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This post is all about high school graduation party ideas.
Graduation season is almost here, and that means it’s time to start planning the ultimate high school graduation party. I absolutely loved planning my high school graduation party and wish I could do it all over again. I took it so seriously and started planning months in advance, so if you’re the same way, I completely get it!
Whether you’re the graduate or the mastermind behind the celebration, we’ve got you covered with some super cool ideas to make your party the talk of the town. Let’s hop into these high school graduation party ideas and make this graduation celebration one for the books!
This post is all about graduation party at home.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PARTY DECORATION IDEAS:
1. Acrylic photo board
When I was graduating high school, everyone used wooden pallets to make photo boards, but I think this acrylic photo board is 10x cuter! It looks so classy and looks super easy to just tape photos on.
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2. Flower photo backdrop
This is such a unique photo backdrop that I haven’t seen done before and I love it. Flowers are so summery and would make all of your photos look gorgeous. A flower backdrop is definitely one of my favorite high school graduation party ideas for 2024.
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3. Marquee letters
Having your name in marquee letters at your graduation party is so iconic. Lots of people get letters that say “GRAD” that are also super cute, but your name is even better!
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4. “Class of 2024” balloons
Who doesn’t love these metallic balloons?? Balloons that say “Class of 2024” are so simple but adorable for graduation party decor.
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5. Customized cups
Functional and super cute! I think that anything customizable makes the perfect graduation decoration because it’s all about you, so the decor should be too!
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6. Diploma napkins
If you’re looking for a super simple graduation party DIY, I highly recommend making these diploma napkins! It’s so simple and only requires some napkins and a cute black ribbon.
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7. Custom koozies
How fun is this?? Custom koozies are a super fun accessory for any event and the perfect way to remember your amazing graduation party! It also doubles as a party favor if you want to thank your guests for coming and supporting you.
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8. High school memorabilia display
If you played a sport in high school or were involved in any clubs, showing off your uniform or other accomplishments like this is a great idea. It’s such a smart way to show off everything you spent so much time doing in high school one last time.
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9. Welcome sign
A welcome sign is an essential part of any party or event. Your guests need to know exactly where to go and a welcome sign is the best way to do it.
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10. Venmo QR code sign
Nobody gives checks anymore and people rarely carry around cash, so one way to make sure you’re still getting some cash (we all know that’s a huge reason we have a graduation party lol) is to create a QR code! This is also an excellent college graduation party ideas for adults who are transitioning into the real world.
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11. Bow balloons
Bows couldn’t be cuter or trendier right now. If you don’t like your high school or college colors and don’t want to use them in your party, this is such a cute way to make your party neutral!
12. Picture centerpieces
Since the party is all about you, the centerpieces should be too! This is also a great way to get good use out of your senior photos, or maybe highlight your favorite memories and friends from high school.
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13. Address station
You’re going to want to thank your guests for coming to your party, and the most thoughtful way to do that is by writing thank you notes. If you don’t already have addresses from your graduation party invitation, having an address station makes your job of sending thank you cards so much easier.
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HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PARTY FOOD IDEAS:
14. Charcuterie grazing table
Doesn’t this grazing table just make your mouth water? This is a gorgeous and unique way to have snacks at your party and gives your guests a wide variety of food to choose from.
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15. Pasta bar
If you’re a pasta lover, I totally recommend a homemade pasta bar! Not only is this option cheap (because pasta is so cheap) but it also looks so easy to put together. And pasta is such a crowd favorite!
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16. Mini breakfast food bar
If you want to have your graduation party during the day, having brunch food is a fun and delicious idea. This is also a cheap option that you can make look super cute with the rest of your decor.
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17. Walking tacos
I don’t know about you, but walking tacos were one of my favorite meals in elementary school. They’re so good but so easy to make and get supplies for. This is a really fun high school graduation party ideas because it’ll take you back to your elementary school roots!
18. Customized graduation cookies
Graduation cookies are a graduation party essential. They might be a little pricier but they’re adorable and so memorable!
19. Pizza bar
A pizza bar is a really fun idea for a nighttime graduation party. If your party runs into the evening or if you’re having an after-party, I can guarantee that your friends and family will loveee a pizza bar.
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20. Charcuterie cups
Charcuterie cups are definitely less work than a charcuterie grazing table but just as cute! These also create less mess for you to have to clean up after the party’s over.
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21. Fruit skewers
A lot of graduation food can be fatty (but delicious) because it’s easy to make and usually cheap. If you want to bring some color into your graduation party food and make it a little healthier, I would recommend these gorgeous fruit skewers. Still super easy to make but healthy and delicious!
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22. Custom college cake
How cute are these cakes?? Not only do they look so yummy, but they’re gorgeous and you know they would photograph so well. 😉
23. Sweet treat station
A sweet treat station with a fun play on words! Perfect for a grad party because who doesn’t like candy and a funny pun?
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24. Drink station
Don’t forget drinks!! If you’re focusing on food and decor, drinks can be easily forgotten. I love making a cute drink station at any party or dinner I host and making one of my favorite drinks to serve.
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25. Mini cupcakes
Similar to cake, but mini cupcakes are even easier and super cute to display. You can even make them college-themed or personalize them however you like. The more cupcakes, the more possibilities!
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26. Hot dog bar
I have a friend who would’ve absolutely loved having a hot dog bar at her graduation party. Hot dogs are the perfect easy summer food which makes them perfect for graduation parties!
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27. Chocolate fountain
If you’re extra, you need a chocolate fountain. This is a super fun and delicious dessert option that I’ve never seen done at a graduation party before. I can guarantee your guests will love this, though, because who doesn’t love a chocolate fountain, right?
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28. Donut wall
A high school graduation party classic is a donut wall! If you haven’t seen this done before I would be very surprised. A donut wall is so cute and always a crowd favorite.
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HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PARTY GAMES:
29. Bounce house
I’m obsessed with this idea! You would be lying if you said you don’t love a bounce house… This is a great idea for an outdoor graduation party game and is especially perfect if you have little kids coming to your party.
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30. Friendship bracelet-making station
This is something new I’ve never seen done before but it looks so fun! Beaded bracelets are so cute and the perfect summer accessory, which makes it the perfect activity for a grad party with all your friends.
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31. Jenga
Either a cute Jenga like this one above or a giant Jenga is always so much fun for an outdoor graduation party. This is a super simple game that any of your friends and family can enjoy.
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32. Spikeball
When I think of Spikeball, I think of college, which makes it the perfect game for a high school graduation party!
33. Corn hole
Corn hole or bags is a Wisconsin classic so that’s probably why I love it so much. I don’t think I’ve ever been to an outdoor grad party that doesn’t have this.
34. Ladder toss
Ladder toss is also a classic and fun for all ages! I used to love throwing the balls when I was younger and still think it’s a really fun game today.
35. Yardzee
Yardzee is maybe something you haven’t seen before but it’s super fun! It’s Yahtzee but with huge dice that you can play outside.
36. Wall ring toss
I can promise you that this’ll have your guests occupied for hoursss. You either are really good at this game or really bad, and it’s really fun to figure out which one you are lol.
37. Bocce ball
The last outdoor graduation game I could think of was bocce ball. I’m not entirely sure how to play this game but I know it’s fun and it’s a classic!
OUTDOOR GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS:
38. Floating foam letters
If you have a pool (first of all I’m jealous) and second, you need these foam letters! I love the idea of making the pool part of the party, or just having a pool party to begin with!
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39. Yard games
I listed above so many yard games that you need to check out for any outdoor grad party. You will not have nearly as much fun at your party if you don’t have yard games.
40. S’mores
A fire and s’mores sounds like the perfect way to end a party! If you think your party will go later into the night, a s’mores station is one of the greatest high school graduation party ideas for you.
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41. Outdoor tent
Don’t risk the weather with an outdoor party and just hope it won’t rain all over your party. An outdoor tent is essential for any graduation party so the weather won’t be something you have to worry about on your big day.
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42. Outdoor dinner party
If you aren’t a huge party person, having a smaller outdoor dinner party is one of my favorite ideas. This is something you’ll be able to enjoy with just your close friends and family and you’ll remember it forever.
43. Hanging lights
Hanging outdoor lights are a necessity for any outdoor space. Hanging lights create the best vibe for a party and will keep it going all night long.
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44. Balloon arch
You definitely need a balloon arch!! These are surprisingly so easy to put together and always look so good. And they’re perfect for pictures!
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45. Pictures along driveway
Nobody will mistake which house is yours with a walk down memory lane leading into your house! This is the perfect way to remember your years of school and also showcase all your school photos one last time.
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HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS Q&A:
1. How do you make a fun graduation party?
The key to a fun graduation party is to make it unique and have tons of things for your guests to do! Games, outdoor activities, and good food are essential to do this.
2. What food to serve at graduation party?
You can serve absolutely anything at a graduation party! My favorite options are listed above, but there are also so many other ideas I’ve found in this graduation party food ideas post!
3. What can I do instead of a graduation party?
My favorite alternative to a grad party is a small dinner party! It’s still so special and a great way to celebrate the grad.
4. How do you organize a high school graduation party?
There’s so much that goes into a high school graduation party! The above ideas should help you out with where to start, but just make sure you have food, drinks, games, decor, and invite the people you love.
