Being a working mom, I know just how overwhelming life can get, especially when you’re trying to juggle a full-time job, household responsibilities, and now—planning a baby shower! When I was expecting my son, I wanted to make sure the baby shower was a special, memorable occasion for both me and my guests, but I also knew that my time and energy were limited. Between work, parenting, and just trying to stay sane, I had to be strategic about what I could realistically pull off. The good news? You can host a fun and relaxed baby shower games with a little planning, and it doesn’t have to drain you.
1. Diaper Changing Relay
How it works:
For this game, you’ll need baby dolls and diapers. Divide your guests into teams and have each team race to change the diaper on a doll as quickly and accurately as possible. To add a challenge, you could make it a timed event and give a prize to the fastest team. The twist? They have to do it blindfolded.
2. Baby Bottle Relay
How it works:
For this simple game, you’ll need baby bottles filled with water, juice, or soda. Each guest must “drink” from the bottle as quickly as possible, but the catch is they can’t use their hands. This one is sure to get everyone giggling as they try to figure out how to hold the bottle and drink it without spilling!
Why it’s great for busy moms:
This game requires minimal setup and is sure to get people laughing and bonding over a shared experience. Plus, you can take a break from the organizing and let the guests have a blast.
Tip for success:
To keep things light, remind guests that no one is really trying to “win” but just having fun. If you’re feeling extra crafty, decorate the bottles to match the theme of your shower.
3. Baby Food Tasting Challenge
How it works:
This one can be a hilarious hit. Set up a table with a variety of baby food jars (without labeling them). Your guests will have to taste each one and try to guess what flavor it is. Some flavors are obvious, but others may have them guessing for a while!
Why it’s great for busy moms:
This is an interactive game that’s low-maintenance for you to set up. Plus, it’s an excellent way to introduce your guests to the world of baby food (something many new moms feel totally unprepared for).
4. Baby Bingo
How it works:
Everyone loves Bingo, right? It’s simple and engaging. For this baby shower twist, create Bingo cards with baby-related items (e.g., diaper bag, onesie, pacifier, etc.). As guests open their gifts, they can mark off the corresponding squares. The first one to get Bingo wins a small prize.
Why it’s great for busy moms:
This is a low-stress, self-running game. As the gifts are opened, guests stay engaged, and the game is easily adapted to the flow of your party. This also allows you to focus on the celebration and let your guests have fun.
Tip for success:
Make sure to offer fun prizes—whether it’s a small bottle of wine, a cute baby onesie, or a relaxing candle. This keeps the energy upbeat and the game competitive but friendly.
5. Baby Predictions and Advice Cards
How it works:
This is a thoughtful and sentimental activity. Provide guests with cards where they can write down their predictions for the baby’s birth date, weight, and gender (if you’re not doing a gender reveal). There should also be a section for “Best Parenting Advice.” You can collect these cards and read them aloud at the end of the party or save them for later.
Why it’s great for busy moms:
This activity doesn’t require a lot of setup, and it gives you something to look back on as your baby grows. It’s a way for your loved ones to share their wisdom with you, which can be incredibly comforting when you’re in the throes of new motherhood.
Tip for success:
Set up a cute station with pens and advice cards near the entrance. It can be a nice icebreaker for guests as they arrive, and they can fill out the cards when they have a moment throughout the shower.
6. Who Knows Mommy Best?
How it works:
This is a fun trivia game where you ask guests questions about the mom-to-be (that’s you!). For example, “What’s Zara’s favorite pregnancy craving?” or “What’s the baby’s name going to be?” The person who answers the most questions correctly wins a prize.
Why it’s great for busy moms:
Not only does it make your guests feel involved, but it also gives you the chance to share fun and personal facts about your pregnancy journey. It’s a lovely way to engage everyone while you take a breather.
Tip for success:
Ask some unexpected or funny questions to make it more entertaining. For example, “What’s Zara’s go-to method for calming down a crying baby?”
7. Pin the Pacifier on the Baby
How it works:
This is a playful spin on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” game. Create a large poster of a baby, and blindfold the guests. They have to pin a paper pacifier onto the baby’s mouth while being spun around.
Why it’s great for busy moms:
It’s super easy to set up and doesn’t require much effort from you. Plus, it gets everyone laughing and enjoying the silliness of the moment.
8. Baby Sock Sorting
How it works:
To play this game, you’ll need a bunch of baby socks (preferably in different colors and sizes). Mix them all up and have guests race to sort them by color or size. The first person to finish gets a prize!
Why it’s great for busy moms:
This is a great game because it’s simple and reminds you of one of the most common and mundane tasks of new motherhood—sorting baby socks! It’s lighthearted and gives your guests a tiny taste of what it’s like to be knee-deep in baby laundry.
Tip for success:
You can ask a friend to organize the socks beforehand. This will save you time and allow you to focus on other aspects of the baby shower.
9. Guess the Baby’s Birth Stats
How it works:
Ask each guest to write down their guesses for the baby’s birth date, weight, and length. After the baby is born, you can compare the predictions with the actual stats and announce the winner.
Why it’s great for busy moms:
This is a low-effort, long-term game. You don’t have to worry about it while you’re hosting the shower, and it gives everyone something to look forward to after the big day.
Tip for success:
Keep the predictions in a safe place so you can easily check them after the baby is born. It’s fun to see how close (or far off!) people were with their guesses.
10. Baby Shower Pictionary
How it works:
In this game, guests take turns drawing baby-related words or phrases for their team to guess. You can use a whiteboard or large sheets of paper to make it more interactive.
Why it’s great for busy moms:
This game is super fun, interactive, and doesn’t require a lot of time to prepare. Plus, it’s one of those games where everyone gets involved and laughs together, which is exactly what you want during a celebration!
Tip for success:
Have a list of words or phrases prepared in advance. You can even tailor it to include inside jokes or references to your pregnancy journey to make it extra personal.
Conclusion: You’re Doing Great, Mama!
Planning a baby shower as a working mom is no easy feat, but I promise you it’s worth it. By choosing games that are simple, fun, and manageable, you can create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and joyful without overwhelming yourself. In the end, it’s not about perfection—it’s about celebrating this exciting new chapter with the people who love you.
So, take a deep breath, enjoy the little moments, and know that you’re doing an amazing job. Motherhood is a journey, and as you celebrate the arrival of your little one, remember that you don’t have to do it all—just doing your best is enough. And trust me, your best is more than enough.
I’m Zara Michell
