20 Outdoor Graduation Party Ideas Every Grad Will Love
This post is about outdoor graduation party ideas.
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It’s graduation party season!
Graduation party season, while wonderfully filled with delicious food and gatherings, can be quite the task when you’re planning it on your own.
Outdoor graduation parties are some of the most popular graduation party venues. Everyone loves getting together outdoors, and there’s no venue fees with a party that’s in your backyard ;)!
This post shows you the absolute best outdoor graduation party ideas. After reading this post, you’ll have a better handle on all aspects of your (soon to be) fantastic outdoor graduation party.
Here are 20 outdoor graduation party ideas you’re guaranteed to love.
1. PHOTo wall
A photo wall adds a special touch of personalization to your party. You can DIY this outdoor graduation party idea with two affordable items: a grid wall and printed photos. Round up your favorite pics of your grad and head to your local print shop. Then, arrange them on the grid with painter’s tape or mini clothespins. If you want a larger banner backdrop, Etsy offers tons of custom options!
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2. Balloon arch
A balloon arch is a go-to outdoor graduation party idea that makes a statement! I love how you can customize these to fit the theme of your party, like your college colors. These balloon arches look super elevated and upscale, but they’re surprisingly budget-friendly!
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3. 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!
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4. 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.
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5. 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.
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6. 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.
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7. 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.
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RELATED: THE MOST POPULAR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PARTY DECORATING IDEAS
8. 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.
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9. 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.
Here’s a festive idea: create a beverage menu (alcoholic or not) themed after your college or high school!
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10. 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.
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11. 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.
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12. 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.
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RELATED: 23 FANTASTIC GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS FOR GUYS YOU’RE GUARANTEED TO LOVE
13. 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!
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14. 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.
15. 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.
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16. GIANT CONNECT FOUR
So fun for kids and adults!
Super easy to play and is bound to be a hit with everyone.
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17. 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!
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18. 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.
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19. PAPER LANTERNS AND TASSELS
I’m loving this outdoor graduation party decorations idea – paper lanterns and tassels are a festive way to elevate the standard string lights for outdoor decorations. The lanterns could be light up or I also love the idea of putting flowers inside kind of like an arrangement, using the lantern as a vase of sorts.
Tassels are versatile – you could go more rustic or glam. Whatever you choose, they’re bound to be a stylish addition to your graduation decorations.
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20. 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.
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