How Many Games Should Be Played at a Baby Shower? A Fun Guide for an Unforgettable Celebration

Planning a baby shower is exciting, but also comes with questions: What theme to choose? What food to serve? And, importantly, how many baby shower games should you play? If you’re a soon-to-be mom, a best friend, or a family member planning the celebration, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will help you find the perfect number of games to ensure a fun, relaxed atmosphere while keeping everyone engaged.

What’s the Right Number of Baby Shower Games?

Baby showers can be tricky to plan because you want a good balance between fun activities and time for guests to mingle. So, how many games should be played at a baby shower? Generally, the sweet spot is 4 to 6 games. Any more than that, and it could feel overwhelming; any fewer, and guests may lose interest.

Why 4 to 6 Games Work Best

The magic number of 4 to 6 baby shower games works for several reasons:

• Time Management: A typical baby shower lasts about 2-3 hours, and you want to leave time for guests to eat, chat, and, of course, open gifts. Each game usually takes around 10-20 minutes, so playing four to six games will fit comfortably into your schedule.
• Guest Engagement: This range ensures that everyone stays entertained without feeling bombarded with activities. You want to keep the energy high but not exhaust your guests.
• Variety: Playing more than four games allows you to incorporate different styles. You can have a mix of interactive games, like guessing the baby’s birthdate, and low-key games, like baby shower bingo.

Breaking It Down: A Typical Baby Shower Timeline

To make your baby shower run smoothly, a timeline will help. Let’s assume your baby shower is 3 hours long. Here’s a general breakdown:

• Arrival and Mingling (30 minutes): Guests arrive, grab a drink, and start chatting. No pressure yet, just letting everyone settle in.
• First Game (15 minutes): Kick things off with a light, easy game that breaks the ice. Something like “Guess the Baby Food” or “Baby Name Race” works well here.
• Second Game (15 minutes): Now that guests are warmed up, it’s time for something a bit more interactive. Try a game like “Who Knows Mommy Best?” This engages guests in a fun, personal way.
• Eat and Chat (30-40 minutes): This is when food is served. Let everyone enjoy the snacks, talk, and relax. A little downtime before more games is perfect.
• Third Game (15 minutes): After the meal, you can bring everyone back together for a game that doesn’t require much physical movement. A trivia game about baby facts, or “Baby Bingo,” works well here.
• Fourth Game (optional, 15 minutes): If you still have time and the guests are up for it, play one more quick game before wrapping up. “Diaper Derby” or “Baby Charades” can provide some light-hearted fun to finish the day.
• Gift Opening (30-45 minutes): This is a key moment of the baby shower, and many guests look forward to it. Make sure to leave plenty of time for the mom to be to open their baby shower gifts

How to Choose the Best Baby Shower Games

With so many baby shower games to choose from, how do you decide which ones are best for your group? Here’s a checklist to help:

• Consider the Audience: Some guests might prefer relaxed games, while others enjoy a challenge. Tailor your game choices based on who’s attending. For example, if your crowd includes lots of moms, a “Baby Advice” game can get them sharing funny or heartwarming stories. If it’s mostly friends, something light-hearted and funny, like “Dirty Diaper Surprise,” could be perfect.
• Think About Your Venue: If you’re in a small indoor space, games that require a lot of moving around may not work. In that case, opt for seated games or ones that require minimal movement.
• Align with Your Theme: Baby shower games can reflect your shower theme! Hosting a jungle-themed shower? Include games that fit, like “Pin the Tail on the Monkey.” For a teddy bear-themed shower, you could play “Name That Bear.”

Popular Baby Shower Games to Consider

Here are a few fan-favorite baby shower games that are sure to get guests smiling:

• Guess the Baby Food: Blindfold guests and have them taste-test different baby foods. This game always leads to funny moments as people try to guess flavors.
• Baby Bingo: Create bingo cards with common baby-related items or gift ideas. Guests can mark off items as they see them during the gift opening.
• Diaper Derby: This is a fun race where guests compete to “diaper” a baby doll in the fastest time. Hilarity ensues!
• Who Knows Mommy Best? Ask the soon-to-be mom a series of questions beforehand, and see how well her friends and family know her by having them guess the answers.
• Baby Name Scramble: Create a list of scrambled baby names and see who can figure out the most in a limited time.

Tips for Hosting the Best Baby Shower Games

• Keep It Light: Baby showers are supposed to be fun and relaxed. Don’t make the games too intense or competitive, or guests might feel pressured.
• Prizes Add a Fun Touch: Consider small, cute prizes for the winners, like candles, bath bombs, or even mini succulents. People love winning little rewards!
• Don’t Forget to Delegate: Have a friend or family member help run the games so you can focus on enjoying the day.

A Balanced Baby Shower: The Perfect Mix of Fun and Relaxation

By planning the right number of baby shower games, you’ll strike the perfect balance of fun and downtime for your guests. Remember, the goal of the baby shower is to celebrate the mom-to-be and make her feel loved, while giving guests a fun experience. Too many games can feel overwhelming, and too few can leave things feeling flat. Stick to the 4-6 game rule, and you’ll have a baby shower everyone will enjoy.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning for a small, intimate gathering or a big baby shower bash, choosing the right number of games and keeping the flow of the event in mind will make all the difference. It’s all about striking the right balance—making sure there’s enough to do, but not too much that guests feel rushed.

If you’re still unsure of what games to include or need inspiration, take a look at our free baby shower games and ideas to get started. You can also check out our premium baby shower game bundles if you want a little extra flair for your celebration.

After all, a baby shower is a special moment to celebrate a new life on the way. Make it one to remember with the right mix of fun, games, and relaxation.