Summer Baby Shower Themes: 11 Ideas to Celebrate the New Arrival

The warm summer months are perfect for celebrating parents-to-be and the arrival of a new bundle of joy. The sun is shining, the mood is upbeat, and there’s ample opportunity to host your celebration in locations that aren’t ideal in wintertime. Whether you’re planning on hosting a summer baby shower indoors or outside in a gorgeous natural locale, the key to throwing the perfect baby shower is choosing a theme.

From outdoor parties like BBQs and pool parties to romantic summer tea parties and luaus, there’s no shortage of summer baby shower themes to try. Once you’ve picked a theme, it’s easy to coordinate matching baby shower games and baby shower decorations to complete the experience. 

Here, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite summer-inspired baby shower ideas. And to help make the party planning process even easier, we’ve paired each theme with a matching baby shower invitation. Let’s get started!

11 Summer Baby Shower Themes to Inspire Your Celebration

Traditionally, baby showers are hosted by a close friend, grandma-to-be, or another relative. If you’re in charge of hosting a baby shower, choosing a theme can be intimidating.

Think about what the new parent(s)-to-be enjoy doing. Do they love lounging by the pool or enjoy relaxing in enchanted gardens? Maybe they prefer to keep things low-key and laid-back with cookouts in the summer months? Once you’ve identified a few options, you can start looking for themes that fit those preferences. You can also ask the parent(s)-to-be what type of party they’d like and then choose a theme that fits those activities.

Here, you’ll find some trending summer baby shower themes along with coordinating baby shower invites. From sweet events like ice cream socials to animal-inspired bee and flamingo fetes, there’s something for everyone.

1. Backyard Baby-Q

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

Invitation Inspiration: Grill and Chill Invitation

For a laid-back vibe, you can’t go wrong with a DIY backyard Baby-Q. Whether you’re hosting at a local park or in your backyard, you can easily add picnic blankets, tables, and folding chairs for guests. Gingham tablecloths are an instant hit and you can also serve classic foods like hot dogs, burgers, and ribs.

Offer cooling refreshments like lemonade and fruit-infused water. For baby shower favors, you can give guests a burlap bag filled with snacks like gourmet popcorn or gummy candies. Backyard activities (think bean bag toss and scavenger hunts) make perfect baby shower games for this theme.

2. Parents-To-Bee Baby Shower

Design: Elizabeth Silver

Invitation Inspiration: Mom To Bee Invitation

For a bee-autiful summer baby shower theme, look no further than a bee-theme party. This party theme is abuzz with bumblebee decor and sunshine hues that add a cheery atmosphere. Stick to a yellow, white, and black color palette and decorate the space with yellow balloon arches and honey bee items. For dessert, you can serve sweet cupcakes with bee toppers. Honeycomb-shaped soaps and little jars of honey make great baby shower party favors.

3. Boho Chic 

Design: Lissa Anglin

Invitation Inspiration: Boho Hoops Invitation

Have an expectant friend or loved one who loves boho style? Host a boho chic baby shower. Boho chic color schemes are perfect for gender-neutral baby showers as well as for baby boy or girl baby showers. Think of hues like green, blush, creams, and metallics. You can add in natural textures such as jute, burlap, and rope to create an earthy vibe that’s perfect for any flower child.

For food, focus on serving wholesome, locally sourced ingredients. You can use woven plate chargers and cloth napkins with tassels to build the boho vibe. For centerpieces, use florals in soft hues and add in fluffy pampas grass for stunning floral baby shower decor.

4. Ice Cream Social

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

Invitation Inspiration: Sprinkle Confetti Invitation

Cool off in the simmering summer heat with an ice cream party to celebrate the pending arrival of a stork with a special package. This summer baby shower theme is easy to plan. Just choose a pastel color palette for a whimsical air or opt for bright colors if you want something more eye-catching. Incorporate the hues into the tablecloths and centerpieces and don’t forget to grab some balloons, confetti, and streamers to match. 

For food, set up a dessert table featuring an array of cupcakes and an ice cream bar. Guests can make their own sundae creations with toppings like caramel, chocolate chips, fresh fruit, and mint leaves.

5. Fabulous Flamingo

Design: Linelle

Invitation Inspiration: Magnificent Flamingo Invitation

Ditch the stork and opt for a fabulous flamingo instead with this summer baby shower theme. Guests will get excited to fla-mingle and celebrate the new little bundle of joy with this festive flamingo idea. The color scheme here is pink and green, so have fun decorating the space with items featuring palm leaves and pink flamingos. You can set the tables with a pink tablecloth and add a touch of glamour with metallic charger plates. Complete the look with palm leaf napkins and greenery in the centerpieces.

For a brunch baby shower, serve pancakes, waffles, and pink mimosas. If you’re having an afternoon shower or just want to serve desserts and snacks, offer flamingo-shaped cookies, cupcakes with flamingo toppers, or a baby shower cake featuring a custom-made flamingo.

6. You Are My Sunshine

Design: Noonday Design

Invitation Inspiration: Sweet Pastels Invitation

Announce the pending arrival with a “you are my sunshine” party. Like the bee theme, the color palette here is focused on yellow. You can also incorporate pastel colors and florals to make the theme even more magical. Serve yellow-hued treats like corn on the cob, quiche, and lemon bars along with lemonade and lemon-flavored sparkling waters.

For decor, use yellow tablecloths to set the sunshine scene. Add yellow flowers like roses and sunflowers to vases as centerpieces. Yellow crochet coasters add a boho feel to the decor and you can set up a photo booth with sunglasses and summer heat for the theme. For a great baby shower favor, hand out lemon foot scrubs, mini yellow potted plants, or yellow rock candies.

7. Sweet Succulent

Design: Sunny July

Invitation Inspiration: Succulent Garden Invitation

Honor the new arrival with a perfect-for-summer succulent garden party. Decorate using green and blue hues and incorporate succulents and cacti into the decor. Mini succulents can be used as place cards (and baby shower party favors) while a larger cactus plant makes a great centerpiece for the gift table. Serve an array of Southwestern dishes and snacks such as chips and guacamole, burritos, and cactus fries. This theme is perfect for a pool party — just snag a few cactus floaties, cactus-inspired ring toss games, and a cactus pinata.

8. Tea for Three (or More!) 

Design: Ashley DeMeyere Design

Invitation Inspiration: Dainty Garland Invitation

Whether you’re hosting a bridal shower for someone who’s having their first child or third, a tea party is a romantic way to honor the special occasion. This summer baby shower theme works best in the early afternoon. Set out dainty teapots and tea cups complete with saucers. Serve several varieties of tea — herbal, green, and black are always popular. Decorate the tables with fresh flowers and set up pastry stands with treats like croissants, macarons, and tea sandwiches.

To add more glamor, line the tables with lace and delicate tablecloths. Ask guests to attend wearing period attire or fascinator hats for added elegance. This themed party idea also works well for bridal showers and birthday parties.

9. Aloha Baby

Design: Anna K Design

Invitation Inspiration: Tropical Palms Invitation

Hosting a luau party or tropical Hawaiian party is sure to make people smile. Whether hosting in your own backyard, at the beach, or at a local swimming pool, adding decorative elements like leis, tiki torches, seashells, and surfboards can transform any space. This is one of those fun baby shower themes that offers plenty of activities, from splashing in the water to sipping cocktails and playing limbo. 

For food, serve classic luau fare like Kahlua pig and poke or go with summer delicacies like fruit salsa and surf and turf dishes. Don’t forget summertime-themed drinks like tropical punch and lemonade to keep guests cool while celebrating the new baby.

10. Mexican Fiesta

Design: Hudson Meets Rose

Invitation Inspiration: Let’s Avo-Cuddle Invitation

Celebrate the new bundle of joy with a Mexican fiesta-themed shower. (You could also adopt some ideas from our list of taco party ideas.) Color is the name of the game when it comes to decorating for this theme. Choose lots of bright colors and mix them together for an eye-catching vibe. Serapes make great tablecloths for this party theme and you can serve classic Mexican fare like enchiladas, tacos, and watermelon margaritas.

For baby shower games, have guests hit a pinata or play “name that song” using only Mexican tunes. For a multicultural take, you can print out the word “baby” in several different languages and then have guests match the word to the country of origin.

11. Under the Sea 

Design: Snow + Ivy

Invitation Inspiration: Undersea Whimsy Invitation

Celebrate the newest creature in the family with a magical under the sea baby shower. This theme is great for gender-neutral parties as well as for boy and girl baby showers thanks to the wide range of color schemes. Set the scene by adding sea creatures to your decor. Look for animal balloons in the shape of whales, turtles, and seahorses. Decorate the room with fish netting, seaweed, and treasure chests. 

As a baby shower party favor, hand out a message in a bottle to each guest. You can write a personal note highlighting how lucky the new baby is to have each individual in their lives. For food, serve animal cookies, fruit cut into sea creature shapes, and “seawater” — apple juice, sparkling water, and some blue food coloring.

Find the Perfect Baby Shower Invitation for Your Theme

At Greenvelope, you’ll find digital baby shower invitations for every summer baby shower theme. From Hawaiian luaus and bee-themed parties to boho chic and elegant tea time, there’s an invitation designed to match. 

With completely customizable designs, you can change up the typography, color scheme, and layout to suit your needs. There’s plenty of room on the invites to include details of the baby registry and any party details like a dress code. Plus, the dashboard makes it easy to track who has RSVP’d so you can quickly see who’s coming with just a few clicks.

Need more help planning a baby shower? Continue browsing our Stationer’s blog where you’ll find practical advice like our baby shower checklist that you can use to plan the perfect party.