The Best Baby Shower Games

Buying Guide

Pregnancies are on the rise, with fertility rates increasing over the past couple of years after steadily declining in the previous decade. If you’re one of the many happy expectant parents, there’s plenty of reason to celebrate, and a baby shower is a great way to include your friends and relatives.

But if you’re the one in charge of planning that shower, you’ll quickly realize how much is involved. You’ll need to choose a place and time for the event, send invitations, line up refreshments and purchase party favors.

Then there’s the event itself. Refreshments and gifts will be a big part of the agenda, and partygoers will want plenty of time to chat. But at some point, it’s time to bring out the games and let everyone participate in the entertainment.

As you’re developing an agenda, though, you might find yourself struggling to come up with ways to keep the fun going. But it all starts with knowing your audience. If the people you invite are supportive and excited to celebrate the upcoming birth, the right activities should come naturally.

There are several different types of baby shower games. Some focus on quizzing attendees on how well they know the mom-to-be. These games are best for smaller, more intimate baby showers where everyone knows the guest of honor well. Then there are games that focus more on the baby. Guests might play “Price Is Right”-style games that seek to determine who knows more about motherhood. These are better if your guests are already parents.

But there are plenty of games that work well no matter what the guests. Games like Bingo or pin the pacifier on the baby are perfect if your guest list includes a combination of moms, childfree guest, friends, family and/or coworkers. You can even find game sets that pack in a variety of fun activities, along with party favors and decorations for an all-in-one solution.

• Unless you’re planning a surprise baby shower, make sure you sit down with the mom-to-be to get her thoughts on the big event. With her guidance, you’ll ensure the day is filled with enjoyable activities involving all the expectant mother’s favorite people.
• Choose the venue early. Hosting the baby shower in a home or other free space can save money that you can then put toward other elements, like food and party favors.
• It’s best to give the right amount of notice for any baby shower. Digital invitations have become acceptable, but for more formal showers, it’s best to go with paper via postal mail. Send the invite approximately six weeks before the scheduled date to give guests plenty of time to RSVP and shop for gifts.
• Make sure the mom-to-be has set up a registry or wish list prior to sending the invites. This will not only make things easier for the guests, but it will help ensure the mom-to-be gets gifts that won’t have to be returned.
• Baby showers usually last from two to three hours. You’ll need at least a half hour at the start for everyone to arrive, socialize and grab refreshments. You can also set up a way for attendees to write personal thoughts to the guest of honor.
• If guests don’t know each other well, consider games that will help serve as icebreakers.
• Themed baby showers are very popular. If you go this route, you might want to search for games that fit the theme before you settle on it. You might find some themes don’t lend themselves well to activities.
• Although party favors aren’t necessary, they can be a nice touch. They also provide a memento for attendees. Small items like personalized pocket hand sanitizers or soaps can be affordable while also keeping it classy.