Choosing games for small and large baby showers

For a small gathering

A word search or scramble can be a shared table activity rather than a race. Guests can compare answers and chat while they work. Advice cards are useful for guests who would rather write something thoughtful than solve a puzzle.

Ready-filled gift bingo works when gifts will be opened in view of the group. Up to 12 different cards are free. If guests are making their own guesses, print blank bingo cards and give everyone time to fill them before gift opening.

For a larger guest list

Choose a game with a short explanation and a clear way to check the result. Hand out the same word puzzle to everyone and keep one answer key with the host. Allow team play if there are fewer seats or pencils than guests.

For filled bingo, use different arrangements. Reprinting one filled card for everyone makes simultaneous wins more likely because everyone is looking for the same row. The complete set supports up to 50 different cards; blank write-in bingo is another option for any group size.

Work out the print quantity

Word games, advice and predictions can use duplicate copies. They are designed to be reprinted. Bingo needs different layouts if you want players to have different winning rows. Raffle tickets need space for each participant's name; their printed numbers help organize the tickets, but the written names identify the entries.

• Bingo: one different filled card, or one blank card, per player.
• Word games: one guest copy per player or team; one host key.
• Keepsakes: one advice or prediction card per interested guest.
• Raffle: enough tickets for the entry rule you announced.

Keep the rules accessible

Make the printed rules available and repeat them briefly before a timed game. Allow extra time, teams or an untimed option when it helps guests participate. Do not assume everyone is comfortable reading aloud or racing.

Choose a free printable with low-ink printing if you prefer dark text on white paper. Test one printed sheet before making the full quantity; a readable screen preview cannot check your particular printer, ink or paper.