The countdown to graduation is officially on! Whether you have a little one that’s moving up from preschool or you are walking across the stage to accept a master’s degree, celebrating a graduation is a huge milestone. Decorating your graduation cap has become a popular activity in recent years. However, if you are renting your cap and gown, borrowing it from a friend or want to save the cap for a younger sibling, you may have to think twice before getting crazy with the glue gun and rhinestones. Here is your ultimate guide to temporary graduation cap decorating for every age group, from preschool to college.
Love this guide to temporary graduation cap decorating? Make sure to subscribe via email to stay updated on the latest posts. Also, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more amazing content. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I’ll earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. This only applies if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!
Supplies for Temporary Graduation Cap Decorating
- 12 x 12 Heavyweight cardstock (white, assorted colors, glitter, foil)
- 8.5 x 11 Cardstock
- Scissors
- 12 x 12 Felt sheets (you can use instead of cardstock for base)
- Ruler
- Acrylic markers
- Pencil
- Double-sided tape
- Stickers (alphabet, numbers, career, religion, etc)
- Exacto knife
- Graduation cap
- Removable fabric tape
- Embellishments (flowers, rhinestones, etc)
- Tacky glue or glue sticks
- Foam stamps
- Paint Sticks
- Old magazines
- Cricut (optional)
- Washable markers
- Hot glue gun
- Small toys
Directions for Temporary Graduation Cap Decorating
Make sure you never apply adhesive or paint directly to the cap’s fabric. You will need to create a protective and removable barrier. This will allow you to decorate your cap without damaging it.
- First, select the heavyweight cardstock you want to use then measure your cap.
- Next, place the cardstock on top of the cap to find the center. Mark the spot then cut a tiny hole big enough to slide over the cap’s center button.
- Start decorating your cap using stickers, embellishments, acrylic markers or cardstock. You can also use clippings from old magazines or print a picture of your favorite tv character to decorate your cap.
- Finally, when you are finished decorating, use small pieces of removable double-sided fabric tape on the four corners of the cap. When graduation is over, you can remove the temporary topper.
Idea Guide by Grade Level
Preschool & Kindergarten
At this stage, it’s all about fun! Parents typically take the lead as far as decorating the cap. Get inspired by your child’s favorite cartoon, toy or color.
- Next stop Kindergarten
- To Kindergarten and Beyond (Toy Story themed)
- Oh the places you’ll go (Dr. Seuss themed)
5th Grade or 6th Grade
Students moving on from 5th or 6th grade will love showing off their favorite hobbies, sports and school colors. Allow this age group to have creative freedom. If your child wants to keep it simple, use decorative cardstock.
8th Grade (Middle School)
Middle school grads are moving past the childish themes but aren’t quite at the serious level like high school grads. They may prefer pop culture, music, humor, sports or friendships (think photo collage).
- Level 8 Completed
- End of Chapter 8
- What do you mean 4 more years
- 3 Years Later (SpongeBob SquarePants themed)
12th Grade (High School)
These graduates are caught between looking back at their youth and looking forward to their freedom. They may prefer pop culture, music, college logos or mascots, emotional thanks to family or teachers, inspiring quotes, sports or fun designs.
College & University
College graduates deserve to go over the top with their decorations. They prefer to showcase their specific majors, fraternity or sorority, humor, pop culture, music, sports or over the top decorations.
- Hire me!
- I Survived!
- The Life of a Graduate
- She’s a Clever Girl
- This is what dreams are made of
Trade & Technical School
Graduating from a trade, vocational or technical school is a huge achievement. These grads will prefer to showcase their field of expertise.
Cosmetology Graduates:
- Shear Genius
- Slaying hair, skin and nails
- License to style
- Making the world beautiful, one client at a time
Automotive Technicians:
- On to the next shift
- I fix things. It’s what I do
- Shifted into high gear
- I’ve got 99 problems but a diagnostic code ain’t one
- Paid to play with cars
Culinary Graduates:
- The secret ingredient is hard work
- Yes Chef
- It was a piece of cake
Electrical
- My future is bright
- Fully charged for the future
- I found my spark
Pro-Tip for Graduation Day
No matter the age, pack a few extra bobby pins and a tiny strip of removable tape in your pocket or bag. You can do a quick repair before walking across the stage if anything happens to the cap.
With a temporary base layer, you get to enjoy a customized, social media worthy look for the ceremony and an undamaged cap to return or hand down to future graduates. If you’re looking for more ideas, check out my Pinterest Board.
To all the graduates stepping across the stage, you did it! Whether you are moving up to a new classroom, a new school or stepping out into the workforce, you should be incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that brought you to this moment. Take a deep breath, soak in every single moment and celebrate exactly how far you have come. Congratulations!
You can find these great books about graduating on Amazon (As an Amazon Associate, I’ll earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. This only applies if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!), your local library or visit a local book shop.
- Graduation Day! by Candice Ransom
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
- Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems
- The Littlest Graduate by Brandi Dougherty
- I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
- I Hope Life Treats You Well by Terrill Martinez
- The World Is Awaiting You by Marianne Richmond
- Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl by Barbara Park
- The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines
- The Sky Is the Limit: A Celebration of All the Things You Can Do by Lisa Swerling & Ralph Lazar
Looking for easy and engaging summer activities for kids? Check out these digital products from my ETSY shop.
Looking for ways to celebrate the summer with your family? Check out these adorable art projects and fun activities:
Indoor Play Areas in Tampa Bay for Kids
Best Ice Cream Shops in Tampa Bay
Summer Activities for Toddlers
Colorful Cardboard Popsicle Craft
