This post is all about high school graduation party ideas.
With all of the best senior festivities happening and college decisions rolling out, your mind is probably in one hundred different places at a time. You want this summer to be relaxing but you also want to throw the best party ever that you can talk about for years... trust me, I've been there.
Your high school graduation party is the time to celebrate all you've accomplished over the many years, the ups and the downs. It's also the time for your family members to say the infamous line, "We never thought you'd make it!"
However you're celebrating your high school graduation, you deserve the best party your town has ever seen and I'm here to help make that happen!
I've put together a list of high school party decorations, food options, and activities that will take your party to the next level. You don't need to copy every single one to have an amazing party! If you take a little inspo away from this and add your unique twist it will allll work out perfectly.
Oh also, happy graduation!! You did it!!
This post shows you high school graduation party ideas.
High School Graduation Party Decorations:
1. Welcome Sign
More likely than not, you're going to have guests calling saying they're lost when trying to get to your party - it always happens. This is why I think having a welcome sign that points in the direction of the party is a game-changer. Seriously, you should have one, it will save you in the end.
My best friend Sarah and I had our graduation party together and we mostly DIY'd everything. For this, you need to get some 24x36 plywood, painter's tape, and black and white paint (with brushes). I've included links just in case you don't have any of these things but I would highly recommend checking your garage - you'll usually find some random supplies in there.
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2. Childhood Memories Board
This was my personal memory board from my graduation party. I took a few hours to scavenge through all of my old family photos to see what I could find (it was actually quite enjoyable)!
I used a lot of photos that I don't have double copies of, so I used a little hack to keep them up on the wood board; put tape on the back of them (something that won't rip when you take it off), then put a pin tack through the tape instead of the photo and pin the tack through the wood board! I hope that makes sense!!
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3. Photo Booth
Photo booths are so cute and a great opportunity to get photos with your best friends and family while you're looking your best for your party.
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4. Clear Sign
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How beautiful is this graduation party sign?! This is one of my favorite ideas I've seen. It's classy yet decorative. Honestly, some of my best graduation party ideas are from wedding decor but they're always so good!
5. Balloon Cluster Popups
I think balloon clusters scattered throughout your party would look absolutely amazing and add to your intended color scheme (if you have one, a lot of people do their college or high school colors).
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6. Balloon Arch
Balloon arches make any party look professionally decorated and they are actually super easy to make. I always get mine on Amazon and have never had any problems putting them together. I highly recommend!
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7. Draping Fairy Lights
Okay, I get this isn't a graduation party but the string lights look so amazing. This would be so easy to recreate and would look soo good at an outdoor grad party!
Also, I personally think the balloons scattered on the floor are really cute.
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8. Class Year Balloons with College Flag
If you're going off to college after graduation, you should definitely rep your college at your high school graduation party. You worked HARD to get into that school and this is the time to celebrate that!
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9. "The One Where They Graduate"
This is a definite DIY project but I think it's a really cute idea. If you're having a graduation party with a few of your friends this would look amazing!
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10. Polaroid Guest Book
I didn't have this at my graduation party and it's one of my biggest regrets. I think it's so sentimental and something that would be so much fun to look back on through the years.
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11. Polaroid Pictures Board
Another great polaroid option that you can spice up and make insanely cute.
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High School Graduation Party Food Ideas:
12. Pizza Bar
Pizza is not only cost-effective but 9/10 people at your party will love pizza so you're guaranteed to win over the crowd. I'm not saying catering isn't amazing, but pizza is just as good.
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13. Snacks Station
Snacks will always be a "yes" and I love how these are displayed. Also, respect to whoever thought of adding serving spoons - it is definitely safer for your guests and cuter!
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14. Graduation Cake
A cute sheet cake with your college's colors or logo is perfect and does NOT look tacky I promise. As I said before, you should represent the school you worked incredibly hard to get into!
15. Graduation Cap Cupcakes
If you really want your party to look like a graduation party and not just a regular celebration, then these graduation cupcakes would be perfect for you. Cute, without being too tacky (however, a little tack never hurt anybody lol).
16. One Smart Cookie
I mean, if the cookie bag said it, can you really disagree?! I think this is such a cute goodie to give away to people as they leave the party!
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17. S'mores Bar
Yes! Please! If your graduation party is in the summer (which I'm guessing it will be) having a s'mores bar is a genius idea that everyone will love!!
This is also perfect if your party is going into the nighttime.
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18. Hot Dog Bar
Hot dogs are super simple and I put together some links below that will make this little setup look so good! Ditch the silver buckets for black ones and use gold spoons!!
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19. Catering
Listen, if you can afford catering, I say go for it. You'll save so much time that can be spent on decorating or relaxing (because you deserve it).
I got catering from a local restaurant in my town but I know chain-restaurants like Qdoba have amazing catering as well. Since I had a graduation party with someone else it was less costly since we split the price and worked so well!
20. Drinks Station
This drink station looks amazing and is definitely a picture from a wedding but if I'm being honest, I get a lot of my party decor inspiration from weddings - those decorators know what they're doing!!
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21. Serve Smoothies & Pancakes
So many graduation parties serve the same food which ends up getting really repetitive, especially when you have multiple to go to in one day.
Switch it up with something different like smoothies and pancakes! I love this idea and think it's something memorable for your guests.
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High School Graduation Party Activities:
22. Corn Hole
In my personal experience, all of my high school guy friends would automatically go to the games at every graduation party we had. Having little games here and there is a way to keep people entertained.
Corn hole has been highly effective at every graduation party I've been to, maybe because it's also super popular in Wisconsin haha.
23. Giant Jenga
Giant Jenga is actually very entertaining and a great game to pull out at any summer party. You can also have people leave messages on them... another idea I got from weddings haha.
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24. Tic Tac Toe
Okay, I just thought this would look really cute - being completely honest.
25. Lantern Send Off
Lantern send offs are one of the best things ever to do at a party (if it's dark out...). A lot of people write wishes on them and then let them fly off into the distance. We're going for the vibes from that one scene from Tangled that everyone loves.
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This post showed you high school graduation party ideas.
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