I am one of those people who always says she doesn’t like the game section at baby showers. Bobbing for pacifiers? Hard pass. That said, you often have a group of people who don’t know each other well, and it helps to, at a minimum, have an icebreaker ready to go. I compiled a few that aren’t embarrassing and gross, along with links to game cards and other supplies, that will help to keep your shower humming in between rounds of snacks and gift opening. Enjoy.
- Don’t Say Baby: This is one of the best known and least expensive games out there. When your guests arrive, have a jar with clothespins available and ask guest to pin one onto their clothes. Offer a single instruction: Don’t say baby. Throughout the party, they should keep their ears open. If they hear anyone say the word baby, they get to take away that person’s clothespin(s). The guest with the most clothespins at the end of the shower is the winner.
- Match the Socks: This is a gift for the honoree and game all in one. Buy about 10 pairs of different baby socks and toss them all in a pile. Set the timer, and time each guest matching the socks into a neat pile of laundry. Whoever does it the fastest wins. The parents-to-be get to take home the socks when the game is over.
- Baby Word Scramble: This is basic, but a good game to have in your pocket, especially as guests are arriving. It keeps them occupied while you serve food and organize, and prevents lulls in conversation if people don’t know each other well.
- Baby Shower Memory Game: Gather an assortment of small baby-related items and place in a box. Give guests about 30 seconds to look at the items, then put away. Have them write down what they saw on a sheet of paper. Whoever has the most accurate list wins.
- Self Care for the Mother-to-Be: I really like this game as an icebreaker. Ask each guest to bring a small, unwrapped personal care / pampering item for the new mother. Ask them to label it with who it is from. You can suggest things like lip balm, cozy socks, or belly lotion. Place all the items in a bag, and have the guest of honor remove them from the bag one at a time. As she does so, she should introduce and tell the group how she knows each guest.
- Diaper Raffle: Ask each guest to, optionally, bring a package of diapers to the shower. Everyone who does so receives a raffle ticket to a prize drawing of your choice. The expectant parents go home with the diapers.
- How Many Gummy Bears: Fill a jar with gummy bears, counting how many there are. Each guest guesses how many bears are in the jar, and whoever is closest, wins.
- Time Capsule: Have every guest write their hopes for the baby and put them in a “time capsule” to be opened when they turn 18.
- Name the (Baby) Song: Create a playlist of songs with the word “baby” in it and press play. Guests guess the name of each song. Whoever gets the most, wins.
- Get to Know the Parents: Guess which of the parents-to-be said it with these fun game cards. They can be customized.
