Up Up and Away Graduation Theme Party

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy

who'll decide where to go.

If you've ever read any of the Dr. Seuss books, you know that this witty and thoughtful voice gives way to very good advice, whether you are 5, 50 or 100 years old. We love the Dr. Seuss book "Oh, the Places You'll Go" for the way it eloquently, but simply says what life is all about… taking on that sense of adventure and finding life's balance. We recommend that you buy this book or get it from your local library, read it and absorb it before using this theme. You'll appreciate the process for your grad and have more fun. We've based some ideas on part of the book cited above.

Up Up and Away Graduation Invitations
Use the book as the basis for your invitation. "Oh the Places You'll Go with (your grad's name): A DR. SEUSS ADVENTURE." Make the invitations colorful and add all the information about your party. Just make sure you rhyme everything (and don't be afraid to make up a word or two).

Or try this personalized "Oh, the Places You'll Go" graduation invitation. Will everyone love it? They will indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.) A colorful photo ticket invitation is also perfect for this graduation party theme since the colors match perfectly!

Try a one of a kind Party411 custom caricature of your grad in a hot air balloon with the party title, time, date and place. In the background is a directional sign showing all the places your grad has been or wants to go.

No matter what invitation you choose, it would also be fun to seal the envelopes with Dr. Seuss theme stickers.

Graduation Decorations and Party Supplies
At the entry to the party, welcome guests with a personalized "Oh, the Places You'll Go" banner with your wording and a photo of the grad. It can read, "Oh, the places we're going with [your grad's name] on his/her Graduation!" A lifesize cutout of your boy or girl grad in a graduation outfit is also a fun addition to your entry. Add a Dr. Seuss graduation cap to the top of the cutout's head. These are fabulous and would make great favors to pass out to any graduates who will be in attendance.

Make an easel sign with a caricature or photo of your grad that says "Congratulations (Grad's name)! Tonight is your night. You're off to great places, so get ready - you're about to take flight!" Guests can leave special messages for the grad on it. Or check out our personalized graduation sign-in boards.

If you are having a larger party with assigned seating, set up seating cards at a table near the entrance to the dining area. For the seating card table make a sign that says "You have brains in your head, and feet in your shoes. Make sure the table you pick is the right one to choose!" Use your grad as a Dr. Seuss character on custom seating cards or hot air balloon ticket ride "passes" to places the guests will be going (seated). Our photo ticket invitations can be used as seating cards and are the perfect ticket for your seating!

Balloons are obviously a great fit for an Oh, The Places You'll Go theme party. There are fabulous Dr. Seuss Mylar balloons that you can use and mix together with latex balloons in the pastel colors found in the book. Add a small sign hanging from the bottom of each Mylar balloon that lists one of the places that your grad has gone or is going to go in the future.

Dr. Seuss characters wall decals are a simple way to add some fun Suessishness (if that's not a word, then it should be!) to your party. They feature a number of his famous characters and easily peel and stick to any wall.

Graduation Table Decorations and Menu
Your linens should match colors from the book—pink, light green, light orange, yellow and blue pastels. Alternate them on the tables and have the napkins in the same colors on opposite tables. Hot air balloon centerpieces looking much like the book with a Dr. Seuss character and the grad in the balloon basket make great centerpieces on your tables. These are made with one large balloon with ribbon tied to it with little baskets hanging off. You can create them yourself, but a balloon company might be your best bet!

If you would like to use paper party goods, there are Dr. Seuss "Oh, the Places You'll Go" party supplies that are perfect featuring a picture of the graduate and artwork from the book. They are colorful and fun and couldn't be any easier to clean up!

Instead of candles on the tables, choose personalized mini tabletop lanterns with a photo of your grad on all four sides. They all come with LED candles and look great surrounding a centerpiece. People will probably love them so much that they will take them home as a favor from your special day.

Another fun centerpiece is to use bright colored balloons anchored in Dr. Seuss graduation caps. Put a character from the book and the grad on each centerpiece. You will definitely need a helium tank.

Here are some other fun items you might want to consider on your tables:

Pastels non pariels are the perfect candy choice for this theme because their colors match the book. Have them plated on every table.
A listing of the "Oh the Places You’ll Go with [your grad’s name]," with highlights and special articles written by family members, in characteristic "Seuss-ese" wording is great fun at each place.

For your meal, serve Green Eggs and Ham! Another fun idea is to make all of your food different colors. Basically, anything white can have food coloring added for some added fun - vanilla ice cream, macaroni, bread, white chocolate, sugar cookies, popcorn, noodles, rice, white pizza, potatoes, whipped cream, marshmallows, meringue, hummus, pita bread, pork tenderloin, cauliflower, bananas, parsnips-the list goes on. Scale your local grocery for more ideas!

Graduation Party Games and Activities
Have a caricature artist drawing guests into a page from the book for them to take home. Ask them to pre-draw a template (in color) of a page from the book in the background and have your child standing in their very own Dr. Seuss book. Make sure they leave room to add an additional person. Then all they have to do is add people at the party and they can have their own caricature with themselves standing with the graduate.

Try a scavenger hunt, sending everyone around the party venue - Oh the Places They'll Go!! Try prizes like

Graduation Party Favors

Everyone loves party favors! There is nothing as great as having a great time at a party and then leaving with a few great party favors! Here are a few of our favorite graduation party favors:

Here are some more fun Seuss theme favors:

Copies of the book Oh the Places You Go as well as other fun novelty items!
Licensed Dr. Suess Notebooks
Licensed Dr. Seuss Color Pens
T-shirts imprinted with your grad's caricature on the back or with a hot air balloon graphic.
Put them in a great Dr. Seuss favor box.

And, of course, Party411 can help with t-shirts, boxer shorts or any other favor you can think of for your graduation party! Send us an e-mail for more information on personalized party favors.

Congrats and have fun, from the Party Girl and the Party-ettes!