Diaper Raffle: How It Works, Invitation Wording and Sizes
A newborn goes through roughly 8 to 12 diapers a day. That's somewhere around 2,500 diapers in the first year, and at grocery-store prices it adds up fast. A diaper raffle is the simplest way to turn a baby shower into a few months of diapers without anyone feeling like they're being asked for more.
The idea: guests bring a pack of diapers along with their gift, get a raffle ticket for it, and one lucky ticket wins a prize at the end of the party. The parents go home with a stack of diapers; one guest goes home happy.
Here's exactly how to run one, the wording to put on the invitation, and the part almost everyone gets wrong: which sizes to ask for.
How a diaper raffle works
- Announce it on the invitation with a short line (wording below).
- Set up a raffle station by the door: a basket for the diapers, a jar for the tickets and a pen.
- Each pack of diapers gets one ticket. The guest writes their name (and the diaper size) on it and drops it in the jar.
- Draw the winner near the end of the shower, after gift opening and bingo, so people stay for it.
- Give the prize and take a photo of the winner with the diaper mountain.
Rules to decide in advance:
- One ticket per pack, or one ticket per guest no matter how many packs? One per pack is more fun and brings in more diapers.
- Do wipes count? A common rule: a box of wipes is a half ticket, or two boxes of wipes count as one ticket.
- Can guests who forgot buy in? No. Just let them enjoy the party.
Pair the raffle with bingo
Raffle while guests arrive, bingo during gift opening. Personalized cards with the parents' names and your shower's words.
Free preview · $9.90 one-time payment · No account needed
Which diaper sizes to ask for
This is where most diaper raffles go wrong. Everyone buys newborn diapers because they look cute, and the parents end up with 15 packs of a size the baby outgrows in a few weeks. Some babies are born too big for newborn size entirely.
Typical weight ranges on US diaper packs:
| Size | Baby's weight | How long babies usually wear it |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | Up to 10 lb | A few weeks, sometimes not at all |
| Size 1 | 8 to 14 lb | About 1 to 4 months |
| Size 2 | 12 to 18 lb | About 3 to 8 months |
| Size 3 | 16 to 28 lb | Often the longest stretch, through the first year |
Exact ranges vary a bit by brand, so check the package. A smart split for the raffle:
- 10% newborn (one or two packs at most)
- 30% size 1
- 30% size 2
- 30% size 3
The easiest way to get that split: ask for a size on the invitation. Some hosts assign sizes by last name ("A–H bring size 1, I–P size 2, Q–Z size 3"), which guests find fun and saves the parents a lot of exchanging.
Ask about brand preference. Some parents have a favorite brand or one that's gentler on sensitive skin. If they do, put it on the invitation.
Cloth diaper family? Skip the raffle or make it a wipes-and-diaper-cream raffle instead.
Diaper raffle wording for invitations
Keep it short, and make it clear it's optional. Copy one of these:
- "Bring a pack of diapers (size 1, 2 or 3) and you'll be entered in our diaper raffle for a special prize!"
- "Want a chance to win? Bring a pack of diapers and get a raffle ticket. The more packs, the more chances!"
- "Help us keep baby's bottom covered: bring a pack of diapers, get a ticket for our diaper raffle. Totally optional, totally appreciated."
- "Diaper raffle! Last names A–H: size 1. I–P: size 2. Q–Z: size 3. One pack = one ticket."
- "Little bottoms need lots of diapers. Bring a pack to enter the raffle. Winner announced at the shower!"
For a baby sprinkle (second baby), a diaper raffle can replace gifts entirely: "No gifts needed, but diapers are always welcome!"
What to give as the raffle prize
The raffle prize should feel like a real win, a little nicer than a bingo prize, since it rewards everyone who participated:
- A $25 gift card to a coffee shop, restaurant or Target
- A nice bottle of wine or a cocktail kit (adults-only crowds)
- A spa or self-care basket
- A big plant in a nice pot
- A cozy throw blanket
- A local bakery box
For the smaller game prizes, see our bingo prize ideas.
Where the raffle fits in the schedule
- Arrival: guests drop off diapers and fill in tickets.
- Gift opening: bingo keeps everyone busy (the raffle doesn't need any attention here).
- End of the party: draw the raffle winner right before goodbyes. It gives everyone a reason to stay until the end.
Our 2-hour baby shower schedule shows the full timeline.
Diaper raffle etiquette
- It's optional. Nobody should feel they have to bring diapers on top of a gift. Say so on the invitation.
- It's not a replacement for the registry at a first-baby shower. Most guests bring a gift and a pack of diapers.
- Don't announce who brought what. The raffle is about luck, not about who gave the most.
Frequently asked questions
How does a diaper raffle work at a baby shower?
Guests bring a pack of diapers and get a raffle ticket for each pack. Tickets go in a jar, and one is drawn near the end of the shower. The winner gets a prize and the parents keep all the diapers.
What size diapers should you bring to a baby shower?
Size 1 or 2 is the safest choice. Babies outgrow newborn diapers in a few weeks, and some never fit them at all. Size 3 is also great since babies wear it for a long time.
Do wipes count in a diaper raffle?
It's up to the host. A common rule is that one box of wipes counts as half a ticket, or two boxes of wipes equal one ticket.
Is a diaper raffle tacky?
No, as long as it's optional and clearly worded. Most parents find it one of the most useful parts of the shower, since diapers are a big ongoing expense.
What is a good prize for a diaper raffle?
Something a little nicer than a game prize: a $20 to $25 gift card, a bottle of wine, a self-care basket or a nice plant.