When And How To Introduce Your Child To ‘Star Wars’

Born in 1965, my father is the eldest possible Gen Xer and narrowly missed being a Boomer. Yet, he had the exceptional luck to watch the initial Star Wars movie, Star Wars: A New Hope, a staggering 13 times in the cinema at the age of 11.

My introduction to the Star Wars universe was on a VHS tape from Blockbuster Video. My elder brother and I already possessed a plethora of toys. At around 10 years old, he was deemed sufficiently mature. As the younger sibling, I simply tagged along. Our parents rented us Return of the Jedi due to A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back being already borrowed by someone else.

Naturally, I was clueless about the storyline, but R2-D2 appeared endearing to me. The desert scenes left me bewildered, the pig creatures and their chubby leader left me horrified, and the raspy “Dark Vader” gave me chills. The fuzzy Ewoks left me with a mix of affection and fear, etched in my memory.

Since its inception in 1977, the franchise has sprawled across over 20 films and 14 television series over nearly five decades. Introducing Star Wars to your offspring can be an overwhelming journey, particularly when many of us were exposed to it perhaps prematurely. The approach adults take in presenting movies and media to their children has indubitably improved. Therefore, understanding the optimal timing and manner to acquaint our children with that distant galaxy poses a challenge.

Guiding Your Kids into the World of ‘Star Wars’

On the whole, Star Wars is a franchise deeply invested in legacy and paternal bonds. It seems there is a trilogy tailor-made for every current generation. My first real romantic outing was watching The Phantom Menace with a young lady. (It didn’t pan out.) The latest trilogy commenced just as the eldest of Gen Z were entering their adolescent years. From 2016 to 2020, I contributed to a website focusing on geeky TV shows and movies. Starting merely eight months after The Force Awakens hit the screens, I delved into the extensive expansion of the franchise with numerous new shows and movies. Theories, analyses, reviews, interviews, and much more ensued.

Here is a basic guide on introducing your youngsters to Star Wars from an enthusiast and parent—augmented by insights from a Star Wars connoisseur—based on age groups commencing at 2 (bear in mind that according to The American Academy of Pediatrics, no screen time is recommended for any children under 18 months beyond video calls). Additionally, you can access almost all Star Wars series and films on Disney+.

Ages 2-6

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (2023)

If your child is accustomed to other energetic narratives like Paw Patrol or similar content, then Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures can be an entry point to the Star Wars universe. Show creator Michael Olson devised the series after showing his 5-year-old daughter A New Hope and yearning for something more child-friendly, as he shared with Fatherly in May 2023.

The show unfolds 200 years before The Phantom Menace, a time when Order 66 had not yet devastated the Jedi and thrown the galaxy into darkness. Conversely, it was a golden era for the Jedi, a formidable and ever-present force dedicated to aiding the populace.

“Observing the enthusiasm of many kids my son interacts with towards Young Jedi Adventures is intriguing,” remarked Emily Gaudette, a mother enthusiastic about prudently introducing horror content to children on her TikTok channel. “Upon watching an episode, I found it delightful how the little Sith character is merely mischievous, not entirely malevolent.” This approach allows the show to address core Star Wars concepts in a manner more digestible for a younger audience.

“Addressing fundamental Star Wars concepts in a format easily grasped by young viewers.”

If you are eager to acquaint your preschoolers with Star Wars, this could be the ideal avenue. When I introduced this to my 2.5-year-old daughter, she seemed enthralled by the vivid lightsabers and vibrant characters for no more than five minutes, eventually yearning for Paw Patrol and her cherished Mr. Porter.

Introducing Kids to More Child-Friendly Genre Narratives

While a significant portion of Star Wars entails action, one expert suggested an intriguing alternative: contemplate deeply the reasons behind the widespread adoration for Star Wars. How can you nurture an interest in this genre that straddles fantasy and science fiction?

“Delve into the reasons why Star Wars is beloved by many. How can you cultivate an appreciation for this genre that blends fantasy and science fiction?”

What makes Star Wars truly engaging? It is a captivating, intricate realm steeped in history. Mystique permeates every facet well before the spectacle of the Force is unveiled. If you wish for your kids to develop a fondness for Star Wars akin to yours, some might suggest waiting until they are older while exposing them to various gateways into this mindful fusion of fantasy and sci-fi.

“Establishing a gentle foundation of introspective—and visually appealing—fantasy narratives is pivotal for children to derive maximum enjoyment from Star Wars,” revealed Ryan Britt, the author of Luke Skywalker Can’t Read and Other Geeky Truths, who has dedicated years to professional coverage of the Star Wars franchise. (He even proposes initiating kids into Star Wars at a more mature stage, recalling his own disappointment at watching Empire Strikes Back at the age of 6.) “Phantom Menace might be the least aggressive, primarily involving battles with droids, but it is impossible to overlook a fundamental reality: the franchise bears the name Star WARS.”

He recommends exposing younger children to films like Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki’s Delivery Service. For kids engrossed in puppet-oriented content such as Sesame Street and The Muppets, a production like The Dark Crystal might be suitable for a slightly more mature audience.

LEGO Star Wars

Despite ostensibly serving as promotional material for the merchandise, the LEGO Star Wars movies and series present an additional pathway into the franchise for young elementary schoolers. A new limited series, LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, featuring the voice of Mark Hamill, is slated to debut on Disney+ on September 13, 2024.

For Kids Aged 7-9

Check Out: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983)

Parents should take note: In 1984, the PG-13 rating came into existence, making an ’80s PG rating more aligned with a modern PG-13 in terms of violence, language, themes, and nudity. If in doubt, consider watching it solo first before showing it to your kids.

Commencing the Star Wars journey with the original movies might be a compelling choice. Like enduring classics such as The Wizard of Oz or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, these films are a magical blend of pace, grandeur, memorable characters, and an intriguing universe.

According to Ryan Britt, “The classic movies have an old-world charm akin to Tolkien, which appeals to kids. They naturally resonate with the thrilling adventure it offers.” He lauds it as an “aesthetic success,” and rightfully so.

It’s no surprise that Luke Skywalker graces certain editions of Joseph Campbell’s groundbreaking 1949 book The Hero with a Thousand Faces; George Lucas drew inspiration from Campbell’s Hero’s Journey archetype to craft the entire Star Wars narrative, paving the way for many iconic franchises to follow suit. “The storytelling is succinct, the plot is clear, and if the interest to explore the rest of the saga arises, it will be sparked by this movie,” remarked Ryan Britt.

Nevertheless, some kids may not appreciate the aged visuals and production quality of a film nearing its fifth decade. Not to mention the harrowing demise of Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru by fire. My nieces, aged 8 and 5, still can’t bear to watch the original or prequel trilogies due to the dated graphics, while they find joy in the sequel trilogy. Who wouldn’t adore Babu Frik?

“They’ve been spoiled by modern film technology,” remarked my sibling.

The primary drawback of starting with other films in the saga—or even certain animated series—is their heavy reliance on background lore. Even Rebels or Clone Wars presuppose a basic familiarity with the prequel and original trilogies. Otherwise, you might end up spending more time clarifying concepts to your children rather than letting the media satisfy their natural curiosity.

Star Wars Resistance (2018-2020)

This fresh animated series unfolds during the three-decade interval between the original and sequel trilogies, depicting a tranquil galaxy as the remnants of the Empire regroup as The First Order. The narrative tracks the chaotic yet endearing Kazuda, a New Republic aviator recruited by the Resistance for espionage.

If you’re setting the stage with the original trilogy and familiarize yourself with the accessible sequel trilogy, Resistance serves as an excellent foundation. It’s among the rare stories bridging the gap between the two trilogies, and it’s quite approachable for younger viewers.

For Kids Aged 10 and Above

The Force Awakens (2015) and Rise of Skywalker (2019)

The Force Awakens showcases unyielding momentum, perfect for fans of the original trilogy. Meanwhile, Rise of Skywalker, divergent from the trilogy’s essence, remains a spectacle worth experiencing.

The endearing characters and sheer grandeur are enthralling, though you must evaluate your child’s maturity to determine readiness. While these are technically rated PG-13, they deliver amusement akin to high-speed theme park attractions. If you opt to skip The Last Jedi, provide a concise recap: Luke Skywalker’s sacrifice to save the Resistance and Rey’s pivotal commitment to the cause.