Betsy Bozdech
Editorial Director, Head of Ratings & Reviews | Mom of two
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Families can talk about everything from perseverance to girl power to to the importance of mentorship.
5 Conversations to Have with Your Kids After "Cars 3"
Families can talk about everything from perseverance to girl power to to the importance of mentorship.
Topics:
Life Skills
Lightning McQueen, Mater, and the rest of the gang are back for Pixar's family-friendly "threequel," Cars 3. More diverse and uplifting (not to mention less violent) than the last installment, this film does have a couple intense scenes. But the characters also learn key life lessons, and there are positive messages about the importance of perseverance, communication, mentorship, and empowerment -- which means there's plenty for families to talk about after watching this Common Sense Seal-honored film. Try these discussion questions for kids:
- Talk about the messages in Cars 3. Why is confidence a vital part of competition/sports? What does Sally mean when she tells Lightning, "Don't fear failure -- be afraid of not having the chance"? Why do you think Cruz feels that she doesn't belong in a race? Do you think the movie is trying to make a point about females competing alongside males? Why does Storm initially dismiss her as a competitor?
- Which parts of the movie were scary? Why? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
- Which characters are role models? How do they demonstrate perseverance and communication? Why are those important character strengths?
- Why is it so important to Lightning that he be the one to decide when he's done racing? What does he learn over the course of the movie? What do you think he'll do next?
- Kids: What made you want to see this movie? Was it the story or the ads and product tie-ins? Do you want things more when Cars characters are on them? At what age do kids understand what marketing and advertising are?
Lightning McQueen, Mater, and the rest of the gang are back for Pixar's family-friendly "threequel," Cars 3. More diverse and uplifting (not to mention less violent) than the last installment, this film does have a couple intense scenes. But the characters also learn key life lessons, and there are positive messages about the importance of perseverance, communication, mentorship, and empowerment -- which means there's plenty for families to talk about after watching this Common Sense Seal-honored film. Try these discussion questions for kids:
- Talk about the messages in Cars 3. Why is confidence a vital part of competition/sports? What does Sally mean when she tells Lightning, "Don't fear failure -- be afraid of not having the chance"? Why do you think Cruz feels that she doesn't belong in a race? Do you think the movie is trying to make a point about females competing alongside males? Why does Storm initially dismiss her as a competitor?
- Which parts of the movie were scary? Why? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
- Which characters are role models? How do they demonstrate perseverance and communication? Why are those important character strengths?
- Why is it so important to Lightning that he be the one to decide when he's done racing? What does he learn over the course of the movie? What do you think he'll do next?
- Kids: What made you want to see this movie? Was it the story or the ads and product tie-ins? Do you want things more when Cars characters are on them? At what age do kids understand what marketing and advertising are?
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