Baby Shower Games: The Good, the Bad and the Ugh!
Games can make or break a shower. The best can break the ice and liven up the party. The worst can bore and embarrass. So, how can you avoid this?
A little research...
First, list the showers you've been to and the games you remember. Which did you like and dislike? Ask a few other gals to do the same. Don't ask the mom-to-be because you'll want to keep the games a surprise. Now, check out which ones were played most often. Chances are everyone has played these games many times. They're probably pretty sick of them. Avoid these overly popular games, unless you think no one minds playing them again and again. Baby Bingo again? No thanks!
The Mom-to-be
Take into account her personality. If the mom-to-be is outgoing and loves the spotlight, find games that will make her the center of attention. A shy mom-to-be? Choose ones that will put the focus on the guests instead of the mom-to-be. Ask the mom-to-be for her opinion without giving away the surprise. Avoid measuring the mom's girth unless you're totally sure that she'll be fine with it. Some moms-to-be are uncomfortable with this embarrassing tradition.
The Guest List
Lots of new moms? They'll be pros at any games that have to do with motherhood- diapering the baby or guessing the function of a baby item. If most of the guests don't have kids, avoid games where guests give parenting advice...they'll be at a loss for words. If the guests are already acquainted you don't need to play icebreakers. No one wants to play a name game when they know everyone in the room.
The Number of Guests
If it's a large shower, avoid games where every guest shares their thoughts/feelings/best wishes. That could take hours if you have 30 guests! Many guests won't know each other at a larger party, so plan an icebreaker like where guests are split into small groups. With smaller parties, you have more time for each guest to be in the spotlight and share their best wishes for the mom-to-be.
The Theme
A way to spice up shower games is to play up the theme. Match baby animals to their moms at a Noah's Ark theme party. Name the constellations at a celestial-themed party.
Timing is Everything!
Guests want time to visit, so don't have games take up the entire shower. Plan for about 3 games, but be prepared to ditch one if you run out of time. One 20-minute game and two 5-10 minute games will fit into most schedules. Decide the best time to play the games. Play one game at the beginning of the shower to break the ice. That way, guests can enjoy meeting each other.
Ummm?Poop Happens
Sure, we all know what babies do. But, does anyone want to be passing around "dirty" diapers full of peanut butter after enjoying a lovely lunch? Probably not.
Memories!
Sometimes what's missing from shower games is the reason the guests came in the first place?to celebrate the mom-to-be! Creating keepsakes personalize the party. Consider a "game" where the end result is a memento especially for the mom-to-be. What about having each guest create a scrapbook page? A memory book, scrapbook, or hand-painted onesies are just a few ideas.
There are thousands of resources online for baby game ideas. Now, you can choose games that will have your guests wanting more instead of wanting to leave.
Amy Dilling is the founder and owner of Perfect Parties to Go! selling complete baby and bridal showers in a box.
MORE RESOURCES:
Police investigating injured baby taken to McKeesport ER Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PA - Allegheny County police are investigating after a couple took an injured toddler to UPMC McKeesport yesterday. The parents said their son fell down the ... |
Kids' rooms that will grow with them Chicago Tribune, United States - By Judith Crown | AP Jennifer Cohen wishes she had had the sense to think about the cents she was lavishing on decorations for her baby daughter's bedroom. ... |
Wichita mom arrested for leaving baby in car Kansas City Star, MO - The mother of a toddler who went briefly missing when the family's car was stolen was arrested late Friday on charges of child endangerment and released ... |
Tom Germond I’ll keep running until it kills me Tampa Bay Newspapers, FL - By TOM GERMOND On a cool evening, as I was jogging on the sidewalk along Vonn Road, a woman and her two children were walking toward me. ... |
The Parent Company Receives Nasdaq Delisting Notice PR-USA.net (press release), Bulgaria - Through its baby business, the company is a leading online retailer of brand-name baby, toddler and maternity products sold through the BabyUniverse.com and ... |
Injured baby in critical condition TVNZ, New Zealand - A 15-month-old toddler with serious injuries is in a critical condition in Starship Hospital in Auckland. Police are investigating the cause of the injuries ... |
Baby Jaheim was beaten, says autopsy Trinidad & Tobago Express, Trinidad and Tobago - A FRACTURED skull and blunt force trauma to his head, killed two-year-old Jaheim Roberts, an autopsy performed on the toddler revealed yesterday. ... |
Children's programs begin soon at library branches Niagara Falls Review, Canada - Register soon for affordable winter children's programs that begin Jan. 5 at all four branches of the Niagara Falls Public Library. ... |
The Parent Company Voluntarily Petitions for Reorganization ... Reuters - Through its baby business, the company is a leading online retailer of brand-name baby, toddler and maternity products sold through the BabyUniverse.com and ... The Parent Company Voluntarily Petitions for Reorganization ... |
Community to come together for tragic Baby P Wigan Today, UK - Balloons will be released in memory of the toddler, who suffered appalling abuse at the hands of his mother and two other people, which eventually led to ... |
|
RELATED SITES Apply Online for Credit Card. Bad Credit, No Credit, No Problem.
Planning a wedding day soon? Everything you need for a beautiful and memorable wedding day
|
Baby Names - Choosing Trendy or Traditional
Lists of baby names are always fun to look at, whether you're seeking a name for your soon-to-be-born baby boy or baby girl, wondering about the popularity of your own first name, or just curious about what baby names are currently hot.What I find particularly interesting is tracking the popularity of baby names over the decades.
Why You Need to Teach Your Baby How To Swim
Many parents are discovering the art of teaching their baby to swim. Not only is it fun for your baby to swim, bond with you, and play with other babies, it is a great way for you to interact with other parents as well.
How To Choose a Baby Formula
Breast milk is the most natural food for your baby, but if you can't breastfeed, or have chosen not to, then learning how to choose a baby formula is relatively simple.You might try asking the pediatrician you have chosen to care for your baby, before the actual birth.
Playing With Food Words: Teaching Mindfulness to Preschoolers
The most powerful way to instill a love for language and an awareness of health in young children is to help them use specific words as cues for mindfulness. Mindfulness is simply paying attention, noticing new things, drawing distinctions, and shifting perspectives.
Baby Shower for Second Baby
Having a shower for second baby used to be considered greedy and unacceptable. But now it is not only acceptable, but it is actually necessary for some families to have a baby shower for second baby.
Baby Strollers - Frequently Asked Questions
Baby Strollers are one of the major purchases you will make for your baby. There are different types of strollers and in each category there are a variety of models.
Using Music To Calm Your Baby
Music is a wonderful way for you to calm and soothe your baby, especially during the first year. How many times have your heard parents say that there was nothing that they could do with their crying, fussing baby until they tried music.
Baby Acne
One of the most common conditions a new mother may see on her infant, is baby acne. But while it is startling in so young a child, it's really not a serious issue, nor should you be overly concerned about the causes or cures.
How to Meet the Dietary Needs of Babies - Health, Palate, and Lifestyle
More and more studies are proving that food has a large impact on our overall health and may even determine which diseases and ailments we will get later in life. The more we are aware of the importance of our food choices the earlier we can teach and protect our children.
Babys First Days at Home
The moment that you have waited for has finally arrived: the day you bring your newborn baby home from the hospital. Like all other expectant parents you will have spent the last nine months preparing for this day.
Is It Colic, Infant Reflux, Or GERD? Learn How To Tell The Difference
It can sometimes be difficult for a parent to understand whether the baby has colic or reflux (and even GERD) since some of the symptoms (eg. poor sleep, constant crying) can be similiar.
How to Pick the Best Name for Your Baby
Expectant parents spend hours preparing the nursery, poring over pregnancy and delivery books and going to childbirth classes. Yet surprisingly, many decide their child's given name within a matter of minutes, often spending more time selecting the right car seat or stroller.
Bye-Bye Bottle
It's finally time. My child is old enough to be drinking from a cup; a sippy, if not an open-mouthed one.
Baby's First Year - What to Expect
As a new Mom, you are probably wondering about many things: how will he react to his new surroundings? when will she sleep for more than 2 hours? what can I expect in the following year? an so many other questions..
Should a Toddler Wear Pull-Ups While Potty Training
As a parent, you've learned a lot while your child moved from being an infant, to crawling, to the mobile stage of an active toddler. Now that they are older, and able to understand simple directions and associations, you're working towards the goal of "no more diapers".
Theory of Child Cognitive Development
Jean Piaget has allowed us many insights into child cognitive development and his valuable research made great inroads concerning brain functioning in general. According to Piaget and his theories on child cognitive development, children are born with a great desire to interact with and understand the world around them.
Young Child Games-But When Do I Stop Playing Baby Games, You Ask?
As a baby matures and starts to show the first signs of independence the games that you play will change dramatically. The turning point comes as he progresses from crawling to walking.
Baby Shower Game Distraction
The best baby games for baby showers to entertain all of your guests and let the mother-to-be benefit from the experience of others. Your baby shower then will become more than a party.
Baby Crib Safety - Frequently Asked Questions
The crib is where your baby will spend a lot of their time and you want to be sure they are safe. Below are some of the questions (with the answers) that are asked about crib safety.
Baby Expense: What To Do When Baby
As you probably know, baby expense should be high on your list of things to plan for, before the baby comes. There is no cheap way to have and raise a baby: it takes sweat, work, lots of cash, patience, and more to have a happy, healthy baby.