Grad Season

Los Alamitos High School graduate in a car with graduation-themed decorations
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Celebrate The Class Of 2022 With These Festive Graduation Car Decorations

Honk for the grad!

Updated: 
Originally Published: 

It’s nearly graduation time! Babies are growing up and it’s time to think about festivities, but when party planning — and encouraging your child about their future — don’t forget the fun of graduation car decorations.

Sure, you’ve seen the old window paint for cars, a favorite way to celebrate weddings and sport championships. But did you know that there is a whole world of car graduation decoration ideas and products out there to really amp up the fun whether you have a high schooler heading off to college or a pre-K kiddo graduating to kindergarten? From balloons to banners, streamers to twinkling light up decals, the party supply industry has you covered.

All you need to do is, well, probably wash your car, then decide what decorating direction you want to go in. If you choose to opt for the personalized magnetic decals available, you’ll need to place your orders soon to get them in time for the big day. If you’re going the do it yourself route, then you have some wiggle room, but planning early still doesn’t hurt. Nothing is worse than scrambling to find helium for your cap and gown balloons the day of graduation.

Avoid the hassle by checking out these products.

We only include products that have been independently selected by Romper's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

1

The all-in-one grad car decoration kit

Want to really doctor up your car for your favorite student? Then consider this 38 piece colorful graduation car decorations kit. It comes with everything you could possibly need to trick your vehicle out: a 26 x 60 inch banner, 30 balloons, two colorful streamers, and other playful decor items to make your car standout. To really send the message home, the balloons and banner read “Congrats Grad.”

2

The tricked-out bumper look

Leave passersby guessing about what’s being celebrated until they pull up behind your vehicle with this decorative look. The red Graduation Car Parade Decorating Kit includes 30 pieces including two shiny foil metallic fringes as well as two paper graduation congradulations (see what they did there?) garlands. As if that weren’t enough, it also includes 24 red metallic latex balloons to attach all over your car.

3

A “Make Some Noise” decoration

Nothing like a little traffic music to make a grad feel good. You can get everyone honking with this magnetic “Honk for the Grad” decal from Zazzle. Completely magnetic, attaching this car will not do any harm to your paint job. And don’t worry about size. You can actually choose the specifications yourself, from 4 x 6 inches to 18 x 24. Or if you’re feeling real wild, make it into a different shape, like a diamond or oval.

4

A light up a grad’s night option

Next-level parenting never looked so good than with this twinkling light up graduation car magnets. You can even personalize it with your own graduate’s name. Say the ceremony doesn’t end until after sundown. No problem. Not when your actual vehicle is glowing as much as you are in celebration of your child’s achievement. This set of 3 car magnets measure 17.25 x 11.5 inches each. And even better? You can customize one magnet with your grad's name.

5

A “Grad on Board” decal

This graduation car decoration will pull at the heartstrings of any parent who pulls up beside you. It’s a vinyl decal to put on a car’s back window that says “Grad on Board.” For any mama or papa who rocked a “Baby on Board” sticker back in the infant days, this will make it all feel like life’s come full circle. Atop is a graduation cap with the word “Congratulations!” next to it. The decal measures 24 inches across to make a big statement on a back window.

6

A car flag for grads

Let your flag fly, grads, with this Car Graduate Flags window option. Available in 20 hues, you can match your flag to your child’s school colors to the flags. And to make your message read easily, you can choose to print it on both sides of the flag as well. Each flag is made out of polyester and measures 12 x 8 inches with a car pole extending 15.5 inches in height.

7

A personalized grad decal

Let’s be real, some grads are gonna want their folks to keep their excitement a little more low-key when it comes to car decorations for graduation. No problem. In that case, folks, take a look at this Grad Cap Personalized Decal. That’s right, you can have this Etsy vendor spell out your child’s name for a custom decal to show off on your car. Small enough to make humble grads happy, it’s stylish enough for parents to get their bragging rights no matter where they roll.

8

An oversized cap for the car

Parents who want to take graduation as one final opportunity to fully embarrass their child before they leave the nest, here it is, the ultimate graduation car decoration: an Oversized Graduation Cap you can affix to the roof of your car.

9

A “We Are So Proud of You” banner

Balloons are great, but why bury the lede? Spell out exactly how you feel on your car with this “We Are So Proud Of You” banner. This black glitter garland features 6.7 inch letters, so it will catch the eyes of all the other people in traffic. Even better? When you’re done cruising, hang it in your house for a festive graduation day brunch.

10

A cutout grad face

Whether you’re looking to completely embarrass your grad or show off just how dang adorable they look in their cap, these cardboard cutouts are ideal for decorating your vehicle for graduation day. Tailgating before the ceremony will be just a little more fun with these cardstock prints. Or, depending on how you want to adhere said heads to your vehicle, these can also be printed as magnets for easy attachment.

11

A giant graduation bow

If your high school grad is getting the gift of a car, decorate their new wheels with a giant Graduation Car Bow. This one is designed just for graduation and makes a big statement. It measures 30 x 30 inches. And unlike a traditional bow on a present, this one won’t lose its luster if it rains. The waterproof vinyl is weather resistant. And note, even though the image says 2021, the latest bows read “2022.”

12

A pack of graduation window clings

Have little siblings who are feeling some feels on big sis or bro being suddenly grown and flown? Distract them with these Graduation Window Clings. The reusable peel off stickers feature all kinds of graduation symbols including caps, diplomas, gowns, medals, and more. The perfect little addition to a car’s windows, these fun clings can be used on their own or in addition to other car decorations for graduation.

13

A fiesta-themed grad decor kit

If you’re feeling a little punny, grab these fiesta-themed balloons to decorate your car for your grad. You can personalize your fiesta collection by choosing yes or no to a cactus or the exact phrase you want for the ultimate taco party. The balloons are roughly 13.5 inches tall when inflated.

14

A pack of liquid chalk pens

Prefer a DIY approach to car decorations for graduation? You have to have the right tools, then. This Liquid Chalk Pen pack has 10 colors including metallic silver and gold to spice up any vehicle’s windows with fun messages to your special grad. The liquid chalk is entirely washable so there’s no fear of staining a car forever. And each pen has a reversible nib with a rounded and a chiseled tip so you can tailor your writing.

15

A rearview mirror charm

Are you decorating a grad’s car as a surprise for their graduation? Tuck a little extra decoration inside with this lovely Mirror Charm that reads “2022” with a little cap atop the year. Two by 4 inches, it’s big enough to grab a driver's attention, but not distract them. And it’s a fun keepsake they can use as a bookmark or dorm room decoration once the big festivities for graduation are over.

16

A banner of cutout grad faces

If one cutout of your grad’s face isn’t enough, consider replicating that image across a Cutout Face banner. The ultimate car decoration for grads, chances are other students will be jealous of this hilarious decorative item. You can choose up to two faces to be displayed. Each garland includes 10 faces and measures 5.5 ft from first face to last with each face about 6.5 inches long.

17

A customized graduation flag

If a flag car graduation decoration is good, a personalized car flag one with a grad’s image is even better. Find our favorite photo of your graduate and have this Etsy vendor customize a car flag for you. You can even choose what color background you prefer, be it a school color or something to match your vehicle. Each flag is double-sided and includes a pole to attach to a window.

18

A personalized graduation balloon

Celebratory balloons are the go-to for any party, so naturally you’ll need some for your car graduation decorations. Make it extra special by putting your favorite grad’s name on a personalized graduation balloon. Balloons come in 8 different colors including metallics and are sold individually so you can make a whole balloon bouquet with different colors if you choose.

19

A novelty license plate

Really make the big graduation official with a Novelty License Plate. This one looks like a collage of cut up license plates and can be ordered in mini (great for mopeds) or standard size. You can even personalize it with a grad’s name. They’ll never forget the year they graduated with this on the front of their car (in states where that’s legal, of course).

20

A rainbow car parade kit

So happy your child is graduating you want to throw a parade? Go for it. Just make sure you have this Parade Car Kit first. Packed with 25 colorful latex balloons, 1 roll of white curling ribbon, 2 congrats banners, and 2 15-inch wide x 10-inch long rainbow-colored fringes, you’ll be totally ready to slowly cruise around the school celebrating your graduate.

Car decorations for graduation can be just as exciting as the celebration itself with these fun products. Doll up your vehicle and let everyone know how proud you are of your graduate with these graduation car decorations.

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