Hosting a virtual baby shower? Celebrating a baby shower over Zoom or other video platforms is a popular choice for friends and family who don’t live close to one another. And with the right games, theme and planning, a virtual baby shower can be just as memorable as an in-person party. We’ve rounded up some of the best virtual baby shower games and ideas, from printable baby shower games to clever prize and participation ideas, to help you plan a fun and meaningful online celebration.
- Printable baby shower games, such as Baby Bingo and Baby Pictionary, are easy to prepare and play. Just download and send them out ahead of time, and let the fun begin!
- Great virtual baby shower prizes include e-gift cards and digital subscriptions, while a Zoom screenshot can double as a keepsake.
- Themed games and custom backgrounds work well for themed virtual baby showers.
- There are several video platforms to choose from, depending on your guests and set-up, including Zoom, Google Meet and Facebook Messenger Rooms.
- Planning a virtual baby shower involves preparing materials in advance, organizing fun games and encouraging your guests to participate.
Put up baby shower decorations in the background of virtual baby showers
What’s the difference between in-person and virtual baby shower games?
Not all baby shower games translate seamlessly to a video call. The best virtual baby shower games are simple to explain, easy to download, print and play from home, and fun for everyone. Unlike in-person baby shower games that rely on physical props or group dynamics, virtual games work best when they’re visual and printable or screen-friendly.
Think of games that don’t have complicated instructions or require fast-paced coordination. If guests need materials like bingo cards or guessing sheets, be sure to send printable baby shower games in a PDF file well in advance so everyone has time to download and print them so they can join in easily.
Most importantly, make sure the parents-to-be are happy with the chosen games and theme. Ask them a few quick questions ahead of time about tone, preferences or guest dynamics. It can make all the difference to how the event flows.
How to plan a virtual baby shower with games
Throwing a virtual baby shower may take a bit more thought and planning than an in-person shower, but it can be just as fun. From coordinating games to sending gifts and writing baby shower card messages, here’s how to get everything organized for a smooth celebration.
Step 1: Prepare gifts and prizes
Ask the parents-to-be for a gift wishlist and share it with guests in advance so everyone can choose a gift beforehand. Make sure gifts are sent in time for the party so the parents have gifts to open on the day. You can also arrange fun prizes for games, like digital gift cards, subscriptions or small treats that are easy to send out to winning guests.
Step 2: Collect and share game materials
Guests will need to print out or prepare for activities in advance, so send them the printable baby shower games PDFs with plenty of time to spare. If you’re playing Guess the Baby, ask guests to send baby photos. And don’t forget to confirm your video platform of choice so everyone can set up an account if necessary.
Step 3: Create a card or e-message
If you’re preparing a baby shower card to mark the occasion, you’ll need everyone to sign it. Use a digital tool or a shared Google Doc to collect guests’ messages for the parents. You can present an e-card during the video call or mail them a printed version after. Bonus points for both a digital and printed card!
Step 4: Encourage participation
Kick things off with a short welcome and introduce each game clearly. Encourage guests to turn their cameras on and keep the tone light and inclusive. If guests don’t have a printer, offer no-print alternatives and share your screen for visual games like Baby Bingo or Pictionary.
The best virtual baby shower games
The key to a great virtual baby shower game is to keep it simple, interactive and easy to play along on screen or using a print-out. The best baby shower games will spark laughs, break the ice and help everyone feel connected. Many classic baby shower games still work brilliantly on a video call, so you don’t have to miss out on any fun with a virtual baby shower. And even better, they’re free! You just need to prepare the instructions and make sure the guests have printed the playing sheets.
Have a “Plan B” game ready to go in case anything interrupts your planned games and activities.
1. Guess the baby
Ask each guest to email a baby photo before the baby shower. During the call, show the images one by one and ask everyone to guess who’s who. You can also send a collage of all the baby photos in advance.
Best for: Groups of up to 15
Use a slideshow to display the photos, send a printable collage or screen-share to reveal them live.
2. Baby Bingo
Send out custom Bingo cards or use a printable template. Instead of numbers, include baby-related words like “pacifier,” “bottle” or “sleepless nights.” The first to complete a row wins.
Best for: Groups of any size
3. Name the Baby Animal
Share a list of adult animals such as a deer, goose and swan, and ask guests to name the baby version (fawn, gosling, cygnet). It’s trickier than it sounds… For a more digital variation, turn it into a multiple-choice quiz using Google Forms.
Best for: All group sizes
4. Celebrity baby names
Read out a real celebrity couple and have guests guess their baby names. For example, Beyoncé and Jay-Z = Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir. Add extra jeopardy by making it a timed challenge with rapid-fire rounds.
Best for: Small to medium groups
5. Baby pictionary
Use a virtual whiteboard or Zoom’s drawing feature. Players take turns sketching baby-related prompts while others guess.
Best for: Medium to large groups
Keep prompts simple and time each round.
6. What’s in your bag?
This is a classic party game made virtual. Read out random everyday items like lip balm, pen, receipt and award points to the person who can show them on camera quickest.
Best for: Small groups or all-female gatherings
If you’re really getting into the baby theme, you could make all the items baby-related.
Guessing game for baby showers
Best baby shower games for large groups
When you’ve got a big guest list, you need games that scale. These two baby shower games are great for large groups.
Baby Shower Trivia
Create a quiz about parenting facts, the parents-to-be or baby pop culture moments. Use Google Forms, Kahoot, printable sheets or screen sharing to make it interactive and easy for guests to follow.
Emoji Story Game
Send guests a series of emojis that represent a baby-related phrase (e.g. 🍼+😴 = night feed). They have to guess the phrase, and the first correct answer wins.
Baby shower games that match your theme
A baby shower theme ties everything together and makes the virtual event feel more personal. Virtual backgrounds and dress-up ideas can instantly set the scene. Pick a theme for the baby shower, then ask everyone to coordinate something visual to match it. This could be a color, flower, season or aesthetic. Or choose a theme that reflects the parents’ personality or interests, like a sport, retro cartoon or classic movie.
Use fun Zoom backgrounds that align with the theme and themed games to spark connection. Ask guests to coordinate virtual backdrops and take a group screenshot.
Ask guests to leave messages for the baby and parents on a wishes card
Virtual baby shower theme ideas
Here are some baby shower themes that are easy to execute and work well on screens.
- Woodland animals: Think soft greens, illustrated bears and foxes, and forest-inspired outfits.
- Storybook characters: Guests can dress as childhood favorites or use themed Zoom backgrounds.
- Pastel color palette: Assign guests a shade and coordinate outfits and decor.
- Nautical: Great for a “little sailor” theme, complete with anchors, stripes and sea-themed trivia.
- Space babies: Think silver stars, galaxy backdrops and alien-inspired name games.
Which games suit which theme?
- Guess the Baby is perfect for storybook or retro themes. Bonus points for vintage baby pics!
- Name the Baby Animal is ideal for woodland, jungle or safari-style baby shower themes.
- Baby Bingo works with any theme; just customize your bingo card design to match the theme.
- Celebrity Baby Names matches a glam or chic virtual baby shower theme, like 1950s Hollywood.
- Baby Pictionary is great for space, nautical or color-themed games. You can even customize your prompt list to match the theme.
Take a group screenshot once everyone’s online. This can be turned into a fun keepsake and even a thank-you card or mini gift, like a photo pillow, for the parents.
Free tools and templates
Printable baby shower games are great for any budget. Just send PDF files in advance and ask guests to print them at home.
- For interactive games like Baby Pictionary or Trivia, use free tools like Google Slides, Canva or Zoom’s whiteboard feature.
- Download our free printable baby shower games for instant access to ready-to-play activities. Just print, share and start playing.
- Create Bingo cards, word scrambles or baby-themed quizzes using free templates online.
If someone doesn’t have a printer, share your screen or provide fillable PDFs they can complete digitally.
Virtual baby shower game prizes
A little friendly competition goes a long way, especially when there are prizes involved. Choose to keep it simple or get creative; either way, your virtual baby shower prizes can be just as fun and thoughtful as in-person ones. And because virtual baby shower prizes can’t be location-dependent, an online gift card or subscription boxes and services, from books to snacks to beauty, work well.
Digital baby shower prizes
These crowd-pleasers are easy to send and fun to receive:
- Online gift cards
- Coffee shop or food delivery vouchers
- Book of the Month or streaming subscriptions
- Virtual class vouchers (like yoga or cooking)
- Beauty or snack boxes with nationwide delivery
Budget-friendly prize options
Keep costs low without skimping on fun:
- $5-$10 gift cards to coffee shops or iTunes
- Printable “coupons” for fun favors (like “You pick the next game”)
- DIY digital art prints or wallpapers
Virtual baby shower keepsakes
Zoom backgrounds can be a great way to get in the party mood. Once you have a theme for the baby shower, ask everyone to choose a background based on that theme. Once everyone has their backgrounds on, take a screenshot of the call for a great memento of the occasion. You could use the image for a thank-you card for all the guests, or even get it turned into a canvas print or photo pillow for a fun souvenir for the parents.
For a thoughtful and affordable virtual baby shower idea, choose prizes that match your party theme or guests’ interests.
Prediction activity sheet for a baby shower
What platform should you use for a virtual baby shower?
Zoom might be the go-to, but there are plenty of virtual baby shower platforms to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. Pick the one that fits your guest list, tech comfort level and budget.
Alternatives to Zoom
If Zoom isn’t your favorite (or if you’ve hit the 40-minute limit), try one of these options:
- Google Meet is free, simple and easy to join with a Gmail account. It’s great for smaller, more casual baby shower groups.
- Microsoft Teams is best if your guests already use it for work or school. It has easy-to-use screen sharing and chat features.
- Whereby is a browser-based option with no downloads required, suitable for guests who aren’t tech-savvy.
- Facebook Messenger Rooms is easy to access via Facebook with no time limits, and guests don’t need a Facebook account to join.
Always do a test run before the day to avoid last-minute tech issues.Best for: All group sizes
Tips for smoother virtual baby showers
- Send the link (and any backups) in advance: Include clear instructions for joining and a contact number in case of issues.
- Assign a co-host or helper: They can manage muting/unmuting, screen sharing or helping guests who get disconnected.
- Use spotlight mode for games: Highlight the player drawing, answering or hosting to focus attention.
- Keep on top of timings: Plan your schedule, but stay flexible (60 to 90 minutes total is a great length).
- Encourage cameras-on, but don’t force it: Let guests participate in a way that’s comfortable for them
Free printable baby shower games
If you need a quick, easy way to entertain your guests, these virtual baby shower games are ready to download and play. Just send them out in advance, print them at home and let the fun begin.
These printable baby shower games work perfectly over video and are ideal for guests of all ages. Here’s what’s included:
- Guess the Baby: Match the baby photos to the guests.
- Baby Bingo: Spot baby-themed words as you chat.
- What’s in Your Bag? Earn points for the random items you have nearby.
- Name the Baby Animal: Test your wildlife knowledge!
- Celebrity Baby Names: Name famous parents’ kids.
- Baby Pictionary: Sketch and guess baby-related prompts.
Once you’ve downloaded the games, print as many as you need. And if some guests don’t have a printer, you can easily screen-share or send PDFs that can be filled out digitally.
Virtual baby shower games FAQs
Where can I find printable templates for baby shower games?
Download free printable baby shower games, print and share them with your guests ahead of the shower.
What are some good icebreaker games for a virtual baby shower?
Try Guess the Baby with childhood photos or a quick emoji guessing game to get everyone in the party spirit and taking part.
How do I ensure everyone participates in the virtual baby shower games?
Keep the instructions simple, assign a co-host to help out and encourage people to keep their cameras on, but don’t pressure guests. Offer a mix of active and passive games to keep everyone relaxed but engaged.
What if some guests don’t have a printer?
You can screen share the games, send fillable PDFs or use free tools like Google Forms or Kahoot to let guests play along digitally if they don’t have a printer.
Can I adapt these games for a smaller or larger group?
Yes! Most games can scale up or down. Trivia and Bingo work well for large groups, while guessing games or photo-based activities are perfect for smaller baby showers.
