Spit Spot! Run Along With These 5 Musical Mary Poppins Days Out For Kids

Up, up and away! With October half-term rapidly approaching and the timeless classic Mary Poppins hitting the West End in just under a month’s time, we’ve come up with five Practically Perfect ideas for days out with kids. Just around the corner from 17 Cherry Tree Lane and inspired by everyone’s favourite cheery disposition-ed Nanny, we’ve got everything from museums to sweet treats and theatre - just like Mary Poppins’ magic carpet bag, the inspiration is never-ending! Check them out down below and sing along to some classic hits whilst you’re at it!

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Well, technically, no, you can’t actually feed the birds. But you can come nose-to-beak with the feathery creatures in the Blackburn Pavilion at ZSL London Zoo! From just £23, put away your binoculars and get up close and personal with over 50 species of bird, as they flutter past, soaring through the intimate enclosure. Or if you and your little explorers are feeling a little more adventurous, make your way over to the incredible Bird Safari - an immersive exhibit taking you into the bird's environment! Discover an array of winged wildlife from the world's second largest continent and spot a number of impressive species of birds from all around the globe!

Just a spoonful of sugar helps the… ice-cream go down? Forget the medicine and head straight for the cold stuff at the Instagram-mably sweet hotspot Milk Train. Kids will delight in topping their ice cream with a crunchy choice of oreos, popcorn, cookies, chocolate buttons, wafers or rice puffs. And best of all, you can even wrap your cone in heavenly candy floss - just incase it wasn’t sweet enough! Or if you would prefer something a little less, well, sticky, head to Amorino. Here you'll find authentic Italian gelato, frappes, granitas, sorbet drinks and more!

The Perfect Nanny or The Perfect Day Out? Suitable for those aged four plus, the original super nanny returns to her original West End home in Mary Poppins at The Prince Edward Theatre in all her sugary glory! Zizi Strallen will return to play the title role following great acclaim on the recent sell-out international tour. Enjoy famous songs like Step in Time, Chim Chim Cheree and Feed the Birds with new songs and additional music and lyrics, including Practically Perfect, by the Olivier award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. It’s bound to be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Escape the city and bring the kids to the beautiful Dunstable Downs. Whether you walk, run, cycle or even bring a kite, it’s a great chance to enjoy scenic views over the Chilterns and plenty of fresh air as a family. There are lots of events for kids and families throughout the year, including the annual Kite Festival where you’ll be entertained by professional kite teams and experience the thrill of flying for yourselves!

Kick your knees up and Step (Back) In Time! What was it like to be a child in the past? Dive into a world of nostalgia and history at the V&A's Childhood Museum. From cuddly (and not so cuddly) toys and games to furniture and dolls houses dating back up to 300 years the changing exhibits bring the past to life. Alongside unusual toys and games of the past, you can find a whole host of artefacts from childhood frocks to playtime and home objects that’ll transport you right back to Jane and Michael’s nursery, plus it’s completely free!