Some childhood memories stick with you forever. For my husband and me, Harry Potter is one of those things—a story that shaped us, comforted us, and filled us with wonder long before we ever became parents. I was one of the original readers who waited for release days and read the books right way, but my husband actually didn’t read them until college. Nonetheless, he loves them just as much. When the time came to introduce our kids to this beloved series, we knew we didn’t want to rush it. We wanted to make it special.

We started with the Illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, because if you’re going to experience this world for the first time, why not do it with stunning artwork and the magic of a read-aloud? Every night, we gathered together, turning pages, watching our kids’ eyes widen at the first glimpse of Hogwarts. It was everything we’d hoped for. We were able to go pretty slow and talk about things as they happened.

And then came the surprise.

When we finished the book, we told them we had one more adventure left—the movie. I downplayed it and casually said that yeah, we would watch it some night soon, but we had a plan. My husband pretended to go to a movie. The older kids and I settled in for some girl time before bed. Then, he came back unexpectedly and said an owl brought him a letter with their name on it! It was even sealed with wax (I see you, red birthday candle). Inside the letter were two movie tickets to an at-home viewing of the movie. They were so excited.

I printed Hogwarts Express tickets, too, because why not add a little extra magic? I even folded one of those origami fortune tellers—the kind we all made in elementary school—and turned it into a Sorting Hat game. (I was crossing my fingers for Ravenclaw, and we all breathed a little sigh of relief when none of us got Slytherin.)

Then, there was the food. Because every great Harry Potter experience needs snacks, right? We had sorting hat chocolates, chocolate frogs, and—of course—big bowls of popcorn. We lit a fire in the living room, turned down the lights, and all snuggled up together, ready to see the magic unfold on screen.

And the best part? Watching our kids experience it. The gasps when the castle was revealed. The nervous giggles when Draco first appeared. The way they scooted closer when things got intense, fully immersed in this world that has meant so much to us.

The thing about magic—real magic—is that it’s not just in the books or the movies. It’s in the moments we create, the care we put into making something feel special. Watching our kids step into this story with the same excitement we once had? That was magic.

And honestly, getting to be the ones who made that magic for them? That might have been the most magical part of all.