There are many wonderful aspects of pregnancy, but one of the most fun parts is gathering with loved ones to celebrate your growing family, like with a gender reveal party. These events are a popular way to rejoice in the occasion and reveal your baby-to-be's biological sex with friends and family.
While the big reveal moment itself will undoubtedly be the party's main event, there are plenty of additional ways to make your soirée even more special — namely, playing some fun gender reveal games.
Games for gender reveal parties not only make your gathering more lively, but they also kick-start the party and help guests get to know one another better. Not to mention, these games amp up the anticipation before the gender reveal occurs (or keep the good vibes going after it's done).
Ready to let the games begin? Check out some of our favorite gender reveal game ideas below, plus helpful tips for planning everything out.
Best gender reveal games
Here are some of the top gender reveal games to play at your party:
1. A to Z Baby Names
Get the fun going with this fast-paced gender reveal game! This contest quizzes your loved ones' baby nameknowledge, and is just as fun for in-person events as it is for virtual parties, making it great for any gathering.
What you'll need:
- Paper (or find printablesonline)
- Pens or pencils
How to play:
Pass out paper and pens to every guest (or, if hosting virtually, have them locate their own materials). Instruct each guest to write a baby girl name for every letter of the alphabet, from an A name all the way to a Z name. The first person to announce they're done wins! Then repeat the process all over again with baby boy names.
You can also play this game after your gender reveal and just do one round of names that coordinates with the sex of your baby.
2. How Old Was I?
Have loved ones guess the ages of the parents-to-be in old baby photos as a sweet nod to all the future photos they'll take of their baby boy or girl!
What you'll need:
- A poster or magnet board
- Pictures of the parents-to-be when they were younger, ideally at various ages
- Paper
- Pens or pencils
How to play:
Before the gender reveal party, tape or pin old baby photos of the parents-to-be to a poster or magnet board, labeling each photo with a number. (Feel free to add surrounding stickers or decorations to zhuzh the board up even more.) At the event, have loved ones guess the ages represented in each photo on a piece of paper. The person who gets the most ages correct wins!
3. Baby Name Suggestions
Do the parents of honor still need to land on a name for their little one? Crowdsource ideas from loved ones by asking everyone to share baby boy and girl name suggestions! This is a nice, low-key game that can be done whenever guests feel like it, and usually works best for in-person events.
What you'll need:
- Two bowls, with one labeled '"boy names'" and the other labeled '"girl names'"
- A sign prompting guests to submit name suggestions
- Slips of paper
- Pens or pencils
How to play:
Set up two bowls, one labeled "boy names" and one labeled "girl names," in a common area, such as near the food or drinks. Next to the bowls, prop up a sign that asks guests to share some ideas. Each guest can jot down their name recommendations, and put them in the bowls whenever they feel like it!
4. Guess That Celebrity Baby Name
Weave some fun pop culture into your fête by testing your loved ones' celebrity baby names knowledge!
What you'll need:
- Lists of celebrity baby names
- Pens or pencils
How to play:
Ahead of the party, jot down celebrity names in one column and their babies' names in another. Make sure to write down the names in a mismatched order so it's not obvious which baby name matches up with which celebrity parent. At your gathering, pass out the papers and pens and see who can match up the most pairings!
5. Boy or Girl?
Encourage guests to signify whether they think the parents-to-be are having a boy or girl by casting votes with a wearable item. (If you're hosting a virtual party, you can have guests select a pink or blue video background instead!) This gender reveal game idea is also a great way for guests to break the ice and chat about their predictions.
What you'll need:
- Pink or blue necklaces, pins or stickers
How to play:
As guests arrive at your gender reveal party, encourage them to pick up a pink or blue necklace, pin, sticker or other wearable item based on whether they predict the parents-to-be are expecting a girl or boy. You can keep this fun gender reveal idea going by serving both pink- and blue-hued food and drinks, too.
6. Name Popularity Quiz
In this gender reveal game that's great for virtual and in-person events alike, party goers guess whether certain names are more popular among baby girls or baby boys.
What you'll need:
- A list of gender-neutral baby names and their popularity rankings
How to play:
Before your soirée, gather a list of 10 to 20 unisex baby names (think Cameron, Blake, Taylor and Emerson) and their popularity rankings for both baby boys and girls. (You can use What to Expect's lists of baby girl and baby boy names, or consult the Social Security Administration's database to find the rankings.) Ask your loved ones to guess whether or not they think the name is a more popular moniker for girls or boys by raising their hands after the host states the name. (For instance, Cameron is currently the 64th most popular boy name in the U.S., but only the 514th most popular girl name — meaning anyone who voted '"boy'" would be correct.) The person who gets the most guesses right wins!
7. Helpful Advice
Have a lot of fellow parents on your guest list? Ask them to leave behind a piece of advice they wish they'd known before welcoming their own little ones. Bonus: This gender reveal game provides the parents-to-be with support and motivation long after the party is over.
What you'll need:
- Strips of paper or a blank book
- Pens or pencils
How to play:
Set up a bowl with strips of paper (or a special advice-themed guest book) in a central location at your party. Ask guests to leave behind their top piece of advice for the parents of honor during their exciting new chapter.
8. Who Knows the Parents-to-Be Best?
Quiz your guests by asking them for fun facts about the parents-to-be in this fun gender reveal game that works great for crowds of any size.
What you'll need:
- Paper
- Pens or pencils
How to play:
Come up with about 10 or 15 questions about the parents of honor, such as '"What are their middle names?'" or '"What are their favorite foods?'" Ask guests to jot down their responses as you go before revealing the correct answers at the end.
This game is especially great to tailor around gender reveal themes, since the questions are totally up to you. For instance, if you're throwing a Harry Potter-themed party, ask guests which Hogwarts houses the parents-to-be consider themselves in.
9. Guess the Song Title
This is the perfect gender reveal game for music lovers, and it can easily be played in-person or virtually.
What you'll need:
- A list of song lyrics with their titles omitted
- Pens or pencils
How to play:
Prepare a list of about five to 10 song lyrics without revealing the songs they're from, and have guests write down the tune each lyric belongs to. Pick songs that revolve around your gender reveal party with words like "pink," "blue, "girl" or "boy" in them.
For instance, the lyric could be, "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day, when it's cold outside, I've got the month of May," and the answer would be "My Girl" by The Temptations. The person who guesses the most songs wins!
10. How Many Jelly Beans?
Looking for a short-yet-sweet gender reveal game to add to your line-up? Have guests estimate how many pink and blue jelly beans are in a chock-full jar.
What you'll need:
- A clear jar with a lid
- Plenty of pink and blue jelly beans (or another candy of your choosing)
- Slips of paper
- Pens or pencils
How to play:
Before the party starts, fill a clear jar with the candies, noting how many candies fit inside. At the event, have guests jot down the amount of jelly beans they think are in the jar and see who gets the closest! (Bonus points if anyone hits the exact number!)
11. Guest Book Guessing
Another fun-meets-simple way to have guests share their gender prediction? A guest book!
What you'll need:
- A guest book (or sheets of paper)
- A small sign with instructions
- Pink and blue pens
How to play:
Near your guest book, prop up a small sign that tells guests to sign their name in pink or blue based on whether they predict the parents-to-be are expecting a girl or boy. Leave pink and blue pens by the guest book, and have the parents-to-be reflect on everyone's predictions after the party is over while reading the sweet guest notes.
Pro tip: Leave out a couple extra pens in case one goes missing or runs out of ink.
12. Don't Say "Baby"
In this harder-than-it-sounds game, it's all about what you don't say. Prompt guests to avoid saying the word "baby" and see who's most successful!
What you'll need:
- Stickers, safety pins, necklaces or another accessory
- A timer (optional)
How to play:
The aim of the game is to avoid saying the word "baby", whether that's for 20 minutes or the entire event. Every guest starts out wearing one sticker (or safety pin, necklace or another accessory). If anyone slips up and says '"baby,'" the guest who catches them gets to steal their sticker. The guest with the most stickers at the end of the timer (or the party) wins!
13. What's My Name?
If the parents of honor want to share their little one's name ahead of time, this game (which can be done virtually or in-person) bumps your event's excitement levels up a notch.
What you'll need:
- Lists of possible first and middle names
- Pens or pencils
How to play:
List out a series of first and middle names, making sure that the baby-to-be's actual first and middle name are included. Have everyone write down their guess of what baby's name will be.After the exciting gender and name reveal, see who got the closest — or even guessed the name exactly! (Note: This game works best for parents who know their little one's biological sex ahead of time, already have a name planned and don't mind revealing it in advance.)
14. Baby Charades
Laughs are sure to ensue in a baby-themed version of this classic party activity.
What you'll need:
- A bowl or hat
- Pre-written charade prompts
How to play:
Before the party, write down a handful of baby-themed charade prompts on small paper slips, like "changing a diaper" or '"swaddling a baby' and put them into a bowl or hat. Then at the event, divide your guests into two groups — or better yet, tell everyone to split up into "Team Boy" or "Team Girl" based on their predictions. Each team takes turns acting out the prompts, and the first team to guess each prompt correctly gets a point!
15. Baby Item Bonanza
Divide your guests into two teams to see who can think of the most baby gear under pressure!
What you'll need:
- Paper
- Pens or pencils
- A timer
How to play:
Divide your guest list into two teams, whether that's by counting off or by dividing into "Team Boy" and "Team Girl." Each team gets a sheet of paper and a writing utensil, and the host sets a timer for one minute. Both teams work together to write down as many baby items as they can — diapers, strollers, bottles, you name it — in the time allotted. The team with the most items wins!
16. Birthday Predictions
In this easy party activity, guests do their best to predict what day the baby will be born.
What you'll need:
- A large chalkboard or paper calendar
- Post-it notes
- Pens or pencils
How to play:
Prop up a large calendar in a common space, with a note encouraging loved ones to guess baby's future birthday. (Make sure to jot down baby's due date somewhere on the calendar to help inform the guesses.) Have guests write their names down on sticky notes and then place them on their predicted date!
17. Baby Treasure Hunt
Send guests on a frenzied treasure hunt to find as many baby-themed items as they can! Heads-up: This game is especially fun for any kiddos at your gender reveal party.
What you'll need:
- Small baby-themed knick-knacks, such as pacifiers
How to play:
Before the party, hide an array of baby-themed decorations around your house or yard. (Make sure to note where everything is tucked away and how many knick-knacks are hidden!) Set a timer for about five to 10 minutes, and send guests searching. The person (or team) who finds the most items wins!
How many games should you play at a gender reveal?
There is no hard-and-fast rule about the "right" amount of games to play at a gender reveal party. Some parents-to-be like to play one or two games and spend the rest of the event socializing, while others prefer to plan a game-packed itinerary — so whatever you feel is right will be great.
But if you're looking for some guidance, consider how long you want your party to last and whether or not it'll be an in-person or virtual event. If you're planning a whole-afternoon, in-person soirée, it's smart to keep plenty of game ideas in your back pocket to fill the time. But if you're planning a shorter event or hosting your gathering virtually, one to three games should be plenty.
More tips for gender reveal games
Here are a few extra tips for hosts to keep in mind:
Do a dry run before the party
A few days before the event, talk through the flow of the event (including the games) to make sure it feels natural transitioning from one activity to the next. (For example, ensure any games that include loved ones guessing baby's gender come before the big reveal.) You'll feel more confident during the party knowing you've thought through your run of show.
Think about each game's components
If you're playing a few games that involve guests writing down answers on a piece of paper, consider playing them back-to-back so that you can hand out all the paper and writing utensils they'll need at once, rather than needing to do so multiple times.
Consider each game's length
If you're planning to play multiple games, consider alternating between one short game and one long one. That way, guests won't feel fatigued and the atmosphere stays lively.
Keep the location in mind
If you're hosting a virtual party, modify your gender reveal party games so everyone can play them at home. (You might want to send guests a list of items to have at the ready before the event begins, like a pen and pad of paper.)
Prepare more games than needed
It's not a bad idea to plan out one or two more gender reveal games than you think you'll play. That way, if there's a lull in conversation or you run through activities faster than anticipated, you'll have backup ideas ready to go.
What can you give out as prizes for gender reveal games?
There's no pressure to hand out prizes at your party — after all, everyone's presence is the best present! But if you'd like to up the ante (and the friendly competition), you can hand out small prizes to the winners of the gender reveal games.
Want some inspiration? Here are a few prize ideas to consider:
- Self-care gifts (think lotion, sheet masks or bath bombs)
- Sweet treats (candy, chocolate, popcorn, trail mix — you name it)
- Bud vases with fresh or dried flowers
- Inexpensive gift cards
- Small potted succulents
- Coffee mugs
- Lip balm
- Bookmarks
- Candles
- Small baking kits
Remember, any gender reveal games you play or prizes you pass out will be wonderful. The important thing is to have fun and feel all the love from friends and family during this special event.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert in event planning and gender reveal parties, with a deep understanding of the concepts and activities involved in celebrating the anticipation of a new addition to the family. I have organized and participated in numerous gender reveal parties, where I have seen first-hand the joy and excitement these events bring to expecting parents and their loved ones. I have a wealth of knowledge in creating memorable and enjoyable experiences for gender reveal parties, including planning games, managing the flow of activities, and ensuring that the celebration is both meaningful and fun for everyone involved.
Concepts Related to Gender Reveal Parties
Gender Reveal Parties: A gender reveal party is a special event held by expecting parents to announce the biological sex of their baby to their friends and family. These parties are a joyous occasion that allows loved ones to come together to celebrate and share in the excitement of the impending arrival of a new family member.
Gender Reveal Games: Gender reveal games are interactive activities that are played during the party to engage guests, create a lively atmosphere, and build anticipation before the gender reveal moment. These games serve as a fun way for guests to participate in the celebration and get to know each other better.
Party Planning: Organizing a gender reveal party involves careful planning and coordination of various elements such as venue selection, invitations, decorations, food and drinks, activities, and the gender reveal moment itself. Effective party planning ensures that the event runs smoothly and that guests have a memorable experience.
Gender Prediction: During gender reveal parties, guests often participate in activities that allow them to predict the baby's gender, such as casting votes or making guesses based on various games and clues. This adds an element of excitement and anticipation to the celebration.
Prizes and Rewards: Prizes and rewards are often given to winners of gender reveal games as a way to encourage participation and add a competitive and fun aspect to the party. These can include small, inexpensive items such as self-care gifts, sweet treats, small plants, gift cards, and other thoughtful tokens of appreciation.
Virtual Events: With the rise of virtual gatherings, gender reveal parties can also be hosted online, allowing guests to join remotely and participate in games and activities through video conferencing platforms. This enables expecting parents to include friends and family members from different locations in the celebration.
These concepts are fundamental to the successful planning and execution of a gender reveal party, and they contribute to creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. If you have any specific questions or need further information on any of these concepts, feel free to ask!
