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65 Best Baby Shower Ideas, From Games to Food
Whether they're expecting a boy or a girl, or want a simple home party or a big affair, look to these party designs.
There are a few tried-and-true conversations people love to have when it comes to babies: coming up with baby names (that they like and dislike, of course), fawning over how adorable newborn clothes are (so tiny!) and — perhaps the most fun of all — talking about the baby shower. That’s because, unlike so many other, more anxiety-ridden aspects of welcoming a new addition to the family, the baby shower can be all joy and excitement.
And it’s in these talks that you, as the host, can get a sense of what the parent- or parents-to-be envision for their big day. Are they hoping for a big party, with catered food and professional décor? Is a more rustic setting up their alley? Do they already have a theme in mind — or a must-play game?
Whichever route they want to take, there are plenty of options to throw an amazing baby shower—in exactly the way the works best for the guest or guests of honor. Here you’ll find inspirational and fun baby shower ideas for 2023 for all kinds of parties, themes and sizes, with food, favors, games décor and invitation ideas as well. Scroll through this list to get some ideas, consider running them by the parent- or parents-to-be, and then enjoy some prepping, baking and arranging.
Looking for more great ideas to welcome a new baby? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:
The Best Baby Shower Gifts | Great Baby Shower Guest Outfits | Best Push Present Ideas
DIY Ice Cream Bar
Has the parent-to-be been having midnight ice cream cravings? Go all in on it with an indulgent — and pretty! — ice cream bar, like the one pictured here.
Charcuterie Cups
For an app that looks fancy but is also super simple to pull off, try these charcuterie cups, which you can place on your food table or individually at each guest’s seat. Also great? You can tailor the cups to fit a variety of themes, like using only candy or breakfast items.
Bath Bomb Rattles
Go the adorable and useful route with these baby rattle bath bombs favors, which can be made using a Cricut and a few other simple supplies, like a glue gun and bath bombs — in whatever color best matches your theme, of course!
Book Character Activity
Have fond memories of reading Clifford and Winnie-the-Pooh as a kid? Then why not quiz your guests’ on the names of these and many other cherished characters in this “storybook guess who game” that comes together with just a few standard supplies.
Colorful Cake Pops
We love a good “ready to pop”-themed shower, but for a fun twist, consider the “pop by and celebrate” take they went with here for an all-day fête where guests came and went as they pleased. You can pair it with other "pop"-themed items, like popcorn and popsicles.
Fur Heart Décor
Faux fur, which comes in tons of different colors, takes center stage in this sweet and standout heart. As shown in this post, it can be hung as is, framed or even mounted on a wooden background for a more rustic feel.
Mulling Spices Favor
While these charming little jars of mulling spices were designed for Thanksgiving, they’d also make a fun favor for a fall-themed baby shower — or simply one being held in the latter half of the year. Bonus: You can make them yourself in just five quick steps.
Sunflower Kissing Balls
Here’s some inspo for a “you are my sunshine” themed-shower! The secret to creating these adorable “sunflower kissing balls?” Yellow whiffle balls. (Really!) And if you’re hosting your party at a venue and can’t hang them, you can also simply display them on a dessert table or even use them as centerpieces.
DIY Headband Activity
For a twist on the typical "decorate-your-own-bodysuit" activity, consider making headbands instead. All you have to do is put out some ribbons, glue and other accessories and let your guests do their thing. At this shower, the person who made the design the guest-of-honor liked best was awarded a prize.
Itsy Bitsy Spider — and Friends
Sure, your guests might still know all the words to Itsy Bitsy Spider or London Bridge—but can they decode the title of the nursery rhyme when it’s spelled out in … emojis? See if they can with this interactive activity.
Hand-Painted Desserts
These gorgeous, hand-painted sugar cookies would look as good on a baby shower dessert table as they would wrapped and given out as favors. And the best part is, though they look hard to make, they come together in just a few steps — and can, of course, be coordinated with your color scheme.
Set Sail
The many sweet touches — a rope ball, blue-white-and-red color scheme, Cricut-made sailboat décor — help bring this nautical themed baby shower together.
Paint the World Pink Theme
While this “Paint the World Pink” party wasn’t created specifically for a baby shower, leaning into this one-color theme — and its décor, like a hand-painted globe — will definitely add some wow factor to your fête.
Library-Theme Invite
Channel the vibe of an old-school card catalog with this cute and creative invite, made specifically for a “book-themed” baby shower. Add in a slew of other touches, like bookmark favors, to really make it feel complete.
Wooden Bead Wreath
Looking for a pretty piece of décor to welcome guests to an at-home baby shower — that the parents-to-be can then repurpose in the baby’s nursery? This wooden bead wreath is quick to come together — less than 30 minutes, they say! — and you can choose the color and type of faux flowers you use.
Umbrella Décor
Another fun idea for an “April Showers”-themed fête? These cute paper umbrellas, which are made using paper, air dry clay, wire and a few other materials.
Monogram Décor
This floral monogram letter, created using a Cricut, felt for the flowers and other easy-to-get supplies, can be customized to fit your color scheme and would look great on a dessert table or at the entrance to the shower.
Little Lumberjack Theme
Break out the buffalo plaid for this sweet lumberjack-themed baby shower, and then use it as inspo for your own dessert table, complete with on-theme cupcakes, cookies and easy-to-incorporate details. It works for a winter shower, or for anyone who loves those woodland vibes.
Pie Bar
You’ve done the cake table already, so why not try a pie bar, perfect for a Little Pumpkin-themed baby shower — or really, any shower that calls for a delicious (and creative!) dessert table, complete with colorful pie stands.
Baby Photo Game
A hoop wreath and a few baby pictures of the parents-to-be are the basis for this adorable DIY Hoop Wreath Baby Guessing Game. Who will the baby look like?
Marisa Iallonardo is a writer, editor, and communications pro covering health, parenting, lifestyle, and more.
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