Welcome to a jolly holiday with Mary! If you’re dreaming of a practically perfect birthday bash inspired by the beloved Mary Poppins, get ready to bring the charm and wonder of Cherry Tree Lane right into your home. From whimsical decorations to delightful entertainment and scrumptious treats, here’s your ultimate guide to hosting a Mary Poppins-themed extravaganza!
Party Decorations
Cherry Tree Lane Entrance
Transform your entryway into Cherry Tree Lane with colorful kites, faux lampposts, and a welcoming chalk drawing on the pavement just like in the movie. Use sidewalk chalk or a washable marker to recreate Mary Poppins’ arrival scene, setting the tone for the magical adventure inside.
Mary Poppins’ Parlor
Deck out your space with elegant Victorian-style décor—lace doilies, teapots, floral arrangements, and vintage-inspired furniture. Hang umbrellas from the ceiling and place potted plants to emulate the cheerful atmosphere of Mary Poppins’ cozy parlor.
Magical Floating Umbrellas
Hang umbrellas upside down from the ceiling with clear strings to create a whimsical effect, just like the ones in the famous scene where Mary Poppins takes flight with her magical umbrella.
Mary’s Carpet Bag Centerpiece
Craft a centerpiece inspired by Mary’s magical carpet bag. Fill a vintage-style bag or a large decorative purse with flowers or colorful paper streamers to serve as a charming focal point for your party table.
Party Entertainment Ideas
Mary Poppins Character Visit
Make the party unforgettable with a surprise visit from a Mary Poppins character look-alike! Check out local entertainment companies or performers for someone who embodies the spirit of Mary Poppins to enchant the guests with storytelling and fun activities.
Bert’s Chalk Art Corner
Create a designated area where kids can channel their inner artists like Bert by providing sidewalk chalk and a large area for drawing on the pavement. Encourage them to unleash their creativity with chalk drawings just like in the “Jolly Holiday” scene.
Sing-Along with Mary
Host a sing-along session featuring beloved Mary Poppins tunes. Prepare song lyrics or print songbooks for everyone to join in singing classics like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “A Spoonful of Sugar.”
Mary Poppins Tea Party
Set up a tea party station with dainty teacups, saucers, and a selection of teas and finger sandwiches. Encourage guests to enjoy a proper British tea time, just like the one Mary Poppins shares with the Banks children.
Party Games and Activities
Bert’s Chimney Sweep Challenge
Create a fun obstacle course resembling a chimney sweep challenge. Set up hoops, tunnels, and balance beams for kids to navigate, inspired by the “Step in Time” rooftop dance.
Kite-Making Workshop
Engage guests in a kite-making activity using craft materials like paper, string, and sticks. Let them design and decorate their own kites to take home as a delightful party favor.
Mary Poppins Trivia
Test everyone’s knowledge of the Mary Poppins movie with a trivia session. Prepare questions related to the characters, songs, and magical moments. Offer small prizes for those who know their Mary Poppins facts best!
Bert’s Sidewalk Art Contest: Encourage guests to create chalk drawings on the pavement in a friendly art competition. Award prizes for the most creative, imaginative, or whimsical drawings inspired by scenes from the movie.
Mary Poppins’ Fashion Show: Set up a costume corner with clothing items and accessories reminiscent of Mary Poppins’ attire. Encourage guests to dress up and strut their stuff in a mini fashion show, celebrating their favorite characters from the movie.
Jolly Holiday Dance Party: Create a dance floor area and play upbeat songs from the movie. Encourage guests to dance and have a jolly good time, just like Mary Poppins and Bert in the “Jolly Holiday” scene.
Umbrella Decorating Station: Provide plain umbrellas, fabric markers, stickers, and embellishments for guests to decorate their own magical umbrellas. Let them unleash their creativity and take home their personalized masterpieces.
Penguin Waddle Relay: Organize a relay race where participants walk or waddle with a small stuffed penguin between their knees, just like the animated penguin dance sequence in the film.
Storytime with Mary: Have a designated area where someone dressed as Mary Poppins reads excerpts from the Mary Poppins book series or narrates magical stories to captivate the younger guests.
Mary Poppins’ Practically Perfect Games: Classic party games with a Mary Poppins twist! Play musical chairs with a “Step in Time” soundtrack or a spoonful of sugar scavenger hunt where guests find hidden treats.
Flying Kite Contest: Organize a kite-flying contest in an open outdoor area (if available) where guests can show off their kite-making skills and fly their creations. Award prizes for the most creative or best-flying kite.
Bert’s Art and Crafts Corner: Set up a crafting station with materials for kids to create their own sidewalk chalk art, kite designs, or paper crafts inspired by scenes from the movie.
Party Foods and Drinks
Mary Poppins’ Spoonful of Sugar Treats
Offer a variety of sweet treats inspired by the iconic song “A Spoonful of Sugar.” Serve sugar cookies, lollipops, and candy in decorative jars or containers labeled with the song’s lyrics.
Chimney Sweep Popcorn
Popcorn served in paper cones or bags labeled as “Chimney Sweep Popcorn” makes for a simple and thematic snack. Add a touch of sweetness by drizzling melted chocolate over the popcorn.
Practically Perfect Cake
A Mary Poppins-themed cake can steal the show! Decorate a cake with umbrella-shaped toppers, penguins, or silhouette designs resembling the magical scenes from the movie. Consider incorporating Mary Poppins’ famous hat or the iconic kite as cake decorations.
Jolly Holiday Punch
Prepare a refreshing and colorful punch for guests of all ages. Mix fruit juices with sparkling water or lemon-lime soda and garnish with sliced fruits or maraschino cherries for a delightful drink reminiscent of a jolly holiday.
Party Favors Ideas
- Magic Umbrella Miniatures: Miniature umbrella keychains or charms for your guests to take home, reminiscent of Mary Poppins’ iconic accessory.
- Chimney Sweep Brooms: Small toy chimney sweep brooms as a playful nod to Bert’s profession in the movie.
- Kite Kits: DIY kite-making kits with instructions and materials for guests to recreate the kite-flying joy of Cherry Tree Lane at home.
- Bert’s Chalk Set: Personalized chalk sets or chalk sticks wrapped in a ribbon to encourage kids to continue their chalk art adventures like Bert.
- Tea Party Treats: Individual bags or boxes filled with tea bags and assorted sweet treats, mirroring the delightful tea parties from the movie.
- Mary Poppins’ Bag Surprise: Small bags or pouches filled with assorted candies or trinkets, symbolizing the magical bottomless bag carried by Mary Poppins.
- Spoonful of Sugar Sweets: Clear jars or bags filled with sugar candies or lollipops labeled as “A Spoonful of Sugar” for a sweet departure gift.
- Mary Poppins-Themed Books: Miniature Mary Poppins storybooks or coloring books for younger guests to enjoy the enchanting tales at home.
- Magic Bubbles: Bubble wands or small bottles of bubbles to capture the whimsy and fun of the movie’s magical moments.
- Penguin Figurines: Miniature penguin toys or figurines as a charming reminder of the animated penguin dance scene from the film.
Hosting a Mary Poppins birthday party is sure to bring joy and enchantment to all your guests. Let the magic of Mary Poppins turn your celebration into an unforgettable event filled with laughter, whimsy, and a spoonful of sugar
