May party themes are just so fun. With the warmer weather and longer days, it’s time to move outside and enjoy some quality time with friends and family.
Whether you’re throwing a birthday bash, a graduation celebration, a Cinco de Mayo party or just a fun get-together, there are plenty of creative ideas that are sure to make your guests hearts feel as warm as the temperature outside.
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with so many party ideas available. Which is why it’s so helpful to choose a party theme – and then stick to it. A theme helps you narrow down your decoration, activity, and menu choices so you can easily plan an awesome celebration without too much stress.
What to Remember when Planning a Party in May
It’s so tempting to send every party outside with the beautiful weather that typically comes in May. But there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Unpredictable Weather. Here in the Mid-Atlantic, the added heat and humidity can mean unexpected afternoon storms. Make sure your decorations and activities can withstand a bit of rain from a short shower, or have an indoor space available as a backup plan.
- Allergies. May can be peak allergy season for many people. While there’s not a lot a hostess can do to help with allergies, make sure you have plenty of water available so allergy sufferers can soothe itchy throats, and thin out any possible post nasal drip.
- Bugs. Bees come out in full force during May and stick around through the end of summer. Make sure to treat your backyard with insect repellent and keep an eye out for any stinging insects.
- Sun protection. The sun is out earlier and longer in May. Make sure to provide shade options for your guests, as well as sunscreen so they can stay safe and protected at outdoor parties.
May Party Themes
Cinco de Mayo
Celebrate Mexican Heritage and Culture this May with a Cinco de Mayo Party! One of the best ways to celebrate Mexican heritage is through delicious food. From tacos to a Mexican spin on bananas foster, everyone can be in on the tasty fun with both traditional and creative treats.
Potluck DIY Sushi Party!
DIY sushi parties are a great way to get together with friends and family. And with a potluck style party, everyone chips in on the ingredients, so you only need to provide the supplies and the training. The result is a fun, interactive experience guests will remember for years.
Bug Party Fun!
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! The gorgeous spring weather makes the perfect backdrop for a fun and creative outdoor bug themed party this May.
Ladybug Themed DIY Birthday Cake Topper with Cricut
Looking for a cute, and super easy May party theme? You should definitely consider a ladybug party theme. Perfect for baby showers and 1st birthdays there are tons of cute ideas dedicated to the cutest of all the bugs. Start with this DIY cake topper, and then fill in the rest of the decorations and food with plenty of red and black ideas.
Memorial Day
Kick off your summer with the best BBQ in town and serve up some amazing food with these 70+ mouthwatering recipes.
Baking Birthday Party
With a cheerful and creative atmosphere, guests of all ages can join in the fun of a baking party. Decorate cookies and cupcakes, play games and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Butterfly Party Ideas
Evoke the feelings of renewal with a butterfly themed party this May. This is a great theme for a baby shower for a little girl, for birthday parties, and even as a secondary party theme for tea parties. Don't forget to download the free printable party planner to help plan your party in the most stress free way possible.
Carousel Party Ideas
Enjoy a day filled with fun and nostalgia by hosting a carousel themed party! With bright colors, cheery animals and a sweet carnival atmosphere, it is sure to be an unforgettable celebration.
Tea Party Ideas
A classic Mother's Day and bridal shower party theme, tea parties are a charming way to celebrate anyone during May. Use seasonal fresh flowers for pretty decorations, and add some of these other simple ideas to create a sweet celebration filled with heartwarming memories.
Crab Feast
Crab season is in full swing during May, so make the best of it with a fun crab feast! This is a perfect theme for Father's Day, a family get-together, or a grown-up birthday party. Serve up delicious seafood such as steamed crabs, mussels, and clams with plenty of delicious sides and BBQ recipes.
Cowgirl Party Ideas
Create a rustic atmosphere for your guests with a cowgirl or cowboy party. Fill your space with cowboy hats, and plenty of western inspired decor for a hollerin' good time.
Dinosaur Birthday Party Ideas
Celebrate a little one's special day with a roar-some fun dinosaur party. Decorate with plenty of oversized plants like monstera and palm trees. Then add in dinosaur themed banners, a three dimensional volcano backdrop. Finish the party off with a dinosaur adoption - using our free dino adoption printables.
Sweet and Easy Donut Party Ideas
Donut parties are a great way to celebrate any time of year, but the bright colors and delicious treats lend themselves very well for May parties. This makes a fantastic baby shower theme, birthday party, and even a fun graduation party theme. make for the perfect May party. Do-nut wait any longer and grab all these fun party ideas for your next celebration.
Frozen Luau Party
If you have a little one that's obsessed with Disney's frozen, then why not create the perfect summer/winter mashup with a Frozen themed luau party? With a fake snow beach, a purple and blue ice cream cake, plenty of snowflakes, and even more flower leis this conundrum of a party is sure to be a huge hit.
Fairy Party
Fairy parties were just made for outdoor spring weather. With magical decorations, imaginative food, and fairy wands (or wings!) for all, there's just no way you can go wrong with this theme.
Tween Inspired Blue and Purple Birthday Party
The blue and purple birthday party is a great option for hosting an event in May. Not only is the chic palette perfect for the season, it can also be done on a budget with DIY decorations and snacks that are fun to make. This theme adds a touch of whimsy to any celebration, and can be tailored to suit all age ranges.
Farm Birthday Party Ideas
Farm parties make for an exceptionally fun and creative party theme for the month of May. With the arrival of spring and beautiful weather, head over to a local farm, or make a faux farm in your backyard with giant cutouts or stuffed animals. Add a fun felt cake topper, vintage farm decor and simple orchard-inspired snacks for a great day.
Fortnite Party Ideas
Fortnite is still a hugely popular video game with kids right now, so it's no surprise that it would be a great party theme any time of year. This Fortnite party is filled with easy-to-copy decorations and ideas, including a loot llama pinata, battle royale backdrop, and v bucks cookies.
Garden Party Ideas
Whether you're planning a fun-filled graduation party, a bridal shower, or a birthday party, garden parties are perfect for the warm weather that comes during May. Get decorating with plenty of floral decorations and create garden-inspired treats for a special day that will be remembered for years to come.
Glow Party Ideas
Host an unforgettable night with our amazing glow party ideas that are sure to get teens and kids of any age excited! We're sharing all the tips you need to have a successful party, as well as plenty of decorations, glowing food, and even a few glow in the dark party games.
Ice Cream Party Ideas
Celebrate the start of summer temperatures with an ice cream party! Set up an ice cream toppings bar, and get creative with a variety of ice cream decorations, DIY backdrops and fun party games. Don't forget to check out the custom party printables you can download for your own events for a special touch.
Lemonade Party Ideas
Inject a sunny vibe into your baby showers and birthday parties with a lemonade themed party. The bright yellow color pallete is quite versatile and can be easily complimented with pinks, blues, or greens. No matter what creative decorations you choose, your guests are sure to leave feeling cheerful and refreshed.
Luau Party Ideas
Get ready to kick off the summer season with a tropical luau party! This classic theme is perfect for any budget - from completely DIY to over the top and decadent.
Greet your guests with Hawaiian leis and cover every surface with seashells, palm leaves and tiki torches. Serve up tropical cocktails, barbecue favorites, and plenty of sweet treats so guests can enjoy a snack or two between hula dances.
Mermaid Party Ideas
Don't forget to consider a Mermaid party theme. With these FIN-tastic party ideas, you can all party under the sea without breaking the bank or getting overwhelmed. No matter how big or how simple you plan it, this theme is sure to make a splash.
Octonauts Birthday Party Ideas
Have a little one who loves watching the Octonauts? This Octonauts party is a perfect example of how to combine a variety of beach themed party ideas with characters and special touches from the show. The result is a party that was a winner with both kids and adults!
Outdoor Movie Birthday Party
May is the perfect time to host an outdoor movie party. The temperatures are nice and warm, and the sun isn't quite to the point where it sets past bedtime. We'll show you how to host an easy outdoor movie party with a simple steps, a cute DIY concessions stand, and a movie set up that can be cozy even if you're on a budget.
Succulent Party Ideas
Succulents make a fun and unexpected party theme for May, with their vibrant colors and interesting shapes, they are a fantastic source of decor and inspiration for any celebration. Whether it's a birthday bash, baby shower or an impromptu get-together with friends, you can't go wrong with this loveable plant family.
Majestic and Magical Princess Party Ideas
Transform an ordinary space into your very own royal kingdom fit for any princess with these princess party ideas. From decorations to food, party printables, and fun games for all, these ideas are perfect for your spring celebration.
Puppy Themed Birthday Party Ideas
Whether you're planning a party for a little Paw Patrol fan, or your favorite furry friend, a puppy themed party is always a great idea. You'll love these fun ideas for deocrations, food, and games. We've even got a cute party printable you can use for a party activity or favor.
Slime Party
Slime parties are an affordable, fun, and surprisingly easy party theme to organize. Set up a make your own slime favors bar with our free printables, enjoy some soft and squishy treats, and enjoy other messy games in the backyard too. The warm weather makes this even easier as kids can wear their bathing suits and clean up with some water play afterward.
S'mores Party
Looking for a cozy and casual party theme that works for all ages, genders, and interests? Grab your roasting sticks and pull together a quick and easy s'mores party.
Treat your guests to a s'mores bar with plenty of options for every flavor s'mores possible, light up the fire pit and enjoy an afternoon or evening in the beautiful spring weather.
Sports Birthday Party
If your little slugger loves to play every sport under the sun, why not plan a vintage style sports party? Serve up some stadium themed snacks like hot dogs, nachos, and cracker jacks. Then get creative with the decorations with vintage style pennant banners, vintage game signs, and plenty of trophies that the kids can all take home as party favors.
Camping Parties
May's mild temperatures and long evenings make the perfect backdrop for a camping themed party. Decorate with rustic elements like burlap tablecloths and pinecones from your backyard. Then enjoy s'mores with homemade marshmallows and tell stories around the campfire.
Star Wars Party
Celebrate everything Star Wars with a May the 4th party! This Star Wars birthday party is the perfect place to start for ideas and inspiration you can easily recreate at home. From DIY party printables to creative Star Wars party food ideas you're sure to find plenty of ideas that will leave a lasting impression.
Train Birthday Party
Whether it's a special birthday or just for fun, you can have so much fun getting creative with a train themed party. Plus, we've got plenty of easy DIY decorations that you can pull together in no time for an exciting and unique celebration your child will never forget.
Under the Sea Party
With the start of warm, sunny weather, an under the sea party theme is perfect for May! Get creative with DIY decorations like hanging octopus lanterns, giant fish decals, and fish-shaped balloons, streamers, a tulle ceiling drape. Feed your fellow ocean explorers with goldfish crackers, fish sticks, octopus in a blanket, and more.
It’s Fun to be One!
If you aren't interested in the soft pastels of spring, why not celebrate the newest member of the family with an "It's Fun to be One" party. Filled with bright colors, you can create all sorts of DIY decor and really let your personality shine.
Sprinkles Themed Party
Host a sweet celebration with a sprinkles theme! This party theme is particularly fun during spring and summer, when everything is sprinkled with fun, bright colors. When it comes to treats, the possibilities are endless. Choose from sprinkle covered cakes, sprinkle dipped rice krispie treats, or even fruit cups decorated with a sprinkle swirl.
Planning a fun and creative party in May is easy with these creative party themes. Whether you use the force with a Star Wars party, watch a movie under the stars with an outdoor movie viewing, or go under the sea, your friends and family are sure to enjoy these themes for some memorable fun!
Make your special celebrations even easier and download our free one-page party planner. This snapshot page will help you organize your time and your budget, so your party planning is a breeze.
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