Outdoor graduation parties are truly the best. Let’s hope the weather thinks so too. Between spending time with friends and family, there are so many amazing outdoor graduation party ideas that will make your party one to remember! Check out this post for some outdoor party inspiration.
Outdoor Graduation Party Ideas
Outdoor graduation party over an indoor party if you ask me. There are perks to having an outdoor party and indoor, but with outdoor it’s more fun for friends and kids to run around and do activities. If the weather cooperates, outdoor graduation decorations and party ideas can be really fun! Even if it means hosting a party right in your garage (highly recommend), do it. If you have the space you can get creative and everyone will have a good time. With outdoor graduation parties, there’s more room to move around and talk with people and allows for people to have a range of stuff to enjoy!
Other related party posts include: Graduation party themes, Graduation candy table ideas, Graduation party food ideas
Outside Graduation Party Ideas
Here are 35 perfect outdoor graduation party ideas for girls and for guys that you need to know about. Whether it be the lighting in the backyard, a drink station, arty games, decorations, or just the vibe of the party, there’s so much you can do to host the best outdoor graduation party!
Smore’s Bar
A s’mores bar is perfect for an outdoor party and makes for great outside graduation ideas. What’s better than a DIY dessert bar that’s outside? Cozy around the fire or in this case a lit bar with candles so you can enjoy this just as much during the day.
Decorate with a Balloon Arch
Whether it be for a picnic party or other outdoor grad party, a balloon arch is great for outdoor graduation decorations! This will fill space, is easy to decorate with and looks so epic at a graduation party. These are perfect for outdoor parties!
Sangria Bar
Mix up the beverage options with a sangria bar! For all wine and sangria lovers this is a must. This creates for a drinking station outside and is perfect just in time for a spring or summer graduation party.
Outdoor Tents
If you’re having your grad party in the backyard, tents are great, especially depending on how the weather cooperates. This makes for a good roof and looks really nice with strung lights! Even if you have extra Christmas lights laying around, these make for awesome DIY outdoor graduation party ideas.
Streamers
To create the best bohemian theme party, streamers are one of the best outdoor graduation decorations. Hang them from a tree or along a wall, they add color and life to the party. They can be kept up all day and night and look great with outdoor lights too!
Glam Dinner Party
If you want the ultimate grad party glam look, there is nothing that disco balls, fun table designs, and lighting won’t do. All the party bedazzle you can picture! This is a super fun outdoor party look and a great way to get creative with DIY outdoor graduation party ideas.
Hot Dog Bar
Everyone loves a good hot dog station. Have your very own hot dog bar in the backyard! You can print off free labels for the condiments and display them however looks good. This is great for a simple outdoor graduation party idea.
Tropical Vibes
I am all about tropical vibes for a grad party outdoors! For a grad party in the summer, having a tropical party makes you feel like you’re somewhere warm. Easily one of the best outdoor graduation party ideas and there are countless ways to decorate for tropical vibes.
Beverage Cart
I find a beverage cart to be SO essential to a grad party (really any party) and definitely for outdoors! Bar carts are great because you can keep all your drink essentials displayed and organized nicely and the bar cart adds decor to anything! A beverage station is perfect for an outdoor grad party setting and will get a lot of use.
Outdoor “Beer” Pong
Is it a college graduation party if there’s no outdoor beer pong? Whether it be actual beer pong or an outdoor game to look like beer pong, this is great for an outdoor grad party. Games are everything to a graduation party and provide entertainment for guests. This is a perfect way to have family and friends interacting and fun, with plenty of space in your backyard!
Giant Jenga
An absolute must to an outdoor grad party, giant Jenga! This is another fun game for the crowd and an easy way to have friends gather around for an outdoor activity. It also just looks cool to walk into a graduation party and see a giant Jenga! Outdoor games are great DIY outdoor graduation party ideas.
Serve Popsicles
Who doesn’t love a popsicle at the party, come summertime? Having a popsicle station like this is adorable, easy and will grab everyone’s attention. This is a great way to keep cool when it’s warm out and adds awesome decor to the outdoor party. Colorful decor and balloons are a big factor to outdoor party decorating!
Bring Out the Kiddy Pool
Bring out the kiddy pool… for drinks! If you’re looking for an easy. clever and fun way to keep all the beverages cool for an outdoor party, this is a brilliant idea. Who needs a cooler when you have a kiddy pool?! It just adds to the outdoor party vibe and is convenient for guests.
Throw a Pool Party
When in doubt throw a pool party for graduation. If you’re going for a more playful and fun party vibe and have a good-sized pool in your backyard, why not throw a pool party! Simply find a bug balloon banner to hang up an some fun floaties!
Key to Success – Have Everyone Sign
A cute and brilliant graduation party idea! As a different kind of activity, have guests share their key to success on a tag and display them outside for everyone to see. It’s easy, gives guests something to do and is fun for you to go through and read! Not to mention looks really cool hung up outside.
Cute & Casual Tables
Keep it cute and casual for the grad party. Just because you have an outdoor party doesn’t mean there has to be a ton of decorations. There are simple ways to still making party look cute and grad ready! Cute table centerpieces and banners will do!
Party Signs
Party signs make the difference at a grad party and are great for outdoors. They can be used for anything, make cool welcome signs, great for a food or drink table, or a photobooth/game. Party signs are perfect DIY outdoor graduation decor ideas!
Decorate the Fence
If your backyard is fenced, this makes for a fantastic spot to add a banner or any large decor! Whether you line the fence or decorate in one spot, this visually looks so good for an outdoor grad party and is easy to decorate for.
Succulents on the Tables
Succulents on the tables is a great way to go if you want a pretty centerpiece! There are numerous ways you can decorate tables but for an outdoor party cute plants are so fitting and cute. They can also be repurposed!
Floating Candles
I don’t know what’s so dreamy about this decor idea but floating candles on tables is gorgeous! If your party is going into the evening this will look so good on each table and add lighting. A super fun DIY idea to be creative with centerpieces for an outdoor grad party!
Party tablecloth lighting
Image source by twinsdish
A must-do for outdoor graduation party ideas! Having lights under your tables provides so much more lighting and makes it more enjoyable to be outside for a grad party. You can find cheap tablecloths and lights at any store.
Rustic country outdoor graduation party
Image source by themonogrammedfarmhouse
This is great for outdoor graduation party ideas if you want to do something simple and cute! This has a country kick to it but can definitely be used as inspiration for other party ideas too.
Year balloons
Image source by ohmy-creative
Number balloons are always a good idea for graduation and perfect for outdoor graduation party ideas! They absolutely add to the party look, make for awesome decorations, and take up space. Also, create the best photo booth!
Photo display
Image source by bysophialee
The ultimate photo display that can be made possible outside! This is perfect for showing all your memories, photos, and achievements. Super cute for outdoor graduation party ideas!
Drink station
Image source by evolutionofstyleblog
A drink station is a must! Investing in a cooler on wheels or something you can easily move around and get into the yard is ideal. This is the perfect drink station setup and one of the best outdoor graduation party ideas!
Table display
Image source by fouroaksmanor
You can’t beat this outdoor graduation party! If you want a really nice outdoor setup and have the space for several tables, this is beautiful. Decorate with your school colors for the best outdoor party look!
Outdoor lanterns
Image source by twinsdish
What a dreamy outdoor party idea! Have some fun lanterns to hang around the backyard, which helps to make the party feel even bigger. One of the coolest outdoor graduation party ideas to try!
Beverage pool
Image source by princesspinkygirl
If you needed a super dope idea for a graduation party this is it. Build yourself a pool fountain of drinks and have an endless supply of beverages! Everyone will think you have the coolest party with this setup. Definitely one of the best outdoor graduation party ideas!
Garage party
Image source by awonderfulthought
An outdoor/garage party setup is the way to go! If you have the space in your garage absolutely do this. String curtain and ribbon all around to cover up wall space of course lights make everything better. The outdoor strung lights are the best! Having a garage party also allows for ample space for food ideas!
Outdoor strung lights
Image source by Apartment Therapy
There is nothing like an endless string of outdoor lights posted around the yard! This is perfect for an outdoor grad party during the day and at night. Find lights that are bright enough to provide a lot of lighting (most outdoor lightbulbs will).
Balloon display
Image source by prettymyparty
This is one of the most unique balloon ideas for outdoor graduation party ideas! Imagine walking through this?! Nothing like a sea of balloons to walk through as a welcoming to the party. Color coordinate them with your school colors for an even more fitting look.
Memory Lane
Image source by Cassidy Lucille
One of the best and most entertaining ways to welcome guests to your party. Line the driveway with the first school picture to last! All your guests will appreciate this and have fun looking at each before the party has even started. Such a cute idea!!
DIY lawn twister game
Image source by livingwellplanningwell
Is this not one of the best outdoor activities for a grad party you ever saw? Activities at any grad party and especially for an outdoor grad party are needed! Whether you buy or make your own version, games are one of the best outdoor graduation party ideas.
Sweet summer grad party
Image source by minteventdesign
Trying to do a combined outdoor grad party can be easily done in a cute and affordable way! Sometimes combined parties are some of the best because you can get creative with your friends and they’re even more fun when it can be outdoors.
Sunscreen and bug spray bucket
Image source by Cassidy Lucille
If you’re having an outdoor graduation party this is something you should absolutely have! When you’re outdoors for hours and don’t actually realize how much sun you are getting or the bugs flying around because of the food, here’s your solution! Make a bucket and make it cute.
More Graduation Party Ideas
- Graduation party themes
- Graduation candy table ideas
- Graduation party food ideas
- College graduation parties ideas
Be sure to pin the Outdoor graduation party ideas post for later on Pinterest so you can get back to it!
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Stacey K says
I love the Smore’s table idea. Thanks for these party tips.