Baby Shower Charades Words for the Whole Guest List

Hand a guest the phone and press Play a 1-minute round: 174 cards about newborn life.

Baby Shower Charades Words for the Whole Guest List

Fitting a stroller in the trunk

Next step A baby shower scavenger huntThe full deck of charades ideas

All 174 baby shower charades words

Diapers, baths and getting dressed 15

  • Changing a baby who keeps rolling over One hand turns the baby back while the other reaches for the wipes.
  • Changing a diaper Lift two tiny feet with one hand and slide the clean one under.
  • Changing a diaper in the dark Feel for the tabs with your eyes half shut and wake nobody.
  • Clipping tiny fingernails Hold one tiny finger, hold your breath and squint.
  • Drying a baby in a hooded towel Wrap, pat, pull up the hood and boop the nose.
  • Emptying the diaper pail Open the lid at arm's length, turn your head away and tie the bag fast.
  • Getting a wriggling baby into a snowsuit One arm goes in and the other comes out. Repeat.
  • Giving a baby a bath Hold the head up with one arm and scoop water with the other hand.
  • Opening a pack of wipes with one hand The other arm is full of baby. Use your chin to hold the pack still.
  • Pulling a onesie over a wobbly head Stretch the neck hole wide with both hands and ease it down.
  • Putting a tiny sock back on It comes straight off again. Put it back on.
  • Running out of diapers at midnight Shake the empty pack, look at the clock and reach for the car keys.
  • Snapping a onesie and ending up one snap off Reach the last snap, find no partner for it and start over.
  • Testing the bath water with your elbow Dip the elbow, think about it and add a little cold.
  • Wiping a runny nose Chase the little face as it turns away, left and then right.

Feeding time 15

  • A baby throwing food from the high chair Be the parent: duck, pick it up, put it back on the tray, duck again.
  • Baby's first taste of lemon Be the baby: open wide, pucker, shudder, then reach for more.
  • Burping a baby Baby on your shoulder, gentle pats, and a proud face at the result.
  • Drinking a coffee that went cold hours ago Sip, make a face, shrug and drink it anyway.
  • Eating dinner with one hand The other arm is rocking a baby. Cut your food with the side of the fork.
  • Feeding twins at the same time A bottle in each hand and nothing left to scratch your nose with.
  • Here comes the airplane Fly the spoon in with loops and open your own mouth too.
  • Mashing a banana with a fork Peel it, mash it in a bowl and taste it yourself first.
  • Measuring scoops of formula Level each scoop, count on your fingers and lose count.
  • Spit-up on your shoulder Burp the baby, feel something warm, look at your shoulder and sigh.
  • Spoon-feeding a baby who spits it out Spoon in, food out, scrape the chin, spoon it back in.
  • Testing milk on your wrist Shake a few drops onto the inside of your wrist and nod.
  • Tying on a bib Reach around a tiny neck and fasten it at the back.
  • Warming a bottle Hold it under the tap, swirl it and wait.
  • Washing a sink full of bottles Scrub 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. feeding Shuffle in with your eyes shut, pick up the baby and sit down without opening them.
  • The baby slept through the night Wake up, check the clock twice, rush to the crib and tiptoe back grinning.
  • Driving around the block until the baby naps Steer, check the mirror, and keep on driving.
  • Falling asleep standing up Sway with the baby, let your head drop and jerk awake.
  • The floorboard that creaks Step, wince, freeze with one foot in the air, then step over it.
  • Listening to the baby monitor Hold it to your ear, hold your breath, then relax.
  • Lowering a sleeping baby into the crib Bend slowly, slide your arms out one at a time and freeze.
  • Pretending to be asleep when the baby cries Open one eye, shut it, and give the person next to you a small nudge.
  • Rocking a baby to sleep Sway from foot to foot with your arms cradled.
  • Shushing everyone because the baby is asleep Finger to your lips, point at the crib and glare at the doorbell.
  • Singing a lullaby Mouth the words softly and rock in time.
  • Stepping on a squeaky toy in the dark Tiptoe, squeak, freeze, and listen for crying.
  • Swaddling a baby Fold the top corner down, tuck one side, fold up the bottom and wrap the other side.
  • Tiptoeing out of the nursery Back away from the crib one slow step at a time.
  • Walking laps of the hallway with a crying baby Bounce as you walk, pat the little back and turn around at the wall.

Strollers, car seats and gear 15

  • Babyproofing the cabinets Fit a latch, then fail to open the cabinet yourself.
  • Bouncing a baby on your knee Hold two tiny hands and bounce gently.
  • Buckling a baby into a car seat Thread two tiny arms through, click twice and tug the straps.
  • Carrying a car seat, a diaper bag and a coffee Hook the seat on one elbow and open the door with your foot.
  • Fitting a stroller in the trunk It will not go in. Turn it. Turn it again. Take out the groceries.
  • Folding a stroller Press the lever, pull the handle, shake it. Nothing. Read the label.
  • Getting a stroller through a doorway Hold the door with your heel, pull backward and catch a wheel on the frame.
  • Installing a car seat Kneel on it, pull the strap with all your weight and wiggle it to check.
  • Packing the diaper bag Diapers, wipes, a bottle, spare clothes, a toy, more spare clothes. Try the zipper.
  • Pushing a stroller Two hands on the bar, and lean over the top to peek in.
  • Setting up a playpen Pull up one side and another one drops. Go around in circles.
  • Shaking a rattle Shake it to one side, then the other, and watch two eyes follow it.
  • Wearing a baby carrier Pat the little back on your chest and sway.
  • Winding up the mobile Wind the key, watch it turn overhead and follow it with your whole head.
  • Working out the straps on a baby carrier Straps everywhere. Hold the instructions in your teeth and clip yourself to yourself.

Getting the nursery ready 15

  • Building a crib Bolt the sides together, step back and find a piece left over.
  • Choosing a name from a baby name book Run a finger down the page, try a name without a sound and shake your head.
  • Disagreeing about the name Play both people: one offers a name with open hands, the other shakes their head.
  • Folding tiny clothes Hold up something the size of your hand and melt a little.
  • Hanging a mobile over the crib Reach up on tiptoe and give it a little spin.
  • Hanging tiny clothes in the closet A tiny hanger, a tiny shirt, and a very long empty rail.
  • Moving the crib for the third time Push it to one wall, stand back, and push it back.
  • Nesting The urge to clean and sort the whole house before the baby comes. Scrub and straighten at double speed.
  • Painting the nursery Roll up and down, step back and tilt your head at the color.
  • Pairing up tiny socks Hold each one up to the light and find that every one is single.
  • Picking a paint color Hold two cards against the wall, swap them and swap them back.
  • Plugging in a night-light Plug it in, switch off the big light and look around at the glow.
  • Stocking the changing table Stack the diapers in a neat tower and line up the bottles by size.
  • Trying out the rocking chair Sit, rock, nod with approval and nearly drop off.
  • Washing everything before the baby arrives Load 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-be Get poked awake, take the order and put a coat on over your pajamas.
  • Craving pickles and ice cream Open the freezer, open the jar and dip one into the other.
  • Crossing off days on the calendar Cross one off with a big stroke, count what is left on your fingers and sigh.
  • Cutting a cake to find out pink or blue Cut slowly, lift out the slice, and look at each other.
  • Filling the freezer with meals Ladle, seal the box, write the label, and shuffle everything around to make it fit.
  • Forgetting the hospital bag Rush out of the door, stop, run back in, and rush out again with the bag.
  • Pacing the waiting room Walk, check the clock, sit, stand up, walk again.
  • Packing the hospital bag Fold things in, check the list, take it all out and start again.
  • Practicing a diaper change on a teddy bear Lay the bear down, fasten both tabs, hold it up, and watch the diaper slide off.
  • Practicing the drive to the hospital Steer with care, check your watch and nod.
  • Reading a baby book in bed Read a page, look alarmed and show it to the person next to you.
  • Scanning half the store for the gift registry Point the scanner at one thing, then at everything in reach, and get led away.
  • Showing off the ultrasound picture Hold it up proudly and point at a blur that nobody else can make out.
  • Telling another caller there is no news yet Pick up, shake your head, hang up, and pick up again at once.
  • Telling the grandparents the news Hand over a tiny pair of shoes and wait for it to sink in.

Baby's firsts 15

  • A baby discovering their own feet Lie on your back, catch a foot, study it and try to eat it.
  • Baby's first haircut Tiny snips around a head that turns to look at everything.
  • Baby's first steps Arms out, three wobbly steps, and sit down with a bump.
  • Baby's first word Hold the phone up to film, coax, wait, and get the word the second you stop filming.
  • Blowing a raspberry on a baby's tummy Deep breath, lean in, and laugh at the laugh.
  • Crawling Hands and knees, and stop to look back over your shoulder.
  • Filming the first steps and missing them Fumble for the phone, aim it, and lower it when it is all over.
  • The first tooth Be the parent: peer into a tiny mouth, feel the gum and call everybody over.
  • Learning to clap Miss your own hands twice, then connect and look delighted.
  • Playing peekaboo Hide behind your hands and pop out.
  • Pulling up to stand at the coffee table Grip the edge, heave yourself up and wobble with pride.
  • Rolling over for the first time Lie on your back, rock, tip over and look amazed.
  • Smashing the first birthday cake Poke the frosting with one finger, then go in with both fists.
  • Taking the monthly photo Prop up the baby, step back, run in to catch the lean, step back again.
  • Waving bye-bye Open and close your hand, facing the wrong way around.

Out with the baby 15

  • A stranger admiring the baby Lean over the stroller, clasp your hands and coo.
  • Calming a crying baby on an airplane Bounce in the aisle and mouth sorry to every row.
  • Carrying a sleeping baby in from the car Unclip without a click, lift in slow motion and open the door with your hip.
  • Chasing a crawling baby Turn around and the baby has gone. Catch, put down, turn around, gone again.
  • Eating at a restaurant with a baby Move the knife, the glass and the candle out of reach, one by one.
  • The first night out in a year Settle into a theater seat with popcorn and fall asleep before it starts.
  • Getting a stroller onto a bus Tip the front wheels up, lift the back and apologize down the aisle.
  • Grocery shopping with a baby in the cart Put an item in. The baby throws it out. Repeat.
  • Leaving the house with a newborn Go out, come back for the bag, go out, come back for the baby.
  • Making silly faces at a baby Cross your eyes, puff your cheeks and wait for a smile.
  • The pacifier has gone missing Pat your pockets, empty the diaper bag and check under the stroller.
  • Picking up a dropped pacifier Pick it up, look at it, look around and rinse it under a tap.
  • Pushing a baby on a swing Gentle pushes at waist height and a wave each time.
  • Taking a family photo with a baby Everybody smiles but one. Shake a rattle above the camera.
  • Tipping a stroller up a curb Push down on the bar, pop the front wheels up and roll on.

At the shower 18

  • Arriving with a gift too big to wrap Carry it in sideways with a bow stuck on the top.
  • Building a diaper cake Roll each diaper, stack three tiers and tie a ribbon around the middle.
  • Cutting the shower cake Pose with the knife for a photo before you cut.
  • Decorating a onesie Lay it flat, draw with a fabric pen and hold it up to show.
  • Guessing the due date Circle a day on the calendar, change your mind and circle another.
  • Hanging the banner Tape one end, walk the other end across and watch the first end drop.
  • Holding tiny shoes in your palm Balance both shoes on one hand and show them around the room.
  • Keeping a surprise shower secret Hide balloons behind your back and steer the guest of honor away from the door.
  • Matching guests to their baby photos Hold a photo up next to a face, squint and shake your head.
  • Opening a baby shower gift Shake the box, tear the paper and hold up something tiny.
  • Opening the same gift twice Hold up the second one, look from one to the other and smile harder.
  • Passing a gift around the circle Hold it up, say aww without a sound and pass it on.
  • Playing baby shower bingo Mark a square each time a gift is opened and jump up at five in a row.
  • Showered with gifts The word shower is often taken to mean that the parent is showered with gifts. Catch presents falling from the sky.
  • Sip and see A party the new parents hold after the birth, so guests can have refreshments and meet the baby. Sip, then peek into a crib.
  • Sprinkle A small shower for a second or later child. Shake a few drops from your fingertips over a crib.
  • Writing advice for the new parents Chew the pen, write one line and cross it out.
  • Writing down who gave what Look from the gift to the guest and scribble fast.

Grandparents, siblings and pets 14

  • A big brother who is not impressed Look into the crib, shrug and go back to your toys.
  • A big sister meeting the baby Tiptoe up, peek in and touch one tiny hand with one finger.
  • A toddler holding the baby Sit very still on the couch, arms out, tongue between your teeth.
  • An uncle holding a baby for the first time Arms stiff, elbows high, and do not move a muscle.
  • Arguing about who the baby looks like Point at the baby's nose, then at your own. Then play the other parent.
  • The babysitter arrives Hand over the baby, then a long list, then keep adding to the list at the door.
  • The cat taking over the crib Curl up in it, get lifted out, and climb straight back in.
  • The dog sniffing the new baby Creep up on all fours, sniff twice and wag.
  • Everybody wants a turn holding the baby Pass the baby along a row like a precious parcel.
  • Grandma knitting booties Click the needles and hold up something far too small.
  • Grandma showing baby photos to everyone Swipe through the phone and hold it up to each person in turn.
  • Grandpa falling asleep with the baby Lean back in the chair, baby on your chest, and let your mouth fall open.
  • Grandparents arriving with too many gifts Stagger in behind a stack of boxes that hides your face.
  • Video-calling the grandparents Hold the phone over the crib and point the camera at a sleeping face.

Baby sayings 22

  • A bun in the oven An old way of saying that a baby is on the way.
  • A visit from the stork In the old tale, a stork carries the new baby to the door.
  • Apple of my eye The person somebody loves the most.
  • Babe in arms A baby too young to walk.
  • The baby of the family The youngest child, even when that child is forty.
  • Baby steps Small, careful moves toward a goal.
  • Born with a silver spoon Born into a wealthy family.
  • Bundle of joy A happy way of saying a new baby.
  • Chip off the old block A child who takes after a parent.
  • Cry over spilled milk To be upset about something that cannot be undone.
  • Growing like a weed Growing fast.
  • Knee-high to a grasshopper Very small or very young.
  • Like taking candy from a baby Very easy to do.
  • Mother hen Someone who fusses over other people and protects them.
  • Out of the mouths of babes Said when a child comes out with something wise.
  • The pitter-patter of little feet The sound of a small child in the house, and a way of saying that a baby is coming.
  • Sleeping like a baby Sleeping deeply. New parents may laugh at this one.
  • Spitting image Someone who looks exactly like someone else.
  • Terrible twos The age when a toddler discovers the word no.
  • Throw the baby out with the bathwater To lose something good while getting rid of something bad.
  • Tickled pink Delighted.
  • Wet behind the ears New at something and without experience.

How it works

Baby shower charades words about life with a newborn: 174 cards such as Folding a stroller and The 3 a.m. feeding. No card has anyone act the mom-to-be's size, her labor or the birth, so every guest can play.

Read the full guide

Pick cards for the guests you have

Easy is one motion everybody knows, such as Burping a baby. Medium cards are small scenes that parents act from memory: Lowering a sleeping baby into the crib. Hard cards are scenes with a turn, or one of 22 sayings such as Wet behind the ears. Put a parent on every team.

Fit a game between the food and the gifts

Play while everybody is still seated in one room. Two teams and three one-minute turns a side make six minutes of acting. 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.

  • British guests say nappy for diaper, pram for stroller, dummy for pacifier and cot for crib. Accept either word.
  • Guests without kids do best with the baby charades words in At the shower: 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 has anyone act the guest of honor's size, her labor 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.

Can the mom-to-be play?

Yes, from her chair. Make her the guesser for both teams: each actor plays to her, and the actor's team scores when she gets it right. Partners suit Waiting for the baby, 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 everyone else a part.

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