32 Gender Reveal Ideas We Love
Family, friends, co-workers, strangers you meet in the grocery store—enquiring minds want to know: Boy or a girl? These days, parents aren’t just providing an answer, they’re revealing it in unique and special ways. There are lots of baby gender reveal ideas out there, and choosing the one that’s right for you and your growing family can feel daunting. You may feel the pressure to make it unique and special. Whether you’re searching for gender reveal party inspiration or creative social media posts that reveal baby’s gender, there’s something for everyone on this comprehensive list. Just remember: If you want to be surprised as well, ask a trusted friend to get the results from your doctor and arrange the reveal details for you. Keep scrolling to see some of the best gender reveal ideas around, from the sweet and simple to the utterly dramatic.
A gender reveal can take many forms, but put plainly it’s an announcement that reveals the sex of your growing baby. Wondering when and how you can find out baby’s sex? There are a few different options to consider. With non-invasive prenatal testing a blood test can reveal baby’s sex at the 10 week mark, although it’s important to note that this test isn’t 100 percent accurate and may not be covered by your insurance plan. Other options include chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, which are slightly more invasive. Parents can also learn the sex of their baby at the 20-week ultrasound, although this relies on the fetus being in the correct position, so that the ultrasound technician can identify baby’s external genitals. Whatever option you choose, let your care provider know if you’d like to find out the gender during the appointment or would prefer to keep it as a surprise. You can also ask your ultrasound technician or doctor to write the results on a piece of paper and put it in a sealed envelope. That way you can pass it on to a trusted friend or family member who’ll coordinate a gender reveal on your behalf.
There are no rules when it comes to planning a gender reveal. Some expectant parents prefer to do a private reveal or a social media post, while others use the news as an excuse to throw a party with their nearest and dearest.
If you plan to host a gender reveal party, timing is key. Where possible, set the date for two or three weeks after the anticipated results of your blood test or ultrasound. This gives you a window of time to account for delayed lab results or an unclear sonogram. In terms of guest list, invite whoever you want. Some parents choose to incorporate a gender reveal into their baby shower or sprinkle, but there’s nothing stopping you from hosting an entirely separate event.
Want to avoid a baby gender reveal fail? Skip the fireworks, sparklers and smoke bombs (or any other combustible material for that matter). It might sound like a spectacular show for your grand announcement, but this type of display can have dangerous consequences and is something that should be saved for the pros.
With “gender reveals” soaring in popularity over the past few years, it can feel like people are turning to the same gender reveal tactics time and time again. If you’re racking your brain for some under-the-radar options, don’t stress—we’ve come up with a few unique gender reveal ideas just for you. These are sure to step up the drama and turn your gender reveal party into one your guests aren’t likely to forget. Get ready for jaws to drop!
Halloween-themed gender reveal
Love the spooky season? Throw a Halloween hoe-down and reveal baby’s gender with this pumpkin surprise ball. Play pass the pumpkin with your guests and unravel layers of crepe paper until you get to the center and find pink or blue confetti and a tag that tells you if it's a baby boy or girl.
Gender reveal with confetti cannons
If you’re hosting a gender reveal party, gather up a stash of these gender reveal poppers—either pink or blue—and have your guests give them a good tug! Or get a set for you and your partner and do it yourselves. It’s sure to step up the festive vibe and create the perfect photo (you’ll look like you’re in a parade!). For safety reasons follow the product instructions to the letter.
Gender reveal baseball
If you’re hosting a sports-themed gender reveal party, batter up! Have your gender reveal party guests don pink or blue to cast their votes, then see which team wins by hitting one of these colored powder-filled baseballs out of the park. (You can also choose a gender reveal football or a gender reveal soccer ball.)
Harry Potter gender reveal
Wizard or witch? Only the sorting hat knows! For one of the most magically unique gender reveal ideas, gather everyone around to watch as you lift the sorting hat. Underneath? An article of clothing for a boy or girl, revealing the sorting hat’s “decision.”
Gender reveal using silly string
Few things will bring on the LOLs like the parents-to-be covered in Silly String. This fun gender reveal idea calls for wrapping cans of Silly String with decorative paper so no one knows what color they have. Hand the cans out at your gender reveal party and let the stringing begin!
Thoughtful, playful or both, these cute gender reveal ideas will undoubtedly make friends, family and expectant parents go awww.
Breakable chocolate gender reveal
Pregnancy hormones can affect your mood. Why not take it out on a piece of chocolate? Smash this breakable chocolate heart with a wooden mallet and see what color candies come spilling out. Bonus: You’ll have yourself a nice little snack too!
Confetti balloon gender reveal
Searching for simple gender reveal ideas? Look no further than this poppable balloon set. It comes with two giant black latex balloons (one’s a backup), a roll of gold satin ribbon and one pack each of blue and pink confetti. Once popped, the slow-fall confetti will glide gracefully to the ground making for great photos. The best part? The confetti is biodegradable, so you won’t have to worry about cleaning up every last speck.
Bath bomb gender reveal
If you’re going along with “Waddle it be?” theme, this rubber ducky—which sits on top of a white bath bomb—is for you. Plop it into a bowl and watch the bath bomb slowly dissolve to turn the water pink or blue.
Gender reveal piñata
This gender reveal idea is simply smashing! Pick up a piñata that explodes with pink or blue confetti, revealing baby’s gender.
Gender reveal golf ball
Looking for cute ways to get older children excited about a new sibling? Let them take a swing at revealing baby’s gender—literally! One whack of the club and this golf ball will explode into pink or blue powder. It’s a simple gender reveal idea that’s fun for the whole family.
Gender reveal candle
We love this cute gender reveal idea. For a more intimate way to learn the news, light the wick of a gender reveal candle—as it burns down, it’ll reveal a hidden message under a layer of wax. Since it’s small enough to box up and ship, a candle is another great gender reveal idea for family members who live far away.
Gender Reveal Shirts
Make your appearance at the party dressed in gender reveal shirts. We’re partial to these “Team Stashes” and “Team Lashes” shirts, but any related message (or color scheme) will do. Then you can make a dramatic show of unboxing and wearing the “correct” shirt.
Add a competitive edge to your gender reveal with a fun party game. From simple printables to baby-themed board games, these activities are sure to be a hit with parents and party guests alike.
Word search gender reveal
Gender reveal games are always a hit. This word search option is simple and sweet. It’s filled with the words “boy” and “girl;” but there’s nine of one and 10 of the other. And since it’s a digital download, you can print as many as you like and send to loved ones in the mail.
Tic Tac Toe gender reveal
How about a game of tic tac toe? This set includes everything you need to turn the classic board game into a fun gender reveal idea. To play, hang up the board and pin five cards of one color and four of the other. If you reveal five pink cards it’s a baby girl; but if it’s five blue get ready to welcome a baby boy.
Nesting doll gender reveal
Gender reveal games don’t have to be elaborate. Case in point: This cute nesting doll set. Play with your partner or party guests and open the dolls one-by-one until you reveal the final one that signifies baby’s gender.
Balloon pop gender reveal
This interactive game makes for a fun gender reveal idea. Pour a little pink or blue paint into one balloon and the rest with white before blowing them up, then secure to a board. Now see which of your gender reveal party guests can pop the “belly” first. (Play this outside to minimize mess.)
Gender reveal scratch-off cards
Time to get hands-on! You can design your own scratch-off card (check this out for a how-to) or buy them ready-made. This is one of the best gender reveal ideas for family members who live far away—just pop the card into the mail and wait for their excited call.
Who doesn’t love an unboxing moment? These gender reveal box ideas build up the excitement and anticipation.
Gender reveal balloon release
This one’s a classic: Pack a giant decorated box with pink or blue helium-filled balloons, and then during your gender reveal party, unbox the balloons and reveal! Just don’t let them loose into the air to protect our environment.
Gender reveal booties box
Special delivery! Have loved ones who can’t make it to your gender reveal party? This is a cute gender reveal idea for family: Send them a package, and when they open it up, they’ll be greeted with either pink or blue crocheted booties.
Gender reveal onesies in a box
This option is perfect for the big party moment–put the appropriate gender reveal onesie in a box and let guests get a look. Plus, seeing how easy it is to pop a box in the mail, it’s another perfect gender reveal idea for family afar!
Now that we’ve covered a range of shoppable gender reveal ideas, below find a few DIY options to try. From sweet sibling photoshoots to baked delights, each of the options below are super-special.
Gender reveal manicure
Take your manicure to the next level with gender reveal nails. What’s that, you ask? A nail artist wowed the internet when she painted her nails pink and blue with a tiny fake cake atop her finger, then had a friend light the cake candle, which revealed either a blue or pink flame. We’re not actually suggesting you DIY this at home—leave it to the nail-painting pros. Still, you might consider getting your digits polished pink or blue as a little hint for your gender reveal party guests.
Gender reveal lightsabers
May the force be with you as you welcome a new baby into the world. Star Wars fans will absolutely love this unique gender reveal idea. If you’re expecting a mini Luke Skywalker, the lightsaber will glow blue. It’ll illuminate pink for a little Princess Leia. Bonus: These make great favors for a Star Wars-themed gender reveal party.
Gender reveal cupcakes
This is a cute idea for any gender reveal party. To play up the “bun in the oven” pun, bake cupcakes colored with pink or blue food dye in the center (or commission a friend to do the task for you). Bite into your cupcake to get the ultimate surprise. Add cupcake toppers and colorful sprinkles for an extra dollop of fun.
Gender reveal filtered ultrasound
If you like editing and filtering photos, then you’ll love doing the same with baby’s ultrasound pic. Add blue or pink effects and emojis to the sonogram. Then email it to friends and family or blast it on social media and watch the likes roll in.
Gender reveal cake
Looking for another sweet gender reveal idea? Ask your favorite baker to create a blue or pink cake, topped with vanilla or chocolate frosting. When it’s time for cake, gather everyone around the table as you make that first slice with a flourish—and show everyone what you’re having.
Gender reveal paint guns
These proud parents-to-be wore white to their gender reveal party and armed their friends with paint guns filled with pink or blue paint. As guests went to town, they also discovered: It’s a boy! It’s one of the most creative gender reveal ideas we’ve come across. Just be careful and don’t get hurt in the process.
Gender reveal guessing game
What’s a gender reveal party without gender reveal games? Here’s an easy one for you: Have guests write their guesses down on slips of paper. Before they leave, announce what you’ll be having. Those who guessed right win a prize. This is also a great twin gender reveal idea!
Gender reveal punch
Here’s a tasty but simple gender reveal idea. Your party guests will know what you’re having once you serve them a drink—either pink lemonade or Blue Hawaiian Punch. Fun and sugary sweet!
Gender reveal pictures
One of the best gender reveal ideas is to gather your family together for a memorable photo. Say cheese and have a friend or photographer click. Don’t forget the gender reveal sign or gender reveal balloons! Another option is to have the kids surprise you with the news to capture your raw reaction on camera.
DIY shirt gender reveal
We love this creative gender reveal idea for families expecting baby #2. For a fun twist on a maternity photoshoot, wear a white tee, then have your child dip their hands in blue or pink paint. Shoot one pic showing their little hands on your belly, and the next revealing the color of the handprints.
Gender reveal smoke bombs or powder cannons
If you’re searching for cool gender reveal ideas, you’ve probably come upon some theatrical smoke bomb or powder cannon options. They can certainly present a dramatic effect. Guests gather outdoors and someone lets loose a smoke bomb in pink or blue. It may sound like the ultimate Instagram opportunity, but this popular gender reveal idea can have dangerous consequences. (We’re sure you’ve heard about some gender reveals gone seriously awry!) If you choose a smoke bomb option, use extreme caution and follow directions carefully.
Gender reveal ultrasound party
In all honesty, most medical experts aren’t super-keen on this gender reveal idea, since things can get kinda squishy. You might not be able to have a bumping gender reveal ultrasound party per se, but your practice may allow you to invite a future grandma and grandpa into the exam room. Some couples say they cherished the opportunity to have loved ones with them as they discovered their baby’s sex during the mid-pregnancy ultrasound.
We get it—planning a gender reveal party can be tricky. As an expectant parent you already have a lot on your plate, so the best gender reveal ideas are easy to execute, affordable and fun. To help you find the best activity for your big reveal, we scoured the internet for inspiration. When sourcing options, we considered a list of criteria, such as cost, mess-factor and, most importantly, safety. We also read user reviews to understand how shoppable gender reveal products worked for real families.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
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