Along with the crib and the diapers and the bottles, when you're preparing for the arrival of a child, you might want to think about investing in some animated films as well. Animated films are a childhood favorite and many are designed to appeal to adults as well, making watching one a great family friendly activity. If you're not familiar with the latest animated films, we can help you choose one to watch with your child.

Baby Films

If your child is preschool aged or even younger, there are educational animated videos that are designed specifically to expand your child's mind and help him or her get ready to go to school. These videos usually belong to a series, such as Dora the Explorer, Baby Einstein, or Bob the Builder, and are tremendously boring for adults to watch. This is something to put on for your child while you're busy taking some quiet time for yourself.

Family Films

If your aim is to curl up in your home with the whole family, a family film is a better choice. Disney is the king of family films, with Pixar, Dreamworks, and Aardman also contributing to the huge store of family movies that are out there. Family movies include classics like the Lady and the Tramp and the Lion King as well as brand new films like the Princess and the Frog and Chicken Run.

Computer Animation

There are many styles of animation, from classical 2D animation to claymation and stop motion, but the most popular form of animation for new movies is computer animation. Using 3D modeling, animators on computers can create extremely realistic looking animations like those found in Final Fantasy: the Spirits Within or Legend of the Guardians. If you're looking to fill your video library with computer animation, make sure titles like Finding Nemo, Meet the Robinsons, and How to Train Your Dragon are on your list.

Adult Animation

When you're buying videos for your kids, make sure you don't pick up any of the adult-aimed animation by accident, which many grown ups like to watch while they run on their treadmill for example. Many Japanese animated films, such as Akira, and Ghost in the Shell are adult oriented, as are many other worldwide productions like the South Park Movie, Waltz with Bashir, Heavy Metal, The Triplets of Belleville, and Persepolis. These types of movies may be animated, but they deal with heavy issues like sex, drugs, and violence.