Life of the Party: 8 of Our Favorite Baby Shower Game Ideas

If you think a baby shower has to be all tea sandwiches and small talk, think again! With a few creative games and lively décor, you can create an atmosphere that is conducive to letting love and genuine laughter fill the room.

Last year we shared our list of 9 Creative Baby Shower Themes. And now we’ve scoured through blogs and baby forums searching for our favorite baby shower games.  We think the activities you’ll find here are all adorable, completely classy, and sure to amp up the good energy at your baby bash.

The Name Game

Has the expectant couple been keeping the name of the baby a secret?  If they are ready to reveal their selection at the baby shower, the Name Game is the perfect way to do it.  If balloons will be part of your décor at the event, tie little strips of paper with different names to each balloon, otherwise you can just print a sheet with a list of name options for guests to choose from.  Each guest can place their bet for the name they think the couple has chosen.  Perhaps you can grant first dibs at the dessert table to the guests that correctly guess the name.

Diaper Doodle Station

Who says changing baby’s diaper has to be a drag? Offer your Mom-to-be a little comedic relief by having her baby shower guests get creative at a Diaper Doodle Station.  Guests can write personal messages of encouragement, famous quotes about parenthood, draw pictures, or adorn the bum cover with clever Mommy mantras.   

Scratch Off Baby Shower Game Cards

Of course, here at My Scratch Offs we think this is the greatest baby shower game of all!!! Scratch Off Baby Shower Game Cards are a fun surprise for your guests and are sure to spark conversation.   You might tape a game card to the bottom of each chair in your venue, and when the time is right, have your guests reach under to find their card.  

Baby Gift BINGO

This is an easy DIY baby shower game that keeps guests involved while the Mom-to-be opens her gifts. This free printable from FrugalFanatic.com lets guests fill in their own spaces with the gifts they expect the Mom-to-be to receive.  Just place a bowl of candy to use as markers and let your guests play along!

Daddy Knows Best

Include the Dad-to-be in the baby shower fun with this game idea from About.com.  A twist on the classic Newlywed game, the hostess will ask Dad questions before the shower and the Mom-to-be and the shower guests guess his answers.

Custom Crossword

Head on over to the KreativeKupcake shop on Etsy to find a very cute custom crossword puzzle for your baby shower.  The first person to complete the puzzle correctly wins a prize.

“Minute to Win It” Baby Shower Games

We found a great blog about Minute to Win It Baby Shower games over at flibbertigibberish.com and came up with a few substitutions and modifications of our own:

• Boogie Bulb Relay - Using a baby aspirator (aka “blue boogie bulb”), each team member gets one squeeze to transfer as much liquid down the line as possible. The team that gets the most liquid to the end wins.

• Diaper Pin in a Toy Bin – Playing on the “needle in a haystack” idea, hide a safety pin that is usually used for cloth diapers in a bin of Legos and/or other small toys.  The first team to find their pin wins.

• Find That Binky! – Hide a baby pacifier for each team around the room and set the timer to find that little life-saver as fast as they can!

• Baby’s Day Out – If you’ve ever tried to get kids packed up for a day out on the town, you know what a process it can be!  Have the teams work together to dress a baby doll and pack a diaper bag according to your instructions.

How Sweet It Is

We love this baby shower game idea from LilLuna.com.  This cute and colorful printable challenges guests to match common pregnancy and baby words with the names of popular candy.   

Have a Unique Baby Shower Game Idea of Your Own?

We’d love to hear from you!  Here at My Scratch Offs, we’re always looking for fun and creative ways to help our customers make the most out of their events. Tweet us @MyScratchOffs #BabyShowerGames or catch up with us on Facebook!

   
   

9 Creative Baby Shower Themes for 2014

Tips for Planning a Memorable Baby Shower

When planning a baby shower, there are a number of variables to consider: the guest list, venue, food, games and favors, to name a few. But what’s one detail that can set your event apart from every other? The theme! No longer must you stick to the traditional baby pink and baby blue shower themes…it’s out with the old and in with the new and exciting!

If you need a little nudge in the right direction, here’s a list of theme ideas that offer something for everyone.

Baby Girl Ideas:

•   Fashion Inspired- What better way to shower the new mommy and her future fashionista than with a designer-inspired shower?!Consider planning a Tiffany & Co. or Chanel-themed shower. Tres chic!
•  “Tutu Cute”- Ruffles and tutus are quintessential, girl. Throw a baby shower that is ballerina inspired and full of tutus and frills!

Baby Boy Ideas:

•   Hunting/Outdoor Inspired- Consider a camouflage-themed shower to help your expectant outdoor enthusiasts welcome their new young buck!
•   Sports Inspired- Nothing screams “BOY!” more than sports! Get creative with vintage sports décor, or if the parents-to-be are super fans of a specific team.

Gender Neutral Ideas:

•  “Cute As A Button”- Do a quick Pinterest search to view a ton of super cute button-themed food and décor ideas.
• “Mommy To Bee”- Bumblebee baby products are super popular right now. Cash in on the wealth of cute bee products on the market and throw your own “Bee”-themed shower.
•  Classic Movie Inspired- What better way to welcome your new little Jedi than with a Star Wars-themed baby shower?! Or lavish upon a little princess with a Cinderella-inspired soiree?
• Vintage Chalkboard Inspired- Cutesy chalkboards are everywhere these days! Consider not only including decorated chalkboards as part of your décor, but also, carry the chalkboard trend over into your invitations and party favors. Our Chalkboard Baby Shower Scratch Off Game Cards are one of our bestsellers!
•  Children’s Book Inspired- Peter Rabbit, Where The Wild Things Are and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom would all make for super cute baby shower theme ideas!

In the modern world of event planning, anything goes! Plan a shower that is uniquely YOU. I hope this list of ideas inspires you to create your own individual fun and fabulous baby shower. 

Happy Planning!

How To Host A Gender Reveal Party

How to Plan a Gender Reveal Party

You’re having a baby!!!  This is such an exciting and momentous time in your life!  If you have decided to learn the gender of your baby before you deliver, you may want to plan a fun party for your family and friends to reveal the news.  Couples can learn through their ultrasound screening and make their own announcement at the party, or a gender reveal party can also be a great way for a friend or family member (one who can really keep a good secret!) to reveal the news to the couple as well as the other guests at the party.

If hosting a gender reveal party is something that you’re interested in doing, here are a few tips for organizing the event.

Choose a Gender Reveal Party Date

The very first thing you’ll need to do is choose a date for your gender reveal party.  Since your doctor will probably have you schedule your ultrasound around the 20-week mark for your pregnancy, you’ll probably want to select a date that is somewhere around 21 or 22 weeks. 

Give yourself a little wiggle room after the anticipated ultrasound to make sure the news will be available without causing any stress or unnecessary tension.  You won’t want to schedule the gender reveal party too soon, just in case the baby is bashful and requires you to schedule a follow-up ultrasound. 

Select a Gender Reveal Theme and Send Invitations

You can plan a simple blue and pink mixer, or get creative with a theme that fits you and your partner.  Some great ideas for gender reveal themes include:

• Ties or Tutus
• Lures or Lace
• Stash or Sash
• Trucks or Tiaras
•  Baseball or Ballet
• Sports or Sparkles

You should aim to send your invitations at least two weeks in advance, but preferably as soon as possible.  This will give your guests plenty of time to mark their calendars.  You can find tons of gender reveal party invitation ideas on Pinterest.com.  If you prefer to send electronic invitations, you might try creating a custom e-invite through Punchbowl.com.

To Know or Not to Know?  That is the Question.

Before you go to your scheduled ultrasound, you’ll have to decide whom you want to be the first to know your news.  Many couples just can’t wait to find out, so they carefully watch the monitor during their ultrasound and ask the sonographer to point out the evidence to them.

If you prefer a greater element of surprise and have the self-discipline to wait a little while longer, your other option is to have your sonographer write “boy” or “girl” on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope instead of telling you. 

You can then give the envelope to a carefully selected friend or family member who will actually help plan your gender reveal party and secretly make the pink or blue purchases for you.

Plan The Big Reveal

There are many creative ways to make the announcement at your gender reveal party.  Some ideas include:

• Sweet Surprise – Order a gender reveal cake or cupcakes that will be either blue or pink on the inside, but with neutral frosting on the outside.
• Box of Balloons – Place a dozen helium-filled balloons inside a large decorated cardboard box or trunk so that they will fly out when opened.
•  Piñata – Fill a baby-themed piñata with pink or blue goodies and make a game out of the gender reveal.
•  Confetti Poppers – These can be ordered in advance from sites like Etsy.com.  To be on the safe side, give the order at least 2 weeks of lead-time.  There are also ways to make your own confetti poppers if you have time and enjoy DIY projects. 
•  Silly String – Purchase cans of blue or pink silly string, then cover the cans with decorative paper or spray paint the outside so that guests cannot tell what color is inside until they spray it.
•  Gender Reveal Scratch Off Cards– These fun and unique cards can be used at your party and you can also mail them to friends or family who live far away and cannot attend the event.

Document the Memories

Be sure to make the most of your gender reveal party by having someone assigned to take lots of pictures.  You can also encourage your guests to write special messages for the new baby in a book or have a video camera available for recording video messages.

Door Prizes – Thank You for Coming!

As your guests arrive, have them write their names on a slip of paper and place their gender guess in jars or containers labeled “boy” or “girl.”  At the end of the gender reveal party, pull a name out of the winning jar and give that guest a thoughtful gift. 

Your gender reveal party can be a fun and exciting celebration for the new life that will soon be blessing your world.  Happy planning!

Wishing you all good things :) , from My Scratch Offs.