Posted: April 30, 2006
You’ve gathered a special group of family and friends to celebrate the mother-to-be or parents-to-be and the new baby. This group of people will be there to support the new parents, and celebrate future milestones. Games can be used to focus attention on the guest(s) of honor, lighten the atmosphere and spark conversation. With a little bit of pre-planning, personalized and interactive games or activities can make a baby shower memorable and meaningful for all involved.
All about Mom & Dad - Quiz
My parents used to say, “When you grow up, I hope you have kids just like you.” Grandparents, aunts and uncles will be excited to help you prepare. Ask them to tell you what Mom or Dad-to-be were like growing up. Help jog their memories with questions (See Family Questionnaire.doc). Use the answers to create a 15 to 20-question quiz. Guests have to guess if the question or statement applies to the new Mom or Dad (use actual first names when creating the quiz). The guest with the most correct answers wins a prize. Answers to the family questionnaire can also be compiled into a scrapbook or memory book for the mom-to-be.
Famous “Baby’s Name Here”
Has the baby been named? What will he/she be like when they grow up? “Google” the baby’s name to find out what other people with that name have become. For instance, my son’s name is Benjamin. A quick search on the Internet brought up Benjamin Franklin, Ben Affleck, Big Ben, etc. Guests had to match the “Famous Bens” to the correct descriptions – “Discovered Electricity”, “Previously engaged to pop superstar Jennifer Lopez”, “World’s most famous clock”. Compile 10 to 15 names with descriptions. The guest with the most correct matches wins.
Advice Cards
How well does the mother-to-be know her guests? Create or purchase 4x6 inch cards that match the theme of the shower. Colored card stock, stickers, stamps and embellishments to decorate the cards can be purchased at your local scrapbook store. As each guest arrives, ask her to write some advice for the mother-to-be on the card, putting her name on the back. When all are complete, ask the guest of honor to read the advice on each card and guess who might have written it. At the end, ask the mother-to-be to randomly pick a card from the stack. A prize can be awarded to that guest. Cards can be added to a scrapbook to be presented to the mother-to-be at a later date.
Baby Shower Bingo
Opening gifts becomes interactive entertainment with “Baby Shower Bingo”. When it’s time to open gifts, provide each guest with a unique printable bingo card (see attached – up to 15 available) and markers. M&Ms, pink or blue Jelly Belly’s, stickers, stamps or ink pens all make great markers. As gifts are opened, the host calls out the gift (rattle, shoes, hat, etc.). Guests keep track of the items that are opened on their bingo cards with their markers. The first to get five in a row wins a prize.
Baby Shower – Scrapbook
Moms want to do everything they can to help preserve the memory of their new born child and the events leading up to their birth. As the host, you can capture the moment with a scrapbook of the baby shower. Take pictures of the room and table decorated before the guests arrive, the cake, the guest of honor with the host (or hosts), the guest of honor with her mother, sister(s), daughter(s), grandmother, etc. take a picture of each guest individually and a group picture of all the guests. It’s also nice to have a picture of each gift as it is opened. Wrapping paper and party decorations along with paper, stickers, stamps and embellishments purchased from your local scrapbook store can be used to decorate the pages. When compiling the book, include a copy of the invitation, the menu, the games, and the list of gifts given. Create a page for each guest with their picture, a picture of their gift and their advice card. Try to complete the book within a week of the shower. The book can be presented to the mother-to-be as soon as it is completed or upon the birth of her baby.
Prizes
Be sure to have at least one prize for each game or activity. You may want to have a few extra on hand, in case of a tie. Prizes are a small gift from the hostess. Ideas include: a bouquet of flowers used to decorate the shower, bottle of wine or champagne, frame, note cards, gift certificate, gourmet chocolate, candles, special soaps or lotions, etc.
Related Articles:
Preparing for a Baby Shower (April 5, 2006)
