A grand adventure is about to begin,” as Winnie the Pooh once said, and what better way to kick it off than with a shower that everyone actually enjoys? Did you know that 68% of modern guests prefer interactive “stations” over forced group games? I’ve been to my fair share of showers where the energy dips faster than a lukewarm spinach dip, so I’m here to ensure your 2026 bash is high-energy and full of laughs. We’re talking about activities that blend seamlessly into your home decor while giving guests something meaningful to do. Let’s dive into these 7 baby shower activity ideas that will have your friends talking for years!
1. The Interactive “Onesie Art” Station
Setting up a onesie decorating station is my absolute favorite thing to do for baby showers. I remember when I hosted my first one for my sister. I was so worried people would be bored just sitting around and drinking punch. So, I went to the store and bought a big pack of plain white cotton onesies and some markers.
Here is a tip I learned the hard way: buy a mix of sizes! Most people just buy newborn ones, but babies grow so fast. You should get some 3-6 month and 6-12 month sizes too. That way, the new parents have custom art for the baby to wear all year long. I think it is much better than just getting a bunch of clothes the baby will outgrow in two weeks.
I usually set this up on a long wooden table near the snacks. I put out fabric markers—make sure they are non-toxic—and some cardboard scraps. You want to slide the cardboard inside the shirt so the ink does not bleed through to the back. It is a simple project, but guests love it. Even my friends who say they aren’t “artsy” end up drawing some cute little hearts or funny quotes. Plus, it makes for great photos for the baby book. I like to hang the finished ones on a little clothesline with tiny wooden pins. It looks so cute as part of the party decor!
2. “Advice for the Parents” Time Capsule
I’ve seen a lot of guestbooks at parties. Usually, people just sign their names and maybe write “Congrats!” and that’s about it. It is kind of boring, right? That is why I love the idea of a time capsule. Instead of a dusty book, you have people write down real advice or even funny predictions for the baby.
I remember at my best friend’s shower, we used these cute little cards that looked like old library slips. I told everyone to be honest—don’t just write the sweet stuff. My aunt wrote a whole note about how to handle a baby who won’t sleep at 2 AM. We put all the notes in a pretty wooden box. The plan was for the parents to open it on the baby’s first birthday. It makes the gift last a lot longer than the day of the party.
One thing to think about is the box itself. Since I am all about home decor, I say pick a box that looks good on a shelf. Don’t just use a cardboard box from the garage. Find a nice glass or wood one that fits the nursery style. It becomes a piece of the room’s history. Also, make sure you have plenty of pens. People always lose pens at these things! It’s a great way to get everyone involved without making them feel like they are being put on the spot.
Anyway, it’s a simple thing to set up but it means so much later on. Watching the parents read those notes a year later is just the best.
3. DIY Floral Crown Bar
I love a good garden party. There is just something about being outside with fresh air and flowers that makes everyone feel relaxed. For a shower I helped with last spring, I set up a floral crown station. I’ll be honest, I was a little worried it would be too hard for people to do. But everyone loved it! It smells amazing and it gives people something to do with their hands while they chat.
One thing I found out is that you need to have the right supplies. I went to a local flower shop and got a bunch of eucalyptus, baby’s breath, and some small roses. You also need floral wire and that green tape that sticks to itself. I put everything in big buckets on a rustic table. I didn’t give a lot of rules—I just let people pick what they liked. It was so fun to see everyone walking around with flowers in their hair. It makes the photos look like they came out of a magazine.
If you do this, make sure to have plenty of wire cutters. I only had one pair at first and people had to wait in line. Oops! Also, keep the flowers in water until the very last second so they stay fresh. It’s a bit of work to set up, but it is way better than playing a game where you have to sit still. It really helps the whole place feel more alive and pretty. Plus, guests get to take home something they actually made themselves.
4. Guess the Baby Food “Gourmet” Challenge
I know what you are thinking. Eating baby food sounds a little gross, right? But trust me, this is always the game that gets the most laughs. I remember doing this at a shower for my cousin. I didn’t want it to look messy, so I took the labels off the jars and tied little silver ribbons around them instead. It looked so fancy for something that was basically just smashed peas!
To make this work well, you should get about five or six different flavors. Try to pick some that look the same, like squash and sweet potato, to make it harder. I give everyone a little paper and a pen to write down their guesses. It is funny how people think they know exactly what they are eating, but then they get it totally wrong. One time, my brother-in-law was sure the carrots were actually peach pie!
I like to use small wooden spoons so it feels a bit more like a real tasting. If you want to keep the mess down, just have one person do the tasting and everyone else guess by looking. But I think it is more fun when everyone tries a tiny bit. Just make sure to check for any food allergies before you start. It’s a classic game for a reason—it’s cheap to set up and everyone ends up giggling. It really helps break the ice when guests don’t know each other well.
5. Custom Baby Library Signings
I don’t know about you, but I really dislike spending five dollars on a greeting card that just gets thrown away a week later. It feels like such a waste! That is why I am a huge fan of the “books for baby” idea. Instead of a card, you ask your guests to bring their favorite children’s book and write a little note inside the front cover.
I remember when I did this for my neighbor’s shower. It was so sweet to see all the different books people chose. Her grandmother brought an old copy of The Velveteen Rabbit and wrote a long message about staying “real.” It brought tears to my eyes! Now, every time that baby gets a bedtime story, they see a message from someone who loves them. It is so much better than a dusty pile of envelopes.
If you plan to do this, I think it is a good idea to set up a little “book nook” area. You can use a small white bookshelf or even just a nice basket to hold all the new stories. Put a little sign out so people know where to put their books. Also, keep a few extra pens nearby in case someone forgot to sign theirs. It really helps make the nursery feel full of love before the baby even arrives. Plus, it is a great way to start a library without spending a fortune.
6. “Mom or Dad” Trivia Quiz
Have you ever been to a party where you didn’t know anyone? It’s a little uncomfortable sitting there just holding your glass and looking at the floor. That is why I love the “Mom or Dad” trivia game. It is a great way to get everyone talking and laughing together. I think it is one of the best baby shower activity ideas for breaking the ice.
I remember at my cousin’s shower, we did this and it was a total riot. We asked questions like “Who was the heavier baby?” or “Who will be the first to change a diaper?” We gave everyone little props on sticks—mustaches for the dad and lips for the mom. Everyone had to hold up their guess. It was so funny to see all the mustaches go up when we asked who would be the “fun” parent! Even the shy relatives were laughing by the end of it.
Since I’m always thinking about how things look in a room, I suggest making the props match your theme colors. If you have a boho vibe with lots of tan and white, make the lips and mustaches in those colors too. It keeps the table looking neat and doesn’t clash with your other decorations. I just taped the paper shapes to wooden skewers from my kitchen. It’s cheap, easy, and it really helps people feel comfortable. It’s a fun way to share a bit about the parents before all the baby gifts are opened.
7. Diaper Raffle for Practical Prizes
Let’s be real for a minute—diapers are expensive. I mean, really expensive! One of my friends told me she went through ten a day with her newborn. That’s why I always suggest a diaper raffle as one of the best baby shower activity ideas. It is so practical, and it helps the parents out more than another stuffed animal they don’t have room for.
The way it works is pretty simple. You put a little note in the invitation asking people to bring a pack of diapers if they want to enter a raffle. For every pack they bring, they get a ticket. I remember at my sister’s shower, we had a huge mountain of diapers by the end of the day. She didn’t have to buy any for months! It was such a relief for her.
But here is the secret: you have to give away a prize that people actually want. I’ve seen some raffles where the prize is just a cheap plastic trophy or something. No one really wants that. I like to put together a nice basket with a good candle, some fancy chocolate, or maybe a gift card to a local coffee shop. People get really competitive when there is a good prize on the line! I just set a little bowl on the entry table with the tickets and a sign. It’s a very easy way to help the new mom and dad. Just make sure you have enough tickets so you don’t run out halfway through!
Conclusion
Planning a shower should be fun, not something that makes you want to hide under the covers. I hope these 7 baby shower activity ideas help you create a day that feels special and full of love. I’ve learned over the years that the best parties aren’t the ones that are perfect—they are the ones where people feel like they can just be themselves and celebrate the new little one.
I really think that if you pick one or two of these activities, your guests will have a much better time than if you just did the same old games everyone has seen a million times. Just relax, have a cupcake, and enjoy the moment. If you have any questions or want more tips on how to decorate your home for a party without spending too much, just let me know!
If you liked these ideas, please save this post to your Pinterest boards! It really helps me out, and I’d love to see how your party turns out.
