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How to Make Printable Baby Shower Games at Home

Published and maintained by the Forever Lily editorial team

Making your own printable baby shower game is easiest when you treat it as a small, practical project: choose one outcome, write the rules, design the player sheet, create an answer key where needed, and test the complete game before printing copies.

This page is about creating a game from scratch. For finished downloads, use our six free printable baby shower games. For paper weights and printer settings, see what paper to use for printable baby shower games.

Printable or digital baby shower games?

A printable PDF is a digital download, but it is normally designed to be played on paper. A screen-based game is played on a device or through a shared call. Check the format before choosing a file.

  • Choose printed sheets for an in-person, screen-free gathering or handwritten keepsakes. Budget for paper and ink, test one copy and print spares for extra guests.
  • Choose screen-based play when guests are joining remotely or the activity needs shared audio or pictures. Test the link, device compatibility and connection beforehand; do not assume every guest has a suitable phone or account.
  • Use a mixed approach by reading the same questions aloud to everyone and accepting answers on paper or verbally. Offer an offline alternative if a device fails.

A PDF is not necessarily editable or suitable for answering on a phone. Keep your original design file if you want to change it, and check the terms before adapting someone else's template. Neither format suits every guest: ask about access needs and keep participation optional.

Step 1: Choose one clear game format

Start with the action you want every guest to take. A printable works best when the instruction can be explained in one or two sentences.

  • Quiz: guests answer the same set of questions and receive one point per correct answer.
  • Prediction card: guests record guesses and advice for the parents-to-be.
  • Word game: guests unscramble, match or list words within a time limit.
  • Bingo: guests mark a grid as events, words or gifts appear.
  • Voting sheet: guests choose favourites, captions or likely answers and the host announces the result.

Avoid combining several different mechanics on one page. A focused sheet is faster to explain and easier to score.

Step 2: Write the rules before designing

Draft the host instructions in plain text first. Include:

  1. what each guest receives;
  2. what they must do;
  3. how long they have;
  4. how answers are scored;
  5. how ties are handled; and
  6. what the host needs to prepare in advance.

For example: “Give every guest one word-scramble sheet and a pen. Allow five minutes. Award one point for each correct word. If two guests tie, use the first correct answer to the bonus question.” That is specific enough for another person to host without guessing.

Step 3: Build the player sheet

Use an A4 page and work from top to bottom. A reliable structure is:

  • a short game title;
  • one sentence explaining what to do;
  • the questions, prompts or grid;
  • clearly marked answer spaces;
  • the time limit, if there is one; and
  • a small name or team field.

Keep decorative elements around the edges rather than behind the writing area. Leave a safe margin so home printers do not crop important text.

Step 4: Create the answer key and host copy

Quizzes, matching games and word puzzles need a separate answer key. Use the same question order as the guest sheet and label the page “Host answer key”. Add pronunciation notes or acceptable alternative answers where a question could be interpreted in more than one way.

Prediction and advice cards do not need correct answers, but the host copy should still explain when cards are collected and whether they will be read aloud or kept for the parents-to-be.

Step 5: Make the design readable

Guests should be able to understand the sheet at a glance. Use one or two easy-to-read typefaces, strong contrast and a consistent heading style. Keep body text comfortably sized and allow more writing space than you think guests will need.

  • Do not use colour alone to distinguish instructions or teams.
  • Avoid long passages in all capital letters.
  • Keep important rules on the same page as the activity.
  • Use simple icons only when their meaning is also clear from text.
  • Check that names, family arrangements and prompts suit the parents-to-be.

Step 6: Export a print-ready file

Save a working copy that you can edit, then export a PDF for printing. Confirm the PDF uses A4 pages, displays the correct fonts and includes every answer key. Open the exported file on a second device if possible; this catches missing fonts, shifted text and accidental blank pages.

Step 7: Run a host-proof test

Give one test copy to somebody who did not help create the game. Ask them to explain the rules back to you and complete the sheet without extra guidance. Note every place where they hesitate. Revise unclear wording, crowded answer spaces and questions with more than one reasonable answer.

Step 8: Print and prepare the packs

Print one final proof before producing the full quantity. Our paper and printer guide explains suitable weights, finishes and settings. Prepare one player sheet and pen per guest, plus a few spares. Keep host instructions and answer keys in a separate labelled folder.

Making baby shower word searches, crosswords and scrambles

Choose eight to twelve familiar words and prepare an answer key before designing the sheet. For a baby theme, try nappy, bottle, bib, pram, muslin, teddy, blanket and sleepsuit. A jungle theme could use elephant, monkey and tiger; a garden theme could use rose, butterfly and ladybird.

  • Word search: place the words in a letter grid, fill the gaps and list the words guests must find. State whether words can run backwards or diagonally. Mark every solution on your host copy.
  • Crossword: write one unambiguous clue per answer, build the crossing words, and check that every shared letter agrees. Give the letter count for each clue and avoid private family facts guests cannot reasonably know.
  • Word scramble: rearrange each word's letters, leaving one answer line beside it. Check that no letter is missing or duplicated. For a ready-made option, download our free Baby Shower Word Scramble.

Test the puzzle with someone new to it. Start with a five-to-ten-minute round, allow pairs and remove the timer if preferred. Award one point per correct answer, with tied winners welcome. Print a larger version where needed; avoid assuming every guest can comfortably read a small letter grid.

A simple printable-game planning template

  • Game name:
  • Purpose: quiz, prediction, word game, bingo or vote.
  • Number of players:
  • Time allowed:
  • Materials:
  • Guest instruction:
  • Scoring:
  • Tie-break:
  • Host preparation:
  • Answer key required: yes or no.

Prefer a finished game?

Use the free printable game hub for six ready-to-play options. If you want coordinated printed cards delivered to you, see the Baby Shower Games Bundle.

Back to Baby Shower Games