Baby Shower Games Guests Actually Love (Fun & Easy Ideas)
Part of our guide: Baby Shower Ideas: The Complete Guide
The right games keep a shower relaxed and fun, and the best ones set up fast and play quickly. Mix a couple of active games, one quiet game and a keepsake activity. Below are the options, the supplies, prizes and a simple plan.
Pick three or four games, not ten. At DecorWillow we see that a short, well-chosen lineup keeps energy up, while too many games drag the party out.
- Best for: any baby shower
- Ideal number: 3 to 4 games
- Mix: active + quiet + keepsake
- Budget: about $25 (see breakdown)
- Prep time: about 1 hour
Top Decor Picks for this Setup
Curated essentials on Amazon to help you recreate this setup easily.
Sage Green & Cream Balloon Garland Kit
Organic garland behind the game table with matte sage and cream balloons, eucalyptus and baby's breath tucked in.
Greenery Baby Shower Game Cards
Printed game sheets (word scramble, who knows mommy best, bingo) with watercolor eucalyptus borders.
Glass Apothecary Jar ('Guess How Many')
Large lidded glass jar filled with white candies, tied with a sage bow, for the guessing game.
Blank White Baby Onesies
Stack of plain white bodysuits in a basket for the decorate-a-onesie station.
Table of Contents
- How to choose your games
- Quick and active games (with rules)
- Quiet and low-key games
- Keepsake activities
- Guessing games
- Before and after (a game corner)
- Prizes guests want
- Virtual and co-ed options
- Setup, timing, and host etiquette
- Cost and quantities at a glance
- Best buys, skips and mistakes to avoid
- If you have little space
- Shopping checklist
- Helpful safety sources
- FAQ
- Related articles
How to choose your games
The best lineup has variety: one or two active games to get people laughing, a quiet game for those who prefer to sit, and a keepsake activity that gives the parents something to keep. Pick three or four total, keep each one short (under 10 minutes), and have prizes ready. That balanced mix suits every guest without dragging out the afternoon.
Quick and active games (with rules)
Active games get guests mingling, laughing, and breaking the ice early in the shower:
- Guess the Baby Food: Remove labels from 4 to 6 jars of pureed baby food and number each lid. Give guests numbered scorecards and disposable wooden spoons to sample or smell each jar. Winner: The guest with the highest number of correct flavors identified.
- Diaper the Balloon Race: Pair guests up or race individually. Each player gets an inflated balloon, a disposable diaper, and two baby safety pins (or tape). On “go,” players must fasten the diaper securely around the balloon without popping it. Winner: The fastest player with an intact diapered balloon.
- Don’t Say “Baby”: Clip a wooden clothespin to each guest’s lapel as they arrive. If someone catches another guest saying the forbidden word “baby,” they forfeit their clothespin to that person. Winner: The guest with the most clothespins collected by the time cake is served.
- Baby Bump Measuring: Pass around a ball of yarn and a pair of scissors. Each guest cuts a piece of string they guess matches the circumference of the mom-to-be’s belly. Then measure each string against the bump. Winner: The closest string without going over.
- Bottle Chug Race: Fill miniature baby bottles with apple juice, punch, or sparkling cider. Guests race to finish their bottle using only the nipple. Guaranteed laughter in under two minutes!
A few active games like “guess the baby food” get guests laughing and mingling.
Quiet and low-key games
For guests who prefer to remain seated comfortably while socializing:
- Baby Name Scramble: A printable sheet of 12 to 15 scrambled baby-related words (e.g., leobtt for bottle, ilulaby for lullaby). Set a 3-minute timer.
- Well-Wishes and Advice Cards: Beautifully printed cards where guests share their best parenting advice, favorite childhood memories, or heartfelt wishes for the baby.
- Baby Predictions Sheet: Guests guess the baby’s birth date, birth weight, eye color, and whether they will inherit mom’s hair or dad’s laugh.
- Purse Scavenger Hunt: Call out everyday and quirky purse items (tissues = 1 point, baby wipe = 5 points, foreign coin = 10 points). Guests tally their points from their own bags.
- Baby Animal Match: Match mothers to their baby animal names (e.g., swan ➔ cygnet, kangaroo ➔ joey, deer ➔ fawn).
Keepsake activities
Activities that double as a deeply personal gift for the expectant parents:
- Decorate-a-Onesie Station: Supply white 100% cotton onesies in mixed sizes (0–3M and 3–6M), cardboard inserts to prevent ink bleeding through, non-toxic fabric markers, and simple stencils.
- Baby’s First Library Book Inscriptions: Request books instead of cards, and set out a pen station where guests write a loving note inside the front cover.
- Thumbprint Guestbook Canvas: A painted tree branch or balloon strings where each guest stamps a colored fingerprint and signs their name.
- Time Capsule Notes: Envelopes labeled for the child’s 1st, 5th, 10th, and 18th birthdays filled with private letters of wisdom from family members.
A decorate-a-onesie or advice-card station gives the parents a keepsake and keeps guests busy.
Guessing games
Low-pressure games that guests can play at their own leisure throughout the event:
- Guess How Many Candies in the Jar: Fill a decorative glass jar with jellybeans, chocolates, or pacifiers. Guests write their guess on a slip and drop it into a box.
- Match the Baby Photo: Collect baby photos of the parents (and optionally close family members) and pin them to a board. Guests guess who is who.
- Celebrity Baby Name Match: Match famous parents with their uniquely named celebrity children.
Before and after (a game corner)
A small styled game corner keeps supplies tidy, prevents clutter across dining tables, and fits into your party theme.
A simple styled table keeps game supplies tidy and part of the shower’s look.
Prizes guests want
Great prizes do not have to be expensive, but they should be universally appealing:
- High-quality scented candles or hand soaps.
- Gourmet chocolates, macarons, or specialty cookies.
- Mini potted succulents or tabletop greenery.
- Insulated travel mugs or aesthetic glassware.
- $10 coffee shop gift cards or scratch-off tickets.
Virtual and co-ed options
- For a Virtual Shower: Focus on digital slides, screen-shared trivia about the parents, and timed Zoom chat races (e.g., first to type a baby item starting with letter “K”). Mail or email printables in advance.
- For a Co-Ed Shower: Keep games gender-neutral and team-based: diaper races, baby bottle chugging, and parenting trivia. Keep the tone playful and casual.
Setup, timing, and host etiquette
- Host Etiquette: As emphasized in modern hosting guidelines from The Emily Post Institute, shower games should always be inclusive and voluntary. Never force introverted guests or older relatives to participate in high-energy games if they prefer to cheer from the couch.
- Pacing: Play games in short 10-minute bursts between eating and opening gifts rather than scheduling one long, exhausting game block.
- Designated Game Station: Keep all prize bags, pens, and sheets organized on one dedicated side table so your dining tables stay free for food and drinks. For decor inspiration, see our baby shower dessert table ideas and how to set up a dessert table.
Cost and quantities at a glance
How much to buy
For an average shower of 12 to 15 guests:
- Printed Game Sheets: 15 copies of each paper game, plus 15 sharpened mini pencils or gold pens.
- Active Game Supplies: 6 jars of baby food, 10 balloons, 1 pack of diapers, yarn, and 20 wooden clothespins.
- Keepsake Station: 10 to 12 plain white onesies, cardboard inserts, and 1 pack of permanent fabric markers.
- Prizes: 3 to 5 wrapped winner gifts, plus 2 small tie-breakers.
A flatlay checklist of essential baby shower game supplies: printable scorecards, onesie station, guessing jar, pens, and wrapped winner prizes.
What it costs
This assumes you print sheets at home and reuse pens or household jars:
| Item | What’s included | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Printed game sheets | Home-printed cardstock, pens | $4 |
| Active game supplies | Baby food jars, yarn, balloons | $8 |
| Keepsake station | Pack of white onesies, fabric markers | $8 |
| Game prizes | 3 to 5 small candles, chocolates, or cards | $10 |
Total estimated game budget is approximately $25 to $30, leaving the majority of your event budget for catering and decor.
Best buys, skips and mistakes to avoid
Worth buying and worth skipping
- Worth it: Three or four varied games, an interactive keepsake station, and thoughtful small prizes. They create genuine connection and laughter.
- Skip: Ten back-to-back games, anything requiring physical agility from the expectant mother, or embarrassing trivia that makes guests uncomfortable.
Mistakes to avoid
- Too many games. Stick strictly to three or four games so guests have ample time to chat.
- Games that drag. Stop active games right at the peak of laughter (5 to 10 minutes max).
- Messy supplies. Avoid games involving melted chocolate diapers or messy food that could spill on guests’ party attire.
- Singling guests out. Keep all activities lighthearted and pressure-free.
- Forgetting tie-breakers. Keep two spare mini candy bars ready in case two guests tie on scorecards.
If you have little space
For 8 to 10 guests, pick 3 games: one active, one quiet and one keepsake. Print the sheets at home, use one table for the keepsake station, and keep prizes to 3 small items. The full set costs about $15.
Shopping checklist
- 3 to 4 games chosen (1 active, 1 quiet, 1 keepsake, 1 guessing)
- Printed game sheets and plenty of pens
- Numbered baby food jars or active game props prepared
- Keepsake station set up with onesies and fabric pens
- 3 to 5 wrapped prizes ready on the table
- Two quick tie-breaker questions prepared
- Gentle host announcements planned between meal courses
Helpful safety sources
A few trusted places for the safety points in this guide:
- NFPA: safety with candles: Fire safety rules for candles, such as keeping them away from anything that can burn.
FAQ
What are the best baby shower games?
The best baby shower games are easy, quick, and varied: a couple of active games like “guess the baby food” or a diaper race, a quiet game like predictions or advice cards, and a keepsake activity like decorating a onesie. Pick three or four total.
How many games should a baby shower have?
Three or four games is ideal. It keeps energy up without dragging the party out. Mix one or two active games, a quiet one, and a keepsake activity so every guest has something they enjoy.
What are good baby shower games that aren’t messy?
Guessing games, name scrambles, predictions, advice cards, and baby-photo matching are all clean and easy. They suit guests who prefer to sit and avoid anything that could ruin clothes or furniture.
What prizes are good for baby shower games?
Small, universal prizes work best: candles, soaps, chocolate, mini plants, a cute mug, or a gift card. Have three to five ready, one per game, so winners get a little something.
How do I run games at a co-ed baby shower?
Choose games everyone enjoys, like predictions, trivia about the parents, and a diaper race, and skip anything aimed at only one group. Keep them short and inclusive so all guests can join.
What baby shower games work virtually?
Prediction games, trivia about the parents, and guessing games shared on-screen all work well over video. Send any sheets by email ahead of time, and announce winners live for a fun, shared moment.
How much do baby shower games cost?
A full set of games can cost around $25 to $30, including home-printed sheets, a few active-game supplies, a keepsake station, and small prizes. Printing at home and choosing simple prizes keeps it low.
Related articles
- Baby Shower Dessert Table Ideas
- Gender-Neutral Baby Shower Ideas
- Boho Baby Shower Backdrop Ideas
- How to Set Up a Dessert Table
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Recreate This Look: Complete Supply Checklist
Every prop, decor item, and material identified in our styled photos, linked directly to top-rated supplies on Amazon.
Fabric markers in cups for decorating onesies.
Wood frame displaying a onesie line drawing.
Light wood frames holding game signs.
Long gold frame displaying three game cards.
Baskets holding onesies, diapers and prizes.
Sage bows on the jar, prize boxes and scroll.
Small kraft prize boxes tied with sage ribbon.
Sage and gold ballpoint pens beside the game cards.
Gold cup holding gold pens (pin image).
Speckled cups holding markers.
Clear holders with game cards.
Wooden block stands holding small cards.
Soft bunny sitting on the game table.
Mini bears and bunnies in the prize basket.
Clothespins for the 'don't say baby' game.
Ball of yarn for the belly-measuring game.
Small jars with gold lids for the baby food tasting game.
Small bowls with wooden spoons for tasting.
Small spoons in the tasting bowls.
Wooden trays holding markers and jars.
Tree slice under the guessing jar.
Neutral linen cloth on the game table.
Soft sage runner under the game cards (pin image).
Eucalyptus greenery around the table and vases.
Baby's breath bouquet in a vase.
White vases holding baby's breath and eucalyptus.
