In there’s one thing expectant parents like to do, it’s throw extravagant baby showers revealing the gender of their baby. If you’ve got a baby on the way, you might be planning a similar party. There are so many ways to announce boy or girl to your friends and family, but not all of them are created equal. Gender reveal parties have turned into events where people pull of increasingly wild stunts (with sometimes disastrous results, like this one that caused a wildfire). But don’t worry, you don’t have to make headlines to pull off the perfect gender reveal.
From super cute cookies and cakes, to party poppers and giant balloons, these creative ways to announce boy or girl will make for the most memorable baby shower. Some of them are super dramatic, others are more low-key, but either way there’s something here for every style of parent. Whether you like to make a scene or prefer a more intimate setting, here are 19 sweet ways to announce boy or girl.
A co*ckTAIL SHAKER
A new baby in the family is the perfect occasion for an enthusiastic cheers, so that’s why this method of announcing boy or girl is so clever: When you pour liquid from the co*cktail shaker into the glass, you find out the gender or you baby. You just need a brightly colored drink to make the moment properly impressive: Try a Blue Hawaiian or pink lemonade. This one is a more intimate way to announce boy or girl, in case you want to keep the reveal between you and your partner. Let’s just hope Mom’s drink is a virgin.
PARTY POPPER FILLED WITH SMOKE
Do you have a flare for the dramatic? Then you’ll love this party popper which expels a thick cloud of either pink or blue smoke. The plumes of smoke will float into the sky, announcing to people for miles around that you’re having a baby, and whether that baby is a boy or girl. Plus, the opaque colors look stunning in photographs. In fact, if you plan to hire a professional photographer for your gender reveal, this option should be at the top of your list, as it’s easy to capture and is guaranteed to translate well to a photograph (unlike a popping balloon which is better suited for video).
…OR A PARTY POPPER FILLED WITH CONFETTI
Like the party popper idea, but a low-key announcement is more your style? Then this simple version full of confetti is the way to go. The surprise pop of confetti is properly celebratory, and while it might be hard to clean up, it also adds the perfect dose of sparkle to your baby shower. It’s simple, straight forward, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to pull off. You’ve probably see some elaborate baby announcements on social media, but a classic splash of confetti to toast your little one is nothing to scoff at either. Plus, the shocked looked on your face when you release the confetti will probably make for some memorable photographs.
WITH SOME HELP FROM THE FAMILY DOG
For some people, pets are part of the family, maybe even the introduction to children before the real ones arrive. So why not find a way to involve your animal companions into the moment when you announce if your baby is a boy or girl? This sweet spin on mystery balloon idea lets the dog (which should be wearing a bow tie, naturally) pop the balloon to reveal the color of the confetti inside. Does the dog know what’s going on? No. Just like anything else involving dogs and babies, it is adorable. As long as you can get your dog to cooperate, of course.
A BOX FILLED WITH BALLOONS
Sometimes balloons just aren’t enough. Sometimes you need to put those balloons in a box to hide them, so that when you open that box, they fly into the air and surprise you, along with handfuls of confetti (when it comes to gender reveals the confetti is crucial). Who among us could say no to the opportunity to shout ”Release the balloons!” to a crowd of rapt onlookers? Sounds like a moment of unbridled joy. On top of that, you actually get to keep the balloons (until they deflate, of course) as a memory of the day, rather than immediately popping them.
…OR ONE BIG MYSTERY BALLOON
You might see this giant black balloon at many baby showers, but it’s popular for a good reason. You can fill it with glitter and confetti and with one quick movement, find out whether you’re having a boy or a girl. Definitely a great way to announce boy or girl for any impatient expectant parents. The shock factor is probably the best part of the mystery balloon method. The loud pop from the balloon coupled with the burst of confetti will send everyone at the party into a frenzy. Good luck capturing it though. You better have a lightning fast photographer on hand.
WATERCOLOR CUPCAKES
Sweets are a classic feature of any baby shower, but this watercolor pattern takes these cupcakes to the next level. Sure you could always go with plain old blue frosting, but isn’t that a little boring and old fashioned? The gorgeous pattern on this cupcake fondant is classy and unique. And while it might be a more subtle approach than some of the gender announcements on this list, it’s also one of the most artistic. Cupcakes might have a reputation for being a casual snack, but the silver leaf details give these a simple but fancy touch. You won’t even miss having a cake.
HATCHING EGG CAKE
Lots of people opt to cut and eat cake at their baby shower, but this one is special: It’s in the shape of a hatching dinosaur egg, complete with green spots for extra realistic detail. Actually, according to the mom who had the cake at her shower, it’s a Pokemon egg, which is, as she writes in the caption, ”low-key extra,” in a good way. It’s a little nerdy (which is not a bad thing) but it’s also playful and adorable. This cake’s design is also unique enough that it makes a memorable statement, without being overly dramatic. Bonus points if your entire shower is Pokemon-themed.
MINI CHEESECAKES FOR EVERYONE
These adorable mini-cheesecakes let everyone get in on in the fun. The color of the filling inside corresponds to the gender of your baby. If everyone takes a bite of their cheesecake at the same time, then the whole party gets to find out the gender of the baby at the same time. The edible gender reveal is really underrated. Instead of watching the gender reveal, your guests get to have a direct role in it. Dessert, no matter its purpose, is the most welcome guest at any party anyway, and no one is going to refuse their own personal bite-size cheesecake.
FROSTING FILLED SUGAR COOKIES
Like the mini-cheesecakes, these sugar cookies are an edible way to announce boy or girl. What makes the sugar cookie option so appealing, though, is that they’re easy to make. While the version in this video is clearly the work of a professional, you can definitely make your own budget-friendly version at home. Anyone can whip up a batch of cookies and hand them out at the baby shower. Place two in a clear bag tied up with pink or blue ribbon and leave them at every place setting if you want to get extra fancy. Then, when it’s time for dessert, the whole party gets to experience the gender reveal together.
A PINATA
Using a pinata for a gender reveal is so fun because you can fill it with whatever you want ”” candy, confetti, little bottles of liquor for your adult baby show guest. The pinata is a classic party game: It’s guaranteed fun time, and as long you pack it with party favors, it will get everyone’s attention. Plus, you get to blindfold mom or dad and laugh as they stumble around trying to break the pinata open. It’s both suspenseful and hilarious, so a win-win. Besides, there’s no better way to savor the last moments of independence from your children then by hitting something very hard until candy comes out.
PUNCHING BAG
Here’s another one for a pair of especially athletic parents: Hide the gender reveal in a pinata shaped like a punching bag. I know it sounds a little aggressive for a baby shower, but it’s actually pretty clever (especially if you have any boxers in your family). Give the punching bag one strong punch, and the dyed smoke explodes out of the bag, but you could fill it with candy or confetti too if that’s more your style. It’s a sufficiently dramatic moment, but kind of a messy one too. If you go with the punching bag idea, just make sure stage the big reveal outside.
ARCHERY
Maybe don’t attempt this gender announcement unless you’re a professional. The badass mom in this video is showing off some serious skills with a bow and arrow (she’d fit right in in Westeros): The arrow hits its target and bursts into a cloud of blue smoke, announcing that she’s having a boy. This is a super mom in the making! This gender reveal is not for the faint of heart, but it’s one that you’ll never forget. If you’re part of an athletic family that likes to spend time to outdoors, it might worth learning archery just to pull off this epic moment.
A BASEBALL GAME
Calling all athletes: If you’ve got a baby on the way have you ever considered donning an entire baseball uniform, pulling your bat out of storage, and staging an elaborate baseball game, all so that you’re family can find out whether your partner is having a boy or girl in the most dramatic fashion imaginable? I know it sounds outlandish, but people have done it, and you can do it to. Some people might think this is a ton of effort for just a second of pay off, but hey, nothing is is too extravagant for your soon-to-be-born baby.
WATER GUNS
Super-soakers are one of those classic toys just about everyone played with as a kid, and so in that way it makes sense that you’d use them to announce a kid of your own. And it’s really simple to pull off too: All you have to do it pick up a couple water guns (you can even find them at the dollar store if you’re feeling really low-maintenance) and fill them with dyed water. Then when you squirt the water at a prepared target (preferably one that is a safe distance from your furniture) it will reveal the baby’s gender to everyone watching.
MOTORCYCLE EXHAUST
If you’re a car lover, then you’ll probably love this way to announce boy or girl: Huge clouds of dyed smoke expelled from the exhaust pipe of your car or motorcycle reveal the baby’s gender. You’ll need to clear the block and possibly wear a gas mask, but it works if you’re trying to send a message to the entire neighborhood. What is that message? That you’re really, really excited about having a baby, duh! This might be one Dad will probably be the most excited about, because it gives him a chance to show off his fancy wheels at the same time.
A HONEYCOMB PUZZLE
This is a truly one-of-a-kind way to announce boy or girl to your family. The parents have to remove the honeycomb shaped puzzle pieces one by one until they find the piece that’s hiding the gender of their baby, while their family impatiently watches. Talk about a slow burn! It doesn’t have the immediacy of popping a balloon or a party popper, but there is something satisfying about holding everyone’s prolonged attention while you disassemble the puzzle. The best part of this video? The little girl trying to steal the parents thunder by ripping off the puzzle pieces before they can get to them.
A HORSE WEARING A BOW
Listen, when you’re announcing the gender of your baby to your family, you should be allowed some theatrics. Having a baby is the biggest life change one can imagine, and it deserves to be celebrated. But this has got to be one of the most over-the-top, dare I say ridiculous, ways to announce boy or girl to ever appear on the internet. These expectant parents found a horse, hid it in a barn, and tied a pink bow around its neck, then trotted it out (literally) when it came time to announce their baby’s gender. If you want people to be talking about your gender reveal for years after your baby is born, then this seriously cinematic display is the way to go.
BATHROBES AND SECRET WARDROBE
Here’s how this clever gender reveal works: A friend or family member finds out the gender of the baby before the parents. Then, at the baby shower, when it’s time for the reveal, the friend or family member in the know takes them to a back room, blinds folds them, and helps them change into either pink or blue outfits, over which they wear bathrobes. Then they are led back into the main room where their family is waiting. They remove the bathrobes and reveal the color of their clothes, and the sex of the baby. It’s super complicated, and you’ve got to find someone you really trust to dress you (maybe Dad just needs to change his shirt). But the surprise at the end, for the family and for the parents (as long as they don’t peek) is well worth the effort.
