A diaper party is a fun, low-stress alternative to a traditional baby shower—typically geared toward dads-to-be and their friends. Unlike baby showers, which often include a full registry and party games, diaper parties are casual gatherings where guests bring diapers (and sometimes wipes) to help new parents stock up on essentials. These events can be guys-only, co-ed, or even family-friendly, and often feature simple food like BBQ or pizza, drinks, and relaxed activities like board games or sports.
Key Takeaways
Purpose. Celebrate the dad-to-be and gift them with essential diapers
Guests. Usually male friends, but coed is also common
Gifts. Diapers (from newborn to bigger sizes), wipes optional
Food. Casual—BBQ, pizza, snacks
Games. Diaper raffles, sports, board games
Invites. Text, email, or printable cards (check out our free printables below!)
Etiquette Tip. Avoid inviting the same guests as the baby shower
Whether you're planning one for your buddy, spouse, or coworker, this guide will walk you through some diaper party ideas and how to host a memorable celebration. Let’s dive into the planning essentials.
What Is a Diaper Party?
A diaper party, or a diaper shower, is basically a baby shower, but generally for the dad and his friends. Just like a baby shower, it’s a party to celebrate the upcoming birth of a new baby and their parents—in this case, the father!
Some other names for a diaper party for men can include:
dadchelor party
man shower
baby shower for men
daddy diaper party
beer and diaper party
diaper keg party
daddy shower.
There aren’t many hard and fast rules when it comes to throwing a diaper party— generally, these are pretty casual affairs—but you can still observe traditional baby shower etiquette if you wish.
Instead of bringing gifts for the dad from a baby shower gift registry, the dad’s friends usually bring diapers—hence the name “diaper party.”
While there’s generally a lot less planning that goes into a daddy diaper party compared to a baby shower, that doesn’t mean you can’t go that extra mile with your ideas if you want to. The choice is up to you!
From casual get-togethers with no frills to a diaper party theme with decorations and fun games, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help inspire you throughout this article.
Make your diaper party stress-free by downloading our free Baby Shower Planning Checklist!
This checklist may be for a traditional baby shower, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take some ideas and adapt them for your diaper party.
Who Throws a Diaper Party?
Like a baby shower, the person who plans a diaper party is usually a close friend or family member of the dad-to-be. The host is generally the person who invites the friends and family members of the dad-to-be (which is generally just men, but anyone can come if you decide on a mixed party), decides on a venue, and plans the games and food.
If it’s not a surprise diaper party, the host can consult with the dad-to-be on a suitable date for the party and the guest list.
Here are some questions parents also ask:
What’s the difference between a diaper party and a baby shower?
A diaper party is usually more casual, often focused on celebrating the dad-to-be and stocking up on diapers, while a baby shower traditionally centers around both parents or the mom-to-be and includes a wider range of gifts.
Can a diaper party be held alongside the baby shower?
Yes! Some families host both on the same weekend, one for the dad’s friends and one for the mom’s. Just avoid overlapping guest lists so no one is double-invited.
Diaper Party Invitations
A diaper party invitation can be a quick and informative text message, or you may prefer to follow baby shower invitation etiquette and send out a more formal or fun invite in advance using our free printable versions below.
The wording on a diaper party invite can include the following:
The type of party—in this case, a “diaper party” to celebrate the dad-to-be
The guest(s) of honor and the party host
The date and time of the party
The location and address
Diaper party gift ideas for guys (in this case, diapers and the preferred size)
RSVP contact details.
Check out our diaper party invitations for guys that you can print out and customize:
Aside from drinking games or simply hanging out with the guys, the diaper party could also include other activities or games. Here are some to consider organizing:
Diaper change challenge. This fun diaper party game for guys involves racing to change a baby’s diaper. You’ll need newborn diapers, baby wipes, and dolls or stuffed toys. You could even try it blindfolded for an extra challenge.
Diaper raffle. Guests receive a raffle ticket for each pack of diapers they bring to the party for the dad. During the diaper party raffle draw, ticket holders will have the chance to win small prizes. And, of course, the parents will receive plenty of diapers for their new arrival!
Sports. If you’re going for a sports theme, your guests might enjoy playing some sports at the party. Depending on your location and the number of guests, you could play basketball, football, bowling, golf, table tennis, etc.
Board games. You could turn the diaper party into a game night with some fun board games or poker, which is especially good for smaller groups of guys. And why not play for prizes?
Of course, any of the standard baby shower games could also be adapted for your men’s diaper party. And take a look at these printable baby shower games for some additional diaper party ideas.
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Diaper Party Gift Ideas
It’s common for guests to wonder what to bring to a diaper party. Unlike a baby shower, which often has a gift registry for guests to consult, a diaper party simply means bringing diapers as gifts for dad. This practical gift is a must for every new parent, and it’s an easy thing for guests to pick up. You could also bring a pack of baby wipes along with the diapers.
And you can even remind the dad-to-be to download the Pampers Rewards app to start earning Pampers Cash and unlocking exclusive offers. Simply scan/enter the QR code on the inside of every pack. The more you scan, the more you save!
Here are some questions parents also ask:
How many diapers should guests bring to a diaper party?
Guests usually bring one or two packs, but some hosts turn it into a raffle—one ticket per diaper pack—to keep things fun and fair.
What’s the best way to word a diaper party invitation?
Keep it light and fun. Mention the casual vibe, note that diapers (sizes newborn and up) are the main gift, and include the theme or RSVP details if you have them.
Diaper Party Themes and Decorations
Typically, a diaper party has a minimal theme and little to no decorations. So, if you think that’s what the dad-to-be would be happy with, keep it simple. Or you could base your theme on something the dad-to-be is interested in, or opt for the common theme of beer and diapers. Here are a few diaper party ideas:
Beer and diapers. This popular diaper party theme idea can be customized in any way you like; for example, the guests could drink beer from baby bottles, play drinking games, or simply hang out and have a few beverages. This party could be hosted in someone’s house or even at the dad’s favorite bar or brewery. And don’t forget the diaper cake (a cake made from diapers) as a decoration—and why not add beer cans to match your theme?
Sports. If the dad-to-be is a sports fan, your diaper party decor could be based on his favorite sport or team. You could decorate or wear the team colors, serve typical stadium-style foods, or watch a game on TV, perhaps even at a local sports bar.
Baby-Q. Keep your diaper party simple by having a good old-fashioned BBQ—burgers, beer, and baby talk! No one will even think of decorations once they see what’s grilling!
A few items you could consider to match your theme (if you choose to have one) are:
In line with the party theme and activities, the food at a diaper party is typically simple, delicious, and easy to prepare. Here are some diaper party food ideas that you might consider:
BBQ. Who doesn'tlove a good cookout? It’s hard to go wrong with some burgers, hot dogs, and ribs on the grill, along with veggie options for any vegetarian guests. Add some grilled vegetables, corn, coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad, or other sides, and you're all set.
Pizza. You could order in some pizza for the guests or even incorporate pizza-making into your party.
Finger foods. An easy option is to provide some quick and easy snacks, such as chips, pretzels, dips, meat, cheese, veggie platters, etc.
Themed desserts. You might like to make (or buy) cookies, cupcakes, or a cake decorated to match your theme. Examples could be cookies in the shape of a pint of beer or diaper-themed cupcakes.
You might also choose to hire a caterer or go to the dad-to-be’s favorite restaurant or bar to eat. If you want to go a bit further and prepare some food yourself, here are some quick and easy baby shower food ideas that could also work well for a diaper party.
Complete your diaper party! Plan, choose the perfect diapers, and earn rewards. Download the Pampers Rewards app today!
FAQS AT A GLANCE
A diaper party is a fun, low-key gathering, usually for the dad-to-be, where guests bring diapers and wipes instead of traditional baby gifts. It’s a great way to stock up on baby essentials while celebrating the upcoming arrival.
Diaper parties can also be called “dadchelor parties,” “daddy showers,” “diaper keg parties,” etc. The names may vary, but the idea is the same: celebrating fatherhood and helping parents prepare with a stash of diapers.
Yes! Guests typically bring a box or two of diapers, often in various sizes, or baby wipes. It’s a practical gift that helps parents build a helpful supply before the baby arrives.
Diaper parties are usually held in the third trimester, around the same time as a baby shower. Many parents plan it 4 to 6 weeks before the due date to avoid any last-minute rush.
Although diaper parties are often for men and baby showers are often for women, many couples are now opting for a joint celebration. It’s entirely up to the parents and the hosts of the party.
The Bottom Line
Diaper parties are a great way to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a new little one. With these fun themes, games, and food ideas, as well as some cool diaper party invitation templates, you can host the perfect diaper party for you and the guys. Whether you’re going for a casual vibe or you’d prefer a fun theme, grab some friends and get ready for a memorable “dadchelor” party!
About Madeline Johnson
As an Executive Editor, Madeline oversaw health, development, and parenting content for the Pampers brand and Pampers.com. She worked closely with editorial teams and medical experts around the globe to ensure that new and expectant parents received ...
