Platinum Jubilee celebrations

It’s not often we get to celebrate something so momentous as 70 years of the same Monarch, in fact, it’s world record breaking. There’s lots of streets having their own parties around Tonbridge and some great events open to everyone too, so we can all join in the fun. I hope you enjoy celebrating the Queen’s Platinum jubilee.

Street Parties

Street parties are such a staple of British celebrations, apparently going back to 1919, to celebrate after WWI on Peace Day. My dad (who was a Royal Naval photographer at the time) photographed a street party the Queen’s coronation in 1952 in his home town of Portsmouth. I absolutely love the photos of the party and the children in fancy dress.

You can read more about my dad’s photography career in this blog
https://hushabye-photography.co.uk/photographer-appreciation-month/

I have very vivid memories of going to a silver jubilee street party in fancy dress, when I was 5. My costume was the Queen of Hearts, I wore a hand painted Queen of Hearts card costume and had a tray of jam tarts.

So, I’m very excited that we’re going to be having a party in our street. Are you organising one? What do you need and what should you bring along? Here’s some ideas for games, bakes and activities for your party, wherever you have it.

There’s a dedicated webpage on the government website with tips and ideas for running your own street party
https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/get-involved-with-the-platinum-jubilee/

Games for the Platinum Jubilee

How about some good old fashioned party games?

Tug of war

You’ll need a strong rope, a ribbon to mark the middle of the rope and two teams for this. Make sure the teams have a soft landing if they fall over!

Pin the crown on the queen

Just like pin the tail on the donkey but jubilee themed. You could draw your own queen and her crown and use a scarf as a blindfold or download a ready made game
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-tp-116-pin-the-crown-on-the-princess-game
Or you could do pin the tail on the corgi!!

Pass the parcel

Simply wrap a present in layers of newspaper, popping a sweet or chocolate between some or all of the layers. It’s a great way to keep the kids entertained.

There’s also a great pre-done pass-the-envelope game to buy here

Sweet treats

Platinum Jubilee tray bake

If you want your party food to be jubilee themed, then try a good old retro tray bake and decorate it with blue and red sprinkles. You could make cupcakes like this too.
https://scottishscran.com/old-school-cake-recipe/

Cream tea

Nothing says British celebrations like a cream tea
My favourite recipe for scones is Mary Berry’s, you can find it here.

Eton Mess

Eton mess with strawberries and blueberries make a great red, white and blue pudding that’s very nearly healthy!
Here’s a recipe

Bunting biscuits

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/bunting-biscuits

Activities

Colouring pages

I find that colouring can keep children quiet for either hours or seconds! Here are some great printable jubilee themed colouring pages for those who love to colour.

These ones are great fun

Hobbycraft are offering free colouring sheets.

Decorate your own bunting

https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/free-platinum-jubilee-colouring-sheets.html

Create a crown

This is such a simple and fun activity. It’s very easy to cut a zigzag shape from card and let your children colour and sticker it. Hours of fun!
If you want something a bit grander than a zigzag then this template is fun
https://www.redtedart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Paper-Crowns-RedTedArt.pdf

I hope you’ve found my suggestions and links useful. I can’t wait for our party, there’ll be lots across Kent I’m sure. As a photographer, I’ll be sure to add to our family’s archive of jubilee celebrations. Will you?