3 Things Your Kids Will Learn From Zootopia

3 things your kids will learn from Zootopia

Walt Disney Animation Studios' 55th animated film, Zootopia, is in theaters now and it serves up some important life lessons with a heaping dose of comedy. Starring Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin, Zootopia is sure to be a hit and will encourage you and your kids to "try everything!"

Disney fans, get excited because a new film with anthropomorphic animals that you're sure to fall in love with is coming to town. Zootopia is now in theaters across the country and I'm pleased to say that I think we've got another Disney hit on our hands. Zootopia is wildly entertaining from the first scene to the very end. The animation is incredible and the script is smart and funny. After speaking with the directors of Zootopia, Byron Howard and Rich Moore, I could appreciate the magnitude of the research they did to bring over 60 species of animals to life on screen. This isn't your average animated movie though. It's got some subtle undertones of heavy issues like racism and xenophobia that are very timely in today's world, but it serves them up to kids in an extremely palatable, non-condescending way. The team behind Zootopia have created the perfect cocktail of comedy for kids of all ages and there are some important take-aways too.

Here are 3 things that your kids will learn from Zootopia:

1.) Anyone can be anything. 

We meet one of the movie's main characters, Judy Hopps, as a young bunny and right off the bat, we knows she's funny and fiercely optimistic. She soon reveals her dreams of becoming a police officer in the big metropolis of Zootopia. Although the naysayers tell her it's not possible, Judy perseveres and makes her dreams become reality. She moves to Zootopia, the city whose slogan just happens to be "Anyone can be anything," which is rather fitting since it's entirely comprised of animals, both predator and prey, living side by side. Without giving away the entire plot, I'll tell you that Judy proves time and time again that anyone can really be anything - even a small bunny.

2.) Your past does not predict your future.

We all make mistakes; it's just human.... err animal nature. However, as Nick Wilde (played by Jason Bateman) will show you, your past misgivings do not have to define who you are or who you become. Nick is a clever fox who also happens to be a con-artist. He could easily just continue on his sleazy way, but when challenged to do better, he does. This is one of the most important life lessons I think we can bestow upon our children. You can overcome your past and your character flaws to be who you want to be.

3.) Own your mistakes. 

Part of not letting your past define your future means that you have own it. You have to take responsibility for the mistakes that you've made and do what needs to be done to rectify the situation or overcome it. Just as Nick Wilde realizes that he can do better with a little encouragement from a friend, Judy realizes that she's made a few mistakes too. There is one specific scene in the movie where Judy offers Nick a very heartfelt apology, and even Ginnifer Goodwin says that was one of her favorite scenes of the film. It offers kids a good look at how to say you're sorry and move past those mistakes.

Zootopia is a film that you can take your entire family to see and everyone will get something from this movie, most of all - laughs. They'll love the bright animation, lovable characters, and the film's score. There are a few quick scenes that may be scary to toddlers/little kids, but I still plan to take my 3.5 year old (the scenes are very brief - more like someone hiding behind a wall and saying "boo!"). Overall, I think Zootopia is a definite winner!

Check out the trailer for Zootopia here:

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