Graduation parties
School colours open house
Canopies, a memory table and food that holds
See the setup, games and rentals
Graduation parties ideas
Graduation parties: themes, setups and activities
Most grad parties are open houses: guests come and go over three or four hours, so you need food that holds, shade, and seats for about half the guest list at once. These ideas cover the theme, setup and rentals.
Themes
3 graduation party themes
Each theme lists a palette, decor, setups, activities, props and the rentals with live prices.
Graduation parties
Taco and nacho bar grad party
A make-your-own food bar and snack machines
See the setup, games and rentals
Graduation parties
Sunset grad celebration
An evening party with lounge seating and lights
See the setup, games and rentals
Setup ideas
How to set up a graduation party
Layouts for backyards, tents and indoor rooms, with the rentals each one takes.
- 1
Open house under canopies
Backyard
Two to four 10 by 10 canopies for food and seating, banquet tables along the edge, highboys in the open. Seat about half your total guest list.
- 2
Tented backyard party
Tent or lawn
A 20 by 40 frame tent over the tables with the buffet at one end; the rest of the lawn for games.
- 3
Garage or driveway party
Backyard
Food in the garage, tables on the driveway, bistro lights strung from the house. Ask neighbours first and keep the street clear.
Activities, games and props
Things to do at a graduation party
Memory table
Yearbooks, jerseys, awards and photos on a table by the entrance.
Rent: 8' banquet table ($12.65), Table runner ($7.70)
Advice cards or a grad box
Guests write advice or predictions; the grad opens them later.
DIY: no rental needed
Yard games
Cornhole in school colours.
Rent: Yard game ($27.50)
Snack station
Popcorn or nachos guests can serve themselves.
Rent: Popcorn machine ($82.50), Nacho cheese warmer ($86.90)
Slideshow
A TV looping photos from kindergarten to cap and gown.
Rent: TV with stand ($247.50)
Questions
Graduation parties FAQs
How many chairs do I need for an open-house graduation party?
Seats for about half of the total guest list, because guests come and go. For 120 invited, 60 chairs and eight banquet tables is usually plenty.
When should I book rentals for a June grad party in Chicago?
Two to three months ahead. The first three weekends of June are the busiest backyard rental weekends of the year.
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