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Merlin’s Magic Wand is an independent children's charity. However, we get to do what we do because we are the children's charity partner of Merlin Entertainments. We work globally across all 140+ Merlin attractions collaborating on our three magical programmes! Keep reading to find out more about them.

Did you know that over 40% of children who ask for a wish through the Make-A-Wish charity wish to visit a theme park*? Well, we do! So, we deliver a programme that supports children making wishes for Merlin attractions such as LEGOLAND^®, Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Aquariums – it’s called Magical Days Out.

A single gifted day out for children to visit the local Merlin attraction of their choice.

Magical Days Out are not just for terminally ill children, but for lots of children who are facing challenging circumstances. They can be applied for by parents, guardians or organisations and allow families to visit their chosen Merlin attraction for free. We provide our Magical Days Out to children who need them most, and our eligibility criteria includes children facing many types of adversity as well as those facing an illness or a disability.

You can learn more about our Magical Days Out programme, check your child’s eligibility and apply for a day out today on our site.

*source 2019 Fact Sheet.pdf (wish.org)

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BUT, we hear you ask, what about children who meet our eligibility criteria but can’t get to a Merlin attraction? Great question! As we grew as a charity, we were asked this by children’s hospitals and hospices a lot, so we created an exciting community outreach initiative called Magic On Tour.

Magic On Tour does what it says on the tin (literally). We pack some of the magic and fun of a Merlin attraction into a minibus, a train, or a car, and we take it on tour, delivering it directly to children in schools, hospices, hospitals and orphanages. We work with attractions that volunteer their time to create special activities and fun visits for eligible children to enjoy, and we fund it with a Magic On Tour grant.

You can now apply for a Magic On Tour session! And with many Merlin colleagues registered to volunteer, we have lots of virtual sessions that can be run too, so get in contact today!

Magic on Tour

In places where children spend a lot of time, such as hospitals, treatment centres, orphanages, special educational needs schools and hospices, we offer Merlin’s Magic Spaces. We work with Merlin Magic Makers (yep, that’s a real job) to design and create attraction-themed areas inspired by some of the world’s favourite attraction brands.

These magical projects cost an average of £25,000 each, which is where much of our fundraising from Merlin Entertainments employees, suppliers and guests goes! Merlin's Magic Wand supporters like you can use our fundraising ideas and campaigns to be a part of the magic of reinventing bathrooms, play areas, gardens, waiting rooms and sensory spaces.

Want to learn more about our Magic Spaces? Or how to support this important work through fundraising? Head to our Support Us page now.

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“Over 800 other charities and organisations have been able to offer our Magical Days Out programme to their own beneficiaries! And for those who aren’t able to easily visit our attractions, we are increasingly bringing the magic of the attractions to local hospices, schools and orphanages through our Magic Spaces and Magic On Tour programmes. There’s something for everyone!''

Elin Parry - Magical Programmes Manager, Merlin's Magic Wand

You can be a part of the magic by donating to or fundraising for our programmes right now. We make every penny count!

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