Mary Poppins Returns: How to Make Cleaning and Organization Fun!

Keep reading for tips on how to make cleaning and organization fun, inspired by Mary Poppins!

Mary Poppins Returns

While Mary Poppins Returns takes place in London, Mary Poppins can make an appearance anywhere, especially now that the movie has been released on Digital and Blu-ray!  I love the original Mary Poppins movie and I have to admit that I was skeptical when I heard there would be a sequel.  Could Emily Blunt fill Julie Andrews’ shoes?  Would Dick Van Dyke make an appearance?  And the kite….what about the kite?

Get ready to trip a little light fantastic – our favorite British nanny Mary Poppins is back, thanks to Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns, and she’s still practically perfect in every way.

My skepticism was quickly won over by Mary Poppins Returns, especially Emily Blunt.  The sequel does not try to copy the original movie.  Instead,  Emily Blunt brings her own style to Mary Poppins and the supporting cast is also great, not to mention a wonderful cameo by another favorite actress of mine, Angela Lansbury.  Mary Poppins Returns has several references to the original movie, which is a great way to honor a classic film for so many of us.  But there are also new musical numbers and a new storyline, making it a great movie in its own right.

I was provided with a digital copy of Mary Poppins Returns and my family and I had a great time watching the bonus features, which are detailed below!

ALL NEW BONUS FEATURES:

Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD™

• Deleted Song – “The Anthropomorphic Zoo” – In this early song sequence, Mary Poppins and the children visit a very special zoo where the humans and animals trade places.
• The Practically Perfect Making of “Mary Poppins Returns” – Join filmmakers and cast on an amazing journey to embrace the legacy of the original film while making a fresh modern sequel.
  • Introduction – Filmmakers and cast remember the first Mary Poppins movie and share the thrill of working on “Mary Poppins Returns.”
  • “(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky” – Discover how the team mined PL Travers’ books for a fresh perspective on a much-loved character.  Plus, meet the Banks children!
  • “Can You Imagine That?” – Be on location for Mary’s iconic entrance from the sky, and explore the movie’s original songs, inspired by the Sherman Brothers.
  • “Nowhere to Go but Up” – Experience being on set with the legendary Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury, and celebrate the joy of choosing the right balloon!
• Seeing Things From a Different Point of View:  The Musical Numbers of “Mary Poppins Returns” – Go behind the scenes and experience the film’s production numbers from a new angle.
  • “Trip a Little Light Fantastic” – Led by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the cast performs the film’s biggest production number, with dancing lamplighters, bicyclists and more!
  • “The Royal Doulton Music Hall” / “A Cover Is Not the Book” – Find out what it takes to create two musical extravaganzas inside an animated world, highlighted by dancing animated penguins!
  • “Turning Turtle” – Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy Turvy, played by Meryl Streep, has an unusual house that turns this musical number upside-down.
  • “Can You Imagine That?” – Dive under the bubbles with the cast and crew to see how this exuberant number was created.
• Back to Cherry Lane; Dick Van Dyke Returns – Dick Van Dyke, who played Bert and Mr. Dawes Sr. in the firm film, returns after 54 years to Cherry Tree Lane as Mr. Dawes Jr.
• Practically Perfect Bloopers – There’s nowhere to go but up with the cast and crew in this lighthearted collection of flubs, goofs and prop fails!
• Deleted Scenes
  • Leaving Topsy’s – After their visit to Cousin Topsy, Mary, Jack and the children pause to take a look back.
  • “Trip a Little Light Fantastic” – The leeries light up the screen in this extended clip from the movie’s biggest musical production.
• Play Movie in Sing-Along Mode:  Sing along with all your favorite songs as you watch the movie.

Digital Exclusive:

• Play Movie with Audio Commentary – Watch the film with commentary by director Rob Marshall and producer John DeLuca.

How to Make Cleaning and Organization Fun

In Mary Poppins Returns, Mary Poppins returns to Cherry Tree Lane, not only bringing her fashionable sense of style with her (complete with a parrot umbrella and carpetbag), but also her imagination and creativity.  She not only has a way of bringing the child out in all of us, but she also has a way of making even the most mundane things, like house cleaning and organization, fun.  Yes, I said it……fun! The folks at Walt Disney Studios sent me several items to inspire my family.  As a a result, here are several tips ways you can make cleaning and organization fun for your family, inspired by Mary Poppins.

1.  Make It a Game

One way to make cleaning and organization fun is by making it a game.  For example, my son’s playroom has toys everywhere and we are trying to teach him to put toys away before he can play with other toys.  We also try to make it a game so it’s fun for him.  We like to see who can put the toys away the quickest (as well as the neatest) and keep score.  Young children will especially love it when they win prizes and prizes can be something as simple as a sticker.  Labels are also useful to keep everything organized in containers.

Stickers can be a fun “prize” when kids clean up after themselves, and labels are great for organization.

2.  Play Catchy Music While Cleaning and Organizing

Another way to make house cleaning and organization fun is by listening to upbeat music.  The Mary Poppins Returns soundtrack is fantastic, and I find myself humming along to songs like “There’s Nowhere to Go But Up!”  Only instead of holding a balloon, I’m holding a spray bottle 🙂  Music is also a great motivator for children.  It’s hard to be grumpy when fun songs are playing in the background.

3.  Use a Dry-Erase Chore Chart

A dry-erase chore chart is extremely useful, especially when it comes to organization.  My son loves to help around the house and we’ve started adding responsibilities for his daily routine, like making his own bed and feeding our dog.  He likes being useful, and it gives him a sense of accomplishment when he completes his chores.  Not only that, but he can also earn a sticker every time he completes a task.

A dry erase chore chart is useful, especially when it comes to organization.

4.  Take Breaks Every Now and Then

Even Mary Poppins takes a break every now and then from making everything tip-top shape!  Taking breaks can include other fun activities like playing a board game, watching a movie, or coloring.  For example, you can click here to print out a Mary Poppins Activity Pack, which includes not only coloring pages, but also a diy lampshade silhouette, kite, and bookmark!

The Mary Poppins Returns Activity Pack is a fun activity to do while taking a breaking from cleaning and organizing.

One of my favorite quotes from Mary Poppins Returns is “Everything is possible, even the impossible.”  Including making cleaning and organization fun!