I've hosted several baby showers for friends and family members, and attended many more. So I can definitely state that playing games at baby showers is something which your guests will enjoy very much. And through my experience hosting baby showers, I've learned which particular games are the most fun and enjoyable. I've included many of these ideas in this article.

1) Baby No-No. This is a game which can be played all during the shower. When your guests arrive, give each of them a plastic pacifier or baby bottle (found at party stores) strung on a ribbon or cord. Explain that throughout the shower, no one is allowed to say the word "baby." If they slip up and say "baby" then someone else can take their pacifier necklace(s) from them. Whoever has the most necklaces at the end of the shower is the winner. This will be very amusing because it's very difficult not to say "baby."

2) Name Game. For this game, you'll need pads of paper and pens, one for each guest. Give these to each person, along with a scrap of paper on which you have typed the full names of the mother-to-be and father-to-be. Tell everyone they will need to use the letters of the parents' names to write down as many other names as they can think of in one minute. The person with the most correct names at the end of a minute (or however long you want to give them) wins a small prize.

3) Baby Word Scramble. For this game, you'll need to prepare beforehand a list of twenty baby items, such as pacifier, stroller, walker, monitor, bassinet, high chair, swing, baby food, formula, receiving blanket, diaper, baby powder, wipes, crib sheet, applesauce, and so on. Scramble the letters around; doing this on a computer is a good idea. Give the scrambled list of items to your guests and the first person to unscramble all the items is the winner. Give her a small prize.

4) Baby Relay Race. Here's a game which I think it'd be fun to play, but because of limited space I haven't done it before. You will also need more items on hand to play this game. You'll need two baby dolls, two packages of wipes, two containers of baby powder, and two changing tables (although a regular table will work just as well if changing tables are unavailable). To play: divide your guests into two teams of an equal number. Set the starting point a little distance away from the changing table or regular table and have the teams line up. Hand the two people in the front of the lines a baby doll and tell them they must carry the doll to the changing table where you've placed a stack of diapers, wipes, and powder. Then they must remove its diaper, wipe, and powder the doll, put its clothes back on, and then carry it back to the next person in line who must then repeat the procedure. Tell the guests they must not run or handle the baby doll roughly or they will have to go back and start all over again. First team to successfully complete the relay race wins.

Prizes. I've been to some showers in which the prize that is won from the games is something baby-related which is then given to the mother-to-be. I like the idea of doing that, but I also think the game winners should receive a prize gift also. So I usually do both; the game winner receives a gift for herself and one to give to the expectant mother. These are always something small, like a bottle and nipple brush, nail clipper set, plastic bottle, baby powder - things that the mother will need but aren't usually given as shower presents.

Whether you decide to give two prize gifts, or just one for the expectant mother or one for the game winner, these games will provide much merriment and entertainment for your shower guests.