Hellobee

ed. note: comments were accidentally closed on this post so it’s been bumped up!

I have hosted a number of baby showers within the last few years, as well as attending several for friends and family. I admit that I love planning parties and showers and jump at the chance to plan an event. One thing I’ve noticed though is that more and more mothers-to-be cringe at the thought of baby shower games; many now have a negative stigma attached. Most pregnant mamas hesitate to allow all of their friends and family to guess their bump size (which they’re likely very self-conscious about), or sniff candy bars in diapers. Several of my family and friends that I’ve hosted showers for specifically request no games. This has required me to get creative about how to fill the time, especially for showers that include people who don’t all know each other and just social mingling isn’t an option.

I have found that the most successful baby shower activities are projects that encourage everyone to get involved. Because of the time consumed by a project, there isn’t much of a need to have several games to fill the time that many participates only half-participate.

Here is my list of games and projects that have been a hit with showers I’ve hosted and attended.

1. Never Have I Ever: baby version

I bought a piggy bank from Target, and picked up a few rolls of change from the bank. At the shower we explained the game to the  guests: we go around the room each saying something we have never done. If someone HAS done that thing, they put change in the piggy bank. This is such a great ice breaker game especially for groups of people who don’t all know each other. In the end the mama-to-be gets to keep the piggy bank of change for their new baby!

This has become a must for all baby showers I put together. Not only do the new mamas love reading these sweet notes from friends and family, it also serves as a special sort of “guestbook” and keepsake for the baby book. I think about how fun it will be for the baby to read these someday and know how loved and welcome he/she was.

Wishes for Baby by Allison Kizer Designs

3. Onesie Decorating

This project has become so popular and so fun! I have hosted this activity twice thus far and have learned a few things on how to make this a successful project. My first attempt at this project, I provided fabric markers and paint. And quite honestly the onesies were a hot mess. It is quite difficult to draw/paint on fabric even with artistic skill! The second time around, I printed out templates of various animals and objects, provided iron-on transfer paper and a wide array of fun mixed-print and colorful fabrics. Even those who didn’t feel they were as DIY-inclined had a great time with the activity and the new mama loved the practical, yet super fun activity. She got a great stash of onesies in a range of sizes and we all had a great time. Mrs. Stroller wrote a great post about how to do this at a shower.

4. Headband Making Station

I was saving this one for someone special who was having a girl and it was such a hit! I collected an array of supplies and printed out inspiration pictures and also some directions for a few different types of flowers and headbands. It not only filled time (this was the only activity at the shower) but guests loved tapping into their creative side while creating a unique and special gift for the new baby girl. My sister in law loves her huge collection of headbands made with love from all her family and friends.

5. Name Reveal

We had guests play this at my shower because I was going to share the baby name we had decided on prior to J’s birth. We loved his name and were so confident in our choice that we wanted to share it… but I needed it to be done in a special or fun way. We decided to incorporate this into my baby shower. My sisters pinned up about 12 letters on the wall and using the letters we had guests write down their top 3 guesses for what the name was. No one got it! But then I rearranged the letters to announce the name.

6. Baby’s First Years Scrapbook

Projects as opposed to games seem to really get everyone involved and participating. For this activity, collect scrapbooking supplies (paper, stickers, photo safe pens, album, etc) and have guests make pages for the baby’s first year scrapbook.

7. Make a Mobile

I found this idea on Pinterest and if we hadn’t done the headband project at my SIL’s shower, I would have done this instead. Check out this idea here.

8. Canvas/Letter Wall Art Collaboration

Another Pinterest find, this project has so many options and possibilities. Collecting letters of the alphabet and setting up fabrics and paints to decorate them is a fairly inexpensive project that is bound to impress the mama to be – I love alphabets on walls! In addition, finding small canvases at craft stores is very easy and providing paint and tools to make custom art for baby’s room is easy and fun. Check it out here!

What activities or games did you have at your shower?