For my first pregnancy with my son, my mom and mother-in-law hosted the sweetest baby shower for us with a “Baby on Board” theme. It was playful, creative, and very us — with a little DIY, a lot of love, and plenty of desserts.
The Theme & DIY Backdrops
We leaned fully into the Baby on Board vibe and decided to make as much of the décor ourselves as possible. My husband and I prepped custom backdrops using large foam boards that we transformed into ocean waves and surfboards. We sketched out the designs, cut the shapes, and painted everything ourselves. It was definitely a labor of love, but seeing it all come together was so worth it.
The Show-Stopping Car Moment
One of the standout pieces was a Little Tikes car that we completely transformed to match the theme. We disassembled it, sanded it down, painted it, and then put it back together. It became the perfect statement piece and photo prop for the shower and honestly stole the show.
We also included a Decorate a Block activity, which was such a fun, interactive moment for guests and doubled as a keepsake we still love.
What I Wore
I wore a long white dress that I absolutely loved and still think about to this day. It was simple, flattering, and perfect for a baby shower — comfortable enough to actually enjoy the day, but still felt special and timeless. It fit the coastal theme beautifully and photographed so well.
Decor Details & Seating
To finish everything off, I found the cutest coastal-inspired décor pieces that tied the entire shower together without feeling overdone. Everything felt playful but still polished, which was exactly the vibe I wanted.
We also had outdoor seating set up so guests could relax, mingle, and enjoy the space.
Food & Desserts
We catered the shower with my favorite Italian market, which was a huge hit. For dessert, we served cannolis, cake, and cake pops — and the cake pops were made to look like beach balls to match the theme. They were almost too cute to eat (almost).
Games & Activities
We kept the games classic and lighthearted:
- Guess the belly size using string
- Mommy or Daddy trivia
They were easy, interactive, and didn’t feel awkward or forced — a must in my book.
The One Thing I’d Do Differently
We opened gifts in front of everyone, and if I’m being honest, it wasn’t my favorite part of the shower. While I loved and appreciated every gift, opening them in front of a group felt a little overwhelming. Looking back, I probably would have skipped that or done it privately afterward.
Shop the Baby on Board Theme
If you’re planning a Baby on Board–themed baby shower, I rounded up all of the decor and details we used in one place so it’s easy to recreate the look:
👉 Shop the Baby on Board Shower: https://liketk.it/4JuP1
Final Thoughts
This Baby on Board baby shower was such a special way to celebrate our first pregnancy. Between the DIY details, thoughtful hosting by my mom and mother-in-law, and the personal touches throughout, it’s a day I’ll always look back on fondly. If you’re planning a baby shower and want something playful, creative, and memorable, this theme is such a fun option — especially if you’re not afraid to get a little hands-on with the décor.