With snow falling all around and Christmas on its way, this time of year always brings a magical feeling, and that's especially true for the young. What's more, the success of the Harry Potter films has charged a whole generation of children with a love of fantastic, magical stories. If you've just taken them to see the latest instalment, it's worth remembering that you can always pick up its prequels on DVD, but if your kids already have those or you're looking for something a little more unusual, there are lots of other gems out there to choose from.
Magic in the movies has a long history, with Fantasia setting a high water mark in 1940. Yet despite its popularity, this Disney classic doesn't always have much appeal for modern children, who expect dialogue and may find it hard to engage with the music throughout the full two hour running time. An old favourite with more staying power is 1971's Bedknobs And Broomsticks, with Angela Lansbury as the apprentice witch aided by three children in her efforts to help Britain win the Second World War. Its already historical setting means there's plenty of background filled in for those who need it, and kids aged from five to ten will find its young heroes easy to relate to. Its lighthearted humour and focus on fun make it a good choice for parents wanting to get away from darker themes in children's fantasy.
Of course, no consideration of historical kids' fantasy could be complete without a mention of The Wizard Of Oz, whose combination of absurdity and sheer energy keep it fresh today. Most likely to be enjoyed by kids between five and twelve, this has many great lessons to teach about friendship, problem solving and finding new resources within oneself. Be warned, though - you may get thoroughly sick of its songs before your kids have tired of singing them.
A later addition to the canon is Disney's 1963 hit The Sword In The Stone, which gives us one of the best screen Merlins aimed at kids. Focused on the boy who will grow up to be King Arthur, it has plenty of adventure and a few scary moments, but it's a tale of courage and goodness winning out, and there's lots of magic along the way. It's one of the most accessible King Arthur stories for younger kids as it doesn't expect them to be familiar with the story beforehand. Once they've seen it, you could move them on to recent hit The Last Legion, which may have limited appeal for adults but which has a hero whom kids aged around nine will easily identify with, plus lots of action and an introduction to historical themes.
Among those later fantasy films aimed at kids, one of the standouts is Willow. Though it doesn't actually feature any children, kids quickly become attached to its eponymous dwarf hero, who has a difficult destiny to fulfil in protecting a baby as the adults around him fight. There are some spectacular magical effects on display and some great battles, but ultimately what Willow learns about magic is something kids will find much easier to apply in real life. As a present, it's a great accompaniment to a kids' conjuring tricks set. Willow also scores in terms of appealing to a range of ages, from seven up, though younger ones may find some of the scenes with the evil queen quite frightening.
In recent years, magical kids' films have ranged from dramatic and sometimes scary adventures like The Spiderwick Chronicles to gentler, more mystical fare like The Secret Of Kells. The Golden Compass may have misfired at the box office but is still a strong, thoughtful addition to the genre, with a no-nonsense heroine who makes a great role model for six to twelve year old girls. Then, of course, there are The Chronicles Of Narnia, with The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader due to set sail later this month. With even Prime Minister David Cameron requesting that the British film industry produce more films like Harry Potter, it looks as if there will be magical delights to look forward to for many years to come.
