With so many baby shower games on the market, how can you know that you’re choosing the right baby shower games? Truthfully, there are so many to choose from and it can be even overwhelming for some of us.
Sure, you could go with the same old ones that everyone plays, but is that really want you want to do? Is that going to be what your guest will truly enjoy?
Deciding on which baby shower games to play really depends on many variables such as whether you’re having a virtual baby shower or in-person shower, who will be there, your budget, total time allotted, and much more!
Whether you’re planning your own baby shower or you’re the friend/family member tasked with throwing this celebration, you have a big responsibility on your hands! Today, we want to help you make the right decisions when it comes to choosing baby shower games that are truly fun and entertaining for everyone.
Let’s take about how to make your baby shower fun… with the right games.
Remember To Save This Post To Your Pinterest Board For Later!
How Do You Make a Baby Shower Fun?
There’s no doubt that everyone attending your baby shower is hoping to have a fun and memorable experience. Although there are many components that contribute to a fun baby shower, the games are arguably one of the most important aspects of the party!
Choosing the right mix of baby shower games is ultimately what makes a baby shower fun because your success is heavily dependent upon the engagement and interaction made between guests. Right? So think about it…
The reason for this is that people forget that a baby shower is STILL A PARTY! When throwing any party, the focus should always be on the guests. By focusing only on the Mom-To-Be, you run the risk of your guests losing interest and looking for reasons to leave early.
That’s the worst! The key to successfully planning a baby shower, or really any event, is by considering the guests with every decision you make for the party. After all, the event is only an event because of the people that show up.
So with that in mind, how do you choose the right baby shower games? Glad you asked…
What Are the Best Baby Shower Games?
The best baby shower games create friendly competition, camaraderie, excitement, and enjoyment and above all else are easy to play. The game ideas and criteria we share below will not only give you inspiration but REAL ADVICE on what to look out for when choosing games to play.
With that being said, how we’re going to do this is by providing the most common mistakes when choosing baby shower games. If you can avoid these, then you’ll be well on your way to choosing the right games for the right guests!
Avoid These 13 Common Baby Shower Mistakes
It’s time to now dive deep into the 13 common mistakes that many hostesses make when deciding on baby shower games. Let’s get started with the first one…
Mistake #1: No Anticipation
The best baby shower games create anticipation for the guests. Without it, your guests won’t be as excited about playing the game and will quickly lose interest. In order to create anticipation, you need to make sure that the rules of the game are clear and easy to understand and also offer a prize or reward at the end.
This can be anything from a small gift basket for the winner to a token of appreciation like scented soaps, a necklace, or whatever it is that will resonate with your guests and stay within your budget. This helps add an element of fun and excitement which keeps everyone engaged during the game!
Mistake #2: Easy Prep & Assembly
When choosing baby shower games, you want to make sure that they are easy to prepare and assemble. The last thing you want is to spend hours of your time prepping and setting up a game the night before the party!
Choosing games that require minimal prep can help save time and energy so you don’t feel overwhelmed with all the tasks at hand. You also want to think about how long each game will take to play and if it’s something that will work for your particular guest list.
Mistake #3: Virtual Adaptation
Even if there is no global pandemic, getting people together in one place at the same time has always been challenging. There’s always someone that is too far to make it. In this modern time with all the internet tools at your disposal, it has become easier than ever to include those friends and loved one’s remotely.
You’ll want to include games and activities that can appeal to those that are present and your virtual attendees. Most people don’t know where to start with planning a virtual baby shower, but thankfully we’ve got resources for you in our guide about how to plan a virtual baby shower.
Mistake #4: Humor/Fun Factor
This may seem obvious as most baby shower game activities strive to make people laugh, but this aspect is often undervalued. You will need to bring multiple generations of women together and get them interacting (This by no means is an easy task).
There’s no better way to do this than with appropriate humor. Emphasis on the word appropriate as sometimes activities at these events can drive laughter for certain people and not others. So make sure to consider this as you browse through the different baby shower games.
Mistake #5: Co-Ed
If you plan to include men at your shower, you can expect them to be your toughest crowd. Let’s just face it, baby showers weren’t built for them. They are there to support, but they’re looking to leave… Unless you plan accordingly.
The best games and activities when played will enthrall them and involve them no matter who they are. With the right type of game, you’ll have them rolling in laughter with everyone else, wanting to stay longer!
Mistake #6: Versatility
You want a game that can adapt to your plans, not a game that forces you to adapt to it. Whatever games you decide to play must slip seamlessly into your plans for the day. They need to be visually appealing and not clash with your decorations.
If it’s a girl themed shower, boy themed shower, or gender reveal, the game should adapt. The game must also fit into your agenda or plan of events without becoming too obtrusive to your flow. It helps to use a game or activity that can be played in multiple ways so you can use your creativity and imagination to make the event special.
7. Unique Games
BABY SHOWERS HAVE NOT EVOLVED! We have all played the same baby shower games forever! Once you’ve been to one baby shower, you’ve been to them all. It can be quite mundane, and I’ve even run into women who dread these events for that reason.
The same games every single time. Awkward and cringy moment because of poor planning. But the truth is that it’s a misconception that baby shower games are awkward and boring. It’s only because of the lack of thoughtful planning.
With unique and truly fun/hilarious games, everyone is going to have a blast!
8. Time Commitment
Nobody wants to be at a baby shower the entire day. That’s why it is essential to ensure that the games you choose do not take too long. You want to keep the energy high and make sure everyone has fun!
Choose games that last no more than 15 minutes each and prioritize quality over quantity. This way, people won’t get bored but still have plenty of time for socializing and catching up with one another.
9. Easy to Play
It’s important to make sure your games are easy to understand and set up. If the game is too complex, people won’t be able to keep up and will end up getting frustrated or bored. If it takes more than a couple of minutes to explain the game, it’s probably not a good idea.
Make sure you explain all the rules clearly before starting and choose games that aren’t too physically activity challenging. This way, everyone, including those who may not be comfortable with certain activities, can enjoy the game without feeling left out!
10. Falls Outside of Budget
Budgeting is an essential part of planning any event, especially a baby shower. Before you choose the games and activities, it’s important to consider how much each one will cost.
If you are having a big shower with lots of guests, it may be hard to keep costs down. Look for inexpensive games or ones where people can provide their own supplies. That way, everyone can get involved without breaking your budget!
It’s also important to note that just because the game is more expensive, doesn’t mean it’s a better game and a better fit for the party. Some of the best games we’ve played are super budget friendly!
11. Size of Guest List
When choosing games for a baby shower, it’s important to think about the number of guests who will be attending. If you are having a large group, you need to make sure that the game can accommodate everyone. Most of the time, you’re not going to use the same baby shower game for 30 people as you would with just a handful.
Choose games that require fewer players or ones that easily scale up and down depending on the size of your guest list. This way, no one is left out and everyone has an opportunity to participate!
Don’t Forget To Add This To Your Pinterest Board!
12. Availability to Purchase
When choosing games for a baby shower, it is important to make sure that the game is available for purchase. If you are ordering online, make sure to order far enough in advance that it shows up on time. Online orders can take anywhere from two days to two weeks depending on where and how quickly you order them.
Just like any other type of event, last minute planning your baby shower is not a good idea.
It’s always best to plan ahead and give yourself some extra cushion time when ordering online.
13. Good and Bad Reviews
When choosing games for a baby shower, it’s important to do some research and read reviews. This is more important in 2023 than ever before. With so many options, reviews can give you a good insight into other people’s experiences. It’s important to make sure that the game is suitable for your guests by looking at other people’s experiences with the game.
Read through both good and bad reviews so you have an understanding of what people liked and disliked about the game. This will help you determine if it would be a good fit for your event or not!
Putting The Criteria To The Test
Now that we’ve gone over the 13 common mistakes and how to avoid them, let’s put it into practice! Below we’ve gathered some of the most popular baby shower games that are both timeless and some that are new to the scene.
By no means are we saying that you should choose one baby shower game over another purely based on the criteria. What we are showcasing is that certain baby shower games have a greater ability to satisfy all possible needs no matter the situation presented.
Don’t Say Baby
The baby shower game Don’t Say Baby is a fun and easy game where guests put on a baby pin. Whenever a guest says baby, they can steal another person’s baby pin throughout the duration of the party. The person with the most baby pins at the end of the party wins a prize.
Did Baby Poopie
Did Baby Poopie is a quick and easy game that requires little to no setup and is the perfect solution for those looking for a unique baby shower game. It’s a hilarious scratch off lottery game where they scratch the silver circle on the cards to reveal what’s in the baby’s diaper. If they win, they’ll reveal a lovely poop emoji and must scream “I got the poop!” If they lose, they’ll reveal a losing remark such as “Whew, false alarm!”.
Tummy Measurement Game
The Tummy Measurement Game is a baby shower game where guests guess the size of the mommy-to-be’s belly by taking a length of what they think will be the measurement if it were measured around her. The person that guesses closest wins! It is a fun and interactive way to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a new baby.
My Water Broke
The baby shower game My Water Broke involves freezing plastic babies inside ice cubes and giving one to each guest. The first person whose notices that the baby has broken free of the ice melts shouts “my water broke!” and wins the prize.
Tips for a Successful Baby Shower Game Selection
Playing a game for the first time is like experimenting with a new dish at Thanksgiving. Although we would always recommend being adventurous, don’t overdo it. Meaning, remember who your guests will be! Not every game is for the guest arriving at your party. Think about them first, consider these 13 mistakes to avoid when choosing a baby shower game, and go from there.
With that, you are well on your way to finding the right game for your baby shower!
Don’t forget to sign up for our email list where you can get life-changing party tips exactly when you need them. You can also follow us on Instagram @cotierbrand.