Did you know that nearly 80% of guests actually feel a bit nervous about “forced fun” at parties? It’s true! I remember hosting my first shower and seeing my friends look like they wanted to bolt for the door. But then I realized that the right 7 baby shower games ideas can turn a group of strangers into a laughing family. I’ve learned that the secret isn’t just about the prizes; it’s about the connection. Let’s dive into what’s working right now in 2026.
Alright, let’s get into the heart of the party! I’ve put together the full details for these 7 baby shower games ideas so you can plan the best day ever. I’m writing these just like I’d tell a friend over coffee—with all the little mistakes and wins I’ve had over the years.
1. The Blindfolded Diaper Change Race
I remember the first time I set this up for my sister’s shower. I thought it would be a quick five-minute filler, but it ended up being the highlight of the afternoon. You just need a few life-size baby dolls, a pack of newborn diapers, and some blindfolds. I actually used some old silk scarves I had in my dresser. The goal is to have guests race to take off a diaper and put a new one on while they can’t see a thing. It sounds easy until you see your Aunt Margaret trying to tape the diaper to the doll’s head! My advice is to have a “referee” who checks if the diaper is actually snug. It’s a total riot and gets everyone cheering. Just make sure the dolls are sturdy because they might get tossed around a bit in the excitement.
To make it even harder, you can use different sizes of diapers so the players have to feel around to find the one that actually fits their doll. I also found that playing some fast, upbeat music in the background really gets the adrenaline pumping and makes it feel like a real race. People start shouting advice from the sidelines, which usually just makes the blindfolded person more confused and the room louder with laughter. I like to have a small trophy or a funny “Diaper Master” ribbon for the winner to take home. It creates some great photos that the mom will look back on for years. Just make sure you have enough floor space so no one trips over a chair while they are fumbling around.
2. Baby Emoji Pictionary
This one is great for the younger crowd, but even my grandma got a kick out of it last year. It’s basically a guessing game where you print out sheets that have strings of emojis. Each string represents a popular nursery rhyme or a common baby phrase. For example, a “baby” emoji plus a “bottle” emoji is pretty simple, but try doing “Rock-a-bye Baby” with just icons! I usually find these templates online, but you can make your own on your phone and just take a screenshot. It’s a quiet game, which is nice if you need to let people finish their snacks. I like to give a small prize, like a nice candle, to the person who gets the most right. It’s way better than just sitting around talking about the weather.
One of the hardest ones I ever saw was a picture of a star and a diamond, which was supposed to be “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” My friend Beth spent ten minutes trying to guess it and she was so frustrated, but we all laughed when she finally figured it out! You can also split the room into two teams if the group is really large, which makes it feel like a fun game show. I’ve seen some people do this on a big TV screen now instead of using paper, which saves on ink and helps the planet. If you’re doing it on paper, though, provide some colorful markers to make it feel more like a craft project. It’s a great way to get the teenagers and the older aunts talking to each other about what the symbols mean.
3. The “Don’t Say Baby” Clothespin Game
This is the ultimate icebreaker. As soon as guests walk through the door, I pin a wooden clothespin to their shirt. I tell them the one rule: you cannot say the word “baby.” If you hear someone else say it, you get to take their pin. I once went to a shower where one lady had about twenty pins on her sweater by the end of the hour! She was like a professional shark, just waiting for someone to slip up. It’s funny because we are at a shower, so saying that word is almost impossible to avoid. It really helps people who don’t know each other start talking. Plus, it’s super cheap to set up.
If you want to change it up a bit, you can use cute little stickers instead of pins if people are wearing fancy silk dresses they don’t want to poke holes in. I usually tell people that they can only “steal” a pin if they catch the person right after they say the forbidden word. It creates this funny tension where everyone is watching what they say, and conversations become very careful and hilarious. I’ve noticed that even the shyest people in the room start getting competitive once they see someone with a whole row of pins. By the time lunch is served, the person with the most pins is usually the loudest person at the table! It’s such a low-cost way to keep the energy going from start to finish.
4. Who’s That Baby? Photo Match
I love this game because it’s so sentimental. Before the party, I ask the mom-to-be and the dad-to-be for about ten photos of themselves at different ages—from newborn to toddler. Then, I mix them up on a big corkboard I have in my guest room. The guests have to guess which baby grew up to be which parent. You’d be surprised how much a three-month-old looks like… well, every other three-month-old! I usually add a few photos of the grandparents too, just to make it harder. It’s a sweet way to look back at family history. I suggest putting the board near the food table so people can look while they wait in line for cake.
To make it really interesting, I sometimes throw in a photo of a famous celebrity as a baby just to see if anyone notices the trick. It’s funny how much a young George Clooney looks like my cousin Bob when you’re just glancing quickly! If you don’t have a physical board, you can easily set up a digital photo frame that cycles through the pictures on a loop. I like to give a prize for this one that is also a bit nostalgic, like a box of classic candies from when the parents were kids. It really encourages guests to walk around and mingle while they look at the old photos. Seeing the old hairstyles and clothes from thirty years ago is always a huge conversation starter for the older guests.
5. The Great Baby Food Taste Test
Now, this one isn’t for the faint of heart! I grab about eight different jars of baby food and strip the labels off. I number the jars and give everyone a plastic spoon. They have to taste a little bit and write down what they think it is. The fruit ones are easy—everyone knows applesauce. But when you get to the “Turkey and Sweet Potato” or the “Creamed Spinach,” the faces people make are priceless! I remember my cousin Joey almost gagged on the peas. It’s a bit messy, so have some napkins ready. It’s a classic for a reason—it never fails to get a big reaction from the crowd.
I’ve found that the “ham and gravy” flavor is usually the one that makes everyone lose their minds—it smells exactly like dog food to some people! To keep it a bit cleaner, you can serve the samples in tiny little cupcake liners so people don’t have to dip their spoons into the same jar. It’s also fun to have the Dad-to-be do a “final round” where he has to guess the most disgusting combination of flavors. For a modern twist, you could even use those organic squeeze pouches, but hide them in a bowl so people can’t see the labels. Just a warning: some of those vegetable mixes are surprisingly tasty, so don’t be shocked if a few people actually ask for seconds. Just keep a small trash can nearby for anyone who really can’t handle the texture of mashed carrots.
6. Predictions and Wishes for the Little One
If you want something a bit more calm and heartfelt, this is the one. I print out cards that have prompts like “I hope you get your dad’s sense of humor” or “I think you will be born on [date] at [time].” I like to set up a little “station” with nice pens and some flowers. It gives people a chance to sit and think about the new life coming into the family. After the party, I put all the cards in a pretty box and give them to the mom. She told me later that she read them all during those late-night feedings, and it made her feel so loved. It’s a keepsake that means way more than another pack of onesies.
I like to decorate the station with some simple twine and tiny clothespins so people can hang their cards up for everyone to see before they go into the final box. It turns the game into part of the room decor, which is a great way to fill up an empty corner. You can even include a prompt for “Best Advice for the First Month” because let’s face it, new moms need all the help they can get. I’ve seen some people save these in a “time capsule” to be opened when the child turns eighteen, which is just so sweet. It really gives the guests a chance to share their wisdom and love in a way that doesn’t feel rushed. It’s the perfect way to wind down the party before everyone heads home.
7. Baby Shower Bingo Bonanza
Let’s be honest, watching someone open fifty presents can get a little slow after a while. To keep people interested, I give everyone a Bingo card. But instead of numbers, the squares have things like “diaper disposal,” “stroller,” “tiny socks,” or “handmade blanket.” As the mom-to-be opens her gifts, the guests mark off their squares. The first one to get five in a row yells “BINGO!” and gets a prize. It makes everyone pay attention to every single gift. I’ve found that it really helps the energy stay high even at the end of the party. It’s a simple trick that makes the whole process a lot more interactive for everyone in the room.
I usually pre-fill about half the squares with common items like “onesies” or “bottles” and leave the rest blank for guests to fill in themselves before the opening starts. This makes them really think about what might be in those wrapped boxes, and it turns them into little detectives for a few minutes. If you want to make the game move faster, you can offer a special prize for the person who fills their entire card first. I usually pick up some nice lotions or a small box of chocolates for the Bingo winners. It prevents that awkward silence that sometimes happens when someone is struggling to unwrap a box with too much tape. Plus, it’s a great way to highlight the thoughtfulness of the gifts being given by the guests.
Conclusion
Wrapping things up, I really hope these 7 baby shower games ideas give you a great head start on your party planning. I know it can feel like a lot to manage, but remember that the main goal is just to celebrate the new life joining the family. I’ve seen so many showers where the host was too stressed to enjoy themselves, and I don’t want that for you!
My biggest tip is to just pick three or four of these that fit your group best. You don’t need to do every single one to have a good time. Sometimes, just having the “Don’t Say Baby” game running in the background while people eat is enough to keep the energy up. I remember at my cousin’s shower, we spent so much time laughing at the emoji pictionary that we almost forgot to cut the cake! It’s those moments of connection that people really take home with them.
Planning a shower in 2026 is all about making people feel included and loved. Don’t sweat the small stuff, like if you forget to buy the exact right pens or if the diaper race gets a little messy. The mom-to-be is going to appreciate the effort you put into making her feel special. If you found these tips helpful and they made your planning a bit easier, please share this post on Pinterest! It helps other people find these ideas and it really helps me keep sharing my home and party tips with all of you. Happy planning!
