Please Stop Making Us Eat Out of Diapers
Some people think of baby showers as a joyous day filled with laughter, careful hugs, and lots of finger foods. Other people, however, see them as the perfect opportunity to humiliate loved ones with insane games. While we don’t despise all of them, plenty should never see the light of day again.
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1. Guess the Candy Bar
For some reason, this classic party game just won’t quit—though we wished it would. Innocent-sounding enough, this gross game actually consists of melting various chocolate bars in diapers, forcing guests to guess which candy they’re looking at. Not exactly a good way to spend the afternoon.
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2. Eating From Diapers
As if that wasn’t bad enough, this variation cranks the cringe knob even further. Poor attendees are tasked with eating melted chocolate from a diaper, all with their hands tied behind their backs. What a great way to lose friends!
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3. Guess the Baby Food
We’ve all been curious about baby food but it’s another thing to eat it. Some variations have guests down a jar as quickly as possible. Others require a sample before guessing the flavor. Either way, we can put the spoons down.
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4. Clothespin Collection
Do you love being interrupted? How about walking on eggshells for at least two hours? Of course you don’t—no one does. Yet here we are, a bunch of adults trying not to say “baby,” thereby sparing the embarrassment of a lost clothespin. The only thing that makes this game worse is that someone is always way too competitive.
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5. Baby-Shaped Chewing Gum
You know, clay and Play-Doh exist. Surely we don’t need to yank chewing gum from our mouths to mold a freakish baby. But apparently, we do! Feast your eyes on the monstrosities, fellow party-goers.
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6. Cut Up Features
To play this game, you really need to know your audience. Some parents don’t mind having their portraits mangled and reassembled while others might take offense. So, while this isn’t necessarily off the table, it’s best to double-check.
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7. Feed the “Baby”
There’s nothing like humiliating your partners and closest friends! Yes, this classic game requires husbands to sit atop mommy’s lap, all while she feeds him from a bottle. (You can also ruin a friend’s life by having them participate instead.)
8. Guess the Tummy Size
As if mothers-to-be weren’t self-conscious enough, let’s all try and guess the size of their pregnancy belly! While some aren’t offended by this “game,” others are easily insulted. With so many other activities available, let’s ditch this one for good.
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9. Bobbing for Pacifiers
Apple bobbing is fun when you’re a kid, but we’re adults now and no one wants to bob for pacifiers with their hands tied. Whatever cheap laughs come from this game aren’t worth it.
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10. Anything Explicit
Contrary to popular belief, baby showers aren’t a space for explicit games. Not only are they embarrassing, but they’re also pretty juvenile given the circumstances. Put down those plungers and recycle those cutouts!
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However, baby showers can still be a good time—all without that measuring tape or melted chocolate. Let’s explore some activities people actually enjoy.
1. Decorating Cupcakes
Whether you try and stencil a pacifier or make a baby from fondant, cupcake decorating is a simple way to express creativity. Break people into teams or leave them to their own artistic temperaments—either way, it’s a good game for laughs and bonding.
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2. Clay Baby Making
We’re not saying you have to ditch the baby molds! Just don’t use gum! Guests can try their hardest to make little clay babies, rewarded with prizes for whichever one doesn’t look like E.T.
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3. Baby Name Game
The game is simple: guests need to write as many baby names as possible, all within the allotted time frame. The sky’s the limit with this game, too—guests can think of a name for every letter of the alphabet or simply scramble to write the first thing that comes to mind.
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4. Present Bingo
Opening presents is a little weird in a room full of guests. Eliminate the awkwardness and have attendees participate instead! Give them bingo cards filled with presents and have them tick off whichever ones mom opens. First one to bingo wins.
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5. First-Time Parenting Advice
This one’s not exactly a game, but it’s still a cute idea for new parents. Have guests either fill in a baby book or each contribute a piece of advice on a scrap of paper. Parents can then read them at their leisure.
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6. The Price is Right
You’d be surprised how expensive baby items are—which is exactly what makes this game fun! Bob Barker may not have called your name, but this version is close enough as guests try to pinpoint the price of baby items.
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7. Diaper Phrases
This goofy game has guests write creative phrases on a diaper, making for a perfect laugh at that 3:00 a.m. changing. You’re not wasting supplies either! Those diapers may have silly words but they’ll get used all the same.
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8. Printable Pictionary
If you need a simple, modern game, look no further than emoji pictionary. Print off an online template and task guests with guessing each baby-related phrase. They’ll only have a couple of emojis as clues, so encourage them to get creative.
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9. Guess the Baby Picture
This harmless game is as cute as it is fun. Parents can either share their own photos and have guests guess the age in each picture, or ask guests to bring their baby photos. Attendees can then try and guess who’s who.
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10. Nothing at All
Honestly? Not everyone wants to spend their afternoon playing bingo, eating from diapers, or guessing prices. Sometimes the best showers are filled with friends and laughter with nary a game in sight.
