Baby shower (godh bharai) games plan

For: 10 to 30 guests, mostly seated
Length: About one hour
Games: 4

At a baby shower the guest of honour should be seated, comfortable and at the centre of every game without having to do anything tiring. Choose games played from chairs, keep them short, and avoid anything with strong smells, loud bangs or teasing about her body. The games below let friends and both families share stories and good wishes.

The running order

Time	Game	Notes for the host
0 to 15 min	How Well Do You Know the Bride?	Played as "How well do you know the mum-to-be?" Ask about cravings, the nursery colour, lullabies she knows.
15 to 25 min	Stick the Bindi	As "stick the dummy on the baby" or "the bindi on the teddy", for the children and aunts.
25 to 40 min	Hum That Tune	Lullabies and children's songs, old and new.
40 to 50 min	Don't Say It	Baby words: rattle, nappy, lori, cradle.
50 to 60 min	Break or activity	Wishes for the baby: every guest writes one line of advice or blessing on a card. The mother reads a few aloud and keeps them all.

Timings are a guide. Stop any game while people still want more, and drop one if you are running late.

What to get ready

Her answers, collected beforehand
A picture and stickers
Song slips
Word cards
Cards and pens for wishes, and a box to keep them in
A comfortable chair, water and a footstool for the mother-to-be

Kind hosting

Ask her first which games she would enjoy, and whether she wants photographs shared.
No guessing her size or weight, no tasting of baby food, no strong smells.
No balloons bursting.
Keep it short. An hour of games is plenty; she will tire before the guests do.
Include both grandmothers-to-be as judges or storytellers: "what was the father like as a baby?" is a game in itself.

The games in this plan

On the day

Keep the party timer and the scoreboard open on your phone, and prepare chits with the chit maker. First time as host? Read how to host party games. See all party plans.