25+ Best Baby Shower Prizes For Games (Budget-Friendly to Luxury Options)
Are you struggling to decide what prizes to give at your upcoming baby shower? Trust me, I've been there—five times over! As a mom of 5 kids, I've not only attended countless baby showers but hosted more than my fair share. According to a recent survey, baby shower hosts find choosing game prizes stressful.
But don't worry. Through years of planning celebrations for my own little ones and helping friends with theirs, I've learned which prizes genuinely excite guests. Whether you're working with a tight budget or have room to splurge, I have options that will enhance your baby shower games while making your guests feel truly appreciated.
And if you're still in the planning stages, you might want to check out my complete guide on how to plan a baby shower, get inspired with creative cake ideas, or browse my favorite summer food ideas if you're hosting during warmer months.
Looking for something different? I've got some unique winter gender reveal ideas too! And don't forget to help the mom-to-be prepare with a comprehensive baby registry checklist once the celebration is over.
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Why Baby Shower Prizes for Games Matter
Let's be honest - participation increases when prizes are involved. I once made the mistake of not having prizes at my sister's shower, and the energy fell flat.
There's psychology behind this. People enjoy friendly competition with a tangible reward at stake. It transforms your baby shower from a standard gathering into a memorable event.
Finding balance between thoughtful prizes and budget can be tricky. You don't need to spend much - I've seen $5 prizes create more excitement than $30 ones when chosen thoughtfully.
When planning your prize strategy, think about:
How many games you'll play (typically 3-5 for a 2-hour shower)
The number of winners per game (just first place, or runners-up too?)
Your overall shower budget (prizes should be about 10-15% of your total)
Your guest list size and demographics
A good rule is to have prizes for each game winner, plus a couple extras in case of ties or last-minute game additions. Nothing worse than running out mid-shower!
Budget-Friendly Baby Shower Game Prizes Under $10
You don't need a large budget for prizes people will appreciate. Some successful budget-friendly prizes are simple self-care items that people enjoy but rarely purchase themselves.
Bath bombs make reliable affordable prizes - often found for $3-5 each, they look elegant wrapped in cellophane with a ribbon. Face masks are another popular option - I recently purchased a 10-pack for $12 online, each perfect when paired with a chocolate bar.
Kitchen gadgets are another crowd-pleaser:
Avocado slicers
Tea infusers in adorable shapes
Seasonal items that match your shower's timing work great too. For spring showers, seed packets with cute planters are perfect. Summer shower winners love colorful drink tumblers with reusable straws.
Mini succulents are my secret weapon for budget prizes. I buy them in bulk for about $3 each at my local garden center, add cute pots from the dollar store, and create prizes that look more expensive than they are.
Mid-Range Baby Shower Prize Ideas ($10-$25)
When you have more flexibility in your budget, mid-range prizes ($10-25) offer options that feel special without being excessive.
Premium candles are consistently popular. Brands like Chesapeake Bay and WoodWick offer excellent options in the $15-20 range that appear and smell more expensive. At a recent shower, a set of mini candles had several guests asking where to purchase them.
For eco-conscious guests, consider:
Reusable produce bags with a few local fruits inside
Stainless steel straws with cleaning brushes in carrying cases
Beeswax food wraps to replace plastic wrap
Bamboo utensil sets for on-the-go eating
Gourmet food and beverage gifts feel indulgent without excessive cost. Specialty tea or coffee "tasting kits" for around $15-20 are consistently well-received. At one shower, I provided small bottles of specialty olive oil with herb-infusion kits, and guests were quite protective of their prizes.
Luxurious Baby Shower Game Prizes ($25+)
For special occasions or intimate showers, luxury prizes make a significant impact. These work best as "grand prizes" or for small gatherings.
High-end self-care gift sets make recipients feel pampered. A spa-day kit with plush towel, bath salts, face mask, and premium hand cream costs about $40.
Successful premium options include:
Weighted sleep masks from Lunya ($38)
Luxury hand cream sets from L'Occitane or Kiehl's ($30-40)
Barefoot Dreams socks or eye masks ($25-35)
Sunday Riley or Drunk Elephant skincare minis ($28-45)
Premium home goods make excellent keepsakes:
Personalized cutting boards ($25-35)
Luxury throw blankets ($25-40 on sale)
High-end coffee table books matched to interests ($25-45)
Artisan-made ceramics like mugs or bowls ($25-35)
Name-brand serving pieces like Nambé or Mikasa on sale ($30-50)
Experience-based prizes give winners something to look forward to. Gift cards to restaurants, movie theaters, or spas ($25-50) are highly valued.
Gender-Neutral Prize Ideas That Appeal to Everyone
Gender-neutral prizes are best for mixed groups to avoid awkward moments.
Universal gift ideas include:
Quality water bottles (Hydroflask or similar, $25-35)
Cozy socks ($10-15)
Portable bluetooth speakers ($15-30)
Gourmet chocolate collections ($12-25)
Trendy reusable shopping totes ($10-20)
Food and beverage gifts reliably please diverse groups. Quality chocolate, local honey with wooden dippers, specialty olive oils, or gourmet finishing salts have broad appeal.
Experience-based prizes work well for everyone. Movie tickets, Amazon gift cards, or food delivery credits are universally appreciated.
When selecting inclusive prizes:
Avoid heavily scented items (many have sensitivities)
Skip alcohol unless all guests drink
Avoid heavily branded items
Choose practical items over decorative ones
Pick items with broad appeal rather than niche interests
Themes everyone can enjoy include food, relaxation, local specialties, or seasonal items.
Themed Baby Shower Game Prizes
Matching prizes to your shower theme shows thoughtful planning. At a "Ready to Pop" themed shower, gourmet popcorns in attractive containers were memorable prizes. Creating a cohesive look with your baby shower backdrop and themed prizes makes the entire event feel professionally planned.
Seasonal themes work well:
Spring: Seed packets with planters, floral candles, rain-themed items
Summer: Beach towels, sunscreen sets, insulated tumblers, outdoor games
Fall: Pumpkin-spiced items, cozy socks, scented candles, hot chocolate mixes
Winter: Gloves, hot drink mugs, cookie mixes, snowflake-themed items
For specific baby shower themes, try:
Woodland/Forest: Plant terrariums, bird feeders, forest-scented items
Nautical: Beach towels, sea salt scrubs, anchor-themed home goods
Literary/Book-themed: Bookstore gift cards, book lights, literary mugs
Celestial: Star projectors, moon-shaped bath bombs, constellation items
For a particularly enchanting theme, consider butterfly baby shower ideas where prizes can include butterfly-themed items like garden stones, wing-shaped tea infusers, or metamorphosis-themed books.
Cohesive prize packages elevate your theme. For a honey-themed shower, combine local honey, beeswax lip balm, and honey-scented hand cream.
Balance is key - reserve 25% of your prize budget for theme-specific splurges and use the rest for general items that loosely tie into the theme with packaging.
DIY and Homemade Prize Options
DIY options can feel more meaningful than store-bought items while saving money. If you're looking for more DIY baby shower gift inspiration beyond just prizes, there are plenty of creative options to explore.
Easy homemade gifts that impress:
Infused olive oils (with rosemary, garlic, or chili)
Layered cookie or brownie mix in mason jars
Homemade bath salts with dried flowers
Hand-poured candles in vintage teacups
Customized photo frames
Baked goods make heartfelt prizes when nicely packaged. Presentation transforms simple treats into special gifts.
If you're crafty, consider:
Hand-stamped tea towels (using rubber stamps and fabric ink)
Simple macramé plant hangers
Decorated mini succulent pots
Custom coffee mugs using oil-based Sharpies
Basic soy candles in pretty containers
Presentation elevates DIY gifts. Simple sugar scrubs in pretty glass jars with custom labels and ribbon become coveted prizes. Dollar stores, Michaels, and Amazon offer great packaging.
Before committing to DIY prizes, assess:
Your actual skill level (Pinterest fails are real!)
Available time (everything takes longer than expected)
Stress level (don't add DIY pressure if already overwhelmed)
Cost (DIY isn't always cheaper)
If short on time, try semi-homemade approaches like adding monograms to plain totes or customizing picture frames.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many prizes should I buy for a baby shower?
For 3-5 games with 15-20 guests, prepare 5-8 prizes total. Any extras make nice bonus gifts for the mom-to-be.
What's an appropriate amount to spend on baby shower game prizes?
Typically $5-15 per prize for standard showers, $15-25 for upscale events. Thoughtfulness matters more than cost.
Should baby shower prizes be the same for each game?
They should be similar in value but can be different items. Having varied but equivalent prizes lets winners choose their preference.
Should baby shower prizes be related to babies or pregnancy?
No! Prizes should be treats for the guests themselves—focus on self-care, home goods, or consumables everyone can enjoy.
Should I wrap baby shower game prizes?
Not required but special presentation makes winning more exciting. Simple gift bags with tissue paper add festivity.
Wrapping It Up
Baby shower prize selection deserves careful thought. Great prizes transform games into memorable activities. The best prizes balance thoughtfulness with practicality—something guests will actually use after the event. Budget isn't the key factor; I've seen inexpensive, personalized prizes delight recipients more than costly ones that failed to excite.
With these ideas and guidelines, you're set for successful prize planning. Don't forget to photograph the winners for the parents-to-be's memories!
What prize ideas have worked well at showers you've attended?
