Celebrating a new baby in the summer is pretty great. It’s not too close to major holidays and, depending on where you live, the weather is generally nice this time of year. Plus, it opens the door to welcoming one of the most coveted seasons of the year and a newborn with a summer-themed baby shower.
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That’s why we put together a list of our favorite summer baby shower themes below. What’s great about these themes is that even though we split them up, many of the decor, favors, and food and drink options will work for more than one theme. Whether you’re hosting or the guest of honor, we’ve rounded up plenty of summer baby shower inspiration to help you choose what works best for you. Find your perfect summer baby shower theme and everything you need to create it here:
Picnic in the Park
Summer means picnic season is back. Picnics are one of the most underrated activities and one of the cutest aesthetics to draw baby shower inspiration from. This is the perfect theme to throw at a favorite local park or someone’s spacious backyard.
Planning a Picnic Baby Shower
For decorations, think cute baskets, plaid blankets, mason jar vases, and pillow seats. Along with some great, budget-friendly decor, a picnic baby shower theme could be completed by picking up some baskets and pillows for seating from a local thrift shop in your area. For a picnic-themed shower favor, consider picking up some adorable mini picnic baskets to fill with goodies.
When planning your picnic baby shower menu, think about the food you’d like to eat outside on a picnic blanket while gazing at a lovely view. What comes to mind for us is some refreshing lemonade or sweet tea, along with light foods like salads with summer veggies, a fresh quiche, and a spread of sandwiches like chicken salad.
Backyard Baby-Q
If it seems like more and more baby showers are starting to be co-ed lately, we’ve noticed, too! We love that dads are also being showered in creative ways, and think this Backyard Baby-Q couldn’t be more perfect for a couple’s baby shower. The best of both worlds mesh in this theme: grill season and the budding flowers of summer.
Planning a Barbecue Baby Shower
This is a great theme to invite the whole family and friend group over for, as it’s a mix of a casual cookout and plenty of themed touches. And what’s great about it is that you can go as cute or as neutral as you prefer with the decor. Either opt for quirky designs and characters or go more floral-focused to make the theme your own.
Since it is backyard barbecue-inspired, whip up some of everyone’s favorites on the grill! Go casual with burgers and hotdogs, or step it up a notch with homemade baby back ribs.
With party favors on the mind, no one will ever complain about an edible party favor. And these happen to be especially fitting for a barbecue-themed baby shower. Send everyone home with a sweet treat like a s’mores kit.
Someone Berry Sweet is On the Way
One of the best parts about welcoming summer (the list really does go on and on) is that it’s berry season once again. Share in the sweet tastes of summer by celebrating someone berry sweet. Whether you have a favorite berry or want to opt for pink or blue colors, this theme can easily be either strawberry or blueberry-focused. Bonus if you can host the party at a local berry farm!
Planning a Berry-Centric Baby Shower
Of course, play heavily into the berry decor with this theme. Have a branded welcome sign to greet guests, as well as themed napkins, balloons, and cake toppers. For something extra special, don the tables with adorable ceramic fruit baskets like the ones shown below (plus, these are so cute you’ll want to use them as regular decor!).
Have all of the fruit-centric dishes to go along with this theme. We’re thinking a tasty fruit pizza, a fresh fruit salad, and an angel food strawberry or blueberry shortcake to top it all off!
Play into the fact that strawberries and blueberries are oh-so-tasty in the party favor department. With either a scrumptious lip balm or a handmade jar of jam, the scent of these favors alone will bring everyone back to the special day.
A Little Cutie is On the Way
If berries don’t tickle your fancy, perhaps you’re more keen to something on the citrus side. Welcome your little cutie with this adorable clementine party theme. A perfect option for parents not finding out the sex of their baby—it’s full of the gender-neutral color orange.
Planning a Clementine Baby Shower
Whether you go more cutesy or watercolor-inspired—or a bit of both!—there are decorations for that. Lean heavily into the color orange, but also incorporate some neutrals and maybe even a few pastel greens.
Since clementines are related to oranges, it only feels right to offer a mimosa bar! For a fun, on-theme dessert, consider opting out of the traditional cake and whipping up a homemade iced clementine pound cake instead.
Ensure the celebration goes on well after the party ends by sending everyone off with their own mimosa kit with a mini bottle of champagne and some orange juice. Pick out a cute themed sticker to place on the champagne bottles.
Mommy to Bee/Sweet as Can Bee
One sound we can’t escape in the summer (whether we like it or not) is the sound of bees busy at work buzzing around. Even though they may strike fear in many of us, we can all agree that they’re one of the cutest winged creatures. This also happens to be another great gender-neutral option, as the decor will be filled with yellow!
Planning a Bee-Themed Baby Shower
Yellow, black, and white will rule this theme. Beyond balloons, there are tons of adorable themed decorations like cut-out paper bees, decorative tassels, adorable napkins, and more that will leave everyone buzzing with excitement.
Lean into honey-forward recipes that everyone will enjoy for this theme. Simply incorporate the sweet nectar by drizzling it on things like a fruit salad or fresh biscuits, and the honey will be a standout in every dish.
It’s only right to celebrate the fruits of a bee’s labor by sending everyone home with some delicious honey in a cute jar as a party favor.
Sweet Little One Lemon-Themed Baby Shower
Refreshing citrus is something we all turn to in the summertime. Celebrate with a “Mama’s Main Squeeze,” Strawberry Lemonade, or an Italian Amalfi Coast lemon-themed baby shower.
Planning a Lemonade Baby Shower
While this may be an obvious gender-neutral option, it’s also super simple to add in hints of pinks or blues if preferred. This is especially true because yellow looks extra adorable when paired with pink or blue.
You can’t go wrong serving fresh lemonade at a lemonade-themed party. Then, include some classic lemon-forward favorites like lemon bars, lemon pound cake, or glazed lemon bread.
There’s nothing quite like the smell of citrus. It’s exactly what you want your home—especially your kitchen and bathroom—to smell like. That’s why the perfect favor for a lemon-themed baby shower comes in the form of handmade soaps.
Happy Little Camper/Let the Adventure Begin
If you hold a great affinity for the great outdoors, celebrate the best adventure yet with this adorable “Happy Camper”/National Parked-themed shower. Whether you go vintage or cutesy, this theme couldn’t be more perfect for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone who simply thinks it’s adorable!
Planning an Adventurous Baby Shower
National Parks, mountains, bears, oh my! Play into whichever elements of the theme speak to you most, and you’ll have yourself the outdoorsy shower of your dreams. The National Parks route is sure to have a vintage feel to it, while there are also plenty of cute critters you could focus on. But, if you ask us, a bit of both may be the way to go!
Hikers and couch potatoes alike can both appreciate a DIY trail mix bar that is perfectly on theme for this shower. Set up things like nuts, raisins, pretzels, M&M’s, and more with some cute goodie bags, and let everyone make their own special mix. This can also be a great baby shower party favor! For something more substantial, you could try your hand at making some homemade granola that would go perfectly with a fruit and yogurt bar.
English Garden Party/Tea for Two
If the summer months mean extra time outside spent in the garden, this theme is for you—or anyone who appreciates a highly feminine floral theme! For the girly girl mom-to-be, consider this theme. If possible, add to the magic by hosting the event at a local botanical garden.
Planning an English Garden Party Baby Shower
An English garden party will incorporate lots of elegant florals, baroque designs, and plenty of pastels. Add a hint of feminine touch wherever you see fit! For a fun activity during the event, consider hosting a floral arrangement tutorial (meaning everyone goes home with a beautiful bouquet that doubles as a party favor!).
There are plenty of similarities between an English Garden Party and a traditional high tea. Incorporate similar refreshments like tea varietals, English tea sandwiches, and biscuit cookies.
Share all of the femininity with your guests by sending them home with a luxury floral hand cream. Not only will their hands thank you, but they’ll be able to look back on the special day each time they pull it out of their purse. For other on-theme baby shower party favors, consider seed packets, a mini succulent, or flowers they can take home with them.
Baby on Board
The adventurous beach bums can give new meaning to “Baby on Board” with this beach surf-boarding-themed party. A perfect choice for parents welcoming a little boy (or parents who simply enjoy blue!), there’ll be plenty of blue hues incorporated that mimic an ocean scene. But don’t worry—it can easily become gender-neutral or feminine depending on the chosen color pallet.
Planning a Surf-Centric Shower
Sail (or surf!) the ocean blue with plenty of warm hues in the decor. Grab the must-haves like balloons, themed napkins, and a tablecloth, but also include some special touches like a surfboard-shaped drink menu. If you’re situated near the ocean and want to make the decor extra special, spend an afternoon seashell hunting and incorporate those throughout the space.
Having some seafood options may be a great choice for this theme, but we’ll want to keep in mind what types of foods moms-to-be are recommended to avoid (such as anything raw). To play it safe, we can incorporate other kinds of favorites, like those associated with seafood boils. Things like crab cakes, corn on the cob, and red potatoes are delicious options.
Red, White, and Due
A theme that’s perfect for parents wanting to show their patriotic side, “Red, White, and Due” is a staple summer baby shower theme. Especially if you’ll be celebrating near the Fourth of July holiday, this theme will give everyone a reason to celebrate.
Planning a Fourth of July Baby Shower
Of course, the space will be filled with plenty of blues and reds, making this a great gender-neutral party theme. We can also play into things like stars, stripes, and fireworks.
The Fourth of July always lends to a great cookout opportunity. Fire up the grill for everyone’s favorites, like sliders and salads. Level up the offerings with plenty of festive bomb pops for tons of red, white, and blue spirit!
Keep the celebration going after the sun goes down with complimentary sparklers for guests. They can either share in the celebration then and there or head home and light them up on the holiday or when baby arrives.
Ahoy, It’s a Boy/Yachts of Love Nautical Theme
These summer baby shower themes are fit for ocean or lake-loving parents who are ready to set sail on their greatest adventure yet! While it may seem boy-centric with lots of blues, it can certainly be made more feminine with some creativity.
Planning a Nautical Baby Shower
Naturally, we’ll incorporate plenty of blues and nautical features in the decor. Attention to detail will be extra special with this theme. Throwing in anchors, helms, and yachts wherever possible will make all the difference.
Tying the nautical theme into the food options will open the door to plenty of creativity. Consider making buns in the shape of knots to mimic sailing ropes. Or, try an island-themed recipe like jerk chicken that everyone is sure to enjoy.
For baby shower party favors, do everyone a favor. Ensure their drinks are cold for the rest of the summer by gifting personalized can coolers.
