Baby Shower Activity Ideas

After having had a shower this weekend, I thought I would compile a list of activities that could be fun at a shower (we did some of these at my shower). I am calling them activities because they are not all really games.

• Have guests address their own envelopes. This takes the stress out of doing it later (and potentially having the wrong address), and can be used to draw names and/or give door prizes.
• The Price Is Right. Have your guests guess the correct price of common baby items. Whoever is closest to the most items wins.

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  Write a note to the baby. Make a jar or shadow box and cut strips of paper that coordinate with baby's room. Pass out the strips and ask guests to write advice, predictions, or other little notes to the baby. Wrap strips around a pencil to curl and insert into the jar/box. It keeps as decoration and later as a note to the baby.                     
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  Stick a tag on guests back. Make strips of paper and write a baby item (stroller, car seat, bottle, etc.) on the strips. When guests arrive, stick one object on each person's back. They must ask each other yes/no questions to figure out which item is listed on their back. Helps with mingling.
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  Quiz Time! Make a quiz about mom and/or the baby. Most right wins. Sample questions:
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  What is mom most nervous about with the baby's arrival?
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  What has mom been craving the most?
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  What embarrassing thing has happened to mom during this pregnancy?
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  How long did it take to put the crib together?
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  You can even add questions about dad:
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  What was dad's reaction when he first heard the baby's heartbeat?
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  How many tests did dad make mom take before he was convinced they were pregnant?
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  How long did it take dad to secure the car seat in the car for the first time?
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  Guess the girth. Allow guests to cut lengths of string or ribbon to estimated girth of mom. Then measure the actual and compare. Closest to the actual girth wins.
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  What flavor is it? Somewhat disgusting but also hilarious, this one requires several flavors of baby food. Give each person toothpicks and pass around several numbered jars (labels removed). Guests have to guess what the flavor is. Most right wins.
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  Save the card. Bring a book. This one is so cool because for the cost of a shower card, your guest can buy a book for baby and sign it. This allows for a more meaningful greeting for the guest, and gives the baby a lasting item that they can use and remember each guest by. Here are some poems  that you can put in your invitation: 
• Although cards are nice with their sentiment and prayer, / They're read once or twice then tucked away with care. / A book is a treasure, words and pictures unite, / Read over and over to teach and delight. / So instead of a card for Baby and mother, / Please give a child's book with your thoughts in the cover. / Your book will be cherished; God will watch from above, / When it's read they will remember your kindness and love.
•  We can't wait to see you at the shower / When (mom-to-be's name) will be the woman of the hour / We have one request we hope isn't too hard / Please sign your name to a book instead of a card / Then mom and dad will be ready when the baby arrives / To read to their darling for the rest of their lives.
• Just one last request, and we hope it's not hard / Please bring baby a book in place of a card / By signing your book, we will remember and share / Your special gift, even when you're not there!
• Start a piggy bank. Define a list of words that cannot be said during the shower (baby, diapers, bottles, pregnant, etc.). Every time someone is caught saying that word, they have to donate change into a piggy bank for the baby. (You may have to warn the guests ahead of time so they will bring change).
• Candy bars in a diaper. Melt several different candy bars and put the melted remains into diapers (1 candy bar in each diaper). Pass diapers around for inspection. Have guests try to determine what kind of candy bar each was. Most right wins.
• Buy-in is a bag of diapers. If dad is feeling left out, or if you're having a couples party, arrange a poker tournament for the men. Buy-in is a bag of diapers.
• Loaded purses win. Use the baby's name for this one (or nickname if the name hasn't been chosen yet). For each letter of the name, guests must find an item in their purse that starts with the same letter. Points are awarded for each item found. Example: L (for Lorelai) -- lipstick, lozenge, lighter, etc. etc. 1 point for each. O -- Orbit gum. R -- reading glasses, rolaids, etc. . . .