In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.
To accompany the BLU-RAY™ & DVD release of this film we have created a free downloadable Family Activity Book.
The activities in this book are designed to help younger and older people to share memories of the past and visions for the future:
- Book of Memories: ‘A cover is not the book so open it up and take a look’ sings Mary Poppins in the music hall scene. So we provide an activity for young people to create a film-themed book containing memories of their older family member.
- Lantern of Hope: ‘Whenever I just lose my way, I just look for a little light to guide me’ sings Mary’s friend Jack in the lamplighters’ song and dance routine. So we provide an activity for young people to create a film-themed lantern on which they write their hopes and dreams for themselves, their family and the world; and to reflect on how their older family member can help them find a light to guide them on their way.
To celebrate the launch of this downloadable Family Activity Book a group of grandparents and grandchildren were welcomed at Disney’s screening room to watch the film and make their own Book of Memories and Lantern of Hope.
‘Wonderful’… ‘Exciting’… ‘Thought provoking’…
‘Lovely memories to treasure together’…
Roger and Rebecca’s reflections: ‘These are brilliant activities that we can all enjoy together, whatever our age. They help bridge the gap between old and young. At our different ages we look at the world differently. But seeing through my granddaughter’s eyes I could enjoy her sense of awe and wonder. And seeing through my eyes she could discover a sense of inter-dependence, as we all need one another in our families and communities. I would definitely advise everyone, whatever your family situation, to watch the film and then use these thought-provoking activities to help develop your family relationships.’
Share these resources
Please share these messages, and the graphic below them, on social media:
- ‘A cover is not the book so open it up and take a look’ sings Mary in #MaryPoppinsReturns (on Blu-Ray & DVD April 15). Download #free #FamilyActivityBook and create a film-themed book of memories. http://www.EthosMedia.org/MaryPoppinsReturns
- ‘Whenever I just lose my way, I just look for a light to guide me’ sings Jack in #MaryPoppinsReturns (on Blu-Ray & DVD April 15). Download #free #FamilyActivityBook and create a film-themed lantern of hope. http://www.EthosMedia.org/MaryPoppinsReturns
See our Movie Moments article about this film…
Children have a natural sense of joy and wonder. But, as Mary’s magical umbrella says in Mary Poppins Returns, ‘grownups forget, they always do.’ Why is this? And how can that joy and wonder be rediscovered?
In this long-awaited sequel, Michael Banks, the young son in the first film, is now grown up with children of his own. Tragically his wife has died, and his life is falling to pieces. ‘The magic vanished since you went away’ he sings to her memory. He has abandoned his hope of becoming an artist and taken a mundane job at the bank.
When his youngest son brings Mary Poppins home, saying ‘I was flying a kite and caught a nanny’, Michael’s immediate thought is that he cannot afford her. But Mary is undeterred, she is on a mission once more to save the Banks family… read more
