May 4th used to be a niche pun for nerds; in 2026, it’s a full-blown corporate holiday and the unofficial kickoff to the most important month Star Wars has had in seven years. With The Mandalorian & Grogu movie hitting theaters in just a few weeks, the hype machine is at a ten, but you don't need to buy into every limited-edition plastic trinket to have a good time.
TL;DR: May 4, 2026, is all about the "Mando-verse" transition to the big screen. If you’re looking for the best way to celebrate with kids, skip the overstuffed sequels and stick to the gold standards: The Mandalorian for live-action, The Bad Batch for high-stakes animation, and Star Wars Outlaws for the gamers. It’s a great day to move past "good vs. evil" and talk about why characters like Din Djarin choose to do the right thing when it’s inconvenient.
For the first time since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, we are officially in a "movie year." The Mandalorian & Grogu is the center of the universe today.
If your kids have only ever known Star Wars as a "Disney+ thing" they watch on an iPad, this is the moment to explain the scale of the big screen. The May 4th trailers and posters are everywhere today. Use this as a chance to revisit the first two seasons of The Mandalorian. Season 3 was honestly a bit mid—it got bogged down in Mandalorian politics and lost the "lone gunslinger" vibe—but the early stuff remains the perfect entry point for elementary-aged kids. It’s episodic, visual, and doesn't require a PhD in Jedi lore to follow.
While the live-action shows get the billboards, the animated side of the house is where the best writing has been happening.
If your kids haven't finished this series yet, today is the day. It’s the spiritual successor to The Clone Wars, following a group of elite, "defective" clones navigating the rise of the Empire. It’s darker than your average cartoon but handles themes of brotherhood and "finding your place" better than almost anything else in the franchise. It’s the perfect bridge for kids who are ready for slightly more mature stakes but aren't quite at the Andor level of political grit yet.
If you only have 15 minutes and want something that actually feels like "art," watch an episode of Visions. These are standalone shorts from global animation studios. Some are gorgeous, some are weird, and some are better than the actual movies. It’s a great way to show kids that "Star Wars" is a sandbox, not a rigid set of rules.
Star Wars Day usually comes with massive sales on the digital storefronts. If you’re looking for a "May the 4th" gift that actually lasts longer than a Lego build session, look at the games.
- Star Wars Outlaws: This is the one for the kids who want to be Han Solo, not Luke Skywalker. It’s an open-world "scoundrel" fantasy. It’s less about the Force and more about navigating different factions. It’s a masterclass in world-building—ask your kid which planet has the coolest vibe and why they chose to help one syndicate over another.
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga: If you have a younger kid (ages 6-10) and you want to play with them, this is the default choice. It covers all nine main movies with the trademark LEGO humor. It’s low-stress, high-reward, and genuinely funny even for adults. For the full experience, check out our best games for kids list.
You don't need a screen to do Star Wars Day. The May 4th LEGO releases are a tradition at this point. If your kid is into the building aspect, today is usually when the "Ultimate Collector Series" sets drop. They are expensive, yes, but they are also a great way to spend four hours working on a complex project together. If the $200+ sets aren't your speed, the smaller "diorama" sets or the Star Wars Unlimited trading card game are better ways to engage with the lore without just sitting in front of the TV.
Star Wars works because it’s a modern myth. Use today to move past just "cool lasers" and ask a few questions that actually stick:
- The "Gray" Area: In The Mandalorian, Din Djarin often has to break his own rules to do what’s right. Ask: "When is it okay to break a rule for a good reason?"
- The Cost of Power: The Empire always looks sleek and organized, but at a huge cost. Ask: "Why do some people prefer the Empire’s 'order' over the Rebels' 'chaos'?"
- Choice over Destiny: Rey and Luke both have "famous" families, but they choose their own paths. Ask: "Does it matter where you came from, or is it only about what you do next?"
The biggest "friction point" on May 4th is the sheer volume of content. Disney+ will be pushing everything from 1977 to 2026. Don't feel like you have to start from the beginning. Star Wars is best consumed in "eras." If your kid likes the cute stuff, stay in the Mando-verse. If they like the epic stuff, go to the Prequels. If they like the "war" in Star Wars, Rogue One is the peak.
Q: Is "The Mandalorian & Grogu" okay for younger kids? It’s expected to be a PG-13 theatrical release, similar in tone to the show. If they’ve handled the "Dark Troopers" and the occasional blaster fight in the series, they’ll be fine for the movie. It’s "Star Wars violence"—lots of sparks and falling over, very little blood.
Q: Where should we start if my kid has never seen Star Wars? Start with A New Hope. It’s the original for a reason. If that feels too "old" for them, jump straight to The Mandalorian. The visual effects are modern, and Grogu is the ultimate "hook" for kids.
Q: Are the new Star Wars games too violent? Star Wars Outlaws is rated T for Teen. It involves shooting blasters and "stealth takedowns," but it’s not graphic. It’s more about the strategy of not getting caught than the violence itself. For something truly kid-friendly, stick with LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
May 4, 2026, is a hype-fest for the upcoming movie, but the best way to celebrate is to find the one corner of the galaxy your kid actually cares about—whether that’s building LEGO, playing Outlaws, or finally finishing The Bad Batch.
- Check out our best movies for kids list for more sci-fi picks.
- See our digital guide for elementary school to see where Star Wars fits in.
- Ask our chatbot for a Star Wars watch order
based on your kid's age.