I’ll never forget my first baby shower and most of all, the guests and thoughtfulness. I have to admit, I did not have a games focused shower. It wasn’t the biggest group and it was outdoors near the beach.

The conversations, running around, food, and sunshine was almost enough…but we did have activities! Even simple ones like sharing stories about the mom-to-be bring up laughs and smiles.

I especially loved the handwritten notes to read later, over and over, well after baby is born. So, if you are considering something fun and meaningful, baby shower activities not games might be perfect for your special day. Here is my list of best baby shower activities that are not games, that create bonding and connection with your friends and family.

1. Baby Wishes Cards

• Guests write short, heartfelt wishes for baby.
• Display them on a board or place in a keepsake box.
• Parents read them after the shower or save for later milestones.
• You can also use big popsicle sticks and have them at each table with pens, then keep them in a nice jar as a keepsake and something to look at year round.

2. Advice for the Parents Station

• Leave cards and pens out for simple, honest advice.
• Works for new parents or seasoned parents alike.
• Bind into a mini booklet afterward.

3. Milestone Birthday Letters (0–18 Years)

• Guest choose a future birthday and write a letter, note, or draw a picture for the baby.
• Seal in envelopes labeled by age.
• Parents open one each year as baby grows.

4. Scripture, Affirmation, or Quote Cards

• Perfect for spiritual or secular showers.
• Guests write meaningful inspiration for the nursery.
• Frame a few favorites.

5. Decorate Baby’s First Alphabet Book

• Print A–Z pages and leave simple art supplies or buy a baby’s first alphabet book that isn’t colored in..
• Guests decorate 1–2 pages each.
• Bind or upload into a printed book.

6. Baby’s First Bucket List

• Guests suggest future activities (picnic, beach day, museum).
• Use a large jar or poster board.
• Parents pull ideas throughout the year.

7. Thumbprint Balloon Art

• Create a drawing (hot air balloon, tree, cloud).
• Guests add thumbprints to complete the art.
• Frame as nursery décor.

8. Guess the Due Date

• Provide a clipboard with a blank calendar or dates that gets passed around or is at a table.
• Guests mark and put their name on the date they are guessing as the due date.
• Parents announce the date when baby comes and sees who got it right.

9. Message-in-a-Bottle for Mom

• Guests write encouragement or postpartum advice on a precut piece of paper, roll it up and place in a jar. Choose a jar with a wide opening so you can access them later.
• Mom opens these on challenging days.
• Very helpful emotionally for new moms.

10. Time Capsule for Baby

• Guests add notes, small items, or predictions.
• Seal the box and choose an age to open.
• Creates a deeply meaningful future moment.

11. DIY Onesie Decorating Station

• Provide stencils, markers, iron-ons and plain onesies.
• Guests design simple onesies.
• Choose all sizes so baby can wear through the year.

12. Headband or Hat-Making Bar

• Great for gender-neutral (just use neutral tones).
• Provide stretchy bands, bows, or patches.
• Quick, cute, and guest-friendly.

13. Build-a-Baby Mobile

• Guests contribute tassels, felt shapes, or ribbons.
• Host assembles later to complete the mobile.
• Makes a meaningful nursery piece.

14. Decorate Wooden Baby Blocks

• Use non-toxic markers or paint pens on plain wooden baby blocks.
• Guests design letters or shapes.
• Combine into a keepsake set.

15. Embellish Burp Cloths

• Provide fabric markers or appliqués.
• Guests create simple designs or patterns.
• Functional + cute.

16. Decorate a Frame Station

• For parents who love framing pictures.
• Guests embellish plain frames with paint, craft supplies, flowers, etc.

17. Affirmations List Wall Art

• Guests write positive messages, quotes, affirmations on a canvas or paper that can be framed.
• Parents hang in baby’s room and it stays meaningful for years to come.
• Works for minimalist nurseries too.

18. Baby Sock Cupcake Assembly

• Fold tiny socks into cupcake shapes.
• Guests add wrappers and “sprinkles.”
• Makes a cute display before using.

19. Build-Your-Own Mocktail Bar

• Provide sparkling water, juices, herbs.
• Guests mix their own and name a mocktail for mom.
• Print recipe cards of your favorite to take home.

20. Cookie Decorating Station

• Baby-themed shapes and icing bags.
• Guests decorate and display their cookies.
• Box extras as favors.

21. Donut Bar Thank You Station

• Fun, sweet, easy, and beautiful.
• Guests build their own box with 1-4 donuts or treats.
• Add topper cards or hangtags with sweet messages to the guests.

22. Charcuterie Cup Making

• Fill mini cups with snacks, cheeses, fruits.
• Guests can also customize their own.
• Pretty and low-maintenance.

23. Tea Blending Station

• Provide herbs, flowers, and empty tea bags.
• Guests create custom blends for mom.
• Label with cute tags with messages and more.

24. Decorate-a-Cup for Mom

• Guests write encouragement on paper to-go coffee cups.
• Mom uses them postpartum for a smile and gives a great reminder of each guests and their wishes for the mom and baby.
• Easy, meaningful, inexpensive.

25. Gender Guess Cupcake Station

• Guests pick the color cupcake they think will be revealed if there is a gender reveal happening.
• You will need to have cupcakes made in different colors for this activity.

26. DIY Photo Booth Corner

• Simple, fun, shiny instagram-worthy backdrop and some baby shower photo props.
• Guests take photos with mom and friends.
• Upload to a shared album.

27. Polaroid Guestbook

• Guests snap a photo and sign below.
• A polarid picture creates an instant keepsake album.
• Very aesthetic and nostalgic.

28. Baby Predictions Display

• Guests predict birth date, hair, personality traits. Use a poster board for everyone to chime in.
• Display beautifully without competition.
• Keep and then when baby is born, let the ones who got it right know.

29. Generational Photos Table or Video Display

• Display photos of parents and grandparents as babies, or make a video slideshow.
• Guests try to spot similarities.
• Sweet conversation starter.

30. “Advice Photo Wall”

• Guests clip advice cards or hang tags to a wire or burlap rope with little clothespins.
• Becomes a visual display and keepsake.
• Simple yet stunning décor.

31. Mom’s Story Circle

• Guests share 1 short, funny, or sweet motherhood memory.
• Perfect bonding moment.
• Keep it optional for shy guests.

32. Parenting Hack Share Board

• Guests write their best mom/dad hack.
• Post in a journal, or on a board or easel.
• Parents will love reading these later.

33. Meet-the-Parents Q&A (Low-Key)

• Baby shower host asks a few gentle questions about the parents for guests to guess or comment on.
• Guests learn fun facts.
• No pressure or spotlight.

34. Fun Storytime

• Guests share an experience they had with the mom to be from the past.
• No roasting or awkwardness, just fun stories.
• Great for connecting and keeping conversation.

35. “What I Wish I Knew” Cards

• Guests share one thing they wish they knew before having kids.
• Encouraging and real.
• Keep it light and fun.
• Perfect for new moms and good for small groups.

36. Meal Train Sign Up

• Host helps get names of those wanting to join in on sending the mom meals and snacks after the baby comes, and follows up on it.
• Works for an intimate gathering.
• Super helpful for new parents.

37. Freezer Meal Recipe Swap

• Guests bring recipe cards for easy postpartum meals.
• Mom chooses her favorites to freeze later.
• Include QR codes for digital recipes.

38. Pacifier Clip Assembly

• Provide beads, cords, and clips.
• Guests assemble safe, simple paci clips.
• Functional favors too!

39. Onesie Folding Relay (Non-Competitive)

• A relaxed version: guests just help fold baby clothes.
• It becomes a fun chat moment.
• Mom ends with everything neatly folded.

40. Postpartum Care Basket Station

• Mom needs A LOT of care after baby is born and sometimes that can be unseen. So here, guests add soothing essentials (pads, nipple cream, nursing clothing, soft slippers, cozy throw blanket, teas, snacks, treats, lactation snacks, bath things).
• Build 1–5 baskets for different categories (nursing, bath care, treat time, cozy and warm things, snacks) and have the items out so guests can help put them where they belong.
• Wonderful, unique, creative, and useful for first-time moms that deserve TLC.

41. Baby’s First Library Display

• Guests bring books with a personal note inside.
• Style them on a cute shelf.
• Creates baby’s first library.

42. Swaddle Folding Help

• Guests practice folding swaddles and see who gets it right.
• Host or a friend with expertise shows the mom and group a couple of simple wraps.
• Low-key, hands-on, and useful.

43. Organize the Baby Closet Together

• Small groups help sort, label sizes, or remove tags from the baby shower gifts.
• Guests love pitching in.
• Saves hours of postpartum work.

44. Build-a-Diaper Cake Station

• Guests help assemble layers.
• Add ribbons or small toys.
• Perfect photo moment.

45. Nursery Labels Crafting

• Guests create labels for baskets + drawers.
• Cute, functional, and helps with newborn organization.

46. Plant-a-Seed for Baby

• Guests choose a small pot and seed or succulent.
• Symbolizes growth and new beginnings.
• Parents take home or give as favors.

47. “Wishes on Ribbon” Tree

• Guests write wishes on ribbons or hang tags and tie them onto branches.
• Makes a beautiful display.
• Great for garden showers.

48. Baby Blanket Quilt Squares

• Each guest decorates a fabric square.
• Sew into a quilt post-shower.
• Heartfelt and heirloom-worthy.

49. Affirmation Walk (Co-Ed Friendly)

• Post positive quotes along a garden or indoor path.
• Guests walk through and read together.
• Calming, mindful, and unique.

50. Baby Name Inspiration

• Guests write their best baby names or suggestion on a card.
• No winners—just inspiration.
• Parents save their favorite name ideas, get some laughs, and maybe even find the right one.