Are you wanting to honor your special graduate, but you’re on a tight budget as well? No problem! This article will give you creative backyard graduation party ideas without breaking the bank! Keep reading to see how!
The Outdoor Backyard Graduation Party of Your Dreams
The day you never thought would come… has come. How did 18 years go so fast?
Yet, here you are, in the throes of graduation season. Your baby is graduating.
I’ll give you a minute to wipe the tears and clean up your mascara.
My sons are still small, but I know that day is coming. Even still, I kind of get what you’re feeling.
I was a high school English teacher for 14 years before I had my kids, and I had seniors every single year.
There is something so special about that senior year, where the line between what separates them as kids from you as an adult feels razor thin. It’s truly a unique and wonderful dynamic.
And now, you want to honor your child with an amazing party – but there’s the problem of budget.
No fear, mama. Life on a budget is right up my alley, and I’m going to give you the best outdoor graduation party ideas, to throw in your backyard, at home, for a fraction of the price.
It will be stellar. I promise.
This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosures for more details.
Creative Ways to Cut Costs
Before we get into the nitty gritty of logistics, let me offer a few suggestions that can cut the cost of an outdoor party right off the bat.
My first piece of advice is to enlist the input of the graduate. This is a great way to make sure you hit the nail on the head.
Your son or daughter might have severe senioritis, but this will be a lot easier on you if you get them involved – for ideas, and ideally, hands on help, too.
What kind of party do they want? What food? What kind of atmosphere?
Remember, this is their day (too, lol). This can also end up being a really meaningful bonding experience for both of you, before you send your baby off to college or whatever’s next.
Ok, so let’s talk about a few ways to keep it on a budget.
1| Consider Co-Hosting
Chances are there’s another graduate your child is friendly with? How about combining forces with that family and having a joint party?
Most of the time, kids are going from house to house for graduation parties, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with making it easy for them to make 2 stops at once.
This helps greatly when you split the cost of serving essentially many of the same people, and it’s also a fun way to incorporate a group effort.
2| Have an Open House
An open house is a simple way to celebrate the big day.
It cuts down on the formalness of the party, where you know gets will just be dropping in for periods of time rather than staying for the full hours.
You’ll want to keep a pretty wide ranges of hours so people can flow in and out, but in this way, your guest are not anticipating a full-on 5 course menu.
There’s a whole other section coming up on food that makes an open house easy to accommodate.
3|Digital Evites or FB evites
You can save a ton by inviting guests through an Evite or by creating a Facebook event.
Most people are on Facebook, and for those who aren’t (likely your older family members), a phone call is totally appropriate.
This is also an easy way to track RSVPs.
There are many sites you can create online invitations for free such a Punchbowl, evite, and Zazzle.
4| Free Printable Decorations
There are MANY bloggers who provide free printable decorations on their sites. It is super-easy to print and make decorations from what you can get for free.
Here are a few that would be amazing to use, from Lil’ Sprout Greetings, Oh My! Creative, and Design Dazzle.
5| Creative Food, Drinks and Seating
You can save a lot of money by being creative with food and drinks.
How about having a lemonade and punch drink station rather than individual cans/bottles? Also consider finger food and food bars – those are usually easy and inexpensive foods. (I go into more detail about that below).
And how about making your own cake or have a dessert bar or designated dessert table? (See below for those ideas, too!).
You can also consider alternative seating – blankets and pillows on the grass or fun backyard furniture.
You can even use pallets in those picnic areas for faux tables – a unique way to provide seating by using all the available space!
And kids are super-casual like that!
IF you happen to also have a she shed, that can be opened up and converted as another outdoor seating area.
6| DIY is the Name of the Game
So you probably realized that to cut costs, lots of the food and decorations and activities will be DIY. But don’t worry, I’ll walk you through all of that!
Party Planning Step 1: Decide on an Outdoor Grad Party Theme Idea!
I’m sure you’re excited to pull the trigger, but the first thing you’ll want to think of is a theme.
It doesn’t need to be elaborate – it can actually be as simple as your child’s school colors or color scheme, but if you’re going to branch out in other directions, deciding this first will steer all the rest and is the best way to start.
Don’t forget to get your student’s input on this! He or she might already have some great ideas!
Basically, you can take any party theme idea (rustic, cowboy, glam, etc.) and apply it to a graduation party.
Here are some themes to get you started.
I’ve linked to a few sites that have pulled them off if you want to see what it looks like in real life.
Sports (via Kara’s Party Ideas)
You’re a Shining Star(via Giggles Galore)
Luau (via Grey Grey Designs)
Boho (via For Your Party)
Rustic (via Hostess with the Mostess)
Rustic Glam & Boho-ish (Neutral Colors) via A Hundred Affections
College Colors (via Grey Grey Designs)
Fiesta (via Giggle Galor)
Bright Future (via Frog Prince Paperie)
The World Awaits Travel Theme (via Big Dot of Happiness)
School Colors (via Tidy Mom)
Girly Floral
Food Bar Ideas
So we talked earlier about an open house, and food bars are really the easiest way to make that happen.
You can set it up, it’s self-serve, and you can restock as needed as guests come and go.
And there are lots of creative ideas for a stellar food station.
And when we’re talking about kid-food-fare, simplest is best! Take advantage of their underdeveloped pallets!
I’ve listed a few ideas below, but if you want ALL of the amazing food tables for a graduation party, take a look at this post: 30 Fun and Festive Graduation Party Menu Ideas.
It has what you’ll see below as well as a BUNCH more. This is your full guide for food planning.
Snacks and Appetizers
You can keep it real simple when kids are involved. They don’t need fancy!
You set out an array of individual serving appetizers – so many ideas here that are fun and festive! Or, you can have something of a theme for snack bars:
Charcuterie Table Here, you can put out many kinds of platters!
Soft Pretzel Bar (This pretzel graduation hat would be a fun addition!)
Main Courses
If you feel you want to have some kind of main course, here are some ideas for food bars with some links to give you more ideas!
Again, be sure to see this post for more food ideas!
Along with this idea is a self-serve drink station.
Here, you set up giant glass pitchers of self-serve drinks with cups. This will save a ton on buying bottles and cans of water and soda!
Dessert Bar
There are so many fun ways to do a dessert bar.
You can limit it to one type of dessert or you can do many kinds at one table! It can even be as simple as having treats or candy in your child’s school colors.
You can also include many of these individual serving desserts, which help to keep things safe with a crowd!
Cookie Bar
Candy Bar (in school colors)
Make & Take Cupcake Bar (You can use these super-cute cupcake toppers!)
Dessert Dip Charcuterie Boards
Dessert Bar with Graduation Themed Treats
Cotton Candy Graduation Shooters from Tikkido
Diploma Cookies also from Tikkido (You can do this with Swiss Rolls, too!)
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Chocolate Graduation Caps or Peanut Butter Cup Graduation Caps (Tikkido again!)
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Cupcake Toppers are also a great hack!
Neutral to go with any school colors
DIY & Budget Decoration Ideas
Sometimes DIY decorations can feel overwhelming.
Like, what do you choose? Where do you start? There are sooo many directions you can take this!
My advice is to search out some inspiration pics for what you want your party to look for and then search for the DIYs.
I promise, they are out there!
I know, that’s why you came here! So I’m going to give you a head start to find some of these fabulous DIY decorations!
If you want to purchase inexpensive decorations because you just don’t have time (or skill, lol) to make them, you can head over here where I rounded up some of the best and cheapest graduation party decor for 2024!
You can find ideas for a personalized graduation banner, centerpiece ideas, favor ideas, decorations highlighting the graduation year, and more!
You can also find very inexpensive graduation-specific party decorations at Dollar Tree, Party City, Walmart, etc.
Balloon Ideas
Below I’ve picked out a few balloon decorations ideas to get you started.
If you really want to run with balloon decor, be sure to check out this post 30 of the BEST graduation party decoration ideas using BALLOONS!
Balloon Garland from Paisley and Sparrow
Balloon with Graduation Caps from Giggles Galor
Balloons with tassels from Tikkido
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Balloons Numbers from Balloonz and Tunes via Pinterest
Glammed Up Balloon with Confetti from Mum in the Mad House
Helium balloons with pictures hanging from them from Balloontime
Photo Ideas
A photo display is not only reminiscent and nostalgic, but a fun idea to embarrass your kid a little, too! 🙂
A photo of the graduate (or many) are a must!
Line driveway with pictures (via Pinterest)
Tree Wrap Photo Display (From Stagetecture via Pinterest)
String up photos with clothespins (from BHG)
Photo Memory Board/Wall (from Tidy Mom)
Photo Timeline Collage (from Michelle’s Party Plan It)
Welcome Ideas
Yard signs and welcome signs are a must-have, not only guide your party guests in but to announce the big event happening in your family!
Chalkboard Welcome Sign (from Mint Event Design)
Welcome Sign/Entrance with Photo
Personalized (and Editable) Welcome Sign without Photo
Guest Sign-In Table (This is a great idea with Jenga Blocks from the Must Have Mom!)
Tissue Paper Grad Year Sign (from Sugar Bee Crafts)
Backyard Decor
If you used some of the ideas above, you probably have a good portion of your decor set in place.
If you’re looking to spruce up backyard before decorating for the party, here are some ideas for making a pretty outdoor space as well as ideas for decks and patios.
Here are some other backyard decor ideas and options to fill in some of the holes.
Repurpose What You Already Have (Christmas lights, wrapping paper, old books, mason jars, flowers)
School Memory Table – Old yearbooks, article clippings, kid memorabilia, old artwork (you were saving them for something, right?!?), jerseys/uniforms, instruments, certificates, trophies, report card collage, etc.
White String Lights and Lanterns in Trees
DIY Card Holder from Reuse Grow Enjoy
Framed Graduation Printable Signs from Made in a Day
Budget Table Decor
For disposables like napkins, plates, tablecloths, cups, straws, etc.
Dollar Tree is perfect for that generic table decor. Dollar Tree even has some inexpensive graduation decorations, too. Y
ou can take those basic materials and then bling them up a little for graduation-themed table decor.
Here are some more ideas you can incorporate:
DIY Graduation Themed Table Decor
Graduation Napkin Wraps from Reuse Grow Enjoy
Grad Hat Straws from Today’s Creative Life
Party Plate with Tassels from Good in the Simple Life
Easy DIY Centerpieces
Graduation Themed Centerpieces from Super Safeway
Balloon Chandelier from Today’s Creative Life
Unique DIY Tier Trays from Shabby FuFu
Quote Tags around Flower Centerpieces from A Hundred Affections
Graduation Candles (great for favors, too!) from Down Redbud Drive
Outdoor Games & Activities
Photo Opps
Every party needs some entertainment.
With kids, you really don’t need much. They are there to socialize and hangout – the entertainment takes care of itself.
However, one thing you’ll probably want to include is some kind of photo station or photo backdrop.
They are the experts at selfies and pictures, and if it’s not posted on social media, did it even happen?
Here are 18 amazing ideas and inspiration for graduation photo booths!
This is also another fun DIY Photo Booth from Post Cards from the Ridge:
And for the love of God, don’t forget your Hashtag Sign (free printable here!) for the party pics!
Here are some other ideas for activities or little things to do at the party.
And if you’re really a fun crowd, bring out the karaoke machine!
Free Printable Graduation Party Games (and some more games here!)
Or Jenga Blocks!
or 15 DIY Lawn Games you can try!
Don’t Forget Other Outdoor Party Essentials!
For your guest comfort and enjoyment, here are a few other things to have available at the party:
Bug Spray/Sunscreen Bucket
Drink Covers (cupcake liners and straws work great for this!)
A Budget-Friendly Backyard Graduation Party You’ll Always Remember
And there you have it! All the essentials for a backyard graduation bash you and your child will never forget! I’d love to see pictures of your party! Please tag me on Instagram @100affections or leave a comment on Pinterest!
Related Articles
If you are doing some more summer entertaining, here are more articles you can use!
60+ of the Best Trifle Recipes
35 Easy Summer Dessert Perfect for a Crowd
35+ Summer Side Dishes for Your Backyard Parties
20+ Patio Dining Sets for Under $300
Best Backyard Dinner Party Ideas {Budget-Friendly, Outdoor Charm}
Absolutely Fabulous Backyard Deck Ideas on a Budget
Cozy Backyard Decorating Ideas on a Budget
Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
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