This site contains affiliate links, view the disclosure for more information.
This post is all about graduation party ideas.
The time has finally come to start thinking about graduation party ideas!
Whether you are a parent of a graduate or the grad yourself, coming up with graduation party ideas that are unique and will WOW your guests can be difficult to find.
Throwing a graduation party can be kind of stressful, too, but these ideas will give you just the inspiration you need.
This post shows you the best graduation party ideas that are guaranteed to impress your guests.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS:
1. Make A Photo Backdrop With Curtains
Having a photo booth background is an essential for any graduation party and one that is cute AND easy to create is a win-win.
This DIY photo booth background made out of curtains is adorable!
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
2. Use Pictures For a Simple Centerpiece
This is one of the simplest graduation party ideas and something that can be whipped up very inexpensively.
All you need is a few bouquets of flowers to take apart, a vase or mason jar from the Dollar Store, and a picture of the grad!
3. Display Party Entrance Signs
See more pictures from my grad party here: The Secret To Throwing A Graduation Party People Will Remember.
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
This sign is from my own graduation party! My friend and I painted these and put them at the entrance of our neighborhood to show guests where they needed to go.
It was the perfect entrance to the party and helped set the theme.
{RELATED POST: 40 Genius Dorm Essentials Every Freshman Needs To See}
4. Use Large Balloons As Photo Props
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Is it really a graduation party without large number balloons?!
For real though, this is one of the most popular graduation party ideas because it makes a large impact at an extremely low cost.
It's also a super fun thing for your guests to hold while they take pictures with the graduate.
5. Display Cute Paper Straws
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Aren't these straws so cute?!
People will be so impressed to your attention to detail with these graduation straws.
6. Use Graduation Banners To Decorate Spaces
One of my favorite graduation party ideas - graduation banners!
I had banners all over my grad party because they are so cute and are cheap (win-win!).
Nowadays, you can find all different kinds of graduation themed banners on Amazon.
7. Make (Or Order) Graduation Cap Cookies
These graduation themed cookies are the perfect addition to the dessert table.
8. Make These Graduation Cap Cupcake Stands
These graduation cap cupcake stands are really easy to make and make a huge impact. All you need are straws, black paper, and glue or tape!
9. Display a Graduation Memory Board
Put together a memory board of all the major events that happened in high school.
This is such a fun thing for the guests and other high school graduates to look at and reminisce on all that has happened in the last four years.
10. Have a Chalk-Board Inspired Photo Backdrop
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
If you're looking for inspiration for a graduation photo booth background, then this is it!
Chalkboard inspired backdrops can be so cute and really are not hard to put-together. All you need is two large sheets of MDF (you can find this at Home Depot), some chalkboard paint, and chalk markers!
I love how in this picture they used a tassel garland to add some dimension to the board.
11. Use Their College Flag As A Table Cloth
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Super cheap and cute!
12. Frame Graduation Inspired Quotes
Print off inspirational quotes that relate to graduation and frame them around the party.
They add a big impact for a little price.
13. String Lights Between Trees
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
How cute is this outdoor graduation party ideas?!
This is perfect for outdoor grad parties that go into the night, and adding the lights across the trees just makes the party feel much cozier.
14. Set Out A Wisdom Jar For The Graduate
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
When I graduated high school, I was looking for as much advice for college as I could get!
This is such a fun way for guests to get involved and give their top piece of advice to the graduate.
15. Come Up With An Instagram Hashtag
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Coming up with an Instagram hashtag is a great way to make sure that you are able to see all the pictures guests took while at your party!
Make sure the guests know what the hashtag is by placing a cute print out around the party.
16. Use a Ladder To Display Graduation Decorations
Who would have thought an old ladder would look this cute?!
Placing pieces of wood between a ladder is a very creative way to display snacks and other graduation party mementos.
17. Line Your Driveway With Old Photos
This is one of the most classic graduation party ideas and for good reason.
Not only will this show the guests the exact house the party is at but it also features all the cute photos of the graduate growing up!
18. Paint a Globe With A Graduation Themed Quote
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Head to the local thrift store and see if you can get your hands on an inexpensive globe.
Paint the globe and add a cute saying on it and it is a perfect addition to your graduation party ideas!
19. Use a Friends Inspired Photo Backdrop
If I was a huge Friends fan I would have 100% used this at my graduation party.
One of my all-time favorite graduation party ideas!
let's keep in touch...
JOIN THE BSL NEWSLETTER
GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS FOR DAUGHTER:
20. Set Up a Color-Coordinated Dessert Table
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Isn't this graduation party idea beautiful....so obsessed.
I love the classiness this graduate and her mom were able to bring to her party!
21. Spray Paint Pineapples As Table Centerpieces
This pineapple DIY is an easy centerpiece idea!
Stick in some pictures into the leaves of a pineapple and you've got the perfect graduation party centerpiece.
(I know this may seem a little ridiculous haha but it's super fun and unique!!)
22. Use Their Future College State
Celebrate the graduates college by incorporating the colleges state into the decorations.
This graduation party used her colleges state as the backdrop to her candy bar.
23. Use Pallet Boards As A Photo Wall
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
I used pallet boards at my graduation but totally wish I would have used a garland and cute balloons like these girls did.
Such an easy backdrop but so cute and trendy at the same time!
24. Decorate With Large Balloons
36" inch balloons are all the rage for graduation party ideas and can be found in pictures all over Pinterest.
Best part? You can get 15 of these large balloons for only $15.
25. Set Up A Donut Table
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
This is a perfect way to make your graduation party ideas yummy and cute!
26. Frame Your Garage With These Table Cloth Curtains
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Can you believe those "curtains" on the garage doors are actually table cloths?!
This tutorial is really impressive and something everyone who is planning on having their graduation party in their garage should read.
27. Have A Rose Gold Themed Party
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Obsessed with rose gold?
These rose gold balloons and fringe would make for the perfect photo backdrop for your grad party.
28. DIY A Rustic Cupcake Stand
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Buy or DIY this cute rustic holder to display all your cupcakes.
29. Make A Polaroid Photo Booth
Polaroid film can be expensive. DIY this polaroid booth and snap away for a cute and cheap decoration!
30. "Nacho Average Graduate" Taco Bar
Is this not one of the cutest graduation party ideas?!
Everyone loves tacos and this is such a perfect way to tie it into a graduation party.
31. Decorate Balloons With Graduation Caps
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Easily decorate balloons by turning them into graduation caps.
Such a cute and fun idea to enhance the normal balloon!
32. Use Graduation Themed Napkins
Don't forget about the small details!
Graduation themed napkins add a small but impactful touch to the party.
33. "Donut Forget About Me" Table
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Who doesn't love donuts?! Set up a donut bar for your guests to grab from and anchor it with a graduation themed sign, "Donut Forget About Me".
34. DIY Gift Bags For Guests
Your guests would absolutely love a little goody bag to take home! The perfect thing to remember the perfect party.
GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS FOR GUYS:
35. Have A "Taco" Themed Graduation Party
Credit: Etsy
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
It can often to be hard to find graduation party ideas for guys but this taco themed party is such a great gender-neutral idea!
You could also take the idea from above and have a taco bar with a sign that says "Nacho Average Graduate".
36. Use Balloons To Display Pictures
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
How fun is this?!
Use balloons filled with helium to hold up special pictures of the graduate.
37. Make Snacks Look Like Diplomas
What better way to celebrate than to eat?? Make the snacks look like diplomas by wrapping a ribbon around them!
38. Showcase Sports Memorabilia In A Creative Way
Trying to find a creative way to display sport memorabilia and/or trophies?
Use a pallet board and table to showcase all the sporting equipment.
39. Put Drinks In A Metal Bin With Ice
Not only is this an easy graduation party idea, but it will keep your drinks cold while saving room in the fridge!
40. Place Cupcakes In Shape of Graduation Year
This is an extremely easy way to situate cupcakes in a way that goes with the graduation theme.
41. Have A Nike Inspired Graduation Party
How fun would a Nike themed graduation party be?! You can play off the catch phrase "just do it" so well for graduation!
42. Have a S'mores Bar
A s'mores bar is the perfect outdoor activity to have for your guests.
I mean, who doesn't love some s'mores?!
43. Have Guests Address Their Envelope
Plan ahead and have your guests write their address on a card.
Not only does this save you time, but it will also ensure that all guest addresses are correct.
44. Buy a Graduation Card Holder
Use a graduation card holder for your guests to put their cards and money into for the grad.
This makes sure that the cards don't blow away and that there is a specific spot for them so they don't get lost.
GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS 2024:
45. Use 2024 Balloons For An Easy Photo Background
Recreate This Graduation Party Idea:
Here is another graduation party ideas featuring balloon numbers!
This is really easy backdrop that you can set up for your guests to take photos in front of.
46. Display Yearbook Pictures
Props to Mom for buying those yearbook photos even when you told her they were "so ugly!" Use your K-12 photos on your display!
47. Guest Book
Buy a book for guests to sign! It will be so fun to look back and see who was there and what they wrote!
48. Fill Champagne Glasses With Candy
Fill champagne flutes with candy!
49. Put Graduation Sign In The Yard
Put up signs in front of your house to show guests where the party is being thrown.
50. DIY a Graduation Wreath
Did you know that you could make a beautiful wreath out of a pool noodle?!
51. Make Fun Ice Cubes
Use fruits or even flowers to make your drinks super cute!
52. Get Big Letters That Say "Grad" or "2024"
These letters are soo cool and definitely will be very popular this year!
This post was all about the best graduation party ideas.
