15 Awesome Outdoor Graduation Party Ideas

Graduation parties are perfect for hosting outside. The weather is nice, the backyard can accommodate more guests (especially the grad’s friends) and it’s free…haha!

No, seriously, an outside party has a certain charm and feel. It’s summer and the backyard is very welcoming and a great way to entertain.

Need more help? Visit the Ultimate Graduation Party Guide: Everything You Need!

Whether you need games, decor, or something else for your outdoor party, you are in luck! I have found 15 of the best outdoor graduation party ideas that will really make your grad’s party extra special.

These ideas were made with the outdoors in mind, but some of them could be brought inside if it rains or you want to use them for an indoor party.

P.S. Looking for grad gift ideas? Check out The Best Graduation Gifts To Give.

Here are 15 Awesome outdoor graduation party ideas!

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1. Outdoor Party String Lighting

Purchase a few sets of these outdoor party string lights to turn your backyard into the perfect spot to host an outdoor graduation party. The warm glow of lights strung in the tree, along fences, or hung on deck structures/poles turn an outdoor area into a magical space for a celebration.

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2. Graduation Party Tablecloths 

Graduation party table covers can make your grad party look festive. They come in many school colors with grad caps all over the side panels. Decorate for your child’s graduation party with these cool grad party tablecloths!

3. Graduation Table Centerpieces

These mason jar centerpieces filled with simple summer flowers are perfect for an outdoor graduation party. They have an effortless look yet celebrate the occasion with the graduation year tied with jute string.

Make your own with these supplies:

Mason Jars  |  2023 Year Comes In Several Colors  |  Jute Twine 

4. Outdoor Graduation Party Dessert Table

This outdoor graduation party dessert table is magical using bright colors, paper garlands and pretty cake plates to display the desserts. Consider adding large confetti-filled balloons and paper spheres to accent the table. Place the table near a rustic fence, brick side of the house or hang interesting fabric to create the perfect backdrop.

Supplies to create your own: 

Graduation Party Decoration in Your School Colors

Cake Stands

Paper Garlands

Chalkboard Food Signs

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5. Backyard Drink Station

What I love about this outdoor party drink station is you can place it anywhere in the yard. Purchase a few wooden crates and several galvanized drink buckets and stack them in an interesting way. The crates are a perfect place to place the glassware, straws and extra drink supplies.

What you may need:

Large Beverage Buckets

Beverage Drink Stands

Beverage Drink Dispensers 

Wooden Crates 

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6. Graduation Cap Straws and Water Bottle Labels.

Don’t forget to accessorize the drink station with decorative grad cap drink straws and graduation water bottle labels.

7. Inflatable Serving Bar

This inflatable serving bar sitting in the grass filled with drinks is an easy way to serve up a variety of drinks for an outdoor grad party. What a fun way for kids to gather and hang out enjoying a cold soda or water while chatting with friends. I love the idea of placing it on a blanket with pillows around for comfortable seating!

8. Graduation Party Balloon Garlands

Balloon garlands are all the rage at parties these days. DIY balloon garlands are perfect as photo booth backdrops, cascading down the stairs or around a dessert table. The grads will love to Instagramming an amazing balloon garland!

Balloon Garland Kits come in many color options and sizes. Let your imagination go wild!

9. Number Balloons

The graduates are always proud of the year they graduated from school. These large number balloons will be a big hit for photos with friends and family. Plus they make a big splash as part of the graduation party decorations! They come in many colors to compliment your other grad party decor!

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10. Outdoor Party Bug Spray Basket

This outdoor party bug spray basket is awesome! Let the guests help themselves to bug repellant as the sun begins to set. They don’t need to bother you and will enjoy the party into the evening.

Stock up on bug spray here or make a chemical-free spray here.

Find a small wicker basket here.

Photo Sand and Sisal

11. Outdoor Graduation Signs and Banners

Outdoor graduation signs and banners are perfect decorations for your outdoor graduation party! What a fun way to celebrate at a high school graduation party! Hang the graduation banners on the front porch, a fence or railings on the deck. So many to choose from!

12. Giant Lawn Games For Parties

12. Mini Chalkboard Label Signs

These mini chalkboard signs are perfect for any celebration. Easy to write on and erase time and again as food signs, placecards or table numbers.

13. Pop-Up Tent Canopy 

A pop-up tent canopy is essential for any backyard party. They are great rain or shine protecting the food tables or guests from too much sunlight or rain. Most fold up compactly for storage. Plus they are great to take to kids sporting events, the beach or craft shows.

14. Graduation Party Desserts

With most graduation parties being more of a theme party, these clever graduation party desserts will make an awesome dessert table display! These graduation dessert toppers might be perfect on your grad party desserts!

15. FUN GRADUATION PARTY PRINTABLES

These graduation party printable decorations are fun to use. Create the ultimate graduation party using these graduation party printables to decorate the party! Includes a grad banner, signs, table centerpieces, candy bar signs and more!

One so guests can use the same hashtag on Instagram, one to use for the photo booth and the other is a sign you can place on tables etc.

 

Start your graduation party planning off right with this

You might also like these grad party ideas:

• THE BEST BACKYARD GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS

• 25 GRADUATION PARTY THEMES, IDEAS AND PRINTABLES

• 20 GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS FOR GIRLS

• 30 COOL GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS FOR GUYS

• 30+ MUST MAKE GRADUATION PARTY FOOD IDEAS

• 30 AWESOME GRADUATION PARTY DESSERTS

• FALL GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS

Ultimate Graduation Party Guide: Everything you need!