Pass The Pacifier
Introduction
Ask anyone who’s been to a baby shower in the US what they remember most, and odds are it’s not the diaper cake or the frosting color on the cupcakes. Those things are cute, sure but the belly laughs during the games? That’s what people talk about later.
Baby shower games break down that “sitting politely in a circle” vibe and get everyone your aunt, your coworker, even your grandma actually playing together. And while the classics are fun, sometimes it’s the weirder games that steal the show.
Case in point: Pass the Pacifier.
It sounds odd (and it is), but that’s exactly why it works. The rules are simple, it gets competitive in the funniest way, and the sight of grown adults wobbling around with a pacifier balanced on a spoon is, frankly, comedy gold.
What You’ll Need
- Pacifiers (at least one, but honestly grab extras someone will drop it).
- Plastic spoons or straws (pick one style for the whole game).
- A timer (your phone stopwatch works fine).
- Prizes (something small for the winning team).
- Where to Buy (US-Friendly Spots):
- Target/Walmart multipacks of pacifiers + spoons.
- Amazon fast delivery if you’re last-minute.
- Dollar Tree budget version of basically everything.
- Party City baby shower staples in bulk.
- Little extra tip: grab pastel or themed pacifiers. They’ll pop in photos and double as part of your décor instead of just feeling like game props.
How to Play
- So, how do you set this thing up? The trick is keeping it just structured enough to work, but messy enough that it’s still hilarious to watch.
- Step 1: Split into Teams
- Groups of 4–6 usually work best. Got a huge crowd? Run a few rounds so everyone gets a turn.
- Step 2: Hand Out Supplies
- Pass out a spoon (or straw) to each player. The first person in line also gets the pacifier to kick things off.
- Step 3: Go Over the Rules
- Hands are officially off-limits. If the pacifier hits the ground, that player can pick it up with their hands to reset but they’ve got to start again from the spot where it dropped.
- Step 4: Kick Off the Relay
- Do a countdown, yell “Go!” and then stand back. The first player starts the chain, wobbling the pacifier down to the next teammate, who passes it to the next, and so on until it crawls its way to the end of the line. There will almost definitely be a few slips, and that’s half the fun.
- Step 5: Finish & Celebrate
- When the last person finally gets the pacifier, they just have to drop it into a bowl or basket to wrap things up. Simple ending, big cheers. The team that manages to finish first without too many fumbles earns bragging rights, plus whatever prize you’ve lined up.
- Rounds usually take 5–10 minutes, which is perfect not too short, not too long.
Fun Variations
Co-Ed Chaos: Get the dads, brothers, and uncles involved. There’s nothing funnier than a grown man concentrating like his life depends on keeping a pacifier steady.
Kid-Friendly Mini Round: Give the younger cousins their own turn with smaller spoons and a pacifier. It’s usually less about who wins and more about how cute (and funny) it is watching them try. It’s adorable, and they feel included instead of just watching.
No-Hands Upgrade: Instead of spoons, use straws in your mouth to pass the pacifier. Warning: this version gets very goofy, very quickly.
Virtual Twist: Hosting online? Mail pacifiers to guests ahead of time, or have them improvise with spoons + a coin or candy. Families can record their attempts and share live it’s funnier than you’d think.
Why Guests Love It
- It’s hilarious the faces people make while trying not to drop the pacifier are priceless.
- It’s one of those instant icebreakers people who just met five minutes ago end up yelling like teammates at a little league game.
- It feels fresh not as overplayed as Bingo or Guess the Baby Food.
- It makes lasting memories people will joke about who “aced the pacifier relay” years later.
- Basically, it’s silly without being embarrassing, competitive without being stressful, and inclusive enough that everyone can join or cheer.
Conclusion
Baby showers are at their best when they mix love, laughter, and just enough chaos to make stories worth retelling. Pass the Pacifier does exactly that it’s cheap to set up, ridiculously fun to play, and guaranteed to leave the parents-to-be with a roomful of happy memories.
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