A diverse selection of shows including “The Messenger”, “Little Explorers”, and “Casablanca Calling” are available to watch on Qalbox. We are currently running a limited time promo for you to enjoy unlimited access to Qalbox and Muslim Pro ad-free! Claim it now!

Among my favorite childhood memories are movie nights at my grandparents’ home. My aunts would be responsible for the planning. We’d pull out pillows, blankets and mattresses,  snacks, and then stay up all night with our eyes glued to the screen.

The films my aunts chose were often Cantonese horror films – they weren’t scary and the characters were silly. I grew up during a time where neither cable television (TV) nor video streaming services existed. We’d check the TV guides (yes, the newspapers had listings of TV shows) or rent from the local video cassette recorder (VCR) store!

Oh my, how ancient – you may think!

Alhamdulillah our kids these days have a plethora of appropriate and mindful films to choose from- all with a simple tap on our devices. Qalbox has a selection of thoughtfully curated shows for fun family nights, with entertainment and learning involved!

With the recent update of the Muslim Pro app, you can also cast your favorite Qalbox titles on your television or Smart TV with Chromecast built-in. Perfect time for you to relax with your loved ones!

Here’s 5 tips for a joyful and memorable Qalbox night with family and friends.

Pick the right show

As Muslim families, we want to have fun yet be intentional in our selection of shows.

Classics like The Message, are great for families with teenage kids to delve deeper into the history of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. The Message is an epic period film that chronicles the life of Prophet Muhammad. It serves as an introduction to early Islamic history and depicts the true spirit of Islam told through the perspective of the prophet’s uncle Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib and adopted son Zayd.

If your kids are younger, shows such as Little Explorers, Oriental Scholars or Burka Avenger may be more appropriate. 

A ladies-only movie night may prefer a love story like Jilbab Traveler: Love Sparks in Korea or a documentary of Moroccan female religious educators creating cultural change in Casablanca Calling.

Create a theme based on your film of choice

Having a theme elevates the family movie night- think wall decorations, balloons, cute serving plates and maybe even a creatively designed invite. Imagine how the guests would feel to receive an invitation to a fun movie night!

If Ibn Battuta The Explorer is the show for the night, then an explorer theme will be perfect! Maps hung around the room, map coloring activity sheets, the animals from countries Ibn Battuta visited and more!

Design a cozy ambience with pillows, maybe even tents, teepees, and mini lights.

Get dressed up.

Dressing up as a family is always fun. While the show of choice is central to the success of the evening, other colorful details will add joy to the experience! Of course, it also makes for great family photos.

Your “guests” can dress up in outfits that fit with the theme, or the entire family can turn up in matching pajamas! Adorable, no?

Prepare snacks together

Snacks are an integral part of any gathering!

But we don’t want to fret too much about it.

So, why not make it a family activity by trying this salted caramel popcorn recipe by UK-based food blogger, Rabia Rashad. 

If you want something simpler, pick up store bought snacks and get the kids to arrange them creatively.

Plan games based on the show

End the night with games like charades and simple quizzes to review the show that you’ve just watched. Remember, while we want our family to have fun, windows of learning exist in such experiences.

If the show discussed social issues, and your kids are older, it is an opportunity to talk about these matters and guide your children in navigating the topics at hand.

We’d love to hear how you’d plan a family Qalbox night! Share with us in the feedback form below.