The purpose of a baby shower is for loved ones to shower the parents-to-be with gifts and needs for the baby. Showers are also celebrated with fun games, funshower themes, gift-giving and most importantly, making memories. Aside from decorating onesies for baby and collecting advice cards, there are plenty of ways to help loved ones share their joy with mom-to-be.
As the host, you’ll be in charge of keeping guests entertained with a variety of games and activities. Don’t feel too pressured to come up with games that have never been done before. It’s all about personalizing activities that fit the guest of honor and you can design any game to feel unique. Use the theme you’ve selected as guidance and reference our ideas for what to do at a baby shower below.
What to do at a Baby Shower?
Baby showers help the parents-to-be get a head start on items such as diapers, baby clothes, and more. However, there is plenty more to do at a baby shower before the gift giving segment. In addition to setting up hors d’oeuvres and drinks, the hostess can set aside time for guests to play fun baby shower games that are interactive and keep your guests entertained. Between team games, trivia games and printable baby shower games, you can mix and match activities.
When your guests first arrive, have them sign the baby shower guest book. Mom-to-be will look forward to flipping through the pages to remember her special day. Additionally, you can set up advice cards or a message wall where guests can write down words of wisdom or wishes for the baby and parents. It is also standard for the mom-to-be, dad-to-be, hostess, and grandparents to give brief speeches and share their sentiments towards the end of the baby shower. Lastly, don’t forget to send guests off with cute baby shower favors as proper baby shower etiquette.
Throughout all of your planning, keep in mind that every mom-to-be is different. Some moms may enjoy large group games while other moms might prefer a short and simple baby shower activity. With that being said, it is important to design a day that stays true to the honoree and staying up to date with baby shower etiquette will only help you plan a successful shower.
Learn everything you need to know about baby shower do’s, don’ts, tips and tricks with our collection of guides below.
In addition to eating cake, playing games, taking photos and making sure everything runs smoothly—don’t forget to enjoy yourself on the day of the shower!
FAQs
The purpose of a baby shower is for loved ones to shower the parents-to-be with gifts and needs for the baby. Showers are also celebrated with fun games, fun shower themes, gift-giving and most importantly, making memories.
What to do if no one offers to throw you a baby shower? ›
If you're worried that no one will offer to throw a baby shower for you, talk to a close friend or a relative and, if you're comfortable doing so, ask her to take the reins.
What is the order of activities for a baby shower? ›
What Happens at a Baby Shower?
| Time | Activity |
|---|
| 10:00 | Greeting guests, serving snacks or hors d'oeuvres, playing casual games like guessing the date of birth or gender |
| 10:30 | Welcome and interactive games |
| 11:30 | Lunch or desserts |
| 12:30 | Gifts |
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Baby Shower Overview
There are usually 3-5 different games lasting for another 30-45 minutes. After all of the games have been played and prizes awarded, the guest of honor opens her gifts. Then cake is served and the party ends. As a host, your day might start with preparing the food to be served at the shower.
What is the rule on baby showers? ›
Traditionally, immediate family was out of the running as well when it came to throwing a baby shower. But now, it's much more acceptable for any close friend or family member to throw a shower for the expecting mom!
Who pays for what at a baby shower? ›
Who Traditionally Pays for a Baby Shower? The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host.
How long should a baby shower be? ›
A baby shower typically lasts about two to four hours, giving guests enough time to enjoy food, play games, and celebrate with the expectant parents.
Is it bad etiquette to not open gifts at a baby shower? ›
The next etiquette tip for modern baby showers is that the mom can but doesn't have to open gifts at the event. In the past, when showers were smaller and women-only events, it was often easier for the mom-to-be to open presents at the event.
What can you do at a baby shower instead of games? ›
15 Baby Shower Activities That Aren't Games
- DIY Onesie Station. Create a DIY Onesie Station! ...
- Time Capsule of Memories. ...
- Perk Up Parents During Midnight Feeds. ...
- Blessing Ring. ...
- Prediction Cards. ...
- Table Top Tree Wishes. ...
- Baby First Alphabet Sheets. ...
- Advice For Parenthood.
Before the baby shower, put a tiny plastic baby in each slot of an ice cube tray, fill with water and freeze. The babies will be frozen inside the ice cubes. At the shower, each guest gets one baby ice cube in their drink. The first person to have their ice cube melt shouts out, "My water broke!" and wins.
5 Second Game Baby Shower consist of 25 rounds where you have just five seconds to guess three answers in a random baby related category. This is a hilarious game of speed and fast thinking. Perfect for any baby shower party or virtual baby shower.
Do you honor the baby or the mom at a baby shower? ›
The Guest of Honor: who do you honor on a baby shower invite? It may or may not seem obvious, but the mom-to-be or the parents-to-be are the guests of honors at baby showers. If the baby shower is more traditional where only women are invited then the guest of honor will be the mom-to-be.
What is the whole point of a baby shower? ›
The purpose of a baby shower is to show emotional support for the mom, as well as to bring together a lot of the items needed to take care of a baby as gifts to the new mom.
What is the procedure for a baby shower? ›
Step-By-Step: How to Plan a Baby Shower
- Step 1: Put Together the Guest List. ...
- Step 2: Pick a Theme. ...
- Step 3: Put Together a Registry. ...
- Step 4: Choose a Date, Time, and Place. ...
- Step 5: Send Out Invites. ...
- Step 6: Pick Out Decorations. ...
- Step 7: Plan Activities. ...
- Step 8: Choose the Menu.
While traditional baby showers consist of women only, co-ed baby showers are becoming more and more common. However, if you're looking to throw a traditional baby shower and still have the dad-to-be attend, this is completely acceptable and appropriate as most dad-to-be's will want to thank guests before they leave.
