18 Outdoor Graduation Party Ideas Every Grad Will Love

1. HANGING LIGHTS

Hanging lights between trees or other structures is a great way to add some flare to your party - it's a stylish option for outdoor graduation decorations! 

These look great during the day, but even better when it gets a little darker. If you’re planning your outdoor grad party for later in the day, these are perfect! 

2. JAR OF LIGHTS

Battery operated string lights in a jar are perfect for graduation party centerpieces. Tape the battery pack to the lid to make it even more picture perfect! You could also add faux or silk flowers to it if you wan't more of a vase look.

3. PHOTO BOOTH

A graduation party photo booth is an awesome idea for an outdoor grad party! 

All of your friends that come to the party will love the Instagram opportunity, too! There are so many ways to style one, but my favorite is flowers.

4. Chalkboard Signs

Chalkboard signs are perfect for outdoor or backyard graduation parties, especially for listing grad party games, food items, or other instructions in such a cute way.

5. FLORAL CENTERPIECES

Floral centerpieces are a chic finishing touch for an outdoor grad party. Fill these jars with some local flowers and a cute sign with your graduating year or a small baby picture. 

6. S’MORES STATION

Have a fire-pit at your venue or house where the grad party is being held? This adorable outdoor graduation party idea for a s’mores station isn’t just another food option, it’s an activity in itself, too! 

Perfect for adults and kids! Everyone will love this interactive food. 

7. REFRESHMENTS

Keeping drinks in these containers is much better than an open bowl when having an outdoor party. 

These containers keep bugs out, and are much more functional and very cute compared to a standard bowl! Add a little more pizzaz by having a cute plastic cup option like these glitter ones below.

8. CUPCAKE DISPLAY

Displaying cupcakes on a tier stand is so cute, and functional, too! It's one of my favorite outdoor graduation party food ideas. 

We did this at my grad party, and it was definitely a crowd pleaser. 

I also love the below idea for individual cupcake holders with covers and small forks - ideal for something outdoors in the summer when bugs could be an issue.

9. FRUIT

Fruit is another fun dessert idea for an outdoor graduation party food option. It is so refreshing to have out to snack on a summer’s day or night. You can serve it tiered like the photo above, or arrange it in a tray, with different fruit in different sections. 

10. GIANT PONG

This is such a fun idea!

Giant pong is perfect if you have a large backyard or large grass area at your venue. It was such a hit at my graduation party, and is the perfect outdoor graduation party idea for guys.

11. BEAN BAG TOSS

This is one of the classic graduation party games! 

You can buy the plain one shown below, and paint it like the one shown above to match the theme of your party! 

12. YARD TWISTER 

This is such an easy and cheap DIY outdoor graduation decorations idea for a game.

Use the bottom of a box to create a perfect stencil to spray paint your twister mat right on to your lawn. 

Create a spinner out of a square of wood and paint or markers.

13. LADDER TOSS

Ladder toss is another classic outdoor graduation party game idea!

So fun for kids and adults!

Perfect for a big yard or venue with a large grassy area.

14. GIANT CONNECT FOUR

So fun for kids and adults!

Super easy to play and is bound to be a hit with everyone.

15. BUG SPRAY AND SUNSCREEN

This is perfect to put with all of your games - and is such a necessity to go with your outdoor graduation party activities.

Kids and their families will especially love this, someone always forgets the essentials! 

16. LIGHT UP GRADUATION SIGN

A light up sign is a fun way to celebrate the graduation and add some ambient lighting outdoors. You could go for big block letters like the photo above, or a fun custom neon sign for a different vibe.

18. MOROCCAN STYLE FLOOR SEATING

I love this idea of moroccan style floor seating - it’s a super fun way to switch it up from your average height tables and chairs. Though, it’s still nice to have some of those, since not everyone might be able to sit on the ground. You can find cute cushions at stores like Home Goods or World Market. And if you want to DIY, you can also easily make the tables out of wood pallets.