Co-Ed Baby Shower Games Nobody Has to Be Dragged Into
Co-ed baby showers (also called couples showers or Jack and Jill showers) are now the norm for a lot of families. The dad-to-be wants to be there, his friends are coming, and the guest list looks more like a backyard barbecue than a tea party.
The mistake most hosts make is running a traditional shower and just inviting the guys. Then comes the "decorate a onesie" station, and twelve grown men stand awkwardly by the cooler.
Co-ed games work when they're team-based, competitive and optional. Here's what that looks like in practice, with the games people actually play and how to set each one up.
The 3 rules of a co-ed shower game
- Nobody gets forced. The worst co-ed showers are the ones where games are pushed on people who don't want to play. Make every game opt-in and let the spectators heckle.
- Teams beat solo performances. Couples vs. couples, moms vs. dads, the mom's side vs. the dad's side. Being on a team makes it fun instead of embarrassing.
- Keep score. A whiteboard with team scores turns any silly game into a competition, and competition is what gets a reluctant group off the couch.
Bingo cards for both parents
Put both names in the title, add words that fit your crowd and pick a neutral theme. Every card different, ready to print.
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Games that work at co-ed showers
| Game | Format | Time | Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby shower bingo | Everyone, seated | During gift opening | Low |
| Price is right | Everyone, solo or teams | 10 min | Low |
| Diaper-changing relay | Teams | 10 min | High |
| Who said it: mom or dad? | Everyone | 10 min | Low |
| Baby bottle race | Volunteers | 5 min | High |
| Baby name cornhole | Teams, outdoors | 20 min, drop-in | Medium |
| Guess the baby food | Teams | 10 min | Medium |
Baby shower bingo (with words for both parents)
Bingo is the one game everyone at a co-ed shower will play, because there's nothing to perform. It works best during gift opening, when everyone is sitting anyway.
The trick for a co-ed crowd is the words. Mix classic gifts with words for the dad and the couple:
- Car Seat Install
- Stroller Test Drive
- Dad Joke
- Grill
- Diaper Bag
- Night Shift
- Baby Carrier
- First Diaper Change
- The dad's nickname
- The couple's dog's name
Our bingo word list has a full co-ed section.
Price is right
Line up 8 to 10 baby items and have everyone guess the price. Closest total without going over wins. Guys reliably guess way off on things like a breast pump or a car seat, which is half the fun. Read out the funniest guesses at the end.
Diaper-changing relay
Two teams, two baby dolls, a stack of diapers. Each player has to put a diaper on the doll, take it off and tag the next person. First team done wins. For extra chaos, add oven mitts or a blindfold. Moms vs. dads is the classic matchup.
Who said it: mom or dad?
Before the shower, ask the parents-to-be the same 10 questions separately ("Who'll be the stricter parent?", "Who cried at the ultrasound?", "Who'll change the most diapers?"). At the shower, read each answer and have guests guess who said it. Works great as a group, no one has to stand up.
Baby bottle race
Volunteers race to finish a baby bottle filled with root beer, lemonade or (for an adults-only crowd) beer. Keep it strictly volunteer-only and have non-alcoholic options. Loud, quick and very photogenic.
Baby name cornhole
Set up cornhole in the backyard. Each team writes a baby name suggestion on their board. It's a drop-in game: people play while food is out, and nobody has to commit.
Guess the baby food (team version)
Peel labels off five or six jars of baby food and number them. Teams look, smell and (optionally) taste to guess the flavor. Making it a team game means the brave one tastes while the rest argue.
A co-ed shower plan that works
- Format: backyard BBQ, brunch or a brewery with a private area. Anywhere guests can stand and mingle.
- Food: grill food, tacos, a sandwich board. Heartier than tea sandwiches.
- Games: one drop-in game (cornhole), one team game (diaper relay or price is right), and bingo during gift opening.
- Prizes: coffee gift cards, hot sauce, scratch-offs, craft soda. See our prize ideas for options that work for anyone.
- Length: 2 to 3 hours. Our baby shower schedule has a timeline you can adapt.
Games to skip at a co-ed shower
- Anything with dress-up (toilet paper outfits, fake bellies) unless the group specifically loves it.
- Measuring the belly. Fine with close friends, awkward in front of the dad's coworkers.
- Long craft stations. Decorating onesies or blocks works at a quiet shower, not at a barbecue.
- Games that single someone out, like having the dad read a poem or answer questions alone in front of everyone.
Frequently asked questions
What is a co-ed baby shower?
A co-ed baby shower is a shower where both women and men are invited, usually including the dad-to-be and couples. It's also called a couples shower or a Jack and Jill shower.
What games do men like at baby showers?
Team and competitive games: diaper-changing relays, price is right, baby bottle races and cornhole. Bingo during gift opening also works because no one has to perform.
How many games should a co-ed baby shower have?
Two or three. One drop-in game, one team game and bingo during gift opening is plenty for a two to three hour party.
Should the dad-to-be open gifts at a co-ed shower?
Yes, it's common for both parents to open gifts together at a co-ed shower. Take turns, and keep gift opening short with bingo running at the same time.
What do you serve at a co-ed baby shower?
Heartier food than a traditional shower: grilled food, tacos, sliders or a sandwich bar, with beer, soda and mocktails.