Diaper parties are the male alternative to traditional baby showers — a dads-only celebration where guests bring diapers as "admission" instead of traditional baby gifts. The format is more casual than a shower (think poker night or watch-the-game party), but dads still want something to do beyond eating wings and drinking beer. This guide covers the best games specifically for diaper parties: dad-friendly, low-sentiment, high-energy, and easy to run without killing the casual vibe.
Diaper parties have grown in popularity as co-ed baby showers have become more common. Many dads like the idea of a baby celebration but don't want to sit through "guess the belly size" or fill out printable worksheets. A diaper party is the solution: it's a celebration of impending fatherhood without any of the activities that make dads-to-be uncomfortable at traditional showers. According to a 2024 Parents magazine survey, 23% of expecting couples host a diaper party in addition to (or instead of) a traditional shower.
What makes a good diaper party game
Before getting into specific picks, here's what actually works at diaper parties:
Competition, not participation. Dads engage with games that have clear winners. Scores, teams, and prizes matter. Passive activities fail.
Short rounds. 10-15 minutes per game, max. Longer and you kill the casual vibe.
Works alongside the main activity. Diaper parties usually have a central activity — watching a game, playing poker, grilling outside. The games need to fit around that, not replace it.
Zero sentimental content. Skip anything where guests are asked to share feelings, give advice, or reflect on fatherhood. Dads will do that at a future time on their own — the diaper party is for light fun.
No worksheets or pens. Ever. Guests shouldn't have to write anything down at a diaper party.
The best diaper party games
Baby price is right
The single best game for diaper parties. Show a baby product on screen — a stroller, a crib, a bottle warmer, diapers, formula — and guests guess the retail price. Closest guess without going over wins the round (Price Is Right rules). Play 10 rounds, keep team scores, prize for the winner.
Why it works: competitive, visual, and the reveal moments create great reactions ("A Nuna Pipa car seat costs HOW much??"). Also stealth education — guests learn what baby stuff actually costs, which pays off later. The guys who already have kids have a slight edge, which creates good-natured trash talk.
Pro tip: Include at least one shockingly expensive item (UPPAbaby Vista V3 stroller at ~$1000, Nuna Mixx Next at ~$850, or a premium glider rocker at ~$1500) to produce a genuinely surprising reveal.
Baby trivia (guy-friendly version)
Trivia works at diaper parties if you pick the right categories. Good categories:
- Baby animal names (what's a baby kangaroo called? a baby porcupine?)
- Famous dad celebrities (who has more kids: Eddie Murphy or Nick Cannon? Answer: Nick Cannon with 12+)
- Baby sports facts (what's the youngest age anyone has played in the NBA? Answer: Moses Malone at 19)
- Old wives' tales: fact or fiction (the scientific debunking angle is entertaining)
- Baby product trivia (what year was the disposable diaper invented? Answer: 1947 by Marion Donovan)
Skip categories that require pregnancy-specific knowledge or that assume the guests have kids themselves. See our baby shower trivia questions guide for the full list of questions by category.
Emoji pictionary (with sports/dad variants)
Emoji pictionary works at diaper parties because it's visual, fast, and non-sentimental. For diaper parties specifically, use themed decks that skew dad-friendly:
- Classic baby phrases: 👶🚿 = Baby Shower. Works for all audiences.
- Dad movies with babies: 🐱👑🦁👑 = Lion King. 🦸♂️👶 = Incredibles.
- Sports babies: 🏈⚾🏀 + baby emojis for "baby's first ballgame" themed puzzles.
- Cartoons: 🧔👶 = Family Guy (Peter + Stewie).
BabyShowerShow's emoji pictionary has 5 themed decks including baby movies and nursery rhymes that work well at diaper parties.
Guess the dad (celebrity edition)
Show photos of famous celebrity dads as babies and have guests guess who's who. Works great at diaper parties because it's competitive, visual, and the reveal moments are entertaining ("That's DWAYNE JOHNSON?? He was that small??").
Good celebrity dad photos to include: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Chris Pratt, Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Mark Wahlberg, Eddie Murphy (with all his kids), Will Smith. Mix in 1-2 historical dads (young Teddy Roosevelt, Winston Churchill) for harder rounds.
"Don't drop the baby" physical challenge
A physical game for diaper parties where guys can get up and move around. Hand each guest a raw egg or a baby doll. They have to carry it with them for a set time (an hour, or until a specific game ends). Anyone who drops theirs is out. Last guy standing wins.
Works because it's slightly absurd, requires no setup, and creates ongoing comedy throughout the party. Parents-to-be will relate to the "constantly aware of fragility" element, which becomes the joke.
Diaper changing race
A classic at diaper parties. Line up 4-6 guys with baby dolls, blindfolds, and diapers. They have to change the doll's diaper while blindfolded. Fastest clean change wins. Chaos ensues because most of the guys have never actually changed a diaper before.
This game requires actual props (baby dolls, fake diapers) and about 10 minutes. It's one of the few physical baby-themed games that's genuinely funny for dads because the fumbling is the entire joke.
Baby name guessing
If the parents-to-be haven't revealed the baby's name publicly, play a baby name guessing game. Each guest writes down 3 guesses. At the end of the night, the dad-to-be reveals the name and whoever got closest wins. No writing mid-party — guests just submit names at the start.
If the name is already public, flip the game: guess the MIDDLE name (parents often keep this private). Works great because it's a mystery element woven through the party.
Poker with baby-themed chips
For poker-loving groups: play a normal Texas Hold'em game, but replace the chip values with baby-themed items. Lowest chips = diapers, middle = formula, high = strollers. The mom-to-be or someone in her family can make the themed chip labels.
Works because it's a regular poker night with a small thematic twist. Zero extra games needed — the poker itself is the main activity.
The "best baby gift you ever received" storytelling round
A light storytelling game. Each guy who's already a dad shares a story about the best baby gift they ever got. Funny anecdotes encouraged. Takes 20-30 minutes for a group of 10.
Works for diaper parties because it's stories (not sentimental sharing), it gives the dads-who-are-already-dads a way to contribute, and the dad-to-be learns what gifts are actually useful.
Games to skip at diaper parties
Some traditional baby shower games genuinely don't work at diaper parties. Skip these:
- "Don't say baby": Feels forced and passive.
- Belly measuring or belly drawing: Doesn't apply (the mom isn't there).
- Baby food tasting: Unpleasant. Skip.
- Advice scroll: Sentimental. Save for traditional showers.
- Worksheets of any kind: Kill the vibe instantly.
- Bingo: Too passive for the energy level.
Diaper party logistics
A few practical notes:
Venue: Someone's backyard, living room, or a rented sports bar party room. Avoid formal venues — they clash with the casual vibe.
Duration: 3-4 hours. Longer than a traditional shower because the "games" are less structured and fit around the main activity.
Food: Wings, pizza, burgers, chili. Not baby-themed cupcakes.
Drinks: Beer and whiskey are the defaults. Non-alcoholic options should be present but don't need to dominate.
Gifts: Diapers in bulk (size newborn through 4), wipes, diaper cream. Some guests also bring small gifts for the dad personally (a nice bottle of whiskey, a book about fatherhood, a gift card to a restaurant the couple can't go to anymore because of the baby).
Timing: Usually 4-8 weeks before the due date, same as traditional showers. Can also be held after the baby is born as a celebration rather than anticipation.
Ready to play: 20 games that work at diaper parties
BabyShowerShow has 20 interactive baby games that project on any TV or laptop — perfect for diaper parties in backyards, basements, or rented bar rooms. Every game is designed for screen play with host-controlled reveals. The best picks for diaper parties: emoji pictionary (especially the baby movies deck), baby trivia (especially baby animals), baby price is right, and the "who's that baby" celebrity edition.
First 3 answers in every game are free, full access is $4.99 for 30 days. Browse all 20 games →
For related content, see our guides on baby shower games for men and co-ed crowds, types of baby showers explained, and funny baby shower games.
Frequently asked questions
What's a diaper party?
A male-focused baby celebration where guests bring diapers instead of traditional baby gifts. Usually casual — poker night, watch-the-game party, or backyard hangout. The dad-to-be is the focus, not the mom-to-be.
What do you do at a diaper party?
Main activities vary: watching a sports game, playing poker, grilling, or just hanging out. Games are lighter and more competitive than traditional shower games — baby price is right, emoji pictionary, baby trivia, and the diaper changing race are the most common picks.
What should I bring to a diaper party?
Diapers (size newborn through 4, in bulk). Wipes are also welcome. Some guests add a small personal gift for the dad-to-be (whiskey, a fatherhood book, a restaurant gift card).
How long should a diaper party last?
3-4 hours. Longer than traditional showers because the "games" are less structured and fit around the main activity.
Who hosts a diaper party?
Usually the dad-to-be's best friend, brother, or father. The mom-to-be is typically not involved in hosting or attending — it's the dad's parallel to her traditional shower.
Are diaper parties the same as baby showers?
No. Diaper parties are specifically for dads, casual in format, and focused on the dad-to-be's friend group. Baby showers are typically co-ed or mom-focused and more structured with traditional shower games.
What games work at diaper parties?
Baby price is right, emoji pictionary (baby movies edition), baby trivia (baby animals, famous dads), and physical games like the diaper changing race. Avoid sentimental games, worksheets, or anything that assumes pregnancy knowledge.
What size diapers should I bring?
Size 1-3 are the most useful because babies grow through them fastest. Newborn size (NB) is also appreciated but babies outgrow it quickly. Skip size 5+ — parents usually have plenty of time to buy those.