Baby Shower Games Guests Actually Enjoy (and 5 to Skip)
Every shower has that moment. The host claps her hands, says "okay, game time!", and half the room suddenly gets very interested in their lemonade. Nobody hates the mom-to-be. They just don't want to sniff a diaper full of melted chocolate in front of their boss's sister.
The good news: the games guests complain about all have the same problems. They put one person on the spot, they get messy, or they drag on. The games people actually enjoy are the opposite. Everyone plays at once, nobody has to perform, and it's over before anyone checks their phone.
Below you'll find the games that pass that test, how long each one takes, what you need to prep, and a short list of games to skip unless you know your crowd loves them.
The 3-game rule for a 2-hour shower
Most showers run two to three hours, and at least half of that is food, mingling and opening gifts. You don't need eight games. You need three, each with a different job:
| Slot | Job | Good picks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icebreaker | Gets strangers talking while people arrive | Baby photo match, Guess the due date | Runs in the background |
| Main game | Keeps everyone busy during gift opening | Baby shower bingo | 30–45 min, same time as gifts |
| Keepsake | Leaves the parents with something | Advice cards, Wishes for baby | 10 min |
The middle slot matters most. Gift opening is the longest stretch of the party and the one where guests drift. A game that runs during the gifts solves that without adding a single minute to the schedule. If you want the full hour-by-hour plan, see our 2-hour baby shower schedule.
The games, rated by how much prep and awkwardness they involve
| Game | Best for | Prep | Awkward factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby shower bingo | Any group, any size | Print cards | None, everyone plays seated |
| Baby photo match | Friends and family who know each other | Collect photos a week before | Low |
| Guess the due date | Any group | One sheet of paper | None |
| Price is right | Mixed and co-ed groups | 8–10 baby items with receipts | Low |
| Nursery rhyme finish-the-line | Grandmas love it | Print a list | Low |
| Advice cards | Any group | Blank cards and pens | None |
| Don't say "baby" | Groups that like a running joke | Clothespins or bracelets | Low |
| Diaper-changing relay | Co-ed, energetic groups | 2 dolls, diapers, blindfolds | Medium, keep it opt-in |
Baby shower bingo
Each guest gets a card with baby gifts or shower words. As the mom-to-be opens presents, guests mark the squares. First to complete a line wins a prize, then you keep going for two lines or a full card.
Why it works: it runs during gift opening, nobody has to stand up, and grandma and the 19-year-old cousin are on equal footing.
The one thing that ruins it: identical or near-identical cards. If every card has the same 16 words, ten people shout "bingo!" on the same gift. Every card needs a different mix of words, which is tedious to do by hand and exactly why most hosts use a generator. Our guide on how to play baby shower bingo covers the rules and rounds.
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Baby photo match
Ask guests to text you a baby photo of themselves a week before. Print them, number them and tape them to a board by the entrance. Guests write their guesses on a slip as they arrive. Whoever gets the most right wins.
Tip: include a photo of each parent-to-be. It's the one everyone gets right, and it always gets a laugh.
Guess the due date
Draw a simple calendar of the weeks around the due date. Guests write their name on the day (and time, if you want a tiebreaker) they think the baby will arrive. The winner gets a prize mailed after the birth, which also means the parents get one more reason to send everyone a baby photo.
Price is right
Line up 8 to 10 things from the registry (a pack of diapers, a bottle, a box of wipes, a swaddle) and have guests guess the price of each. Closest total without going over wins. Keep the receipts. Guys and dads at co-ed showers tend to love this one because their guesses are usually wildly off.
Advice cards
Leave cards on each seat with prompts like "The best thing I bought for a newborn was…" or "When the baby won't sleep, try…". Collect them in a basket. This is the one game the parents will actually keep.
Don't say "baby"
Every guest gets a clothespin when they arrive. If you hear someone say "baby", you take their clothespin. Whoever has the most at the end wins. It needs zero time on the schedule, which is its best feature.
5 games to skip (or ask the mom-to-be first)
These show up on every list, and they're the ones guests mention when they say they dread showers:
- Melted candy bar in a diaper. Guests sniff "dirty" diapers and guess the candy bar. Some people love it. Many find it gross, especially near the food table.
- Baby food tasting. Blindfolded guests eat baby food. Messy, and a problem for anyone with allergies or a strong gag reflex.
- Measure the belly. Guests cut string to guess the belly size. It's cute, but a lot of pregnant women don't want their waist measured in public. Ask her first.
- Toilet paper "maternity dress". Teams wrap a guest in toilet paper. Takes forever, wastes a lot of paper and needs volunteers who often don't want to be picked.
- Anything with a solo performance. Singing, acting out labor, chugging a bottle while everyone watches. Make it opt-in or skip it.
None of these are banned. If your crowd is loud and close, go for it. But for a mixed group of coworkers, in-laws and old friends, games where everyone plays at once from their seat are the safe bet.
Picking games for your crowd
- Mostly strangers (in-laws meeting college friends): baby photo match as an icebreaker gives them something to talk about.
- Co-ed or couples shower: team games and anything competitive. See our full list of co-ed baby shower games.
- Office shower in a lunch hour: one game, max. Bingo during gift opening fits perfectly. More in our office baby shower guide.
- Big group (40+ guests): games that need no explaining and no moving around. Bingo scales to any size, as long as you have enough unique cards.
- Small group (under 10): you have room for a more interactive game, like price is right with a little trash talk.
Prizes and wrap-up
Plan one small prize per game, plus one extra for ties. Candles, small plants, coffee gift cards and nice chocolate go over better than baby-themed knickknacks nobody needs. Our bingo prize guide has 30 ideas by budget.
Then let the games end on time. A shower where people leave wishing there'd been one more round is better than one where they're checking the clock.
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Frequently asked questions
How many games should you play at a baby shower?
Two or three is plenty for a two-hour shower. One icebreaker while guests arrive, one main game during gift opening and one keepsake activity is a balanced plan.
What is the most popular baby shower game?
Baby shower bingo. It works for any group size, nobody has to perform, and it fits into gift opening, which is usually the slowest part of the party.
What baby shower games are not awkward?
Games where everyone plays at once from their seat: bingo, guess the due date, baby photo match and advice cards. Avoid games that single out one guest or involve tasting or sniffing.
Should the mom-to-be play the games?
She usually hosts the moment rather than playing, especially during gift opening when she's the one unwrapping. She can join icebreakers like baby photo match.
When should you play games at a baby shower?
Start an icebreaker as guests arrive, play bingo during gift opening, and do keepsake activities near the end while people have cake.