About baby showers
A baby shower is a party to celebrate a baby on the way, or just arrived, where friends and family "shower" the parents with gifts and good wishes. In North America the custom became widespread after the Second World War, during the baby boom, and it has since spread to many other countries.
Gift-guess bingo is a favourite shower game because it keeps everyone watching the presents. The ready list on this page names 40 everyday baby items, from burp cloths to board books, and every one is explained below. That is handy for first-time guests who have never heard of a sleep sack.
Did you know?
Babies are born with about 300 bones. Many fuse together as they grow, so adults end up with 206.
A newborn's kneecaps are made of soft cartilage. They slowly turn to bone over the first few years.
Newborns see most clearly at about 20–30 cm (8–12 inches), roughly the distance to the face of the person holding them.
Newborns typically sleep around 14 to 17 hours a day, in short stretches.
Baby showers became a popular North American tradition in the years after the Second World War, during the baby boom.
Words in this puzzle 40
Ready gift list 40 words
- baby blanket
- A small, soft blanket for cuddling or for tucking over a baby in a pram.
- baby book
- A keepsake book for recording a baby's milestones, photos and firsts.
- baby bottle
- A bottle with a soft teat, used to feed a baby milk or formula.
- baby carrier
- A padded carrier worn on the front or back so a parent can hold the baby hands-free.
- baby lotion
- A gentle cream for moisturising a baby's skin.
- baby monitor
- A device that lets parents listen to, or watch, a sleeping baby from another room.
- baby shampoo
- A mild shampoo made to be gentle on a baby's eyes and skin.
- bath towel
- A soft towel for drying a baby after a bath, often with a hood.
- bath toys
- Waterproof toys, such as rubber ducks and stacking cups, for bath time.
- bibs
- Small cloth or plastic covers tied around a baby's neck to catch spills.
- board books
- Sturdy picture books with thick cardboard pages that little hands cannot easily tear.
- bodysuits
- One-piece baby tops that snap closed between the legs, so they stay tucked in.
- booties
- Soft little shoes or knitted socks for babies who are not walking yet.
- bouncer
- A small, padded seat that gently bounces when the baby moves.
- burp cloths
- Cloths laid over a shoulder to catch dribbles while burping a baby after a feed.
- car seat toy
- A toy that attaches to a baby car seat to keep the baby busy on drives.
- changing pad
- A cushioned, wipe-clean mat for changing nappies on.
- crib mobile
- A hanging toy that turns slowly above a cot, sometimes playing music.
- crib sheet
- A fitted sheet for a baby's cot or crib mattress.
- diaper cream
- A thick cream that protects a baby's skin from nappy rash.
- diapers
- Absorbent pants for babies who are not yet using a toilet. Called nappies in Britain and Australia.
- gift card
- A card loaded with money to spend at a particular shop.
- high chair
- A tall chair with a tray where a baby sits to eat once they are ready for solid food.
- mittens
- Tiny mitts that stop a newborn from scratching their face.
- nail clippers
- Small clippers with rounded edges for trimming a baby's tiny nails.
- night light
- A small, dim lamp that gives soft light for night-time feeds and changes.
- nursing pillow
- A curved pillow that supports a baby during feeding.
- pacifier
- A soft rubber or silicone teat for a baby to suck on for comfort. Also called a dummy.
- play mat
- A soft, padded mat for floor play, often with hanging toys above.
- rattle
- A baby toy that makes a gentle shaking sound.
- sippy cup
- A cup with a spout and lid that helps a baby learn to drink without spilling.
- sleep sack
- A wearable blanket that zips around a baby, used instead of loose bedding.
- socks
- Tiny coverings that keep a baby's feet warm.
- soft hat
- A small knitted or cotton hat to keep a newborn's head warm.
- stroller toy
- A toy that clips onto a pram or stroller to keep a baby entertained.
- stuffed animal
- A soft toy filled with stuffing, such as a teddy bear.
- sun hat
- A wide-brimmed hat that shades a baby's face and neck from the sun.
- swaddle blanket
- A thin, stretchy blanket for wrapping a newborn snugly.
- teething ring
- A ring that is safe to chew, which can soothe sore gums while teeth come through.
- wipes
- Soft, damp cloths for cleaning a baby during changes.
How baby shower bingo is really played
At most showers, bingo happens during the gift opening. Each guest gets a blank card and fills the squares with gifts they think the parent-to-be will open: "pacifier", "tiny socks", "a book about a hungry caterpillar". As each present is unwrapped, guests mark matching squares. It keeps everyone watching the gifts instead of their phones, and it means the host does not have to plan a separate game.
Choose Blank (gift guess) to print empty cards with a free centre, or Gift list if you would like cards pre-filled with 40 common shower gifts. The gift list is handy when guests arrive at different times, or when you want the game to move quicker.
The host’s gift log
Whichever version you choose, the second printout is a gift log: a numbered sheet with columns for the gift and who it is from. Hand it to a helper with a pen. It makes calling gifts easy, settles disputes about whether "a sleeper" counts as "pajamas", and doubles as your thank-you note list afterwards.
Tips for a smooth game
- Print a few extra cards for late arrivals and partners who join halfway.
- Agree on a winning rule before gifts start: one line is fast; blackout lasts the whole opening.
- Leave pens on the tables, because guests filling blank cards take a few minutes.
- Two cards per page on card stock looks neat and cuts easily.
Questions people ask
What is baby shower bingo?
Guests get bingo cards filled with gifts. Either they write their own guesses on blank cards or you print cards with a ready list. As presents are opened, they mark matching squares, and the first full line wins.
Blank cards or a ready gift list: which is better?
Blank cards are traditional and more personal, but take guests a few minutes to fill in. Ready-made cards are quicker and suit large or virtual showers.
What is a sleep sack?
A wearable blanket that zips around a baby. Many parents use one instead of loose blankets in the cot.
What prizes work for shower bingo?
Small, inexpensive treats: a candle, chocolates, a plant or a coffee voucher. Some hosts give the winner first pick from a basket.
What is in the Medium and Hard PDFs?
Each has 20 unique 5×5 cards using the ready gift list, plus a checklist for the host. Medium has a free centre square; Hard has none.