40 Insanely Fun High School Graduation Party Ideas
Throwing a graduation party soon? Here are the best high school graduation party ideas that we’re obsessing over this year.
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Graduating high school is such an awesome accomplishment and it’s worthy of a big celebration.
But sometimes it can be hard to think of creative high school grad party ideas. It can be overwhelming to think of everything that needs to go into a graduation party.
We’ve rounded up the most creative and fun high school grad party ideas that you can copy for your party.
You’ll find the best party decor, food ideas for graduation parties, and even games to play. All while staying on a budget!
The Best Grad Party Decor Ideas
1. Hang Graduation Year Balloons
Balloons are a must-have for any cute graduation party decor. Get letter balloons that spell out the graduation year and hang them up on a wall!
If you want to take things to the next level, you can add a colorful balloon arch. These are super affordable on Amazon and come in just about any color you could imagine!
This doubles as graduation party decor and a really cute backdrop for photos!
2. Make a Graduate Showcase Table
One of the most popular grad party ideas is to have a table with pictures, awards, and other keepsake items that show off the graduate’s accomplishments.
You can DIY this so easily with a foam display board and some printed pictures. And don’t forget to display the diploma!
Another great way to display your graduate’s accomplishments is on a reclaimed wooden pallet.
You can get these super cheap (or even free) from hardware stores or garden shops.
Then just tie some string across the pallet and hang photos and memorabilia with mini clothespins.
[RELATED: 11 Best Graduation Party Photo Display Ideas For Your Party]
3. Create A Cute Seating Area
Whether you’re throwing an indoor or outdoor graduation party, you should have some kind of seating area for your guests.
It provides a spot for your guests to relax, eat, and mingle with one another. And if you do it right, it can also be a great spot for photo opportunities.
You don’t have to go as fancy as the grad party pictured, but definitely make sure your seating area looks nice and inviting for your guests.
4. Put Centerpieces On Every Table
If you’re having people sit and eat at tables during the party, make sure you add some cute centerpieces to each table.
I love the idea of taking a vase with flowers and adding some cute graduation themed decorations to them.
Add a few pictures of the graduate to each table to give your guests something fun to look at while they eat!
5. Decorate With Your Future School’s Colors
If you’re a college-bound graduate, make sure you celebrate wherever you’re headed off to by decorating in your future school’s colors.
There are so many places where you could incorporate your college colors – tablecloths, balloon arches, flowers, the cake table, etc.
6. Create A Yearbook Photo Display
I absolutely love this high school graduation party idea. Display all of your previous yearbook pictures for your guests to look at during the party.
You could recreate this with a wooden pallet, a ladder, or a repurposed railing like the one above.
Want another creative way to show off your photos throughout the years? Turn your yearly pictures into lawn decorations!
Your guests can look at your yearbook photos as they enter your party. Such a genius high school grad party decor idea.
7. Make A Balloon Pathway
How cute is this entrance to a high school grad party? Your guests will be impressed before they even step foot in your party!
These look super professional, but they’re actually pretty easy to recreate with simple balloon stand kits.
Here’s what you’ll need:
8. Decorate The Front Yard
Welcome your guests to your party the right way with some welcome signs in the yard. Everyone will be in the party mood the second they pull up to the house!
9. Assemble A Balloon Arch
One of the easiest and most affordable high school grad party ideas is to decorate with a balloon arch.
It’s the cheapest way to make a big statement with your party decor. And you can buy them in just about any color from Amazon!
If you are looking for cute ways to decorate the entrance to your party, a balloon arch is great for that as well!
Here’s a cute example of a balloon arch entryway for a high school grad party:
Never assembled a balloon arch before? Here’s a super easy tutorial to follow!
10. Set Out A Graduation Themed Card Box
The most common grad party gift is just a card with cash or a check.
Make sure your guests have a spot to put their cards by setting out this super cute graduation-themed card box.
College Savvy Tip: Assign a trusted friend or family member to keep an eye on the card box throughout the day. You’re going to be busy mingling with guests and you definitely don’t want that to go missing!
[RELATED: What NOT To Do At Your Graduation Party: 12 Mistakes To Avoid]
11. Do A Friends Themed Party
The Friends graduation party theme has been insanely popular over the past few years.
This banner would be such a fun photo backdrop for a Friends themed high school grad party.
Need some other ideas for a Friends themed graduation party?
- Have Friends themed photobooth props
- Put out a seating area with vintage couches and chairs for guests to relax in
- Hang Friends themed streamers around the party
- Make a Central Perk style menu board
- Serve Friends themed food like Rachel’s Trifle, Ross’s Sandwich, the Joey special (two pizzas), etc.
12. Make A Graduation Balloon Sculpture
This graduation-themed balloon sculpture is the cutest decoration for your high school graduation party.
You can easily DIY this with some black and yellow party balloons and a cheap graduation cap. Such a fun and creative decor idea.
Here’s what you’ll need:
13. Hang String Lights
If you’re having an outdoor high school graduation party, make sure you hang some string lights around the yard!
They’ll make the whole party look totally magical and help light up the yard if people party too far into the night.
14. Set Up A Cards And Gifts Station
Most of your guests will be bringing a card or a gift to your graduation party.
It’s always a good idea to have a sign out on a table for guests to put them on. That way they don’t have to carry them around for the whole party.
Your cards and gifts station can be just as cute as the rest of your graduation party decor! Just add some decorations like flowers, candles, and a cute sign.
15. Go With A Travel Theme
One of the cutest themes for high school graduation parties is travel and adventure.
Heading off to college or the corporate world is definitely a new adventure worth celebrating.
There are a ton of cute travel themed graduation decorations on Amazon.
Here are a few of our favorites:
16. Giant Balloon Marquee Letters
Want to really go all out with your high school grad party decor?
DIY these super cool balloon marquee letters. You could have them spell out “grad”, your graduation year, or even your name!
Here are instructions for how to DIY these super cool letters.
If you don’t have time to DIY you could get these pre-made foam marquee letters from Amazon. Just add balloons!
17. Send Beautiful Invitations
You can’t have a great grad party without guests. Invite them in style with these beautiful custom invites from Etsy.
Etsy has a ton of different templates for graduation party invites, so you’ll definitely find one that fits your aesthetic!
High School Grad Party Food Ideas
18. Stick To Small Bites
Although you should definitely have some kind of food, most people aren’t expecting a full meal at a graduation party. Especially if your party isn’t during a main mealtime.
An easy way to keep your guests happy and well-fed is by setting out lots of different bite-size food options.
Just make sure you set out plenty of serving utensils! You don’t want your guests to start using their hands to grab food off your tables.
19. Make An Elegant Dessert Table
How classy does this grad party dessert table look? The eucalyptus stems and natural elements give it such a rustic chic look.
You can recreate this look for your grad party by setting out a variety of desserts and decorating your table with tons of flowers and greenery.
Here are some cute dessert table decor options:
20. Set Up A Pizza Bar
Looking for an affordable grad party food idea? Serve up some pizza!
Everyone loves pizza, it’s cheap, and there are so many different kinds to choose from. Put out options like cheese, pepperoni, sausage, Hawaiian, veggie, etc.
21. Have A S’mores Station
If you’re having your graduation party outside, you should definitely set up a s’mores station for your party guests!
Load up a table with s’mores sticks, marshmallows, chocolate squares, and graham crackers.
Then get a bonfire going so your guests can cook up their s’mores! If you don’t have a full-size bonfire pit, you can get a super handy tabletop fire pit.
22. Build Your Own Nacho Bar
Set up a nacho bar and let guests get creative! Lay out a variety of toppings like cheese, jalapenos, beans, and guacamole.
It’s a fun, interactive way for everyone to customize their plate. Plus, it’s super easy to set up and manage, leaving you more time to enjoy the party.
Make sure to add a cute sign that says “Nacho Average Graduate” to keep your food table on theme!
23. Make These Easy Diploma Cookies
These diploma cookies are SO easy to make but they would look so cute at a high school graduation party. All you need are Pirouette cookies and some ribbon.
Tie the ribbon around the cookies to look like diplomas and you’re all done! So easy.
24. Make Pinwheel Sandwiches
Pinwheel sandwiches are such a classic party food – for a good reason! Not only are they delicious but they are also visually appealing.
Use a variety of fillings like turkey, cheese, and veggies wrapped in tortillas.
They’re easy to grab and eat while mingling, making them perfect for a high school graduation party.
25. Create A Grad Party Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is a sophisticated and easy way to impress your guests.
Load it with a selection of meats, cheeses, nuts, and fruit. It’s a great conversation starter and offers something for everyone’s taste.
Use this charcuterie board tutorial by Oh My Creative if you don’t know where to start!
26. DIY Graduation Cake Pops
How cute are these graduation cap cake pops? If you’ve never made cake pops before, they’re actually surprisingly simple to make.
Just crumble up a baked cake, mix it with frosting, and roll it into balls. Then just dip the cake balls into melted chocolate.
Top the cake pops off with squares of chocolate or square cookies to make them look like graduation caps.
27. Graduation Themed Candy Bar
Another super easy graduation food idea is to set out a themed candy station.
You can find super cute graduation themed signs on Etsy that go with different types of candy.
Fill up some metal buckets or containers with various candy, add the signs, and let your guests dig in!
The Best Graduation Party Drink Ideas
28. Set Out Drink Garnishes
No matter what types of drinks you serve at your party, make sure you add garnishes!
Set out some citrus slices, fresh herbs, edible flowers, etc. Anything you think would complement your grad party drinks!
29. Do A Grad Party Coffee Station
If your grad party will take place early in the day it’s a good idea to serve coffee for your guests.
This graduation party coffee bar setup is SO stunning. You can recreate this look with a glass bar cart, pink cups, and some flowers.
30. Keep Drinks Cold In A Wheelbarrow
For a unique twist, use a wheelbarrow filled with ice to keep drinks cold. It adds a rustic charm to your party and is a practical solution for outdoor gatherings.
31. Serve DIY Mimosas
For your adult guests, set up a DIY mimosa station with different juices and fruits.
It allows partygoers to mix their own drinks and adds a touch of elegance to your celebration.
32. Get Some Drink Dispensers
Drink dispensers are not only practical but can also be a decorative element of your party. Fill them with iced tea, lemonade, or fruit-infused water for a refreshing treat.
They’re perfect for serving large groups and can be easily refilled, keeping your guests hydrated and happy throughout the celebration.
High School Grad Party Activities
33. Set Up a Photo Booth
No high school graduation party is complete without a photo booth. Luckily, they’re super easy to DIY.
Just hang a cute backdrop and have guests take pictures with their phones or leave a camera out.
Need more photo booth ideas? We have a full post about cute graduation party photo booth ideas.
34. Don’t Forget to Add Props
Props make your graduation party photo booth so much more fun and interactive!
Make sure you have a variety of fun props so the graduates and your other guests can all have fun with it!
35. Have A Photo Guest Book
A great way to remember everyone who was at your party is to have a photo guestbook.
Guests can snap selfies with a polaroid camera and put their pictures in the guestbook. Just make sure you have enough film for all of your guests!
I really like this guestbook from Amazon because it comes with a white gel pen and stickers for the polaroid pictures!
[RELATED: 9 Creative Graduation Party Guest Book Alternatives]
36. Ask Guests for Advice
Graduation parties are all about sending students off to the next chapter in their lives. Make sure you send them off right with advice from the people who love them the most.
This is a fun activity for your party guests but it’ll also be something sentimental that your graduate can take with them to college or wherever they head off to.
Make your life easier and order some pre-made advice cards from Amazon.
37. Do A Jenga Guest Book
The Jenga guest book is super popular for weddings but I love the idea of doing it at a high school grad party too!
The graduate can bring the game with them to college and see all of their loved ones’ names every time they play.
38. Play A Graduation Party Card Game
Your guests’ knowledge of the graduate will be tested with this fun grad party game.
The best part? You don’t have to do any work! This graduation party game is already made and printed for you so you can focus on more important things.
39. Set Out Yard Games
If you’re having an outdoor graduation party, make sure you have plenty of yard games for your guests to play!
Here are some fun yard games to play at a grad party:
40. Play Graduation Bingo
Looking for a grad party game that’s fun for all ages? Bingo is a crowd-pleasing activity that will keep your guests entertained.
This set comes with everything you’ll need to play this game at your party.
There you have it – the best high school graduation party ideas. Hopefully this gave you some inspiration for what to do at your grad party!
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