Many high schools across the country allow high school seniors to paint their parking spot in the school parking lot. Along with big events such as homecoming and prom, senior parking spots are a common high school tradition that many high schoolers look forward to. This is a really fun way to let high school seniors express their creativity before graduating, but also helps keep the parking lot organized by assigning everyone a spot. The alternative is typically something boring, like having numbered spots, or no assigned spots at all.
There is a ton of work that goes into painting the spot. It typically takes several hours to prepare the area and then actually do the painting. That being said, you definitely want to choose a design that you’ll be happy with for the rest of the school year. We have put together this large list of senior parking spot ideas that you can use as inspiration!
Best Senior Parking Spot Ideas
Cartoon Show Characters
Cartoons are a great option to paint as a senior parking spot because they are typically really easy to draw. Simply look through your favorite cartoon characters and choose your favorite. Some classic examples include things like pokemon, spongebob, the simpsons, rick and morty, and adventure time!
Pokeball
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If you’re a pokemon fan, but painting your favorite pokemon seems difficult, try doing a pokeball instead! It only uses 3 colors and the shapes are very easy to work with!
Spongebob Senior Parking Spot
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Everybody loves spongebob, which makes it a great option! He’s pretty easy to paint, but you can also choose to paint any of the other characters such as patrick or Mr. Krabs!
Music Lyrics
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If you have a favorite song or band, consider making that the theme of your senior parking space! If you’re not great at drawing, you can simply write out the lyrics of your favorite song, or recreate the cover art of an album.
Super Heroes
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Super heroes are a classic choice for senior parking spaces because they’re highly recognizable and very popular. You can choose to paint a minimalist rendition of a super hero or their logo, such as the captain america shield, or you can choose to go all out and paint an action scene!
Movies
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If you have a favorite movie, then painting your senior spot is a great way to personalize! You can choose a character from the movie and then find a way to paint it on the asphalt. Some common ones include finding nemo and the minions from Despicable Me.
Sports
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Student athletes might want to showcase their passions for their sport by using it as a theme for their senior parking spot. For example, if you’re a basketball player you could paint a large basketball, or paint your parking spot like a basketball court.
Sports Teams
If you’re a big fan of a professional sports team, consider using that as inspiration for your parking spot! You could use their logo or jersey as the main part of your parking spot paint. For example, you could paint the team’s jersey with your own name on the back so everyone know it is your spot!
Country Flag
Flags are incredibly easy to draw, which makes them perfect for painting on a school parking spot! If you are from another country, or want to show off your patriotism, consider painting a flag. The dimensions are nearly perfect to do this!
Nature-Inspired Senior Parking Spot Ideas
If you love hobbies like hiking and walking through nature, show it off in your parking spot! The possibilities for painting nature landscapes in your parking spot are endless. You can release your inner Bob Ross and paint a mountain range or forest. Alternatively, you could paint a nice beach or sky in your spot! The great part about this idea for painting your parking spot is that you can choose to be as detailed or as basic as you’d like!
Board Games
Board games can make for great parking spot designs. If you’re a big fan of chess, monopoly, or any other board game, consider using it as your inspiration! Since board games lay flat on a table, they’re perfect for drawing on the ground.
Monopoly
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Monopoly is a great game to choose because you can get really clever with the “free parking” tile on the board!
Chess
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Chess is another great option because the boards are so incredibly easy to paint. All you need it black and white paint, and that’s pretty much it! If you love chess, this could be the perfect option for you!
Memes as Senior Parking Spot Ideas
We all know that Gen Z and Gen Alpha love to express themselves through memes. Show off your sense of humor by painting your favorite meme in your parking spot. You probably have tons of brainrot memes saved on your phone or in your group chat already. Go through those and pick your favorite to paint on your parking spot.
Your Own Original Design
You don’t have to make your senior parking spot a reference to a movie or sports team, it is totally acceptable to come up with your own design! If you’re artistic and creative, make sure to show it off with your own beautiful creation!
How to Paint Senior Parking Spot
Painting your senior parking spot is one of those fun traditions that lets you show off your personality, but a little prep work goes a long way toward making your design look great and last all year. Start by cleaning your spot by sweeping away dirt, leaves, and rocks. A clean surface helps the paint stick better and prevent chipping. Outline your design in chalk or pencil so you have a clear plan before diving in with paint. The reason you want to use chalk before is because it is easier to erase than paint. You might also want to use tape for painting clear lines on your spot.
What Paint to Use on Senior Parking Spot
Water-based exterior paint is typically the best choice for painting senior parking spots because it’s durable, safe, and designed to handle outdoor conditions. Since it’s made for use on concrete and asphalt, it holds up against sun, rain, and the daily wear of tires. You should check with your school in advance to see if they have a preferred type of paint they would like used on their parking spot.