The Best Games to Play During a Baby Shower

If you've been tasked with planning a baby shower or a sprinkle, you know there's much to do: compiling the guest list and registry information, printing invitations, ordering hors d'oeuvres and cakes. Also on the list of things you have to do before the party? Organize a few games for attendees. And while the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged us to re-envision some of these traditions—by way of a virtual shower or a drive-by shower—household members or your quarantine pod can still participate in a few well-chosen activities. Since babies are born throughout the year, most of them tend to fit in nicely for any baby shower theme during any season. (That means you can reuse the ones you love again and again.)

What makes for a great game? In our opinions, the best baby shower games are first and foremost fun. After all, what's the point of playing if it isn't? Some will help you learn more about baby and the mother-to-be. Others are simply silly and done in good fun. In this guide, we share of some of our favorite baby-related games—some are classics and a few are modern and unique. But don't worry, we've broken down the needed materials and preparation in the slides ahead. Most games are easy and require minimal setup to ensure that they can be played even at a moment's notice.

Without further ado, keep reading to check out the ten best baby shower games you can do yourself or buy—no matter your chosen theme. Ready, set? Let's play!

This is a classic that you've probably seen at past baby showers, and it involves measuring the circumference of the baby bump and letting all your guests take a blind guess. Guests cut a length of yarn, string, or ribbon to the circumference they think will match the bump. Everyone takes turns tying their guess around the bump. Naturally, whoever has the closest match wins.

Prepare your taste buds for some truly interesting concoctions with this go-to game. Depending on how adventurous you decide to get with the flavors—turkey and pear, anyone?—you might even discover a few things you don't want to feed the baby. Remove or cover the baby food labels to ensure no one knows what the flavors are ahead of time. Split up into groups of two or more, then have your guests put on a bib and a blindfold. One person in each group will try to feed the others, and if they're successful, the others will guess the flavor. Whoever gets the most correct wins.

Swaddling is most soothing when your baby's arms are tucked flat against her body, but it's only successful as long as they stay that way. Great for larger groups, this relay race involves splitting up into teams and testing out everyone's swaddling skills. To play, split up into even teams. First, wrap a baby doll (one per team) in a lightweight blanket. Each team should be in a straight line; on the word go, the first person in line swaddles the doll and passes it to the next person to do the same. This is done by folding a second blanket in thirds lengthwise and place over the first, tucking in top edge at the overlap. The first team to complete the race wins.

Classics like Jenga, Uno, butterfly card decks, and Candyland can be left for open play on each table—fun for family members of all ages. Or, for a standout moment? This larger-than-life chess board will definitely delight.

This is a beautiful party favor wherever tea is served, and we love that it doubles as an activity for everyone: Let guests have some fun putting together a custom tea blend, then tuck tuck each inside a paper-folded envelope paired with a tiny gold-plated spoon.

In this classic game, guests are encouraged to make their guess of who's who in a set of photographs. Framed baby pictures—of the parents-to-be—are tucked amid the lush greenery spilling over the mantel.

Before the shower, bake a batch of cupcakes, dropping in a single miniature plastic baby in one random cup. At the shower, bring out the platter of undecorated cupcakes—without letting on that one is secretly "pregnant"—and give all guests a supply of frosting, candies, and baby decorations. After everyone has decorated their own unique cupcake, the mom-to-be chooses her favorite and the winner gets a prize. Then, just as guests are about to devour the baked goodies whole, let everyone know that whoever finds the baby is next in line to have her own.

Keep guests guessing with this practical game. Put at least ten common, useful baby items inside a diaper bag; a bib, teething ring, rattle, bottle, and diaper are just a few goodies that are also fairly inexpensive. Give each guest a pen and paper before passing the diaper bag around. Without looking, each person should stick a hand inside the bag and identify as many items as possible. Give each two minutes to feel around and make their guesses before moving the bag to the next person. Once everyone has had a turn, find out who had the most correct answers. The winner gets a prize and the parents-to-be get the diaper bag filled with baby essentials.

This is a simple guessing game with a sweet reward at the end. Place candies—in an amount that coincides with the baby's due date—inside a cute jar. Have guests guess how many are inside and the person who is closest wins. These clear tubes filled with jelly beans in gradient colors are a simple way present the goods.

If you're working with a book theme, test your guests' storybook knowledge with a little trivia game. Write out some of your favorite quotes—or have them printed out on pretty cards—and have your guests guess from what story they originate.