Halloween Baby Shower Ideas: Little Pumpkin Theme, Food & Games
An autumn baby shower practically decorates itself. Here is how to make it Halloween without scaring the grandparents.
In this guide · 7
A Halloween baby shower works best as cute, not creepy: pumpkins, soft oranges, little ghosts and "boo" puns rather than blood and zombies. The most popular version is the Little Pumpkin theme ("A little pumpkin is on the way"), which works for a boy, a girl or a surprise, and can be held any time from late September to early November.
Pick your level of spooky
| Theme | Look | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Little Pumpkin | Orange, cream, sage green, small pumpkins everywhere | Any family; easiest to decorate |
| Sweet Boo | White ghosts, pastel pink or blue, "Boo" signs | A soft, playful look |
| Hocus Pocus Baby | Purple, black, gold, cauldrons and stars | Friends who love Halloween |
| Autumn Harvest | Rust, mustard, dried leaves, wheat | Not into Halloween but love autumn |
| Boo or Blue | Ghosts plus pink and blue | A shower that's also a gender reveal |
Decorations
- Pumpkins as name cards. Write each guest's name on a mini pumpkin with a paint pen; they take it home.
- A pumpkin guest book. One large white pumpkin that guests sign. It lasts weeks.
- Balloon garland in orange, cream and green, with one or two ghost balloons.
- "A little pumpkin is on the way" sign at the entrance.
- Fairy lights and candles (battery ones if children are coming).
- Baby vests on a washing line with tiny pumpkin and ghost prints.
Food and drink
- Pumpkin-shaped cheese ball with a pepper stalk.
- Mummy sausage rolls: strips of pastry wrapped round sausages, with two dots for eyes.
- Ghost cupcakes with a swirl of white icing.
- Caramel apple bar with toppings.
- Mocktail punch in a cauldron bowl, so the mum-to-be isn't left with water.
- "Ready to pop" popcorn in small bags as favours.
Halloween baby shower games
- Pumpkin bump guess. Guests guess how many sweets are in a jar, or the circumference of a pumpkin, instead of the bump.
- Boo or Blue vote if the gender is a surprise: everyone puts a sweet in the boo (girl) or blue (boy) bucket.
- Costume baby photo match. Guests send a photo of themselves in a childhood Halloween costume; match them to guests.
- Name that baby monster. Read the names of famous friendly monsters and ghosts; guests guess the film or book.
- Pumpkin decorating with paint pens: no carving knives near a pregnant guest of honour.
- Wishes in the cauldron. Each guest drops a wish for the baby into a cauldron; the parents read them later.
For more games that work at any shower, see our 30 baby shower games.
Invitation wording
- "A little pumpkin is on the way! Join us for a baby shower honouring…"
- "Something sweet is brewing. Please join us for a Halloween baby shower."
- "Oh boy (or girl), there's a little boo on the way!"
- "Our little pumpkin arrives in spring. Come celebrate with us."
Including family far away
If grandparents or siblings live in another city or country, set up a phone or laptop for them, and play at least one game they can join from their own phone, such as a quiz or the wishes round. If the shower is also the gender reveal, our Halloween gender reveal ideas has reveal ideas for the same theme.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to have a Halloween-themed baby shower?
Yes, if it stays cute rather than scary. Pumpkins, friendly ghosts and autumn colours suit a baby shower; leave out gore. Check the parents-to-be like the idea.
What is a Little Pumpkin baby shower?
An autumn theme built around the phrase "A little pumpkin is on the way", with orange, cream and green colours, mini pumpkins as decorations and favours. It works for a boy, a girl or a surprise.
When should a Halloween baby shower be held?
Any time from late September to early November. A weekend afternoon before 31 October avoids clashing with trick-or-treating and family Halloween plans.