✍️ Best Baby Shower Games Editorial Team · Updated May 2026

Diaper Bean Bag Toss

Mini-cornhole, but the beanbags are rolled-up newborn diapers (or diaper-shaped pouches sewn for the occasion). Players toss them at a board with three holes worth 1, 3, and 5 points. The diapers go to the parents at the end. Both joke and gift in one motion — and it's the easiest backyard hit at a coed baby shower.

🏃 Active
🧒 Kid-friendly
🍷 Coed-friendly

⏱ Prep: 15 min
👥 Best for: 6–20 guests
🍷 Coed: Yes
📹 Virtual: In person

What you'll need

15–20 newborn-size Pampers or Huggies from Target, Walmart, or Amazon (a 96-count box runs $25)
Or — 15 diaper-printed beanbags from Etsy or Amazon if you want them reusable ($20-$30 for a set)
A cornhole board from Amazon or Dick's Sporting Goods ($40-$80) — OR DIY one with 1/2-inch plywood from Home Depot
Painter's tape from Hobby Lobby for the throw line ($4)
Rubber bands or twine from Target for rolling the diapers tight ($3)
A small named prize: $20 Target gift card, Yankee Candle, or a six-pack of craft beer

Before the shower (setup)

A few days before the baby shower, grab 15 to 20 newborn-size diapers from Target, Walmart, or Amazon. Newborn size is the right pick because they're small, light, and fly better than larger sizes. The 96-count Pampers Swaddlers box at Target is around $25 and gives you all the ammo you need plus extras for the parents. If you'd rather have reusable beanbags, Etsy and Amazon both sell diaper-printed cornhole bags for $20 to $30 — the parents keep them as a baby-shower memento.
The day before the shower, roll each diaper into a tight cylinder and secure it with a rubber band or a piece of twine. Tight rolls fly straight; loose rolls tumble in mid-air. Keep them around the size of a real cornhole beanbag — about 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. Source the cornhole board next. The easiest options are: buy a regulation 2-by-3 foot board from Amazon or Dick's for $40 to $80, borrow one from a neighbor, or DIY by cutting a 2-by-3 sheet of half-inch plywood from Home Depot and drilling three holes in it (6-inch diameter for the close hole, 4-inch for middle, 3-inch for the bullseye).
About 15 minutes before games block starts, set up the course in the backyard. Position the cornhole board 10 to 15 feet from the throw line. Mark the throw line with painter's tape on a deck or sidewalk chalk on grass. Assign point values to each hole — 1 for the easiest (closest, biggest), 3 for medium, 5 for the smallest. Pile the rolled diapers next to the throw line and brief the mom-to-be on her scorekeeper job. Pull aside any kids who want to play and let them go first while the energy is high.

Front-door setup for Diaper Bean Bag Toss — basket of clothespins and a chalkboard rule sign by the entryway — Set up at the front door so the game starts the second guests walk in.

How to play

Line up the first player at the throw line with 5 rolled diapers. They toss them one at a time, trying to land each diaper in any of the three holes. The scorekeeper tallies points as the player throws — 1, 3, or 5 based on which hole. Diapers that bounce off the board or miss entirely don't score. The player's turn takes about 60 to 90 seconds. After they throw, gather the diapers and let the next player step up.

For team play, split into two teams of 3 to 5 and alternate throws. Each team's points add up; first team to 21 wins the round. For solo play, run every guest through one round and the highest total takes it. The host's job is to keep the rhythm — call out big throws ("that's a 5!"), narrate the score for the room ("team blue is up by 6"), and keep the diapers cycling back to the throw line. Kids should throw from a closer line (5 feet closer) so they stay in the action.

After the final round, the scorekeeper announces the winner. Hand the prize to the winning player or team. The diapers all go to the mom-to-be — they're unused, rolled neatly, and effectively a baby shower gift wrapped inside a backyard game. If you went with the reusable beanbag version, the parents keep those as a baby-shower keepsake to take to future cornhole tournaments. Snap a photo of the board with diapers scattered around it — it's the visual the parents will share on Instagram later.

A hand lifting a clothespin off another guest's shirt — the steal moment in Diaper Bean Bag Toss — The moment of the steal — someone slipped, someone caught it, pin changes hands.

Variations to try

Themed beanbags. Use sewn or store-bought diaper-printed beanbags instead of real diapers. The diapers stay pristine for the parents, the beanbags are reusable, and the game can run inside without anyone worrying about a misfired diaper landing in the dip bowl.
Cornhole crossover. Mix the diaper beanbags into a regular cornhole tournament — half regular bags, half diaper-themed. Run as a bracket or round-robin. Best for showers with a competitive crowd that wants a longer games block.
No board version. Skip the cornhole board entirely. Use three different-sized buckets at varying distances, same scoring system. Cheaper, faster to set up, and works in any backyard.
Diaper raffle blend. Each diaper a player lands in a hole becomes a raffle entry with their name written on the rubber band. After the game, draw a winning diaper for a second mystery prize. Adds a second win condition and keeps the game alive past the cornhole part.
Pair with [[pacifier-toss]]. Two toss games back-to-back. Run them as a 20-minute outdoor coed block. Different items, same energy, no overlap in mechanics.

Pro tips from hosts who've actually run this

Roll diapers tight with a rubber band. Loose diapers tumble in the air and never go in the holes. A tight roll flies straight every time.
All post-game diapers go to the parents. The game effectively turns into a partial diaper-gift — and that's the joke. Tell guests upfront so they don't feel weird about throwing them.
Use a real cornhole board or DIY one carefully. Cardboard targets collapse after a couple throws and ruin the game.
Skip Diaper Bean Bag Toss on a windy day. Even tight-rolled diapers are too light for a 15-mph gust. Move the game indoors or pick a different game.
Run 2 or 3 rounds for the right engagement level. One round is over too fast and people miss the bit.
Pair with [[pacifier-toss]] for a back-to-back outdoor block — it's the easiest 20-minute coed games sequence on the list.
Number each diaper with a Sharpie on the rubber band (1–15) so the scorekeeper can track which player threw which throw.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using larger-size diapers (size 3 or 4). They're too heavy and tumble. Newborn size is light, tight, and flies straight.
Skipping the rubber band on each diaper roll. Loose diapers unroll mid-throw and become a tangled mess on the lawn.
Setting the board too close. Anything closer than 10 feet and the game has no challenge. Anything farther than 15 and only the dads succeed. 10 to 12 feet is right for mixed groups.
Running it indoors. Misthrows knock over candles, glasses, and the gift table. Outdoor is the right setting unless your indoor space has 25+ clear feet.
Letting unused diapers go in the trash. Always donate or hand them to the mom-to-be. New diapers are too valuable to waste.

Best prize for this game

Pick a prize that suits a coed backyard crowd with kids in the mix. A $20 Target or Trader Joe's gift card works for any age group. For a more dad-themed pick, a six-pack of craft beer or a small bottle of bourbon hits well at coed showers. A Yankee Candle, a Bath & Body Works set, or a $25 Starbucks card all play for the more general crowd. Keep a small kid-prize (a $5 Target gift card or a candy bag) on hand for the youngest winner if kids are playing.

→ More baby shower prize ideas, by budget

Our verdict

Wholesome cornhole-style alternative to pacifier toss — and the diaper-as-projectile theme is the joke that gets the dads laughing. The diapers double as a baby shower gift to the parents at the end.

Diaper Bean Bag Toss — FAQ

How do I play Diaper Bean Bag Toss at a baby shower?

Set up a cornhole board with three holes worth 1, 3, and 5 points at 10 to 15 feet from a throw line. Roll 15 newborn-size diapers tight and use them as beanbags. Each player throws 5 diapers per turn, trying to land them in any hole. Highest total score wins.

What are the rules of Diaper Bean Bag Toss?

Each player gets 5 rolled diapers per turn. Diapers must land in a hole and stay there — bounces don't count. Players can't step over the throw line. Highest cumulative score after all rounds wins. Diapers that miss are gathered between turns.

Won't the diapers get dirty during the game?

On clean grass or a dry deck, no — they're tight-rolled and brand new. The shells don't open from a clean fall. Skip the game on muddy or wet grass, and skip indoor carpet if you've got a dog in the house. After the game, the diapers go to the parents unused.

How many diapers do I need for Diaper Bean Bag Toss?

15 to 20 rolled diapers is the right count. Players share between turns; one set of 5 cycles through the entire game. Newborn-size Pampers or Huggies work best — a 96-count box from Target is $25 and gives you plenty plus extras for the parents.

Where can I get a cornhole board for Diaper Bean Bag Toss?

Amazon, Dick's Sporting Goods, or Target all sell regulation 2-by-3 foot cornhole boards for $40 to $80. To DIY, cut a half-inch plywood sheet from Home Depot and drill three holes (6-inch, 4-inch, 3-inch). Borrowing from a neighbor who plays cornhole is even faster.

Can the diapers be reused after Diaper Bean Bag Toss?

Yes — they're brand new, unused, and just tight-rolled. Unroll them and hand the stack to the mom-to-be after the game. The newborn-size diapers will be used in the first week home from the hospital. If she doesn't want them, donate to a local diaper bank.

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About the author

Best Baby Shower Games Editorial Team — Party planners, parents & writers. We’re a small team of party planners and parents who’ve hosted — and been guests at — dozens of baby showers. Every game here is sorted by what actually lands in a real room, not by what just looks cute on a Pinterest board.