I was ecstatic when my sister-in-law told us this past winter that they are expecting their first baby this summer. I’ll be an aunt for the first time.
As a mom of a sassy toddler and a know-it-all almost-kindergartener, I’m a little wistful about the baby stage lately. Becoming an aunt lets me experience all the best parts of having a newborn — without actually having a newborn again.
Decorating a nursery. Picking out itty-bitty outfits. Checking out all the cool advances in baby “gear” — wow has it changed a lot in 5 years! And of course, that sweet baby smell and newborn snuggles.
I’m counting down the days till I meet my very first nephew but until then, I’m keeping busy with ideas for the baby’s nautical nursery. I just love the challenge of a theme.
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Sea-worthy ideas for a nautical nursery:
Life Preserver Guest Book
Bring this life preserver to the baby shower along with some Sharpies, and ask all the guests to sign it. How perfect is it that the life preserver already says “Welcome Aboard”? Decorated with all the well wishes for baby, this sweet keepsake can be hung in the nursery as a reminder of the special people in your baby’s life who loved him or her from the very beginning. At under $20, this makes a cute, affordable, mess-free baby shower activity too. Use my free printable to instruct guests on what to do:
Nautical Baby Shower Guest Book Sign Free Printable
“Poop Deck” Changing Caddy
About a week into life with a newborn, you realize that going upstairs to the changing table for every single diaper change is a massive waste of your energy. With a minimum of 10 diapers a day, that makes for a lot of trips up and down. Experienced parents know you can change a diaper any time, anywhere, and the JJ Cole changing caddy makes the process easier. Keep this handled tote stocked with all the essentials and move it around the house for changes wherever they happen. Or, keep it next to the changing table in the nursery so everything you need is organized and never out of arm’s reach.
To complete a nautical nursery and put together a baby shower gift that will make the other guests squeal, add a few DIY details and then fill the caddy with some cute accessories.
Supplies:
- JJ Cole diaper change caddy (also available in Slate Heather)
- Poop Deck sign (variety of finishes are available – I chose Silver)
- 2 screws and 2 nuts
- 10.5-inch piece of twine
- Nautical charms (I chose the anchor and steering wheel from this set)
- Craft wire
- Hot glue
- Drill or pocket knife with awl tool
- Cellophane gift bag to wrap in
Accessories:
- Small package of diapers
- 1 package of wipes
- Diaper cream
- Rattle, small toy, or board book
How To:
- Attach the Poop Deck sign. Use the Swiss Army knife awl tool to punch or drill holes through the front of the caddy.
- Insert screws and use nuts to secure.
- Hot glue twine to front of caddy drawer, approximately one inch from the drawer top. I glued the two sides first, putting a little glue first and then adding another layer of glue on top to secure the end of the twine more securely.
- Then put 2-3 dabs of glue on the backside of the twine along the front of the caddy to hold the twine in place.
- Let dry thoroughly. Do not reclose drawer until glue is completely dry.
- Use craft wire to attach nautical charms to twine. I placed my charms to correspond with (and help camouflage) the hot glue dots.
- Fill the caddy with the accessories and gift-wrap in a clear cellophane gift bag because this baby shower gift is so cute, it shouldn’t be covered with wrapping paper!
“No Wake Zone” Sign
Extend the nautical theme to the nursery’s wall decorations with No Wake Zone wall art. That’s what every mom really wants for her baby (and herself), right? Just one good night’s sleep?
I designed this 12×12 graphic and made it into a wooden sign with the help of The Blue Balloon Shoppe (local to Naperville, Illinois). Because no nursery in 2018 is complete without at least one rustic wooden sign. But if you don’t have time or expertise to make a sign, you can print this out and pop it into a simple 12 x 12 frame for a similar effect.
No Wake Zone Frame-Ready Printable (Distressed Font)
No Wake Zone Frame-Ready Printable (Regular Font)
(Want the SVG to make your own wooden sign? Etsy store coming soon! Message me for purchase details.)
I’m looking forward to checking out the baby’s finished nursery before his arrival in July. He’s already loved more than all the waves in the sea. 💙
Share your nautical nursery projects with #NeverDoneWithFun! I’ve been thinking about a mobile as our next project…have you made one (or pinned one)?
