Whether you’re getting your baby ready for kindergarten or college, graduating is a big deal that ought to be celebrated with a bang. Throw up your hat to the guest of honor with these 15 seriously cute graduation party ideas.

 

Cupcakes with Graduation Cap

 

Straight from the Better Homes & Gardens® Test Kitchen, a chocolate-covered cherry, chocolate-covered cracker, small candy, and fruit leather make for a fun cupcake topped with a hat and tassel. Roll the edges of the cupcake in nonpareils to match the graduate’s school colors. Cute and tasty—could these cupcakes get any better? Make your own graduation-theme cupcakes for your party.

 

Studio DIY Superlative Balloons

 

These superlative balloons from Studio DIY decorate and add a fun activity for the party. Use an instant camera to take photos of each guest, then attach the picture to a balloon and title it with a superlative. From best hair and most likely to become president to more silly superlatives, your graduate and their friends will love assigning each of their friends an award. After the party, be sure to save the photos to put in a photo album or scrapbook.

 

These snack cups from Parents Magazine are a fun way to jazz up a healthy snack for the graduation party. Simply cut a piece of construction paper into a square, tape it to the top of an applesauce jar or pudding cup, punch a hole in the paper for the ribbon tassel, and finish with googly eyes.

 

Grad Cap Card Box

 

This card box is shaped like a graduation cap to add a festive touch to the gift table. Party guests can slip their cards for the graduate into the top of the cap for safe keeping while they participate in all of the party’s festivities.

 

Tissue Paper Party Sign

 

This party sign from Sugar Bee Crafts is easy to make and adds a colorful accent to any table. Simply cut foam board into the appropriate letters or numbers (consider the graduation year or a simple “congrats”). Then take small crumpled-up pieces of tissue paper, dip them in glue, and attach to the foam board. With a little bit of time you will have yourself a fun centerpiece for any graduation party.

 

Grad Party Photo Display

 

Crack open those old photo albums for this decor piece that’s a walk down memory lane. Using a piece of posterboard, cut out squares and mount family pictures on them. Then hang the pictures for all to see. High School graduates can also opt to get their Instagram photos printed using a company like Social Print Studio.

 

Peanut Butter Cup Grad Caps

 

These peanut butter cup caps from Punchbowl are a fun, easy dessert for any graduation party. All you need is mini peanut butter cups, a small square of chocolate, and a piece of a fruit strip for the tassel. You can assemble these desserts as lollipops or simply place them on a plate for a dessert that’s easy to grab and go.

 

Memory Jar

 

These memory jars require practically zero effort and very little cash. Whether your child is graduating from preschool, middle school, or high school, guests will love jotting down a special memory of them and placing it in the jar as a keepsake. (And, of course, every grad will love reading them!)

 

DIY Advice Jar

 

Keep an advice jar next to the party entrance. As guests come in they can write a note to the graduate leaving words of encouragement and advice for the road ahead. This advice jar serves double duty as a piece of decor and a sentimental gift. If DIY is your style, you can make your own using a mason jar or clean coffee can. Or, check out this one from Oriental Trading.

 

S’Mores Cookie Pops

 

These s’mores pops from Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons are a cute addition that preschool graduates will love. Chocolate graham crackers top a marshmallow to make a fun dessert for a graduation party or an end-of-year party at your child’s school.

 

Graduation Photo Booth

 

Create a photobooth at a graduation party to remember this exciting time in your family’s life. Your graduate is going to love posting pictures with their friends in this photo booth on social media, and you can put a custom hashtag on the print to make sure all of your guests can document the special day. Even after the party is over, your graduate can look through their unique hashtag to remember their party. Make your own or try this one from Etsy.

 

Grad Cap Cupcake Stand

 

Cupcakes are a great alternative to sheet cake at your grad party, but you still want to make sure they’re displayed appropriately! This cake stand from One Simple Bliss is topped with a square piece of cake board wrapped in fabric to look like a cap. Find the fabric, tassel, and trim at Joann’s or your local craft store.

 

Dessert Table Sign

 

No grad party is complete without a decked-out dessert table. This sign adds a cute touch to any graduation party. As an extra bonus, this fun print can be framed and used again for a college graduation party or for the graduate’s younger siblings.

 

Suitcase Card Holder

 

Upcycle an old suitcase with this fun DIY from Robb Restyle. Simply leave the suitcase open and finish off with garland or other decor for a personal touch. The adventure awaits for your new grad; send them off in style with this DIY touch.

 

Grad Cap Party Straws

Cupcakes and peanut butter cups aren’t the only things that deserve a cap. Serve up some beverages with these cute DIY graduation cap straws. Who could resist an ice cold lemonade when it looks like this?