Alien Day this year celebrates the 40th anniversary of the classic horror, sci-fi film, Alien. The film is recognized for creating a legendary hero and villain (Ripley and Xenomorphs) and feature films and comic books are still being made to expand upon the original story. If you’re familiar with Alien or any of its following stories, it’s obvious that this franchise isn’t necessarily kid-friendly.
Whether you dive into the Alien movie franchise, video games, or comic book series, there’s a very likely chance that viewers will see horrifically violent and deadly scenes that aren’t appropriate for a younger audience. So, if you’re a fan of Alien Day, there might be a chance you’ll want to find ways to introduce the chest-bursting series to a family near you without some of the more terrifying aspects of the franchise. As a parent, I don’t believe a younger audience is ready to see the more gruesome scenes associated with the such a deadly creature as the Xenomorph. So, what are adult fans supposed to do if we want to enjoy Alien Day when kids enter the vicinity?
Let’s explore some kid-friendly alternatives that won’t (or shouldn’t) send little ones screaming down the corridors of your home!
Toys
When is comes to toys, Kidrobot has a couple of plush options that might be perfect ways to decorate your home in a kid-friendly Alien style. You can choose from a light blue Neomorph or a fairly adorable facehugger with its own plush egg. With the latter, it will be the only time you’ll want to snuggle up to a facehugger in your life! Kidrobot also has the least terrifying Xenomorph you’ll ever see. This plush toy vibrates and its second extended mouth shouldn’t give you any frights. (No guarantees.)
If your young ones are looking for collector’s items, then there are a few options you can look to from Funko. There is a Vnyl 2-pack celebrating the 40th anniversary with the iconic Ellen Ripley and Xenomorph, or you can get a Funko POP! featuring Ripley in a spacesuit, guaranteed to keep your shelves safe from any alien incursions!
Games
What family doesn’t love a good old-fashioned game of Clue? In Clue: Alien vs. Predator, players will take turns trying to capture the Alien Queen! “Work with your predator comrades to determine WHERE her hidden lair is and WHAT weapon must be used to win the fight?” Clue: Alien vs. Predator offers players a unique board to play on, with weapons associated with the film franchises.
Yahtzee! The classic dice-throwing game does things a bit differently in Battle Yahtzee: Alien vs. Predator, as players seek and destroy their opponents. “Players assume the character of Predator, Alien, Marine, or Scientist and attack their enemies with classic dice roll combinations like Full House or Large Straight.” There are also special character cards that will give players additional powers. One key note to this game is to point out it’s quite possibly the only time any kid will ever want to do anything associated with Alien in the dark, because this game comes with glow in the dark dice!
If you are interested in playing a deck-building game with friends or your older kids (Ages 17+), then Upper Deck has the solution for you. Legendary Encounters: An Alien Deck Building Game provides over 500 cards to its gameplay, featuring original art, a game board, and “players must work with each other to defeat the terrifying Xenomorphs!” If that’s not enough fun for the family, fans of Alien Day can also buy an expansion set that features 400 cards and new characters!
Books
How can an Alien book be kid-friendly? Well, there are two story books out there that look exactly like they fit the bill. Alien Next Door by Joey Spiotto presents the Xenomorph in a completely different light! The deadly nightmare is transformed into a cat sitter and house cleaner. On another side of things, Jonesy: Nine Lives on the Nostromo by Rory Lucey tells the events of Alien from the kitty’s perspective (mostly kid-friendly in depiction) and shows what happens when an alien learns how to live from a cat.
Miscellaneous
If you’re looking for a wider variety of geeky Alien goodies, head over to Redbubble where you can explore a collection of items with an adorable “Alien & Jonesy Pocket” design, including t-shirts and hoodies, phone cases, tote bags, coffee mugs, pillows, stickers, and other stationery. Look at that design and tell me the Xenomorph and cat tails joining together to make a heart isn’t one of the cutest things ever!
How will you be celebrating Alien Day and the original film’s 40th anniversary this year? Will you pick up some kid-friendly toys or re-watch one of the films in the franchise? Tell us your plans in the comments below and don’t forget to give this article a non-chest bursting thumbs up by liking the article and sharing with your friends!
