The Oscars might not be the biggest draw for kids, but they can be a fun excuse for a family celebration at home. Here’s how to turn Academy Awards night into an easy, kid-friendly party with activities, snacks and a little red carpet flair.

The Academy Awards—also known as Hollywood’s biggest night—are fun on so many levels, and you don’t need to be the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to get in on the action. Watching the Oscars at home can be a surprisingly entertaining family activity. There are glamorous outfits, big performances, emotional speeches and plenty of moments to cheer for your favourite actors and flicks.

That said, let’s be honest: The Oscars broadcast is long, and not every child is going to be captivated by acceptance speeches or film industry inside jokes. Younger kids may lose interest quickly, while older kids might only tune in for certain moments (the ones that are social media-worthy, likely). The good news is that an Oscars party at home can be about much more than watching the entire awards show.

Here are a few easy ways to host an easy Academy Awards party that your kids look forward to every year.

Roll out a “red carpet”

Create a red carpet entrance using red craft paper, a tablecloth or even a blanket. Kids can walk the carpet, strike poses and announce each other like movie stars arriving at the awards. If you want to take it a step further, set up a phone or tablet to capture photos.

You can even take it one step further and pretend to be a red carpet reporter and ask things like, “Who are you wearing?” Watch your littles come up with silly designer names and dissolve into giggles.

Dress up for the occasion

Encourage everyone to wear something “fancy.” This could mean party clothes, costumes or a dramatic outfit pulled together from the dress-up bin. Add a makeup station with sparkly eyeshadow, face gems or theatrical makeup so kids can create their own red carpet look.

Serve movie-night snacks with a twist

Classic movie snacks are a natural fit for an Academy Awards party, and they’re easy to make kid-friendly while still feeling a little special.

Food ideas you could include:

Predict the winners

For older kids and adults who have seen some of the nominated films, prediction ballots can add a fun competitive element. Print simple ballots with a few categories like Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Animated Feature and let everyone make their guesses before the show begins.

Host your own family awards

Create playful family categories such as “Best Bedtime Story Reader,” “Funniest Joke Teller” or “Best LEGO Builder.” Hand out homemade trophies or paper medals so everyone has a chance to win.

Tune in for the highlights

Instead of committing to the entire broadcast, consider watching the opening monologue, musical performances or the biggest categories. This keeps the night feeling special without testing everyone’s patience.

The Oscars might not be must-see viewing for every child, but the excitement around movie night, dressing up and celebrating together can make the evening memorable. With a little creativity, you can bring a bit of Hollywood magic into your living room.