Graduation is a very special moment and deserves to be celebrated in style. Hosting a graduation party is the perfect way to gather family and friends to share food, music, and fun on this occasion.
No party is complete without some games that engage and entertain your guests. And for a graduation party, there are many ways to customize games to fit the occasion with sentimental, creative, and goofy activities! Take a look at our 10 graduation party game ideas for some inspiration.
Fun Group Games for Everyone
If you know your grad party will be busy, have some group games ready to go. Here are some ideas that involve the whole crew.
1. Trivia Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
Who doesn't love a good trivia quiz? This group game is perfect for engaging everyone in some friendly competition.
First, prepare a list of questions about your graduate, like their favorite food and hobbies, achievements and memories, or about their school. Make sure the questions are diverse and vary in difficulty.
Then, divide guests into teams and take turns asking each team a question. Keep track of the scores and announce the winning team at the end. To ensure a fair and fun game, consider setting a time limit for answering each question.
Tip: Offer prizes to make the game more exciting and competitive!
2. Musical Chairs: Dance Your Way to the Last Seat
Musical chairs is a classic game people of all ages can play. All you need is music, chairs, and guests who are ready to groove!
To set up the game, make a circle of chairs in the center of the room, with one chair fewer than the number of players. As the music plays, participants circle the chairs. When the music stops, everyone has to find a seat quickly. The person left standing is eliminated, and one chair is removed from the row. Repeat the game until only one seat and two players remain. The person who sits down when the music stops in the final round is the winner.
Tip: Rotate the music genre to keep everyone engaged and play some of the graduate's favorite songs!
3. Memory Makers: Share your Best Moments
Memory Makers is a heartwarming game that allows guests to share favorite moments, making it perfect for an occasion like graduation.
Provide each person with a pen and paper and have them write down their most memorable experience with the graduate of honor. Then, fold the papers and place them in a bowl. Participants take turns reading the memories aloud, and everyone guesses who wrote the memory. This game is a perfect icebreaker that helps partygoers learn about each other.
4. Don't Pop the Balloon!
This game is a great way to get guests up and moving. Have everyone pair off into teams of two, then line up in a yard or open space and clearly mark a starting and finish line. Then, inflate balloons (one for each pair and a few extra), and make sure they're not over or under-inflated. Have each pair balance a balloon between their two backs and hold it there.
When it's time to go, each pair will try to walk as quickly as possible to the finish line without popping or dropping the balloon! Make sure you have a few judges who can watch the game and declare a winner. This activity is perfect for introducing new people and engaging in healthy competition.
Creative DIY Photobooth & Decoration Ideas
If you're looking for party activities that encourage creativity, check out these ideas.
5. DIY Photobooth
Photo Booths are great for parties because they provide a spot for guests to take fun, silly, and memorable photos. As part of your graduation celebration, create a photo booth by assembling a unique backdrop. You can do this by hanging a plain sheet, adding balloons, streamers, and lights to the background, or ordering a unique backdrop. For graduation, consider a sparkling silver and gold backdrop that celebrates the occasion with “Congrats Grad!” written on it.
Once your photo booth is ready, add props like funny hats, oversized glasses, and signs for guests to pose with. Party City can print off Fan Faces of whoever you choose, so create some Fan Faces of your graduate and put these in the booth, too! Encourage partygoers to snap away and create a photo album with all the memories captured.
6. Graduation Cap Toss
Create a designated area at your party where people can recreate the iconic moment where grads toss their caps. Use a piece of rope or string to hang graduation caps and encourage guests to jump and "toss" their hats for a fantastic photo opportunity.
7. Decorate Your Diploma
Encourage your guests to get creative and decorate diplomas. Lay out some pieces of paper rolled up to resemble diploma scrolls, along with markers, stickers, and other decorative items. Have them decorate their "diploma" with well-wishes, quotes, or funny notes for the graduate. In the future, your graduate will have tons of personalized diplomas to look back on and remember their party.
Nostalgic Games
Everybody enjoys a trip down memory lane, so use the grad party as a chance to get nostalgic and appreciate how far your graduate has come! Here are some awesome nostalgic games you can play with the whole group.
8. Guess Who? – Baby Edition: Match Your Peers with Their Baby Photos
This game is perfect for bringing friends and family together to reminisce about childhood. Before the grad party, have some of your guests send you a baby photo of themselves.
Then, display the photos on a board at the party for everyone to see. The goal of the game is for each guest to match the baby pictures with the corresponding adult. You can provide answer sheets for guests to write down their guesses, and the player with the most correct matches wins a prize. This activity is sure to spark laughter and conversation!
Here are some tips for the Guess Who game:
Use adhesive putty to attach the photos to the display board. This will make rearranging the photos easier and prevent damage.
Have a tiebreaker question prepared, such as the birth weight or height of one of the guests, in case of a close race.
9. Time Capsule: Reflect on Your Past, Present, and Future
A time capsule is a great way to share memories, hopes, and aspirations with your graduate. Pass out paper and pens to your guests and have them write down a message, memory, or hope they have for the graduate on the sheet. Then collect the messages in a box, jar, or container and set a date for your grad to open the capsule.
When the time comes, your grad will have an incredible memory of this time in their life, the people there, and the advice they shared.
Keep these suggestions in mind for a successful time capsule:
Create guidelines for the messages or mementos, such as a word limit or a specific theme, to help guide guests.
Choose a container that will protect the contents from damage and ensure it's properly sealed.
10. Pass the Yearbook: Share messages, memories, and signatures
Pass the Yearbook is a simple way to get partygoers to share heartfelt messages. Place a large, blank journal or scrapbook in the center of the group, and let everyone take turns writing messages, memories, or signatures.
Here are some recommendations to ensure the activity's success:
Incorporate a theme for the yearbook, such as "High School Memories" or "Our Milestones," to guide entries.
Make sure to provide pens and markers in different colors and styles to encourage creativity.
Provide prompts or examples for those who don't know what to write.
Let Party City Make Your Party One of a Kind!
Looking for supplies that will make your graduation celebration unforgettable? Party City has you covered. From grad-themed tableware and balloons to custom grad cut-outs, we have everything you need to celebrate this momentous occasion. We even have themed grad party supplies, like black and gold-themed items, to help make your party detailed and unique.
Ready to get planning? Shop Party City's graduation party supplies today, or visit us at a store near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of games are suitable for graduation parties?
Graduation party games should be fun, engaging, and appropriate for the age group. Some popular game categories include:
Icebreakers
Trivia
Minute-to-win-it Games
Outdoor and Sports Games
Group Team Challenge
How can I make games more engaging for guests?
Engaging games are key to a memorable graduation party. Here are some tips to achieve this:
Personalize games: Tailor games to the graduate's interests, hobbies, or future plans. For example, you can create custom trivia related to their time in school or favorite subjects.
Offer attractive prizes: Encourage friendly competition by offering appealing incentives, such as gift cards, customized items, or themed treats.
Set clear and concise instructions: Make sure guests understand the rules and objectives of each game to avoid confusion.
Adapt games to the crowd: Choose games that cater to your guests' age range and energy levels. Mix different types of games to keep things fresh and enjoyable.
Create a game schedule: Establish a timeline for each game and any breaks in between so everyone is on the same page.
What are mistakes to avoid when planning a graduation party?
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when planning a grad party:
Don't plan the party on the same day as the graduation celebration. This creates a long, hectic day for you and your guests and may discourage people from coming since they'll have to hop from one event to the next.
Don't forget to take lots of photos or set up a photo station! The craziness of the grad party may cause you to forget to snap photos, which you might regret later. If you suspect you'll be running around during the party, have a designated photographer to take pictures or set up a DIY photo booth where guests can snap their own.
Don't forget to set up a spot for cards and gifts. Even if only some of your guests bring something for the graduate, you'll likely have a decent amount of gifts to keep track of. If you don't have a designated spot for these items, you might lose track of them.
