10 Baby Shower Ideas: Games, Decorations, Favours & Custom Wristbands
By Handband Community Team · Handband
Updated 28 April 2026 · 12 min read

Updated April 2026. Planning a baby shower in Australia that's actually fun (not the same old games your mum hosted in the 90s)? This guide gives you 10 fresh ideas for games, food, decorations, themes and favours that make a memorable shower — with budget breakdowns from $200 backyard showers up to $500 catered events.

Whether you're hosting at home for 15 guests or a function room for 50, the elements that make a great shower are universal: a clear theme, 3-4 well-chosen games, photographable food, personalised favours and good timing. We'll cover each below.

Baby Shower Planning Timeline

Weeks 6-5: Set the foundations

  • Pick the date (6-8 weeks before due date)
  • Pick a theme (classic, jungle, woodland, gender-reveal, etc.)
  • Confirm venue (home / function room / park / restaurant)
  • Draft guest list 15-30 people
  • Set budget ($200-$500 typical)

Weeks 4-3: Invitations and orders

  • Send invitations (Paperless Post, Canva, printed)
  • Order custom baby shower wristbands with name + date (3-week lead time)
  • Buy decorations and tableware
  • Plan menu and shopping list
  • Plan games and source prizes

Weeks 2-1: Final prep

  • Confirm RSVPs
  • Buy food and drinks 3-5 days ahead
  • Bake or order cake
  • Set up decorations the night before
  • Print game cards and instructions

Day of: 2-3 hours of joy

  • Set up 1 hour before guests arrive
  • Hand each guest a wristband at the door
  • Host games in the middle hour
  • Serve cake and gift-opening last
  • Send guests home with favours

10 Fun Baby Shower Ideas

1. Custom Baby Shower Wristbands

Hand each guest a wristband printed with the baby's name (or gender-reveal pink/blue), due date, and shower date. Doubles as a takeaway keepsake and conversation starter throughout the event. From $1.50-$3.00 per band in bulk.

2. Don't Say "Baby" Game

Each guest puts on a baby-pink or baby-blue wristband at the door. If anyone says the word "baby" during the shower, they have to give their wristband to whoever called them out. Whoever has the most wristbands at the end wins a prize. Hilariously hard.

3. Predict the Baby Stats

Each guest writes their prediction for the baby's birth weight, length, hair colour and exact birth date on a card. After the baby arrives, mum-to-be checks who was closest and sends them a small prize (and a photo of the newborn).

4. Diaper Raffle

Note on the invitation: anyone who brings a pack of nappies gets a raffle ticket. Draw the raffle during the shower for prizes (wine, hand cream, candle). Mum-to-be takes home a stockpile of nappies — practical AND fun.

5. Baby Food Tasting Challenge

Remove labels from 10-15 baby food pouches. Guests taste each and try to identify the flavour. Surprisingly difficult. Winner gets a prize. Easy to set up, $20 in baby food, big laughs.

6. Baby Photo Match

Email guests beforehand asking for their own baby photos. Print and pin to a board. Guests guess who is who. Builds connection across the room. Particularly fun if mum's parents/siblings are there.

7. Nappy Pong

Set up 12 nappies in a triangle (open side up), like beer pong. Guests take turns tossing ping pong balls into the nappies. Whoever sinks the most wins. Add prizes for funniest throw or biggest air ball.

8. Personalised Cake Pops or Cupcakes

Order baby-themed cake pops or cupcakes from a local baker. Stack on a tiered cake stand as the centrepiece. Photo-worthy, every guest gets to take one home as a favour, no slicing required.

9. DIY Onesie Decorating Station

Set out plain white baby onesies, fabric markers, iron-on patches, and stencils. Guests decorate a onesie each as a wearable gift. Mum keeps the whole collection — instant baby wardrobe.

10. Memory Lane Photo Wall

Print baby photos of both parents-to-be onto cards. Guests guess which photo is which parent. Doubles as decoration. Bonus: a photo booth backdrop for guest photos to send the mum-to-be.

Baby shower table setup with custom wristbands and decorations

Classic Pink or Blue

Timeless choice for gender-known showers. Pink-themed decorations, hot-pink wristbands for guests, pink cake. Equally for boys with light-blue. Simple, photogenic, easy to source.

Gender Reveal

Yellow, mint or grey decorations to keep guests guessing. The big moment: a cake with a coloured interior (pink or blue) or a balloon-popping reveal showing the gender. Mum-to-be wears a special "he or she" wristband.

Jungle / Safari

Animal-print bunting, soft-toy decorations, green leaves and palm fronds. Custom wristbands with safari animals. Works for boys, girls or gender-neutral showers.

Woodland / Nature

Bear, fox, owl, mushroom decorations. Brown and forest-green colour palette. Custom wood-grain bands or earthy-coloured silicone bands. Particularly Instagram-friendly.

Boho / Pampas Grass

Trending in 2025-2026. Cream, beige, gold and dusty-rose palette. Dried pampas grass arrangements, macrame decorations, candles. Light-cream or rose-gold custom wristbands fit perfectly.

Tea Party

Vintage teacups, three-tiered cake stands, finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream. A more sit-down adult feel with delicate decorations. Hot pink or pastel wristbands.

Affordable Baby Shower Budget Breakdown

The $200 backyard shower (15 guests)

  • Invitations: Paperless Post free templates ($0)
  • Decorations: bunting + balloons from Kmart ($30)
  • Food: home-baked + brunch platters ($60)
  • Games and prizes: small wine bottles, chocolates ($30)
  • Favours: custom wristbands at $1.50 each + small chocolates ($30)
  • Drinks: mocktails + sparkling water ($30)
  • Cake: home-baked or supermarket ($20)

The $400 mid-range shower (25 guests)

  • Invitations: printed cards from Officeworks ($30)
  • Decorations: themed bunting, balloon arch ($80)
  • Food: brunch platters + cheese board ($120)
  • Games and prizes: 3-4 prizes ($60)
  • Favours: custom wristband + mini succulent ($75)
  • Drinks: mocktail bar + coffee cart ($50)
  • Cake: custom from local baker ($80)

The $500+ catered shower (40+ guests)

Function room hire ($200), catered finger food ($300), professional cake ($150), favour bags ($200), party planner or stylist ($150-$300). Total $1,000-$1,400.

Custom Wristband Favours: Why They Work

Personal + keepsake

Print baby's name, due date and shower date on each band. Unlike most party favours, guests actually keep wristbands — many wear them for weeks after as a connection to the upcoming baby. The mum-to-be also keeps one as a memento of the shower itself.

Bulk-affordable

Custom debossed silicone bands at $1.50-$3.00 per unit are cheaper than gift bags, edible favours or candles. Pair with a small chocolate or seed packet for the perfect $5 favour bundle.

Doubles as game element

The Don't Say Baby game (above) uses the wristband as the game piece itself. Two purposes, one cost.

Etiquette & Common Questions

Who pays for the baby shower?

In Australia, traditionally the mother-to-be's mum or sister hosts and pays. Modern showers often see costs split among the close friends co-hosting. Mum-to-be rarely pays for her own shower (that's the role of others to organise).

Should I invite men?

Increasingly yes — co-ed showers ('Jack and Jills') are common for first-time parents. Discuss with mum-to-be on her preference. If men attend, adjust games (skip 'guess mum's belly size'!) and food (add savoury bites).

What if mum-to-be is having her second/third baby?

A 'sprinkle' (smaller, focused on newborn essentials) is more typical for second babies. 15-20 guests, simpler theme, gifts focused on what's genuinely needed rather than repeat gifts from baby #1.

Should there be a registry?

Yes — include a link to the registry on the invitation. Australian options: Baby Bunting, Bonds, Big W, Booktopia for books. A registry helps guests choose meaningful gifts and avoids duplicate baby monitors.

References & Further Reading

  • Baby Bunting (2024) — Annual Australian Baby Shower Trends Report.
  • Australian Bureau of Statistics — Births in Australia 2024.
  • Raising Children Network — Newborn Essentials Checklist for First-Time Parents.
  • Australian Parents Magazine — Baby Shower Etiquette Guide.
  • Bonds Baby — Modern Australian Shower Themes & Decor Trends.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers from the Handband team

How do I plan a baby shower in Australia?

Plan 4-6 weeks ahead. Pick a date 6-8 weeks before the due date, choose a theme (gender-reveal, classic blue/pink, jungle, woodland, etc.), book a venue (home, function room, park), send invitations 3-4 weeks out, plan games and food, and prepare favours. Most Aussie showers run 2-3 hours on a weekend afternoon.

What is the typical budget for an Australian baby shower?

Average Australian baby shower: $200-$500 for 15-25 guests. Budget includes invitations ($30-$50), decorations ($60-$120), food ($100-$200), games and prizes ($30-$80), favours ($50-$150). DIY decorations and home-cooked food keep costs down; venue hire and catering push it up.

What baby shower games actually work?

The most successful games are: 'Guess the Baby Food', 'Diaper Raffle', 'Don't Say Baby' (guests put a wristband on and can't say the word baby; if they slip, they give away their wristband), Baby Photo Match, Pin the Dummy on the Baby, Predict the Baby Stats (weight, length, birth date) and Nappy Pong. Pick 3-4 games for a 2-hour shower.

What food should I serve at a baby shower?

Brunch-style finger foods work best for afternoon showers: scones with jam, mini quiches, fruit platters, sandwiches, cake pops, baby-themed cupcakes, cheese platter, fresh juice and tea/coffee. For evening showers add savoury bites (sausage rolls, bruschetta) and a non-alcoholic mocktail bar (the mother-to-be can't drink alcohol anyway).

What baby shower favours do guests actually like?

Practical and edible favours work best: custom wristbands with baby's name + date, mini succulents in personalised pots, gourmet chocolates, sugar scrubs, candle in a jar with custom label. Skip the cheap plastic trinkets — they're binned in days. Spend $5-$10 per guest on something they'll keep or use.

Do dads attend baby showers in Australia?

Increasingly yes — co-ed baby showers (called 'Jack and Jills') are common in Australia. These work better for first-time parents who want partners involved in the planning excitement. Traditional ladies-only showers still happen, particularly when the mother-to-be has a strong female friendship group.

When should a baby shower happen?

Most Australian showers run 6-8 weeks before the due date — far enough out that the mother-to-be still has energy, close enough that she can use the gifts soon. For second or third babies, 'sprinkles' (smaller showers focused on newborn essentials) typically happen 4-6 weeks before. Surprise showers risk medical complications close to due date.

17 Nov 2021