Planning a baby shower? Whether it’s your first time organizing or you’ve been to a few, one thing remains true: baby showers are about celebrating the joy and excitement of a new life while creating lasting memories. But aside from decorations and food, keeping the guests entertained is key to a memorable event. If you’re looking for fun, engaging, and easy DIY baby shower games to keep everyone smiling, you’ve come to the right place.
Baby shower games can be a great icebreaker and can also get people to bond over the common experience of anticipating the arrival of a little one. From simple and classic games to more interactive and creative ones, this list includes over 50 game ideas that suit a variety of party themes and group sizes. We’ve expanded on traditional favorites, making sure to add helpful tips, variations, and new twists. So, grab your pens, print out the instructions, and get ready to host a baby shower that will be remembered for years to come!
Why Include Games at a Baby Shower?
Before diving into the ideas, let’s talk about why games are such a great addition to any baby shower:
- Engagement: Games keep guests engaged and ensure everyone feels involved, even those who might not know the mom-to-be well.
- Icebreaker: If your guest list includes a mix of family, friends, and coworkers, games are a perfect way to break the ice.
- Entertainment: A baby shower without games can sometimes feel a little stagnant. Games keep the energy high and the atmosphere lighthearted.
- Memories: Guests will leave with great memories, whether they won or lost. Often, the funniest or most unexpected moments become the highlights of the day.
Types of Baby Shower Games
Baby shower games can range from laid-back and casual to energetic and competitive. It’s important to choose games that match your crowd’s preferences, as well as the general theme of the party. Here, we’ve organized the games into four main categories:
1. Classic and Easy Games
These are straightforward games everyone can participate in, no special equipment needed.
- Guess the Baby’s Arrival Date and Weight: One of the most common and longest-running games at baby showers. Guests write down their guesses for the baby’s birthdate and weight. After the baby arrives, the winner gets a prize!
- Baby Shower Bingo: Perfect for a larger group. Before the party, create bingo cards with common gifts (diapers, clothes, pacifiers, etc.). As gifts are opened, guests mark off their cards. The first to complete a line wins!
- Baby Word Scramble: This is a fun game where you scramble words related to babies. The person who unscrambles the most words in the shortest amount of time wins.
- How Many Baby Items in the Jar: Fill a jar with small baby items (like pacifiers, socks, or small toys) and have guests guess how many are inside. The person closest to the correct number wins the jar.
2. Creative and Crafty Games
These games encourage guests to get crafty, and they make for great keepsakes for the mom-to-be.
- Design a Onesie: Provide plain white onesies and fabric markers or paint. Have guests design their own onesie for the baby. This could be a fun group activity that also leaves the new parents with a set of personalized clothes for their newborn.
- Diaper Decorating: Similar to the onesie idea, guests can decorate diapers with markers or fabric pens. It adds a creative touch to a necessary item, and the mom can keep them as a fun memory.
- Guess the Baby Food Flavor: Blindfold your guests and have them taste-test different jars of baby food. They must guess the flavor, and the person with the most correct guesses wins.
3. Interactive and Competitive Games
These are great for getting everyone involved and laughing. Expect a lot of energy with these games!
- Diaper Pong: Just like beer pong, but with diapers and ping pong balls! Set up a board with diapers in different sections, each with a point value. Guests must throw ping pong balls into the diapers, and the person with the most points at the end wins.
- Blindfolded Diaper Changing Race: Give each guest a doll, a diaper, and a blindfold. Set a timer, and the person who can change the diaper the fastest wins!
- Bottle Chugging Race: Fill baby bottles with juice or soda and have guests race to drink the contents the fastest. This game is often hilarious to watch, and it’s perfect for a group that enjoys a bit of friendly competition.
4. Funny and Quirky Games
These games bring lots of laughs and memorable moments to your baby shower.
- Poopy Diaper Game (Shit Happens): For this game, place different chocolate bars (melted) inside diapers. Guests must guess which chocolate bar is in each diaper based on sight, smell, and sometimes taste! This game often leads to funny reactions and is great for breaking the ice.
- Don’t Say “Baby”: When guests arrive, give them a clothespin or a ribbon that says “baby.” If they catch someone saying the word “baby,” they can take their pin. The person with the most pins at the end of the event wins.
- Baby Bottle Bowling: Set up a few empty baby bottles in a triangle formation and use a small ball (like a rubber ball or soft bowling ball) to knock them over. This game can be played outside or in a spacious indoor area.
More DIY Baby Shower Game Ideas for Fun and Engagement
Now that you’ve gotten a taste of some fun DIY baby shower games, let’s dive deeper into more detailed game ideas that will keep the energy flowing at your baby shower. This next section explores a range of games that can suit different themes, group sizes, and preferences.
5. Theme-Based Games
If your baby shower has a specific theme, you can tailor the games to fit! These games add a personalized touch and align with the overall mood of the party.
- Nautical Baby Shower Game (Guess the Fish): For a nautical-themed baby shower, fill a jar with fish-shaped crackers (or small toys) and have guests guess how many are in the jar. The person who guesses closest wins a small prize.
- Safari-Themed Baby Animal Quiz: For a jungle-themed party, make a quiz based on baby animals. Guests must match the baby animal to the adult version, such as “What is a baby lion called?” (Cub).
- Pirate Baby Shower – Find the Pirate Booty: Hide small toy treasure chests or pirate-themed items around the party venue. The guest who finds the most “treasure” wins a prize. Add riddles or clues for more fun!
- Superhero Baby Shower – Superhero Name Generator: Have guests generate superhero names for the baby. You can either give them random superhero-related words (like “Mighty” or “Thunder”) or let them create their own fun combinations.
6. Memory and Word Games
These games are perfect for testing guests’ knowledge about the parents-to-be or fun baby-related facts. Not only are they easy to set up, but they also get people thinking!
- Baby Traits Guessing Game: This game requires guests to predict the baby’s traits, such as hair color, eye color, and birth weight. The mother-to-be fills out the answers first. At the end of the shower, everyone compares their guesses with the mom’s predictions. The person closest to the most correct traits wins.
- What’s in the Bag? This is a classic game where guests reach into a bag filled with baby-related items (such as diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.). They must guess what the item is without looking. The person who guesses the most items correctly wins.
- Baby Bingo (With a Twist): Instead of the traditional baby shower bingo, create bingo cards that have funny baby-related words or phrases. For example, “Diaper blowout,” “Baby’s first step,” or “Midnight feedings.” When these things happen during the shower, guests mark their cards. It’s a fun and interactive twist on the traditional bingo game!
7. Outdoor Baby Shower Games
If you’re hosting an outdoor baby shower, you have more room to play some active, entertaining games that can get people moving. Here are some outdoor-friendly ideas:
- Baby Sock Relay Race: Set up a relay race where guests need to put on and take off baby socks as quickly as possible. You can even turn it into a team event and have teams compete against each other to see who finishes the fastest.
- Diaper Toss: Similar to the popular game of cornhole, create a diaper toss game. Set up bins or containers at different distances, each labeled with different points. Guests take turns tossing diapers into the bins to score points.
- Baby Shower Obstacle Course: Create a fun obstacle course with baby-related tasks, like carrying a baby bottle in one hand, changing a doll’s diaper, and crawling through a “tunnel” made from blankets. Time each participant and award a prize to the fastest competitor.
- Bubble Trouble: This one’s a simple yet fun outdoor game. Set up a station with bubble wands and bubble solution, and have guests compete to blow the biggest or most bubbles. You can even create challenges like “longest-lasting bubble” or “biggest bubble.”
8. Quick and Easy Games for Last-Minute Planning
Running out of time? Don’t worry! Some games require little to no preparation and are perfect for a last-minute baby shower.
- Guess the Baby Song: Choose a few popular songs that reference babies (like “Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears or “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder) and play a few seconds of each. Guests must guess the song title. Whoever gets the most correct wins a prize!
- Baby Item Charades: This version of charades uses baby-related items and activities, such as “diaper change,” “baby feeding,” or “baby’s first bath.” Guests must act out the item or activity while others guess.
- Baby Price Is Right: Guests are shown a set of baby items, such as diapers, onesies, baby lotion, etc. They must guess how much each item costs, and the person who comes closest to the actual price wins the round.
- Who Knows Mommy Best?: This trivia game is all about the mom-to-be. Ask her a series of questions before the shower (such as “What’s her favorite ice cream?” or “What was the baby’s first kick like?”) and see who can answer the most questions correctly during the shower.
9. Prizes and Party Favors
Don’t forget to have some prizes for the winners of each game! Here are a few affordable prize ideas:
- Customized Baby Bottles: Get small, personalized baby bottles as a keepsake for winners.
- Gift Cards: Small gift cards to baby stores or online retailers are always appreciated.
- Mini Spa Kits: Since the mom-to-be is the star of the show, gift her guests with small spa kits, including bath salts, mini lotions, and candles.
- Personalized Trophies: Have fun with quirky trophies that are baby-themed, like a small diaper pin or a rattle trophy.
Bonus Tips and Additional Ideas to Make Your Baby Shower Games Extra Special
Now that you’ve got a range of fun and easy baby shower games in your arsenal, here are some additional tips and ideas to take your event to the next level. From customization ideas to suggestions for large groups, we’ve covered everything to ensure your baby shower is both entertaining and memorable.
10. Games for Large Groups
If you’re hosting a large baby shower, it’s important to have games that can accommodate many people and keep everyone involved. Here are a few ideas that work particularly well for large groups:
- Group Baby Trivia: This is a great way to engage the entire group. Create a trivia game with questions about babies, pregnancy, and the mom-to-be. Guests can form teams, and the team with the most points at the end wins. This works well with a microphone or a quizmaster who can keep the flow going.
- Baby Shower Pictionary: A team-based game where one person draws a baby-related word or phrase (like “baby bottle” or “diaper rash”), and their team has to guess it within a set time limit. This can be played with a whiteboard or on large paper for easy viewing by a large group.
- Balloon Pop Challenge: In this game, write down baby-related tasks on pieces of paper and put them inside balloons. At the start of the game, each guest will pop a balloon and complete the task inside, such as “tell a funny parenting story” or “guess the baby’s name.” The first person to finish all their tasks wins a prize.
11. Games for Virtual Baby Showers
With virtual baby showers becoming more common, it’s essential to have games that can be played online. Here are a few ideas perfect for a remote baby shower:
- Baby Emoji Quiz: Create a quiz where each question is represented by emojis that describe a baby-related word or phrase. For example, 👶🍭 could represent “Baby Lollipop.” Guests type their guesses into the chat, and the first person to answer correctly wins.
- Online Baby Bingo: Send out Bingo cards via email to your virtual guests ahead of time, and host the game via video call. When the mom-to-be opens her gifts, guests mark their cards. The first to complete a row gets a prize.
- Baby Guessing Game (Zoom-Friendly): For a guessing game, the host can show a close-up image of a baby item (like a pacifier or bottle) and have guests guess what it is. This can be done easily through video and offers plenty of fun!
12. Incorporating Customization for a Personal Touch
Adding a personalized twist to your baby shower games can make them feel extra special for the mom-to-be and her guests. Consider these customization ideas:
- Custom Baby Trivia: Instead of generic baby trivia, tailor the questions to the parents-to-be. For example, ask “What was the first date of [Mom’s Name] and [Dad’s Name]?” or “What’s the couple’s favorite movie?”
- Personalized Baby Bingo: Design Bingo cards with specific details about the mom-to-be’s pregnancy, such as “Mom talks about cravings” or “Mom gets emotional.”
- Custom Game Prizes: Have a prize table filled with items that relate to the baby shower theme, or personalize prizes with the baby’s name or birthdate for a keepsake.
13. Games That Double as Decorations
Sometimes, you can combine games with decorations, so that your party’s theme is enhanced while also entertaining guests. Here are some ideas for multifunctional games and decor:
- Diaper Cake Guessing Game: Create a large diaper cake with a bunch of baby essentials, such as socks, bottles, and toys. The challenge? Guests must guess how many items are hidden in the cake. This can serve as a unique centerpiece while also doubling as a fun game.
- Baby Clothesline Guessing Game: Hang a clothesline filled with small baby clothes, and have guests guess which ones belong to the mom-to-be. After the game, the clothes can be given to the mom for the baby to wear!
14. Games for Every Age Group
Not all baby showers have guests of the same age group. Some may be parents with young children, while others are friends and coworkers. Here are some games that cater to different age groups:
- For Kids:
- Pin the Pacifier on the Baby: A fun twist on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Blindfold the children and have them try to stick a pacifier onto a large poster of a baby.
- Baby Duck Pond: Set up a small kiddie pool and fill it with rubber ducks. Each duck has a number corresponding to a prize. Children can “fish” for ducks to win.
- For Adults:
- Baby Bottle Relay Race: Fill several baby bottles with juice or water, and have teams race to drink the bottles as quickly as possible. This gets competitive and is sure to get a lot of laughs!
- Baby Name Scramble: Write down as many baby names as you can in one minute. The person with the most names (no repeats) wins a prize!
15. Incorporating Prizes and Goodie Bags
Prizes are a great way to keep the excitement going, and they don’t have to be expensive. Here are some creative and affordable prize ideas:
- Mini Gift Baskets: Create small gift baskets with baby-related items like socks, bibs, or toys.
- Funny Prizes: Award prizes like “Best Diaper Decorator” or “Most Likely to Guess the Baby’s Gender.” These can be humorous and light-hearted.
- DIY Craft Kits: If you’re crafty, consider giving guests a small DIY kit, such as a personalized keychain kit, a painting set, or a mini flower pot they can decorate.
Final Touches: Wrapping Up Your DIY Baby Shower Games
You’re now equipped with dozens of baby shower game ideas, tips for engaging a variety of guests, and creative ways to add personal touches to your celebration. In this final section, we’ll dive into how to smoothly organize the games, keep the flow of the party going, and ensure your baby shower is a huge success.
16. Organizing Your Baby Shower Games
Planning the flow of your baby shower games is just as important as choosing the right games. A well-organized schedule ensures that everything runs smoothly and that guests stay engaged throughout the event. Here are some tips on how to structure your game plan:
- Create a Game Schedule: Write down the order of the games you want to play and the amount of time each one will take. For example, start with an icebreaker game like “Guess the Baby Item” and then follow with a larger group game like “Baby Bingo.” Keep the energy going with fast-paced games and allow time for guests to socialize.
- Consider Group Size: For larger groups, consider running multiple games at once in different areas or having guests form teams. This keeps the games lively and ensures everyone stays busy. For smaller groups, it’s okay to play one or two games and spend more time on each.
- Keep the Games Short and Sweet: Don’t make each game drag on for too long. A good rule of thumb is to keep each game under 15 minutes. This will help prevent any guests from getting bored or losing interest.
- Have a Backup Plan: Be ready for unexpected situations, such as bad weather if your shower is outdoors or a game that doesn’t get the expected reactions. Have a few alternative activities planned just in case.
17. Themed Baby Shower Game Variations
Some of the best baby showers are the ones with unique, standout themes. If you have a theme for your baby shower, try to incorporate that theme into your games. This can make the event feel more cohesive and exciting for your guests.
- Vintage Tea Party Baby Shower Theme: For a vintage-style baby shower, a “Guess the Vintage Baby Item” game could be fun. You can collect old-fashioned baby items like a wooden highchair, silver spoon, or bonnet and have guests guess what each item is.
- Tropical Paradise Baby Shower Theme: For a tropical-themed shower, create a game called “Tropical Baby Word Search” featuring words related to the baby and tropical locations. Think “Coconut,” “Palm Tree,” and “Island Breeze.”
- Farmyard Baby Shower Theme: If you’re going for a farm theme, play “Animal Baby Name Match” where guests match baby animals to the adult animals (e.g., “baby sheep = lamb”).
18. Game Etiquette: Ensuring Fun for Everyone
As with any event, a little etiquette goes a long way in making sure everyone has a great time. Here are some tips for maintaining a positive atmosphere during the games:
- Be Respectful of All Guests: Baby showers often include a diverse mix of people—family, friends, and coworkers. Remember that some guests may be shy or reserved, while others might be more competitive. Keep the tone light and inclusive.
- Offer Participation Alternatives: Not everyone loves playing games, so ensure that guests who prefer not to join in can still enjoy the atmosphere. You can provide an activity corner with coloring pages or have a photo booth for non-players to enjoy.
- Encourage Laughter and Fun: Keep the tone fun, relaxed, and full of laughter. Games should bring people together and spark joy, not stress. Remind guests that the purpose is to celebrate the mom-to-be, not to compete aggressively.
19. Setting Up and Hosting the Games
In addition to choosing the games, setting them up correctly can make a big difference in how smoothly they run. Here are a few tips for setting up your baby shower games:
- Prepare Game Stations: If you’re hosting several games, set up designated stations for each one. Label them clearly with signs or colorful decorations so guests know where to go.
- Ensure Enough Materials: Double-check that you have all the supplies needed for the games, from pens and paper to props and prizes. For example, if you’re playing “Diaper Pong,” make sure you have enough ping pong balls and diapers, and that the game area is spacious and safe for guests to move around.
- Assign a Host or Game Master: Having a designated person to keep things on track can be very helpful. This person can explain the rules, keep time, and ensure that the games move along without a hitch. You can either take on this role yourself or ask a friend to help.
20. Capturing the Moments: Baby Shower Photos
While the main focus of a baby shower is the celebration itself, capturing the memories is equally important. Here are some tips to make sure your photo album is filled with fun, candid moments:
- Take Action Shots: Games are an excellent opportunity to capture candid, fun moments. Try to take photos of guests laughing, concentrating, or reacting to a surprise in the game.
- Create a Photo Wall: Set up a designated photo area with a backdrop or props related to the baby shower theme. This way, guests can snap pictures and leave behind memories. Consider including items like baby bottles, pacifiers, or a large baby bump cut-out for fun photo ops.
- Use a Polaroid or Instant Camera: Provide guests with an instant camera to take their own pictures throughout the shower. Not only will this add an extra layer of fun to the party, but you’ll also have a collection of fun, spontaneous moments for the mom-to-be to look back on.
Conclusion
Planning a baby shower involves more than just picking a date and a location. By incorporating fun, engaging DIY baby shower games, you ensure that your guests leave with fond memories. From classic games like “Guess the Baby’s Arrival Date” to unique twists like “Diaper Pong” or even “Baby Trivia,” there’s something for everyone. Keep the atmosphere light, creative, and welcoming, and your baby shower will be one that everyone talks about for years to come.
Good luck with your event planning, and remember: The most important thing is celebrating the new life on the way and the joy that comes with it. Have fun, and enjoy every moment!
