Graduating from high school or even second grade is a big accomplishment and what better way to celebrate with some of our graduation party ideas! Whether you are looking for graduation party ideas for guys or graduation party ideas on a budget, we have the perfect idea you can use for your graduation party.
I usually don’t make a big deal out of graduating each year for the kids but this year we are switching things up and throwing a party to celebrate a year of hard work. This gives the kids a chance to have one last hoorah before not seeing eachother for the entire summer. So I have searched Pinterest high and low for the best graduation party ideas that I would actually use for my end of the school year celebrations and I am here to share them with you!
In this blog post, we will show you all different graduation party ideas that will give you tons of inspo. From the best graduation party ideas Pinterest to graduation party ideas for girls, we will show you the perfect idea for any person of any age. We will also show you some graduation party decor, graduation party food ideas and ways to make your graduation party a hit!
This blog post is all about graduation party ideas.
*Please note this post contains affiliate links and I may earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!
What are some good graduation party ideas?
Here are some good graduation party ideas:
- The Tassel Was Worth the Hassle
- Future So Bright (sunglasses + neon accents)
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go
- Next Chapter (books + milestones theme)
- School Colors Chic (elevated, not cheesy)
- Black, White & Gold (timeless + classy)
GET GRADUATION DECOR FROM AMAZON:
Best Graduation Party Ideas
Now, let’s explore the best graduation party ideas that we have found online!
1. Graduation Party Backdrop
A photo op is the perfect addition for your graduation party so that your guests and the person graduating can take an aesthetic pic. Use balloon arches around a neutral background to recreate this cute photo backdrop.
2. Graduation Party Bar Idea
If your graduate is under 18 years old, a shirley temple bar is a fun drink option for the kids. Have fun with it and leave out some cherries, lemons, and all the fixings for your kiddos to mix up their own concoction.
3. High School Graduation Party Ideas
High school graduation is a big deal for both the parents and the graduates so it is important to reflect on how far your graduate has come and how much they have grown the past few years. A fun way to remember the school years is to post a picture from each year since they were born along with a fun message. You can stick the photos on the wall, in frames, or even put them on poster board and make signs that line the hallways or walkways.
4. Graduation Party Dessert Table
A dessert table is always a good idea for any party and a graduation party is no exception. Put out some crowd pleasing desserts like cake pops, cookies, cupcakes and chocolate covered oreos for people to help themselves to a sweet treat.
TIP: Sometimes there is just no room to eat dessert, so leaving some to go bags near the dessert table will entice people to grab something sweet on the way out.
5. Graduation Party Food Ideas
There is nothing worse than having a party and not having enough food or the right foods. Don’t worry, we have got your back with the right graduation party food ideas that will be a hit. At graduation parties, it is important to keep in mind that you will most likely have a ton of the graduates friends there so foods like pizza bites, sandwiches, or other finger foods will sure to be a hit among the younger guests.
GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS:
- Slider bar (burgers, chicken, pulled pork)
- Taco or nacho bar (ground beef, chicken, toppings)
- Pasta salad or baked ziti
- Chicken tenders or nuggets (always a hit)
- Mini sandwiches / pinwheels
- Mac & cheese cups
- Hot dogs or bratwurst (especially for backyard parties)
- Pizza slices or pizza rolls
GRADUATION PARTY SIDE IDEAS:
- Fruit tray or fruit cups
- Veggie tray with dips
- Chips + salsa / guacamole
- Coleslaw or potato salad
- Caprese skewers
- Garden or Caesar salad
- Cheese & cracker board
GRADUATION PARTY APPETIZER IDEAS:
- Charcuterie boards
- Soft pretzels with cheese dip
- Meatballs (BBQ, sweet & sour)
- Mozzarella sticks
- Spinach or buffalo chicken dip
- Popcorn bar with fun flavors
- Chips in personalized snack cups
6. Graduation Party Ideas For Girls
It wasn’t a graduation party with friends if you didn’t take a picture. An aesthetic photo op moment with this simple polaroid camera so that your guests can take their cute pictures home with them as a memory.
7. Graduation Ideas For Guys
Let’s face it, there isn’t much that teenage boys care about especially when it comes to graduation parties. Make the party a little more interesting for them by incorporating their sports memorabilia. If they have jerseys from the past years or sports attire for their soon to be college’s team use them as decor and a display for the party.
8. Easy Graduation Party
Turn a regular drink into a fun and creative graduation drink with some cute graduation cap for them. This is a great way to keep your drinks from getting any bugs during outdoor parties or spreading any germs.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS:
9. Graduation Party Game Ideas
Make your party fun for your guests by having some games and activities planned for them to do. This is a great way to break the ice and also help people mingle with one another.
GRADUATION PARTY GAME IDEAS:
- Guess the Grad – Baby photos posted, guests guess which is the graduate
- Advice for the Grad – Guests write life advice or wishes
- Who Knows the Grad Best? – Trivia about the graduate
- Memory Jar – Guests share favorite memories
- Grad Bingo – Squares like “future plans,” “school colors,” “favorite teacher”
- Year You Graduate? – Match fun facts to different years of the grad’s life
OUTDOOR GAMES
- Cornhole (custom grad-themed boards)
- Giant Jenga
- Ladder toss
- KanJam
- Ring toss
- Yard dice
- Volleyball or basketball shootout
10. Aesthetic Graduation Party Ideas
One of the most important graduation party ideas for girls is having an aesthetic looking party. To make sure that your party is exactly what she wants, try to stick to a neutral color scheme. Incorporate bows, balloon arches, and some subtle florals so that she can have the party all of her friends rave about.
11. Graduation Party Centerpiece Ideas
Don’t forget to put a centerpiece on your tables to give the party a more polished look. For graduation parties, you can go with a more budget friendly centerpiece option like picture frames, faux florals. and photos. Just be sure to add some variation in height in your centerpieces by using items like wooden slices.
12. Black and Gold Graduation Party Ideas
A classic graduation party theme that nevers goes out of style for any age group is the black and gold party decor. This is one of the easiest themes to follow and most of the decor can be repurposed for other parties in the future.
GET THE LOOK FROM AMAZON:
13. Graduation Party Invitation Ideas
No party is complete without a cute invite for your guests. For graduation parties it is good to get your invite out 2 months in advanced because many people are graduating and the end of the school year tends to be busier. For an affordable and easy to make e invite we suggest that you use Canva to customize the invitations details.
This blog post was all about graduation party ideas.
CHECK OUT OUR SIMILAR BLOG POSTS:
- 15 Teacher Appreciation Gifts They Will Actually Want
- 13 Last Day Of School Ideas For Parents, Teachers, and Classrooms
- 21 Amazing Small Playroom Ideas to Inspire Big Fun
Leave a Comment