The most important element is, of course, your choice in family-friendly films.  Here are five great award-winning movies that we suggest:

The NeverEnding Story is one of the most imaginative children’s films ever made.  The story involves a bullied boy who begins reading a book about the magical land of Fantasia and is actually drawn into this other world, which is in desperate need of a hero to save it from destruction.  Made in 1984 and directed by Wolfgang Petersen, this film was a precursor for the wonderful and “other-worldly” children’s films made today. 

A charming animated film by Pixar, Cars revolves around a famous race-car named Lightning McQueen who ultimately learns the true meaning of friendship when he is waylaid in a small town on his way to a race in California.  This fun film received Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year, as well as Best Original Song, for “My Town”, by Randy Newman.   A hugely talented cast provides the voices, including Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt and Michael Keaton, to name a few.

Mike Myers made Shrek famous for being much more than a giant green ogre.  With a host of sequels under its belt, the original Shrek film - which is coming up to its 10th anniversary - is well known for its original and imaginative characters.  Shrek won the Oscar in 2002 for Best Animated Feature and has been hugely successful at the box office.  Its ingenious method of making old fairy tales new again, is enjoyed by viewers of all ages. 

2010’s How to Train Your Dragon is an animated feature film that takes viewers back to the age of the Vikings.  The story revolves around Hiccup, a young Viking who plans to hunt dragons.  But when he actually befriends a dragon he tries to capture, Hiccup realizes there is more to the dreaded creatures than he originally thought.  An all-star cast provides the voices in this original film, including Gerard Butler as Hiccup’s warrior father, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, America Ferrara and Jay Baruchel (as Hiccup).

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was the first film in a series of epic features all based on the famously popular novels by author J.K. Rowling.  Though six consecutive films have been made since then, The Philosopher’s Stone will help remind your children of what makes the series so special by taking them back to Harry’s first experiences with magic and his new-found friendship with Ron and Hermione during his first year at Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  The film was nominated in 2002 for three Oscars, including Best Costume Design, Best Original Score (by John Williams) and Best Art/Set Direction.