Baby Shower Charades Words for the Whole Guest List: how it works
These baby shower charades words are 174 cards about life with a newborn: Changing a diaper in the dark, Folding a stroller, The 3 a.m. feeding. No card is about the mom-to-be's body or the birth, so grandparents, coworkers and kids can all play. Choose At the shower to begin, press Start round and give the phone to a willing guest.
Pick cards for the guests you have
Easy is one motion everybody knows, such as Burping a baby: 38 cards. The 86 Medium cards are small scenes that parents act from memory: Lowering a sleeping baby into the crib. The 50 Hard cards are scenes with a turn, or one of 22 sayings such as Wet behind the ears. Put a parent on every team.
Read the full guide
Fit a game between the food and the gifts
Play while everybody is still seated in one room. Two teams, three turns a side and 1 min rounds make six minutes of acting. Press Next card after each guess, then +1 per card when time is up. Open the full list under the tool for a staging hint under each card. Under Folding a stroller it reads: Press the lever, pull the handle, shake it. Nothing. Read the label.
Tips
British guests say nappy for diaper, pram for stroller, dummy for pacifier and cot for crib. Accept either word.
For guests without kids, the baby charades words that land are in At the shower, where every card is happening in the room: Opening the same gift twice.
Sprinkle is a card. The full list explains it: a small shower for a second or later child.
Questions and answers
Is this baby shower charades deck safe for a mixed crowd?
Yes. No card is about the guest of honor's body, her weight or the birth, and nobody is asked to guess her measurements. There is no alcohol and nothing crude: the diaper cards are about fumbling with tabs in the dark, not about what is in the diaper.
Can the mom-to-be play?
Yes, and from her chair. Make the guest of honor the guesser for both teams: each actor plays to her, and the actor's team scores when she gets it right. Partners make good actors for Waiting for the baby, which is written from their side: A midnight snack run for the mom-to-be.
Which cards suit a coed baby shower?
Pick Strollers, car seats and gear or Sleep and the 3 a.m. shift. Those cards belong to whoever ends up doing the job: Installing a car seat, Pretending to be asleep when the baby cries. Grandparents, siblings and pets gives the rest of the family a part, such as An uncle holding a baby for the first time.
Changing a baby who keeps rolling overOne hand turns the baby back while the other reaches for the wipes.
Changing a diaperLift two tiny feet with one hand and slide the clean one under.
Changing a diaper in the darkFeel for the tabs with your eyes half shut and wake nobody.
Clipping tiny fingernailsHold one tiny finger, hold your breath and squint.
Drying a baby in a hooded towelWrap, pat, pull up the hood and boop the nose.
Emptying the diaper pailOpen the lid at arm's length, turn your head away and tie the bag fast.
Getting a wriggling baby into a snowsuitOne arm goes in and the other comes out. Repeat.
Giving a baby a bathHold the head up with one arm and scoop water with the other hand.
Opening a pack of wipes with one handThe other arm is full of baby. Use your chin to hold the pack still.
Pulling a onesie over a wobbly headStretch the neck hole wide with both hands and ease it down.
Putting a tiny sock back onIt comes straight off again. Put it back on.
Running out of diapers at midnightShake the empty pack, look at the clock and reach for the car keys.
Snapping a onesie and ending up one snap offReach the last snap, find no partner for it and start over.
Testing the bath water with your elbowDip the elbow, think about it and add a little cold.
Wiping a runny noseChase the little face as it turns away, left and then right.
Feeding time 15
A baby throwing food from the high chairBe the parent: duck, pick it up, put it back on the tray, duck again.
Baby's first taste of lemonBe the baby: open wide, pucker, shudder, then reach for more.
Burping a babyBaby on your shoulder, gentle pats, and a proud face at the result.
Drinking a coffee that went cold hours agoSip, make a face, shrug and drink it anyway.
Eating dinner with one handThe other arm is rocking a baby. Cut your food with the side of the fork.
Feeding twins at the same timeA bottle in each hand and nothing left to scratch your nose with.
Here comes the airplaneFly the spoon in with loops and open your own mouth too.
Mashing a banana with a forkPeel it, mash it in a bowl and taste it yourself first.
Measuring scoops of formulaLevel each scoop, count on your fingers and lose count.
Show all 174 baby shower charades words (150 more)
Feeding time, continued
Spit-up on your shoulderBurp the baby, feel something warm, look at your shoulder and sigh.
Spoon-feeding a baby who spits it outSpoon in, food out, scrape the chin, spoon it back in.
Testing milk on your wristShake a few drops onto the inside of your wrist and nod.
Tying on a bibReach around a tiny neck and fasten it at the back.
Warming a bottleHold it under the tap, swirl it and wait.
Washing a sink full of bottlesScrub inside each one with a long brush and stand them in a row.
Sleep and the 3 a.m. shift 15
The 3 a.m. feedingShuffle in with your eyes shut, pick up the baby and sit down without opening them.
The baby slept through the nightWake up, check the clock twice, rush to the crib and tiptoe back grinning.
Driving around the block until the baby napsSteer, check the mirror, and keep on driving.
Falling asleep standing upSway with the baby, let your head drop and jerk awake.
The floorboard that creaksStep, wince, freeze with one foot in the air, then step over it.
Listening to the baby monitorHold it to your ear, hold your breath, then relax.
Lowering a sleeping baby into the cribBend slowly, slide your arms out one at a time and freeze.
Pretending to be asleep when the baby criesOpen one eye, shut it, and give the person next to you a small nudge.
Rocking a baby to sleepSway from foot to foot with your arms cradled.
Shushing everyone because the baby is asleepFinger to your lips, point at the crib and glare at the doorbell.
Singing a lullabyMouth the words softly and rock in time.
Stepping on a squeaky toy in the darkTiptoe, squeak, freeze, and listen for crying.
Swaddling a babyFold the top corner down, tuck one side, fold up the bottom and wrap the other side.
Tiptoeing out of the nurseryBack away from the crib one slow step at a time.
Walking laps of the hallway with a crying babyBounce as you walk, pat the little back and turn around at the wall.
Strollers, car seats and gear 15
Babyproofing the cabinetsFit a latch, then fail to open the cabinet yourself.
Bouncing a baby on your kneeHold two tiny hands and bounce gently.
Buckling a baby into a car seatThread two tiny arms through, click twice and tug the straps.
Carrying a car seat, a diaper bag and a coffeeHook the seat on one elbow and open the door with your foot.
Fitting a stroller in the trunkIt will not go in. Turn it. Turn it again. Take out the groceries.
Folding a strollerPress the lever, pull the handle, shake it. Nothing. Read the label.
Getting a stroller through a doorwayHold the door with your heel, pull backward and catch a wheel on the frame.
Installing a car seatKneel on it, pull the strap with all your weight and wiggle it to check.
Packing the diaper bagDiapers, wipes, a bottle, spare clothes, a toy, more spare clothes. Try the zipper.
Pushing a strollerTwo hands on the bar, and lean over the top to peek in.
Setting up a playpenPull up one side and another one drops. Go around in circles.
Shaking a rattleShake it to one side, then the other, and watch two eyes follow it.
Wearing a baby carrierPat the little back on your chest and sway.
Winding up the mobileWind the key, watch it turn overhead and follow it with your whole head.
Working out the straps on a baby carrierStraps everywhere. Hold the instructions in your teeth and clip yourself to yourself.
Getting the nursery ready 15
Building a cribBolt the sides together, step back and find a piece left over.
Choosing a name from a baby name bookRun a finger down the page, try a name without a sound and shake your head.
Disagreeing about the namePlay both people: one offers a name with open hands, the other shakes their head.
Folding tiny clothesHold up something the size of your hand and melt a little.
Hanging a mobile over the cribReach up on tiptoe and give it a little spin.
Hanging tiny clothes in the closetA tiny hanger, a tiny shirt, and a very long empty rail.
Moving the crib for the third timePush it to one wall, stand back, and push it back.
NestingThe urge to clean and sort the whole house before the baby comes. Scrub and straighten at double speed.
Painting the nurseryRoll up and down, step back and tilt your head at the color.
Pairing up tiny socksHold each one up to the light and find that every one is single.
Picking a paint colorHold two cards against the wall, swap them and swap them back.
Plugging in a night-lightPlug it in, switch off the big light and look around at the glow.
Stocking the changing tableStack the diapers in a neat tower and line up the bottles by size.
Trying out the rocking chairSit, rock, nod with approval and nearly drop off.
Washing everything before the baby arrivesLoad after load: carry, pour, press start, and sit down on the basket.
Waiting for the baby 15
A midnight snack run for the mom-to-beGet poked awake, take the order and put a coat on over your pajamas.
Craving pickles and ice creamOpen the freezer, open the jar and dip one into the other.
Cutting a cake to find out pink or blueCut slowly, lift out the slice, and look at each other.
Feeling the baby kickHand on your belly, a little jump, then wave someone over to feel.
Forgetting the hospital bagRush out of the door, stop, run back in, and rush out again with the bag.
Getting up from a low couchRock once, rock twice, and reach out for a hand.
Pacing the waiting roomWalk, check the clock, sit, stand up, walk again.
Packing the hospital bagFold things in, check the list, take it all out and start again.
Practicing breathing at a birthing classSit on the floor, puff in rhythm and check what the couple next to you is doing.
Practicing the drive to the hospitalSteer with care, check your watch and nod.
Reading a baby book in bedRead a page, look alarmed and show it to the person next to you.
Showing off the ultrasound pictureHold it up proudly and point at a blur that nobody else can make out.
Telling the grandparents the newsHand over a tiny pair of shoes and wait for it to sink in.
Timing contractions on your phoneWatch the screen, tap, count, and start looking for the car keys.
Tying your shoes over a big bellyReach, fail, try from the side, and call for help.
Baby's firsts 15
A baby discovering their own feetLie on your back, catch a foot, study it and try to eat it.
Baby's first haircutTiny snips around a head that turns to look at everything.
Baby's first stepsArms out, three wobbly steps, and sit down with a bump.
Baby's first wordHold the phone up to film, coax, wait, and get the word the second you stop filming.
Blowing a raspberry on a baby's tummyDeep breath, lean in, and laugh at the laugh.
CrawlingHands and knees, and stop to look back over your shoulder.
Filming the first steps and missing themFumble for the phone, aim it, and lower it when it is all over.
The first toothBe the parent: peer into a tiny mouth, feel the gum and call everybody over.
Learning to clapMiss your own hands twice, then connect and look delighted.
Playing peekabooHide behind your hands and pop out.
Pulling up to stand at the coffee tableGrip the edge, heave yourself up and wobble with pride.
Rolling over for the first timeLie on your back, rock, tip over and look amazed.
Smashing the first birthday cakePoke the frosting with one finger, then go in with both fists.
Taking the monthly photoProp up the baby, step back, run in to catch the lean, step back again.
Waving bye-byeOpen and close your hand, facing the wrong way around.
Out with the baby 15
A stranger admiring the babyLean over the stroller, clasp your hands and coo.
Calming a crying baby on an airplaneBounce in the aisle and mouth sorry to every row.
Carrying a sleeping baby in from the carUnclip without a click, lift in slow motion and open the door with your hip.
Chasing a crawling babyTurn around and the baby has gone. Catch, put down, turn around, gone again.
Eating at a restaurant with a babyMove the knife, the glass and the candle out of reach, one by one.
The first night out in a yearSettle into a theater seat with popcorn and fall asleep before it starts.
Getting a stroller onto a busTip the front wheels up, lift the back and apologize down the aisle.
Grocery shopping with a baby in the cartPut an item in. The baby throws it out. Repeat.
Leaving the house with a newbornGo out, come back for the bag, go out, come back for the baby.
Making silly faces at a babyCross your eyes, puff your cheeks and wait for a smile.
The pacifier has gone missingPat your pockets, empty the diaper bag and check under the stroller.
Picking up a dropped pacifierPick it up, look at it, look around and rinse it under a tap.
Pushing a baby on a swingGentle pushes at waist height and a wave each time.
Taking a family photo with a babyEverybody smiles but one. Shake a rattle above the camera.
Tipping a stroller up a curbPush down on the bar, pop the front wheels up and roll on.
At the shower 18
Arriving with a gift too big to wrapCarry it in sideways with a bow stuck on the top.
Building a diaper cakeRoll each diaper, stack three tiers and tie a ribbon around the middle.
Cutting the shower cakePose with the knife for a photo before you cut.
Decorating a onesieLay it flat, draw with a fabric pen and hold it up to show.
Guessing the due dateCircle a day on the calendar, change your mind and circle another.
Hanging the bannerTape one end, walk the other end across and watch the first end drop.
Holding tiny shoes in your palmBalance both shoes on one hand and show them around the room.
Keeping a surprise shower secretHide balloons behind your back and steer the guest of honor away from the door.
Matching guests to their baby photosHold a photo up next to a face, squint and shake your head.
Opening a baby shower giftShake the box, tear the paper and hold up something tiny.
Opening the same gift twiceHold up the second one, look from one to the other and smile harder.
Passing a gift around the circleHold it up, say aww without a sound and pass it on.
Playing baby shower bingoMark a square each time a gift is opened and jump up at five in a row.
Showered with giftsThe word shower is often taken to mean that the parent is showered with gifts. Catch presents falling from the sky.
Sip and seeA party the new parents hold after the birth, so guests can have refreshments and meet the baby. Sip, then peek into a crib.
SprinkleA small shower for a second or later child. Shake a few drops from your fingertips over a crib.
Writing advice for the new parentsChew the pen, write one line and cross it out.
Writing down who gave whatLook from the gift to the guest and scribble fast.
Grandparents, siblings and pets 14
A big brother who is not impressedLook into the crib, shrug and go back to your toys.
A big sister meeting the babyTiptoe up, peek in and touch one tiny hand with one finger.
A toddler holding the babySit very still on the couch, arms out, tongue between your teeth.
An uncle holding a baby for the first timeArms stiff, elbows high, and do not move a muscle.
Arguing about who the baby looks likePoint at the baby's nose, then at your own. Then play the other parent.
The babysitter arrivesHand over the baby, then a long list, then keep adding to the list at the door.
The cat taking over the cribCurl up in it, get lifted out, and climb straight back in.
The dog sniffing the new babyCreep up on all fours, sniff twice and wag.
Everybody wants a turn holding the babyPass the baby along a row like a precious parcel.
Grandma knitting bootiesClick the needles and hold up something far too small.
Grandma showing baby photos to everyoneSwipe through the phone and hold it up to each person in turn.
Grandpa falling asleep with the babyLean back in the chair, baby on your chest, and let your mouth fall open.
Grandparents arriving with too many giftsStagger in behind a stack of boxes that hides your face.
Video-calling the grandparentsHold the phone over the crib and point the camera at a sleeping face.
Baby sayings 22
A bun in the ovenAn old way of saying that a baby is on the way.
A visit from the storkIn the old tale, a stork carries the new baby to the door.
Apple of my eyeThe person somebody loves the most.
Babe in armsA baby too young to walk.
Baby stepsSmall, careful moves toward a goal.
Born with a silver spoonBorn into a wealthy family.
Bundle of joyA happy way of saying a new baby.
Chip off the old blockA child who takes after a parent.
Cry over spilled milkTo be upset about something that cannot be undone.
Eating for twoSaid of the appetite of a mother-to-be.
Growing like a weedGrowing fast.
Knee-high to a grasshopperVery small or very young.
Like taking candy from a babyVery easy to do.
Mother henSomeone who fusses over other people and protects them.
Out of the mouths of babesSaid when a child comes out with something wise.
The pitter-patter of little feetThe sound of a small child in the house, and a way of saying that a baby is coming.
Sleeping like a babySleeping deeply. New parents may laugh at this one.
Spitting imageSomeone who looks exactly like someone else.
Terrible twosThe age when a toddler discovers the word no.
Throw the baby out with the bathwaterTo lose something good while getting rid of something bad.
Tickled pinkDelighted.
Wet behind the earsNew at something and without experience.
How this list was compiled: Written for this site by the editors; nothing was copied from another list. Every card is about life with a baby, the months of waiting, or the shower itself, and can be acted without props or speech. US words are used throughout (diaper, stroller, pacifier, crib, onesie). The deck was checked against the site's family-safe rule (nothing sexual, no alcohol or drugs, nothing that mocks a person or a group, no real people) and against a second rule for this deck: no card is about the guest of honor's body, weight or the birth itself, and no card asks anyone to guess her measurements. The deck holds no film, show, book, song or lullaby titles and no brand names. Difficulty is an editor's judgment: easy is one motion that anyone who has held a baby knows, medium is a small scene with two or three beats, hard is a scene with a turn in it or a saying. The line under each card is the editors' staging hint, or the plain meaning of a saying; it is a suggestion, not a rule. Four lines rest on Wikipedia's article on baby showers, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_shower, checked 2026-09-19 (the article carries a notice asking for more citations): bingo is named there as a shower game, the word shower 'is often assumed to mean that the expectant parent is showered with gifts', a sip and see is 'a celebration usually planned by the new parents after the baby's birth', and sprinkles are 'small showers for a subsequent child'. Card texts were compared with every other deck on the site on 2026-09-19. Seventeen of the 174 cards, such as Warming a bottle, Painting the nursery and The first tooth, are also in this site's baby shower drawing list. Two cards are also in the main charades deck (Rocking a baby to sleep, Cry over spilled milk), and Swaddling a baby is also in the Christmas charades deck. Three of the sayings are also answers in the emoji puzzle deck. The common rules of charades given on the page follow https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charades, checked 2026-09-19. Licence: own work