Ah, the joyous occasion of graduation! It’s a time to reflect on years of hard work, bask in the glory of accomplishments, and celebrate the bright future ahead. And what better way to commemorate this milestone than by throwing a park graduation party in the great outdoors? With the perfect park setting, you can create an unforgettable event that combines nature’s beauty with a festive atmosphere.
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In this article, we’ll cover:
- 5 Tips for Finding the Perfect Park Graduation Party Venue
- 10 Genius Decorating Ideas For A Park Shelter
- Entertaining Ideas for Park Graduation Party Activities
- Park Graduation Party Menu Ideas
- How to Keep the Park Graduation Party Fun Going After Hours
You can check out the blog on 10 must-haves for an epic graduation celebration for more graduation party ideas, and, don’t forget to download your free graduation party planning to-do list!
Finding the Perfect Park: Graduation Party Venues Near You
When it comes to hosting a graduation party at a park, choosing the right venue is crucial. Here are top tips for selecting the perfect park venue.
1. Find a scenic setting for your park graduation party.
Afterall, if you just wanted an outdoor party, you could have hosted in your backyard. A graduation party at the park should provide you with that great outdoors vibe and scenic views.
2. Confirm there is space for your park graduation party activities.
Make sure you have ample space surrounding your lodge or pavilion to set up outdoor lawn games and activities. Scope out the area before you book to make sure the space will work for your needs. Bonus, if there is a fire pit nearby!
3. Get more space than you think you need in case of bad weather.
There’s nothing worse than a rained out park graduation party without enough shelter to accommodate everyone. Make sure that the pavilion or lodge that you select is plenty big enough to accommodate your guest list and then some. That way, if you have to take the party “indoors,” all of the fun festivities you’ve planned can carry on rain or shine.
4. Make sure you’ve got enough parking nearby.
Another important aspect to confirm is that there is a parking lot close to your pavilion or lodge. For one, you don’t want your guests having to traipse through the woods to get to the party, but then again, neither do you! Not when you’ll have armfuls of décor and party supplies to unload.
5. Consider guest and catering needs for your park graduation party.
A park pavilion offers you more of a no frills DIY event setting, whereas a lodge usually comes with some perks like full flushing bathrooms, kitchen or prep areas, AC and heat, etc. Consider your guest and catering needs when booking a space, making sure that there are adequate facilities to accommodate.
Park lodges and pavilions tend to fill up quickly during the summer months, so if you’re considering a park for your graduation party celebration, definitely plan ahead. Try to book at least 3-4 months out.
OK, you feel good about selecting the perfect venue for your park graduation party? Great. Now, let’s get into decorating tips and how you can transform your basic park pavilion into a fabulous graduation party celebration space.
Pavilion Perfection: 10 Creative Shelter Decorating Ideas for Your Park Graduation Party
Now, let’s dive into some creative graduation party decorating ideas specifically designed for park settings. Ultimately, you’ll want to focus on three aspects: the entrance, the tables, and hanging elements. Here are 10 budget-friendly decorating ideas for your park pavilion.
#1 Dress Up Your Park Pavilion Columns with Fabric Panels
OK, most shelters have been around for years and years, so they are bound to show some wear and tear from the elements. Or, from teenagers that are compelled to leave their mark on the world and carve their name anywhere they can. Regardless, you may want to dress up the pillars of your park pavilion – at least at the entrance! Fabric is a great way to do that. Just look at this stunning example from The Every Last Detail.
Purchase bulk lightweight fabric in your desired color scheme – cheesecloth, organza, or chiffon – and cut into panels (consider the height of your shelter for length, but something like 3’ W x 10’ is an approximate). Use a staple gun to hold it in place where you want it positioned at the top of your columns and then drape and tie off around the pillars.
#2 Use Balloon Columns to Dress-Up Your Park Pavilion Posts
Another great option, that’s better for a more casual graduation party theme is balloon columns. You can either dress up the entrance of your park pavilion, or go all out and cover them all with balloon columns (just know, that will get a little pricey for those working with a tight budget).
#3 Cover Your Park Shelter In Lights!
This idea from Patio Productions is perfect for a park graduation party that will be extending into the evening. To create a stunning ethereal atmosphere, use lights to decorate your park shelter. You can wrap your park pavilion columns and also string lights along the eaves. When the sun sets, you’ll have the most magical park setting for your celebration.
PRO TIP: For this idea, you’ll want to ensure you’ve got an appropriate power source nearby. If not, you’ll need to buy or rent a generator to power your lights.
#4 Create An Upscale Aesthetic for your Park Pavilion with Fabric Draping
We already talked about using fabric for draping the columns of your park shelter, but if you really want to make a statement and up your aesthetic game, fabric can be used overhead as well.
PRO TIP: This requires much more pre-planning as you’ll want to ensure you get the lengths of your panels long enough depending on the aesthetic you’re going for.
For example, draping from the center of the pavilion, down to the floor will require a measurement of half the width of the pavilion ceiling and the full length of the column (plus some!) to get the right length.
In this case, a site inspection is definitely recommended. Don’t forget your measuring tape!
#5 Hang DIY Bunting Banners from the Eaves of the Park Shelter
Bunting banners are an easy DIY decoration you can create in your graduate’s favorite colors, or their school colors. And they make for a fun whimsical vibe that perfectly complements a more casual park setting. Just check out this beautiful example from 100 Layer Cake.
Create these DIY bunting banners using a variety of fabrics or colorful paper, and use cord in your color choice. Hot glue your bunting shapes to your cord, spacing evenly as you go, and tack along the eaves of the park shelter.
#6 Dress Up Your Park Pavilion with a DIY Dollar Store Backdrop
To incorporate your graduation party theme, or your graduate’s school colors, you can easily dress up a park pavilion by hanging a back-drop. Use dollar store tablecloths in alternating colors and tack along the inside of one end of the shelter to create a colorful backdrop, like in this example.
#7 Decorate a Park Shelter with DIY Dollar Store Fringe Banners
These fringe banners are super easy and affordable to DIY for your park graduation party. I created these black and white gingham print fringe banners using dollar store table cloths for my sister in law’s park bridal shower and tacked them along the eaves of the park shelter.
#8 Hang Lanterns from the Eaves of the Park Pavilion
Much like the prior ideas, this will allow you to pull in your desired color scheme and dress up your park pavilion with impactful hanging elements. Just purchase several hanging lanterns in various sizes and colors that match your desired color scheme and pre-string along cord that you can tack along the eaves of your park shelter.
#9 Create Balloon Clusters for your Picnic Table Centerpieces
Not up for all that hanging and tacking business? No problem! Create graduation party centerpieces that make a statement using clusters of balloons in your graduate’s favorite colors, or school colors. Check out this example by Parties on Purpose. Because the balloons have good height, you won’t need any extra hanging elements to fill the space.
#10 Lean into the Picnic in the Park Theme
You’re already at the park, why not lean into that theme and go all in with a Picnic in the Park theme. Use gingham print tablecloths for your picnic tables, wildflower centerpieces in mason jars and picnic baskets for your card and gift table.
So, there you have it. I hope you’re inspired with tons of ideas for how you can transform your basic park shelter or pavilion into an incredible graduation party venue. Next up, graduation party activity ideas!
Fun in the Sun: Engaging Activities for Your Park Graduation Party
Graduation parties are an intersection of all of the grad’s family and friend groups, so a key to making it a fun celebration for all is to consider group activities where guests can interact and mingle, without it feeling too forced. Afterall, a grad party is supposed to be a more casual affair than say a shower or a wedding.
To keep your guests entertained and engaged, incorporate fun outdoor activities into your graduation party in the park. Set up lawn games such as cornhole, bocce ball, or giant Jenga, encouraging some friendly competition amongst the grad’s family and friends. And, if you’re super crafty, all of these can be easily DIYed.
Additionally, consider organizing a photo booth area with props and backdrops, allowing guests to capture playful and memorable moments. These interactive elements will add an extra layer of excitement to the celebration, ensuring everyone has a fantastic time. Again, a really simple DIY project for your park graduation party.
Delicious Delights: Menu Ideas for Your Park Graduation Party
Food is an integral part of any gathering, and a park graduation party is no exception. Plan a delicious and diverse menu that caters to different tastes and dietary preferences. Keep it simple yet satisfying with picnic-style fare like sandwiches, salads, and finger foods. And, I highly recommend serving in individual cups. Not only does this keep germs away, but also bugs if you cover with lids!
Don’t forget refreshments. Fill a large bucket with ice and an assortment of waters and soft drinks for guests to pick from, or create a drink station with a few bulk batches of tea and lemonade.
Last but not least, desert. What party would be complete without something to sweeten the celebration? Consider a dessert bar with a variety of treats guests can choose from. A s’mores station, or s’mores favors, is also a fun idea to complement your park graduation party.
And, on that note… let’s talk about how to extend your party into the evening and keep the celebration going.
Twilight Magic: Extending Your Park Graduation Party Into the Evening
Planning to party into the evening hours? As the sun begins to set and twilight casts its magical glow, create an enchanting ambiance at your park graduation party with some additional details. Decorate the surrounding trees and pavilion with fairy lights, lanterns, and candles to illuminate the space and keep the party vibes going long into the night.
Provide cozy blankets and cushions for guests to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Consider incorporating a bonfire area, where everyone can gather around, share stories, and make s’mores—an idyllic way to end the evening on a warm and nostalgic note.
Ready to Plan Your Park Graduation Party?
A park graduation party is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate in a natural setting while creating lasting memories. By utilizing the park’s beauty, integrating creative pavilion decorations, organizing engaging activities, and curating a delicious menu, you can ensure an unforgettable event that perfectly honors the graduate’s achievements. So, embrace the outdoors, soak in the sunshine, and let the park be the canvas for your extraordinary graduation celebration. It will be an occasion cherished by all who attend, a testament to the incredible journey of education, growth, and accomplishment.
Happy planning!
xoxo
The Savvy Swaréy
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