Kid-Friendly and Co-Ed Baby Showers
While it is traditional for baby showers to be women-only, it is increasingly
acceptable for these events to be both kid-friendly and/or co-ed. New dads are
much more involved in childcare today than they were fifty years ago, and
inviting them to take part in the excitement leading up to the birth of their
baby can be a wonderful gesture. Likewise, if the expecting mother or parent has
children, they may wish for their child to attend the shower as well. If that is
the case, guests are usually invited to bring their children as well.
My husband and I were living far from our families when we were expecting
our first child. My mother-in-law offered to host a baby shower for the two of
us when we were home for the holidays. It was held in the evening and many of
our relatives and family friends—including both husband and wives—were invited.
Hors d'oeuvres and wine were served. We opened the gifts just like you would do
at a girls-only baby shower, with all the oohs and ahhs. It felt right having my
husband there with me as we were both excited and nervous for our first
child!
-Lesley and Mike, Michigan
Here is a great crafting activity to keep children busy during a kid-friendly
shower:
Lollipop & Flower Garden
For children ages 4 and up
You will need:
Green craft foam
Buttons of varying colors
Stiff
construction paper of varying colors
Green pipe cleaners
Organic
lollipops
Scissors
What to do:
Before the party, cut the green craft foam into foot long
pieces.
You’ll first make the button flowers. Cut out the shapes of flowers from the
construction paper. Depending on the age of the children, simply cutting a
circle will work fine. For an older crowd, star shapes would also work well.
Have each child choose a button to place in the center of the flower. Poke a
pipe cleaner through your flower so that it comes up and through the first hole
of the button, then poke it down through the next hole in the button and through
your flower. Twist the short end of the pipe cleaner around the long end, as
close as possible to the flower and button.
Hand each child their own green foam piece. This is their garden. Now have
the children “plant” their flower and the lollipops into the garden by poking
the lollipop stick or pipe cleaner into the green foam. An option is to have
premade one button flower for each child to add to their garden or, if there is
time and the children are older, make additional flowers at the party. The
result is a colorful garden of lollipops and flowers!
Kid-Friendly and Co-Ed
Co-ed and kid-friendly are increasingly
acceptable
Prepare crafting activities for kids ahead of time
Co-ed works well when couple lives a distance
away |