The Candy Bar Baby Shower Matching Game

by Amy Harp
(Farmington, AR, U.S.A)

One of the most fun laugh-out-loud games, the candy bar baby shower game can be played in several ways, but the most popular way is to play it as a memory game. You simply play this game like you played a classic childhood memory game. Just set up a poster board or cork board that measures 5 squares by 6 squares (total of 30 squares or 15 pairs of baby terms). You can use a yardstick and sharpie pen to draw straight lines while creating the grid. In each grid square, write one of the baby terms being sure to mix them all up (each term will appear twice within the grid). Then, pin or tape small construction paper squares with a number (1 through 30) on them over each grid square so that all the terms are covered up. Going around the room, each guest takes a turn by choosing 2 numbers. If they don't guess a matching pair, cover the 2 squares back up and the next person in line is up to guess. If they get a matching pair, they win the candy bar associated with the term. For instance, if they get the matching pair of ‘breastfeeding' squares, they'd get a Milky Way candy bar as their prize. Be sure that you buy at least one of all the candy bars on the list so that you have a prize for each correctly guessed answer.

A game variation would be to list all the baby terms in a column down a sheet of paper with scrambled versions of the candy bars in a column down the right hand side of the paper. Make copies of the game sheets for all the guests. The goal would be to unscramble the candy bar words and match them to the correct baby terms. The person with the most answers correct wins candy bars or you can divide the candy bars up amongst the guests that have correct answers. Some suggested terms and corresponding candies are listed below (just choose your favorites) -

The Conception: SKOR

Pregnant Belly: Chunky Bar

Epidural or Grandparents: Lifesavers

Umbilical Cord: Twizzlers

Late to the Hospital: Rocky Road

Hospital Address: 5th Avenue

Choosing A Baby Name: Watchamacallit

Newborn Girl: Baby Ruth

Twin Boys: Mike & Ike

Triplets: Three Musketeers

10 Pound Baby: Whoppers

Preemie: Runts

Hospital Nursery: Cry Babies

Delivery Doctor: Butterfinger

Father or Dad: Sugar Daddy

Cool Mom: Peppermint Patty

Breastfeeding: Milky Way

Breast Engorgement or Dirty Diapers: Mounds

Hospital Bills or College Fund: 100 Grand

Bottle: Bottle Pop Candy

Mom Alone Time: Zero

Mom Nap Time: Take Five

Baby Giggles: Snickers