The magical adventure continues as Harry Potter enters his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While the trio of friends has new school subjects to explore like Divination and Care of Magical Creatures, they learn that murderer Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban prison and he’s after Harry.
Harry faces dementors and discovers the betrayal that led to his parents’ death. He also learns some lessons along the way. Here are some to discuss with kids:
- Make your own future. Professor Trelawney might teach young witches and wizards how to predict the future, but Divination isn’t always accurate. You shouldn’t listen to what others say about your future. Explain to your children about how it’s up to them to choose their own path. They can even change their own future … and they don’t need a Time Turner to do that either!
- Focus on the good. When Harry casts The Patronus Charm to steer dementors away, he must think of his happiest memory to conjure the charm. Sometimes being positive or recalling good memories can change your mood. As Dumbledore says, “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
- Keep an open mind. Don’t believe everything you hear. During the film, we find out Sirius Black isn’t who Harry thought he was. Teach your kids that there’s always more than one side to a story and to not jump to conclusions or judgment until you’ve received all the facts.
Movie-inspired activities
Now that you’ve watched Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, try these screen-free activities at home:
- Craft your own monster book. The Monster Book of Monsters is a terrifying school book, but you have to admit it would be cool to have one. Recreate your own with this book cover tutorial. Don’t forget to stroke the spine!
- Read tea leaves. In Divination, the students try out a tea leaf reading, which is still studied and practiced in some cultures today. Brew some tea at home and give it a go with this tea leaf reading chart.
- Make a Timer Turner necklace. Unfortunately, us Muggles can’t use Time Turners, but who says we can’t design one? Follow along this jewelry tutorial that uses key rings.
- Talk about boggarts. A boggart is a shapeshifter that turns into your worst fear. Sit down and talk about fears with your kids. Now to make it more fun, think about what your boggart would turn into after using a Riddikulus charm. Act it out or draw it if you want to have a good laugh.
- Make acid pops. Hogwarts students love stopping by at Honeydukes, the magical sweet shop at Hogsmeade. Now you can bring a little Honeydukes at home by creating acid pops. Don’t worry, they won’t burn a hole through your tongue like the wizarding candy, but they are very sour!
Have a Watch This, Do That idea you want to share with our readers? Send your idea to editor@metroparent.com with your suggestion for a movie. We’d love to share your idea on MetroParent.com.
