Hosting a baby shower but not sure how to get your guests going? Instead of relying on Bingo or a standard baby pool, try one these unconventional (but fun!) baby shower games!
The Name Game
Help out mom and dad by giving them a few new baby name suggestions-or at the very least, give them few laughs. Pass out blank gift tags to guests as they arrive and challenge them to come up with the most outrageous baby name they can imagine-then stick it on their gift. When it comes time to open the prezzies, mom-to-be can read the suggested name aloud to see what the crowd thinks.
Gestational Games
By Kim Moreau
Hosting a baby shower but not sure how to get your guests going? Instead of relying on Bingo or a standard baby pool, try one these unconventional (but fun!) baby shower games!
The Name Game
Help out mom and dad by giving them a few new baby name suggestions-or at the very least, give them few laughs. Pass out blank gift tags to guests as they arrive and challenge them to come up with the most outrageous baby name they can imagine-then stick it on their gift. When it comes time to open the prezzies, mom-to-be can read the suggested name aloud to see what the crowd thinks.
www.flickr.com/photos/craftapalooza/150958157/
Taster's Choice
Sure your guests may know their shiraz from their merlot, but are they up to telling the difference between pureed Chicken Noodle and pulverized Turkey Dinner baby food? Put their taste buds to the test by letting invitees sample delicacies the soon-to-be born will be eating. Assemble various jars without the labels-the crazier the flavor the better-and have guests decide what the mush is meant to be.
www.flickr.com/photos/rachelpasch/2925398842/
Easy as ABC
Create a custom gift for mom and baby by designing flash cards to help the tyke learn to read. Stamp 26 plain index cards with each letter of the alphabet and have guests sketch a picture to go with their letter. (A is for Airplane, B is for Bee, etc.) Provide plenty of crayons and colored pencils and backup cards in case someone makes a huge mistake. Then put all the finished cards in a photo album for the family to use when reading time begins.
www.flickr.com/photos/spinjenny/1316357919/
Diaper Do-Right
There are many skills involved in parenting but none is as necessary as being able to quickly change a baby. To ensure that mom-to-be and guests are up to task, create a changing challenge by making everyone diaper an inflated balloon using cloth diapers and big diaper pins. Feeling adventurous? Have guests give it a whirl blindfolded.
www.flickr.com/photos/naturalmom/2559043647/
Who's Your Baby Mama?
Test your guests' celeb knowledge-or just their deciphering skills-by making them match photos of celebrity offspring with their famous parent. Print out photos from the web of the tykes as well as other images of their possible parents (or snag them from a gossip magazine) and then make copies for all the invitees. The person who gets the most matches wins.
www.flickr.com/photos/mirka23/34952065/
Word Play
Try a special baby shower version of the party game Categories. Arrange guests in a circle then go around having them chime in with words that have something to do with having a baby such as Bottle for the letter B, Epidural for the letter E, Wine for the letter W (as in the wine the mom will be drinking as soon as she stops nursing). Encourage people to get creative and you'll be sure to get cracking up.
www.flickr.com/photos/zetson/3758193625/
Here Comes Baby
Let everyone take home her own low-maintenance newborn by playing this quirky shower game. First buy inexpensive tiny plastic babies (like the ones that are used in King Cake's, less than $3 for a dozen online at mardigrasoutlet.com). The day before your shindig, drop babies into individual squares in an ice cube tray, add water and freeze. Once it's time to play, give guests cups of lukewarm, the ice-cube baby and a spoon. The first one to free their baby from the ice wins.
