29 Genius DIY Graduation Party Ideas

By
Stephanie White
Stephanie White
Stephanie White is a designer and DIY expert. She has over 10 years of experience teaching and writing about design, art, and do-it-yourself projects. Her work has been featured in such publications as Couch Magazine and Canadian Living.
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Updated on 03/17/23
Closeup of graduation cupcakes

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

There's no need to run from store to store searching for the perfect touches for your graduation party. Instead, create adorable, fun, and nearly perfect items with your creativity and ingenuity. From baked goods to all the little touches that go into making a special and well-deserved fanfare, we've gathered 29 easy ways to make your fete the most festive in the class. 

  • 01 of 29

    DIY Chalkboard Speech Bubble

    DIY Chalkboard Speech Bubble
    The Paper Curator

    Create fun photo ops at the graduation party with a chalkboard speech bubble prop. Keep guests entertained by setting up a photo booth and invite everyone to take pictures with the speech bubble. Ask your friends and family to tag it on social media with your party's hashtag. The photo makes a perfect graduation memento.

    DIY Chalkboard Speech Bubble from The Paper Curator

  • 02 of 29

    DIY Graduation Confetti Cones

    DIY Graduation Confetti Cones
    A Bubbly Life

    Before your graduate arrives, hand out confetti cones to party guests so you can all welcome the graduate with a showering of joy. Making DIY confetti cones is easy. Print the free template, roll them into a cone, and fill them with confetti.

    DIY Graduation Confetti Cones from A Bubbly Life

  • 03 of 29

    DIY Graduation Cap Cupcake Toppers

    DIY Graduation Cap Cupcake Toppers
    Oh Happy Day

    Decorate party cupcakes with mini graduation caps by making these easy cupcake toppers out of black card stock. The tassels are made from golden embroidery floss. Hot glue the hats on toothpicks and stick them in the cupcakes.

    Graduation Cap Cupcake Toppers from Oh Happy Day

  • 04 of 29

    DIY Candy Graduation Leis

    DIY Candy Graduation Leis
    Oh Happy Day

    Leis are traditionally given as a gift when someone arrives or leaves, and they're a perfect symbol for graduates to wear. Instead of the traditional flower leis, make this fun candy version with cellophane, tissue paper, ribbon, and candy. Add in real carnations for a fresh touch.

    DIY Candy Graduation Leis from Oh Happy Day

    Continue to 5 of 29 below.
  • 05 of 29

    DIY "Today Is Your Day" Cake

    DIY "Today Is Your Day" Cake
    The Cake Blog

    Skip the sometimes messy step of trying to carefully write a message in icing on top of the cake. Achieve professional and polished results with edible icing sheets of photos or writing placed on a cake you made. Edible icing sheets can be ordered to fit cakes and cupcakes so you can outfit your grad's party with goodies that share inspiring sayings. 

    DIY Today Is Your Day Cake from The Cake Blog

  • 06 of 29

    DIY Graduation Balloon Superlatives

    DIY Graduation Balloon Superlatives
    Studio DIY

    Hang photos of the graduate from helium balloons to create a colorful cluster. The floating photo memories are the perfect way to decorate your home for a graduation party. Add in photos of memories that include friends; the balloons make a fun memento to take home.

    DIY Graduation Balloon Superlatives from Studio DIY

  • 07 of 29

    DIY Graduation Cap

    DIY Graduation Cap
    Studio DIY

    Before the graduation ceremony, have a cap-decorating party. Provide markers, gems, beads, stencils, and lots of hot glue. A personalized cap makes it easier for graduates to locate their hat after they've ceremoniously tossed them into the air.

    DIY Graduation Cap from Studio DIY

  • 08 of 29

    DIY Giant Balloon Graduation Year

    DIY Giant Balloon Message
    Studio DIY

    For quick party decor, cut out numbers of the graduation year from large sheets of paper. Attach the numbers to a giant balloon and place in the corners or doorways of rooms for a quick and colorful effect. Cut out inspiring words to place on other balloons. Some ideas include the words "success," "dreams," "confidence," "destiny," and any other phrases that are grad-appropriate.

    DIY Giant Balloon Graduation Year from Studio DIY

    Continue to 9 of 29 below.
  • 09 of 29

    DIY Paper Flower Graduation Tassel

    DIY Paper Flower Graduation Tassel
    The House That Lars Built

    Now that all the grads have placed their real tassels elsewhere, such as displaying them in frames and shadow boxes or hanging them on the rearview mirror of their cars, give them adorable lookalikes to take home after the party. Tissue paper flower tassels are precious reminders of their achievements that they can attach to their caps as a memento.

    DIY Paper Flower Graduation Tassel from The House That Lars Built

  • 10 of 29

    DIY Message Balloons

    DIY Message Balloons
    Studio DIY

    Balloons make any party come alive with color. Make them even more fun by customizing them with paper letters spelling out inspirational words. Cluster balloons to spell out a whole phrase.

    DIY Message Balloons from Studio DIY

  • 11 of 29

    DIY Chalkboard Cupcake Wrapper

    DIY Chalkboard Cupcake Wrapper
    Kraft & Mint

    Spruce up your cupcakes with DIY chalkboard wrappers made from chalkboard paper cut in creative shapes. Write the graduation year, the graduate's name, or inspirational words of wisdom to the grad and guests.

    DIY Chalkboard Cupcake Wrapper from kraft & mint

  • 12 of 29

    DIY Confetti Graduation Banner

    DIY Confetti Graduation Banner
    A Bubbly Life

    Confetti is the ultimate sign of a celebration. Decorate your party with this DIY confetti-covered banner. Made from cardboard and confetti, make them with school colors for a customized detail. 

    DIY Confetti Graduation Banner from A Bubbly Life

    Continue to 13 of 29 below.
  • 13 of 29

    DIY Paper Graduation Lei

    DIY Paper Graduation Lei
    The House That Lars Built

    These pretty paper leis are sweet party favors you can make to welcome everyone to the party. They're also pretty enough to wear during or right after the graduation ceremony, but make sure your school allows grads to wear them.

    DIY Paper Graduation Lei from The House That Lars Built

  • 14 of 29

    DIY Graduation Straw Toppers

    DIY Graduation Straw Toppers
    Lil' Luna

    Graduation hat toppers are easy to make and they can help turn any ordinary food or drink into a joyful feast. Make a lemonade drink into a fancy custom cocktail with graduation cap straw toppers made with card stock. 

    DIY Graduation Straw Toppers from Lil' Luna

  • 15 of 29

    DIY YAY Vase

    DIY Yay Vase

    A Kailo Chic Life

    For the perfect table centerpiece, make your own "YAY" vase. Fill it with colorful, cheerful flowers for your grad party. Choose flowers with specific meanings that send special messages to your grad. Perfect flowers would include dahlias for change and excitement and purple orchids that symbolize admiration and pride.

    DIY Yay Vase from A Kailo Chic Life

  • 16 of 29

    DIY Sprinkles Graduation Year

    DIY Sprinkles Graduation Year

    A Joyful Riot

    For a whimsical snack table centerpiece, cut graduation year numbers out of cardboard and cover them in sprinkles. For an edible centerpiece, make large cookie numbers and cover them in sprinkles.

    DIY Sprinkles Graduation Year from A Joyful Riot

    Continue to 17 of 29 below.
  • 17 of 29

    DIY Cupcake Pennants

    DIY Cupcake Pennants
    Alice & Lois

    These cupcake pennants are super easy to make. You can either print them out on colorful paper or simply make them yourself. Add personalized and inspirational words and phrases. Carefully stick the pointy part of a wooden skewer two places on the flag pennant and stick it into cupcakes or donuts. If you want shorter versions, simply use toothpicks and smaller flags. There's also a tutorial for a matching garland.

    DIY Cupcake Pennants from Alice & Lois

  • 18 of 29

    DIY Pennant Flags

    DIY Hooray Pennant Flags
    Alice & Lois

    This printable pennant banner is perfect for decorating a graduation party on a budget. Print the free template and string the paper flags together for quick and easy party decor.

    DIY Hooray Pennant Flags from Alice & Lois

  • 19 of 29

    DIY Graduation Party Centerpiece

    DIY Graduation Party Centerpiece
    Vicky Barone

    Paint leftover wine bottles sparkling gold and use them for graduation party centerpieces. Make graduation year numbers out of gold paper, glue them to elongated coffee straws (they are made longer with wooden skewers), and stick them into bottles. Using dark coffee straws makes the numbers look like they are floating.

    DIY Graduation Party Centerpiece from Vicky Barone

  • 20 of 29

    DIY Triangle Bunting

    DIY Triangle Bunting

    Oh Happy Day

    Brighten up a graduation party with bunting made from the graduate's school's colors or in rainbow hues. Cut out paper triangles and hang them all around the party space. You'll need high-quality card stock that you can sew together on a sewing machine.

    DIY Triangle Bunting from Oh Happy Day

    Continue to 21 of 29 below.
  • 21 of 29

    DIY School Photo Props

    DIY School Photo Props
    Amy Latta Creations

    Keep your graduation party guests entertained with a photo booth, complete with props. These DIY speech bubbles highlight common senior superlatives, like "Class Clown" and "Most Likely to Succeed." Use printable bubbles or create your own phrases.

    DIY School Photo Props from Amy Latta Creations

  • 22 of 29

    DIY Balloon Marquee

    DIY Balloon Marquee

    Oh Happy Day

    Marquees are trendy party decorations. Create an eye-popping yellow balloon marquee to spell out a message on a wall. Make the frame from card stock, then fill with balloons, no bulbs required.

    DIY Balloon Marquee from Oh Happy Day

  • 23 of 29

    DIY Giant Paper Fans

    DIY Giant Paper Fans
    Oh Happy Day

    Instead of buying large paper fans, save money by making your own. These are perfect backdrops to photo booths. Hang from the ceiling or attach them to the wall. Add glittery streamers for a glamorous touch.

    DIY Giant Paper Fans from Oh Happy Day

  • 24 of 29

    DIY Balloon Photo Backdrop

    DIY Balloon Photo Backdrop
    Lovely Indeed

    Nothing says "party" quite like balloons. Create a dramatic focal wall and backdrop at your graduation party with scores of them attached to the wall. Make sure they touch so there's little space between balloons. Use a rainbow of colors or the colors of the school. Your Instagram-savvy graduates will appreciate the perfect photo background.

    DIY Balloon Photo Backdrop from Lovely Indeed

    Continue to 25 of 29 below.
  • 25 of 29

    DIY Graduation Cupcake Toppers

    DIY Graduation Cupcake Toppers
    Lil' Luna

    There's no need to try piping caps onto cupcakes with black icing. Instead, make those quick DIY paper toppers with paper and striped straws and place them on top of the cupcakes. Add on a piece of gold yarn or embroidery thread to create the tassels.

    DIY Graduation Cupcake Toppers from Lil' Luna

  • 26 of 29

    DIY Gumball Graduation Party Favor

    DIY Gumball Graduation Party Favor
    No Biggie

    Thank guests for attending your child's graduation party with a graduation-themed party favor. This adorable mini-tube of black gumballs is topped off with a tiny graduation cap.

    DIY Gum Ball Graduation Party Favor from No Biggie

  • 27 of 29

    DIY Rolo Graduation Cap Party Treats

    DIY Rolo Graduation Caps
    Made To Be A Momma

    Keep the grad hat theme going with these candy treats. Adorable chocolate Rolos are dressed in paper graduation hats. Serve them on a tray or package them up to hand out as party favors.

    DIY Rolo Graduation Caps Party Treats from Made To Be A Momma

  • 28 of 29

    DIY Graduation Memory Wreath

    DIY Graduation Memory Wreath
    DIY Beautify

    Welcome guests to the party with a graduation memory wreath on the front door. The wreath is made of photos of the graduate with a DIY graduation wreath made up of photos of the graduate framed on black card stock and glued to a pre-made wire wreath frame.

    DIY Graduation Memory Wreath from DIY Beautify

    Continue to 29 of 29 below.
  • 29 of 29

    DIY Bright Future Graduation Favor

    DIY Bright Future Graduation Favor
    Revel and Glitter

    If your party has a "bright future" theme, add these treats to the mix. Fill up craft store plastic light bulbs with neon-colored candy. Tie on a printable label with an appropriate message with equally neon bright colors. 

    DIY Bright Future Graduation Favor from Revel and Glitter