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Looking for the best backyard graduation party ideas? Here is everything you need to plan the best outdoor graduation party ever!
Backyard Graduation Party Ideas
Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime event of our life and definitely deserves to be celebrated in the best way possible. And what better way to celebrate this accomplishment than with an unforgettable graduation party!
Now that life is returning to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic, most ceremonies are back in-person, and families and friends are able to safely gather together to celebrate life’s big moments.
Backyard graduation parties are some of the newest trends among graduation parties because you can go crazy with the decorations and arrangements and can easily accommodate all your guests. Plus it’s so easy to transport stuff to and from a party that’s right in your backyard!
Related: 35 Awesome Graduation Party Ideas That You’ll Love
If you’re hosting a backyard graduation party this year, this post shows you 21 super cute backyard graduation party ideas to make sure you feel extra special on your big day!
Here are the best backyard graduation party ideas your guests will love and remember.
1. Make a Graduation Cards and Gifts Table
One of the things I’ve learned from all the graduation parties I’ve been to is that almost all the guests bring cards or graduation gifts with them. So it’s always a good idea to have a designated area for gifts and cards for guests. That way they don’t have to carry them around for the whole party.
The above gift table idea would look so fancy in your backyard! I love that you can recreate this idea with just a few things and make your party look so chic!
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2. Rustic Photoshoot Backdrop
It’s your big day and you’ll want to remember this day and have cute memories of it! So a cute photo backdrop is a must-have at your graduation party for taking pics with friends and family!
A rustic photo backdrop would look really cool outdoors and is very easy to set up too! A backdrop stand, tassel garland, or any other decorations you want, and a sheet is all you’ll need! And the best part is that it’s super inexpensive to put together too!
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Related: 25 Insanely Genius Graduation Party Ideas That’ll Blow Your Mind
3. Chalkboard Welcome Sign
Welcome your guests in the best way possible by setting up a cute welcome sign. I love using chalkboards because you can reuse them later on at different parties and events.
Plus it’s an easy way to point your guests in the direction of the party let them know they are at the right place.
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4. Tree photo display
Decorate your backyard trees by hanging photos of all your childhood memories with your friends and family. It’s such an adorable way to display photos of the graduate!
This is something that absolutely anyone can use for their high school or college graduation, especially at a backyard graduation party!
If you’re having your party in the evening, go the extra mile and string fairy lights around the trees to create a beautiful atmosphere!
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Related: 35 Awesome Graduation Party Ideas That You’ll Love
5. Balloon walkway
A balloon walkway is probably the most fun way to welcome your guests to the celebration! Plus it’s a super festive way to decorate your party entrance!
You could easily DIY this idea by tying the balloons to some weights and placing them along the sides of the pathway. Using balloons in your school color to personalize them will make them more unique.
6. Decorate in future college colors
Going to college is a huge deal and that’s something to be celebrated with that much importance! Base your party theme around your graduate’s future college colors and try to find as many decorations in those colors as you can!
This idea is especially helpful if you’re not sure how to start decorating your graduation party or are looking to keep it simple and at the same time do not want to break the bank!
7. Outdoor Party Seating Idea
Setting up a cute and comfy seating area is one of the most important things to take care of if you’re hosting an outdoor graduation party.
You most probably may have to borrow or rent some furniture to make sure you have enough chairs for all your guests. Also, be sure to get matching tablecloths and centerpieces to make everything look so put together!
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8. Play Lawn Games
Party games are guaranteed to make it more fun, especially if they’re played outdoors!
If you’ve enough open space in your backyard, then you should definitely set up some fun yard games like Croquet and Cornhole. These games are such a great way to keep your guests entertained and involved!
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9. Hang String Lights and Paper Lanterns
When it comes to backyard graduation parties, stringing some super long strands of fairy lights from your trees can totally make your party look classy and professionally decorated.
Not only are they fairly cheap on Amazon, but also make everything look super magical! I promise you they can be a total game changer!
Pair the lights with some matching paper lanterns and you’ve got yourself an amazing grad party decor that your guests will definitely remember!
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10. Mason Jar Floral Centerpieces
Adding centerpieces to your party tables is another great graduation decor idea since your guests are going to spend a lot of time there.
Mason jar centerpieces are super trendy right now and one of the most inexpensive ways to decorate your party table. The above idea would go really well if you’re going for a rose gold color theme, but you can totally customize them to match your graduation party theme!
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11. Decorate with lots of Balloons
Is it really a party without balloons?! Balloons are a super classic party idea to use at any kind of party, indoor or outdoor! Something about them is just so festive and fun that they instantly brighten up any space!
You can find on Amazon balloon garlands for almost every color scheme, so you can even customize them to match your party theme or school colors.
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Related: 23 Best Graduation Cap Ideas You’ll Obsess Over
12. Have A Polaroid Guestbook
A Polaroid station is a really trendy graduation party idea, one that has been getting more and more popular lately. Plus it’s a fun way to create a photo album of such an important day.
It’s incredibly easy to set up too. You just need a polaroid camera your guests can snap selfies throughout the day and then stick the pictures on a graduation guest book, as well as leave a message for the graduate!
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13. Decorate with tassel garlands
You don’t really need to spend a lot of bucks to organize a memorable graduation party everyone will remember! The best party ideas are the simplest things that look like you put a lot of effort into them!
I love how these tassel garlands are incredibly affordable and at the same time make your party look so colorful! You can hang them on trees, railings, etc to add a pop of color to your party!
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14. Cupcake Bar
You can’t have a celebratory party without a cake! And a cupcake bar is a classic graduation party idea that is sure to be a hit every time.
To make it more personalized and put together, make sure the cupcakes go hand in hand with your party theme!
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Related: 27 Graduation Party Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love
15. Beverage Dispensers
Using beverage dispensers to serve drinks to your guests is a really smart idea and one which is really easy to recreate!
Just make sure to fill them up with some fun summer drinks and refill whenever they’re empty, which is very easy to do too!
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16. Pizza Buffet
Pizza is everyone’s favorite food, so why not include it in your party? It would be a huge crowd-pleaser!
Plus it’s so easy to set up as well. All you need to do is order a bunch of different types of pizza – pepperoni, veggie, cheese, Hawaiian, etc. and set them out on a table!
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17. Build Your Own Pasta Plate
I love the idea of having a ‘build your own’ pasta bar at any party! I think it’s a stress-free way of serving food to a large crowd throughout the entire evening!
Plus your guests will love that they can mix and match their desired pasta shape, sauce and toppings. Just make sure to offer plenty of sauces and toppings!
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18. Mini Charcuterie Boards
Charcuterie boards are hands down everyone’s favorite snack to have at a party and the easiest way to elevate your snack table!
But instead of a large grazing table, why not serve mini individual charcuterie boards instead? This is such a fun and unique way to set up your snack table!
If you want to create one for your graduate party all you need are some mini charcuterie boards like these ones from Amazon.
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19. Make a Chips and Dip Buffet
How creative is this idea?! I would be so delighted to be served chips and dips at a graduation party!
It’s super easy to do by putting different kinds of chips in brown paper bags along with some delicious dips!
20. S’more Station
Graduation season is usually in the summer, right around April or May, which means the weather is perfect for having a s’mores bar!! Not only is it the most delicious thing to use at your party but also something your guests will remember for a long time!
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21. Mini Cocktails
When it comes to parties, it’s the attention to even the smallest details that makes all the difference!
Speaking of tiny details, I absolutely ADORE these mini cocktails! Seriously they look soo cute!!
You can easily recreate this idea with these mini glasses and clear labels from Amazon!
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These are the best backyard graduation party ideas guaranteed to make your party a hit!
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