashy, but the stories are more adventurous. Season three takes a weird turn... almost like alfred hitchcock started directing... come to think of it.

 

[JediKnightButler]

Don't show them anything. Introducing them to Trek is like taking them to church. It sound like you are indoctrinating them. They'll find the stuff in entertainment they like, but sitting them down for something and saying "this is good" is pushing the limits of fatherliness (and I'm the dad of a three year old).

If you really want to intro them to Trek without being a fogy about it you can suggest going to Abram's Trek since its relevant and popular and they probably want to see it. Then if they like it they'll go find other trekkie crap themselves.

Fascinating. I've never thought that wanting to share movies/shows that my wife and I enjoy with our kids was akin to "indoctrination"

Well, you can rest easy knowing that my wife and I don't tie up our kids and FORCE them to watch anything if they're simply not interested in whatever we're trying to share with them nor do we tell them what they should think about what we're watching.

Wow.......just......wow.

 

[Gary Sebben]

I'm not a parent am I? So you're arrogant and ignorant all in one right-wing conservative package.

Name something I said that was right-wing. Last I heard not forcing stuff on your kids and keeping them shielded from violence were both fairly liberal ideas. But whatever way you want to insult me is your prerogative.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

Gary, syc... Let's get away from the parenting questions, shall we? Let's keep it civil. ^^ Thank you!