Fabulous Baby Shower Ideas

Fabulous Baby Shower Ideas

A baby shower is an extremely exciting get-together for the mum-to-be and it can be just as enjoyable to plan!

What's included in this article:

What is a Baby Shower?

A baby shower is an American tradition where the mum-to-be is ‘showered’ with gifts for the baby to come. Over recent years it has become more and more popular in the UK. Baby Showers are usually a get-together with close family and friends where you celebrate the life of the unborn baby. The baby shower is usually planned by one of the mum-to-be’s close friends or family members and will be held usually 4-6 weeks before the due date. This is so that mum-to-be is feeling comfortable in her pregnancy so that she can enjoy the whole experience.

What Baby Shower Venues Should You Think About?

You need to think about the mum-to-be when it comes to deciding on your baby shower venues. If you do that then you can’t go wrong with the venue. We would suggest you think about your budget, the number of people you are inviting and the weather before settling on a venue. Here are some popular baby shower venues:

At Home - either at the hosts or the mum-to-be’s home

Restaurant or Café - for her favourite lunch/dinner

Function Room - if you have a huge guest list and need more room

Outdoors - for the outdoor lover in the spring/summer months

Destination - a spa day or crafts experience

Office - if you’re work friends and have a space you can use

How to Plan a Baby Shower at Home?

Planning a baby shower at home has become extremely popular and is quite a stress-free and fun planning process to be a part of. A baby shower at home is sometimes perfect so that the mum-to-be is comfortable in her own or the host's home instead of being out in an organised venue. And anyone can plan a baby shower at home so long as it is planned correctly and you follow these simple steps:

Choose Your Date & Time - talk with the mum-to-be and decide on when would be best to have the baby shower

Determine the Guest List & Budget - you need the mum-to-be in mind, choose how many and put together a guest list, then decide on a budget

Send Out Invitations - now you know when it is and who’s going, send out your invitations either through post or make an event online

Pick a Theme - sometimes the easiest way to prepare would be by picking a theme and then planning everything accordingly

Plan Your Food & Décor - along with the theme you can then choose your food and the décor to go with it. Think the plates, cups, napkins etc.

Choose Props & Party Favours - do you want any balloons? Photo props? Party favours for each of the guests who come? These are the finishing touches

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What Are the Best Baby Shower Activities & Baby Shower Games to Include?

There are so many different baby shower activities and baby shower games around it can be hard trying to narrow it down to the best ones to include in your plans. So we thought we would make the whole process as easy as possible and put together a list of some of our favourite baby shower ideas. You could also check out our group activities to see if any take your fancy as some baby shower fun.

Top 10 Baby Shower Activities

1. Bunting Making

Pros - The perfect chance to get creative

Cons - You may not have a creative group at the baby shower

Bunting Making

If you are looking for something that will get you creative and make something of your own, then bunting making might be just the thing you’ve been looking for. Whether you want an organised bunting making experience where a professional comes to teach you tips and tricks to create it. If you want to DIY the experience, places like Hobbycraft have great supplies and advice to make your own.

2. Baby Grow Customisation

Pros - The mum-to-be has some new baby grows for the new baby

Cons - Some of the designs may be a little bit…unique

Baby Grow Customisation

Newborns always go through plenty of baby grows and what better way to make use of your time than by decorating your baby's grow? This way the mum-to-be will have some personalised baby grows that all her closest friends and family have created. You could do this with an organised baby grow customisation event or just by collecting all the equipment you need yourself.

3. Perfume Making

Pros - Relax and make your signature scent

Cons - Not great if you haven’t got the best judgement of smell

Perfume Making

See how well your nose works and create your signature scent with something like our own organised perfume making class. With this experience, you will have an expert with you teaching you about all the different blends before you choose which notes you want to create your scent. It’s the perfect addition if you are looking for a way to relax and unwind.

4. Baby Mobile Making

Pros - Making something the baby will use

Cons - Can be hard deciding what theme you want it to be

Baby Mobile Making

If the mum-to-be hasn’t yet got the bits and bobs she needs for her newborn baby a baby mobile making class like this may be perfect. It’s a great opportunity for you all to work together, get creative and leave the experience with a complete baby mobile that has been made by her nearest and dearest!

5. Mobile Afternoon Tea

Pros - A classic addition to any girly get together

Cons - You may eat one too many cakes

Mobile Afternoon Tea

Everyone loves tea, cakes and scones and what better time to add them into a get-together than with a baby shower? Out of all the baby shower ideas, this takes the biscuit! You could have an organised afternoon tea where experts come to you or create your own to suit all the girls. Buy sandwiches and make some delicious cakes for everyone.

6. Ceramic Painting

Pros - A therapeutic extra that lets you get creative

Cons - Keep away from any clumsy guests

Ceramic Painting

For bringing out your creative flare why not try out your own ceramic painting experience? Whether you are wanting to try out something a little more personalised or you are just looking for something different this will be great. You could also just buy your own white mugs, plates, bowls etc. and all the paints and make your activity out of this baby shower idea.

7. Chocolate Making

Pros - Tasty treat for everyone to enjoy

Cons - It may ruin a few diets

Chocolate Making

Chocolate is a girl’s best friend so when you’ve got all your nearest and dearest ladies around with you why not incorporate a tasty activity like this? You could have an organised event like our very own chocolate making and learn all the tips and tricks to some delicious chocolate from a professional. Or you could completely DIY the experience and try it out yourselves from scratch!

8. Baby Book Workshop

Pros - Make a memento for the mum-to-be and baby

Cons - Creating the book could cause a few paper cuts

Baby Book Workshop

This is a great DIY experience or you can enjoy an organised baby book workshop. All you need to do is put together some written messages and put them inside envelopes for the mum-to-be to open throughout her becoming a parent. It’s also a good idea to get a Polaroid camera to use throughout the day so you can put them in the baby book too.

9. Baby Quilt/Cushion Making

Pros - Keepsake to remember the baby shower by

Cons - Can potentially highlight your lack of sewing skills

Baby Quilt/Cushion Making

Choose a colour scheme and all get sewing! In between the rest of your baby shower ideas, it would be great if you all worked together and made a keepsake for the mum-to-be. Think of a bespoke patchwork blanket or cushion in squares. Each of your guests will be able to make their design and then they can all be put together into one massive piece for the baby.

10. Flower Crown Making

Pros - Can be reused on multiple occasions

Cons - May not suit everyone

Mobile Flower Crown Making

Bring out your inner boho girl with an experience like our own flower crown making. You could have the host of a professional tutor come to your venue and help you put together your flower crowns. Or you could get even more creative and do it all yourself! Either way, we are sure it will be an experience that everyone will enjoy.

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15 Baby Shower Games

1. Guess Who

You will need:

  • Baby photo of each guest
  • Numbered blank list for each guest
  • Pencils or pens

How to play:

When you invite everyone to the baby shower let them know to bring a baby photo of themselves too. Then when they arrive put all the baby photos in a box until it’s time to play the game. Later on, put all the pictures around the room with a number attached to each baby photo. Then all the guests have to write down on the numbered list who they think each of the baby photos is.

2. The Baby Bucket List

You will need:

  • Box
  • Pencils or pens
  • Card or paper

How to play:

Before or during the baby shower decorate a box and name it as the baby bucket list. Then ask each guest to write down different things that they hope will happen to the newborn baby in their lifetime. Then let the mum-to-be keep hold of the box until a certain point in the baby’s life until she gives it to them to have a read-through.

3. Blindfolded Nappy Changing

You will need:

  • Baby dolls
  • A pack of nappies
  • Blindfolds
  • Wipes

How to play:

Before the baby shower put some nappies on baby dolls ready for this game. Then get everyone in a row and give them each a baby and a blindfold. Then they each have to try and take off the nappy, wipe the baby doll and then put a new nappy onto the baby. Whoever does it the quickest and the best wins!

4. Name That Song

You will need:

  • Playlist
  • Speaker or phone
  • Scoring system

How to play:

Split the guests up into teams and play the playlist you have created full of songs with the word “babe” or “baby” in the title. You will play each song for a maximum of 30 seconds and it can only be played once. The teams have to then guess the song title and the artist who sings the song to earn the points.

5. Celebrity Babies

You will need:

  • Photos of babies of celebs
  • Pencils or pens
  • Pieces of paper

How to play:

Print out various images of different babies of celebrities and stick them around the room. Number each image of the baby on the wall. Then let all your guests walk around and see if they can write down who the celebrity mum is of the baby photographed. Double points if you know the name of the dad too!

6. Don't Let Your Water (Balloon) Break!

You will need:

  • Buckets
  • Water balloons
  • Start & finish lines

How to play:

Place one bucket full of water balloons at the start line and an empty bucket at the finish line. Split your guests up into 2 teams and taking in turns, each person must go from the start to the finish line with a water balloon held between their legs. If you burst a balloon you have to go back to the start and do it all again!

7. Big-Belly Twister

You will need:

  • Balloons
  • Twister

How to play:

This game is pretty simple, put a blown-up balloon underneath everyone’s tops and then get ready to play a classic game of twister! The game aims to complete the game of twister without popping your balloons. If your balloon pops you’re out of the game.

8. Baby Bingo

You will need:

  • Bingo cards
  • Pens or pencils

How to play:

Everyone loves a game of Bingo right? Hand each guest a Bingo card and a pen or pencil. This should be played as the mum-to-be is opening her gifts off everyone. If she opens something that is pictured on your bingo card, then you can cross it off. The first person to complete a row or column wins!

9. Baby Pool

You will need:

  • Paper
  • Pencils or pens
  • £1 each
  • Envelopes

How to play:

Each person at the baby shower will have to try and guess the exact date, time and weight of the baby that is due to be born soon. Once everyone has written down their predictions, put them in an envelope with their name on it and throw £1 in too! Whoever gets the closest for all three things wins the money once the baby is born!

10. Before They Were Famous

You will need:

  • Young celeb photos
  • Pencils or pens
  • Pieces of paper

How to play:

Get a variety of different photos of celebrities when they’re younger and print them out for the game. When it’s time to play stick them on the wall and number them all, then let all the guests go around and decide who they think each celebrity is.

11. Baby Name Maker

You will need:

  • Pencil or pens
  • Paper
  • Timer

How to play:

Give each guest a piece of paper and a pen or pencil and tell them to write down the names of the expecting parents, first and last names. Then set a timer for whatever time you decide and within that time you will have to see how many names you can put together for the baby using only the letters in the parent’s names!

12. Baby Animal Names

You will need:

  • List of animal’s baby names
  • Paper
  • Pens or pencils

How to play:

Get a list together of animals and the name that their young is called and write them down on a piece of paper. Then get your guests to work by themselves or split them up into teams. Let them work out what the names of 10-15 different animal babies are. It’s a great way to see who is the real animal lover.

13. Dirty Nappies

You will need:

  • Nappies
  • Chocolate
  • Pencils or pens
  • Paper

How to play:

Get together around 10 different bars of chocolate and melt them. Once they’re melted put them onto fresh nappies. Then pass them around to all of the guests so that they can smell and guess what type of chocolate has been put onto the nappies.

14. Toilet Paper Nappy Race

You will need:

  • Toilet paper
  • Cello tape
  • Timer

How to play:

Split up into teams of two people and give each team a roll of toilet paper and some cello tape. Then set a timer for two minutes and let them work their magic on making a nappy out of their equipment. One of them will be modelling the nappy and the other will be putting it together. At the end of the game, whichever team has the best nappy wins!

15. Guess Her Measurements

You will need:

  • Ball of string
  • Measuring tapes

How to play:

The only time when guessing a woman’s measurements isn’t rude! Using some string measure and cut out the length you think the circumference of the mum-to-be’s belly is. After you’ve all measured your string take it in turns to wrap it around her belly. Whoever is the closest wins and the mum-to-be can keep the string as a memory.

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Baby Shower Decorations & Accessory Ideas

Balloons

Balloons

Balloons always make a difference when it comes to decorating for a party or get-together. It will indicate what the event is and they make a great background for some baby shower pictures! If you look online, you will find so many amazing balloons that you could order. 

Oh Baby Foil Balloon - £11.88

Oh Baby Foil Balloon

White & Gold Balloon Arch - £17.99

White & Gold Balloon Arch

Confetti Baby Girl Balloons x5  - £3.55

Confetti Baby Girl Balloons x5

Boy or Girl Reveal Balloon - £5.09

Boy or Girl Reveal Balloon

Peter Rabbit Baby Balloon - £2.50

Peter Rabbit Baby Balloon

Personalised Baby Shower Balloon - £26.99

Personalised Baby Shower Balloon

Photo Props

There is no way you will be planning and going to a baby shower without taking a few photos to keep as memories. So picking up a few photo props to use to mark the celebration is always a good idea. Whether you want banners, Instagram signs etc. or you want to make your own photo props it’s always a good extra. There are some great photo props on Party Pieces.

Tableware

During the baby shower, we’re sure there will be some sort of food and drink options available for all your guests. So picking out some paper plates, cups and napkins will be perfect so that you don’t have loads of mess left for you at the end of the day. And there are so many themed tableware options for you to choose from. Like these from Party Packs.

Mother-to-Be Sash

Mother-to-be Sash

Although you will all know who the mother-to-be is at the baby shower, it’s always a nice touch to give her a sash so that she has some recognition and feels like the special person in the whole event. You can get all these sashes online but we love this one on Not on the High Street!

DIY Table Centrepieces

Although you could buy different table centrepieces for the baby shower it would be affordable and really fun to do your own DIY table centrepieces. You could get all the girls together before the big day and get creative. If you are looking for some ideas, the Cutest Baby Shower Ideas blog has a great piece on different centrepieces you can create.

Baby Shower Gift Bags

Gift Bags

If you are wanting to give out some gifts or favours to your guests to thank them for coming to your baby shower it would be a great idea to put together some baby shower gift bags. You could fill these with something small like sweets or toiletries. It’s just a small token to say thank you, Etsy has some great baby shower gift bag options.

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What Are the Best Baby Shower Gifts?

Baby Age Mat

Everyone loves taking photos of their newborn baby and what better prop for something like that than a baby age mat? This way every time they take a photo of their baby when they’re 1 week, 3 months, 2 years etc. they have this mat to use too!

Personalised Baby Grow

Babies live in baby grows so making this part of your baby shower gift is a great idea, especially with all the different ones you can get online. But if you are looking for a way to make this gift special you could get a personalised baby grow. Either add the baby’s name, if you know it or the baby’s surname. Not on the High Street sell a great personalised baby grow.

Cot Mobile

We’re sure there are a few things the mum-to-be won’t get until last minute or at least till after the baby shower. This is why a cot mobile would be a great purchase if you are wanting to spoil the new baby. There are so many amazing mobiles out there but if you are looking for a neutral one we love the lamb mobile from John Lewis.

Pamper Gift for New Mum

There is no denying that a new mum has to go through a lot to adjust to being a mum so what better baby shower gift than something she can use to pamper herself either before or after the baby arrives? This could be something as simple as a face mask or a full spa day that the two of you could go on.

Memory Book/Milestone Journal

Everything a baby does is incredible to new parents, their first smile, word, crawl, everything. And what better gift than a beautiful book or journal that they can document it all in to look back on? It’s something that most parents do with their babies so buying it for them would be a great idea.

Personalised Cutlery Set

Although they won’t be able to use it straight away, a personalised cutlery set would be a special present that the mum-to-be will love. Of course, this present is only a good idea if the mum-to-be has said what the newborn name is going to be. Otherwise, an ordinary cutlery set could also work for the occasion. For a personalised cutlery set we love the one sold on Prezzy Box.

Comforter/­Blanket

Usually, you will find most babies have a comforter or blanket that they can’t do without. What better present for the newborn than something that will comfort them? It’s always handy to have a few of these stocked up as a baby can be fussy about what type they like. The bunny comforter from John Lewis would be a perfect choice.

Bibs & Muslin Squares

There is nothing a new parent will appreciate more than new bibs & muslin squares because trust us when we say she will go through so many of them. It’s a thoughtful and useful gift that would be great to add to your main present of choice. We love the range that Asda stocks, you’ll find a pack suited to the mum-to-be and her baby.

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Who to Invite to the Baby Shower?

Close family members and friends should always be the first invited to the baby shower. But it is always a good idea to consult with the mum-to-be on who you are thinking to invite, just in case there are any friends or family that you haven’t thought about. It has also become a lot more popular to have a mixed baby shower where the dad-to-be and other close friends and family of the opposite sex are invited. After all, it's his baby too so if you want him to be a part of the occasion make sure you invite them all.

If you are looking for planning your baby shower, we have plenty of group activities that will be suited for the occasion. And we offer all our activities across 40 different group locations.

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