Free Gender Reveal Ideas: 10 Ways That Cost Nothing

The moment people remember is the reaction, not the props. Here are ten reveals that use what's already in your home or on your phone.

At home, with what you have

1. 1The coloured drink. Pour lemonade or water into glasses with a drop of food colouring hidden at the bottom of each. Everyone says cheers and the colour appears.
2. 2Paint the bump. Cover the bump in plain paint or a T-shirt, then your partner wipes or uncovers a hidden pink or blue patch.
3. 3Wrapped baby clothes. Wrap one item of baby clothing in newspaper. The first thing out of the paper is the answer.
4. 4The pet reveal. Tie a pink or blue ribbon or bandana on the dog or cat and let them run into the room.
5. 5The old shirt. Turn an old white T-shirt into the reveal by writing "It's a boy" or "It's a girl" inside out, then flip it.

Games that cost nothing

1. 1Guess-and-forfeit. Everyone writes a guess on paper. The wrong team does the dishes, or sings.
2. 2Old wives' tales. Go through the classic tales together (bump shape, cravings, the ring test) and keep score against the real answer. Our free old wives' tales quiz does the scoring for you.
3. 3Who knows the parents best. Ask ten questions about the parents-to-be. The winner gets to do the reveal.

For family far away, still free

1. 1A live online reveal party. Diaper Reveal is free, with no guest limit and no app. Send one link; everyone joins on their own phone, races, answers a quiz about the parents, and the winner reveals the gender live to the whole family. A memory video is made automatically.
2. 2Countdown in the group chat. Send a poll the day before, then post the answer video at an agreed time. See our WhatsApp gender reveal guide for a simple plan.

Skip these

• Smoke bombs, pyrotechnics and anything that burns: they have caused injuries and wildfires.
• Anything that relies on a stranger keeping the secret (shop staff, bakers) when a friend could do it.