Planning a baby shower and looking for a fun way to stock up on diapers? A diaper raffle is the perfect way to turn a much-needed baby essential into a game everyone will love!
If you’re wondering, “What exactly is a diaper raffle, and how do I set one up?”—don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to host a diaper raffle, from how it works to tips for making it a success.
Not only will the parents-to-be get a huge stash of diapers, but guests will also have a chance to win a fun prize—so it’s a win-win for everyone! Let’s dive in and get your diaper raffle set up for baby shower success.
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What is a Diaper Raffle?
A diaper raffle is a great option for a baby shower activity. It works by asking guests to bring a pack or box of diapers to the baby shower and in return your guests are entered into a raffle drawing for a prize (or prizes). It’s a great way to make sure the new parents have plenty of diapers on hand while adding a little extra excitement for guests.
You can even take it a step further and make the diaper raffle the main theme of the shower—especially for a sprinkle or if the parents would rather have diapers and wipes instead of traditional gifts. Just include on your invitation that diapers are requested instead of traditional gifts and you are all set.
Why Have a Diaper Raffle?
1. Cut Down on Diaper Costs with a Baby Shower Raffle
It’s no secret that babies are expensive, and diapers are a huge part of that cost of having a baby. In fact, it is estimated that disposable diapers can cost as much as $800-$1000 in just baby’s first year according to the National Diaper Bank Network. That is a lot of money!
A diaper raffle is a simple way to help ease that financial burden. Even if just half of the baby shower guests bring a small pack of diapers, it can make a big difference for the new parents, covering their diaper supply for months.
Still not convinced? Thanks to my own diaper raffle (and some generous family members), I didn’t have to buy a single diaper until my baby was 8 months old! I promise you it can make a huge difference!
2. Test Different Diaper Brands Before You Buy
For first-time parents, figuring out which diaper brand works best can be a bit of trial and error. A diaper raffle naturally provides a variety of brands since guests will likely bring different types and sizes. This gives parents the chance to test out different options and see what works best for their baby’s skin before committing to one brand.
If the parents already have a favorite brand or have had issues with certain ones, it’s totally fine to include diaper preferences on the baby shower invitation. Just be mindful of the wording—keeping it as a gentle suggestion ensures guests feel informed rather than pressured.
3. Diaper Raffle Instead of Gifts: A Great Option for Second-Time Parents
For parents who prefer to buy their own baby essentials or already have everything they need from a previous child, a diaper raffle is a great alternative to a traditional baby registry. Instead of receiving more clothes and gear, they’ll be stocked up on something they know they’ll use—diapers!
To make it clear to guests, you’ll want to include a short, friendly note on the baby shower invitation. It should be cute but clear to avoid any confusion. Here are a few fun wording ideas:
- “We’re hosting a diaper raffle! Instead of gifts or cards, bring a pack of diapers for a chance to win.”
- “We have just one request, we hope isn’t too hard. Please bring a pack of diapers instead of a gift or card.”
- “To help mom and dad get ahead, in lieu of a gift bring diapers instead. If you do, we’ll enter your name to win a prize in the diaper raffle game!”
4. A Unique Idea for a Baby Shower
There are so many ways to plan a baby shower, with endless options for activities. A diaper raffle is a great addition to both open house-style and activity-based baby showers, giving guests something fun to participate in while also helping the parents-to-be.
While diaper raffles are becoming more popular, they’re still a unique and unexpected surprise for many guests. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t love the chance to win a prize?
How many diapers do you really need for baby’s first year? Check out this post here for more information.
How to Host a Diaper Raffle
Include Diaper Raffle Instructions on Invitations
If you want guests to participate in the diaper raffle, they’ll need a heads-up ahead of time. Be sure to include the details in the baby shower invitations so everyone knows to bring a pack of diapers.
Here are a few cute wording ideas for your invites:
- “Bring some diapers of any size for a chance to win a prize!”
- “Diapers get used up in a flash, so let’s help mom and dad build up a stash. Bring diapers of any size to be entered in our raffle to win a prize.”
- “We’re having a diaper raffle. Do you want to play? Just bring a pack of diapers for the special day!”
- “Babies need changing around the clock, so bring a pack of diapers to help with their stock!”
For an extra touch, you can even include a raffle ticket inside the invitation for guests to bring with them to the shower. Just be sure to have extras on hand in case anyone forgets or misplaces theirs!
Choose a Raffle Prize
Now that your raffle is in the works, you’ll need to choose a prize for your guests to win! How many prizes are needed for the diaper raffle depends on how many guests you are inviting (and how many you think will participate). For a smaller baby shower, you can have just one prize, but for a larger gathering consider having a few smaller prizes as well as a grand prize.
Here are some ideas for your diaper raffle prizes:
- local gift certificate
- movie tickets
- spa day gift basket (lotions, candle, chocolate, etc.)
- flower arrangement
- homemade treats
- Amazon gift card
- Picnic basket
- Beach tote (add towel and some fun items for a day in the sun)
- Gift basket matching the theme of the baby shower
Your prize or prizes do not have to be extravagant or expensive. Planning a baby shower on a budget is very important! But be sure to make it a good gesture of thank you to those who brought diapers to help the mother-to-be. I think a good guideline would be to keep your prize about the cost of a package of diapers to make it appealing to your guests and worth their while. But that choice is ultimately up to you!
Supplies Needed for the Diaper Raffle
Once the invitations are sent out and prizes selected, now it’s time to get everything ready for the big day! To set up your diaper raffle at the baby shower you will need a few basic supplies:
- A table for the diapers and diaper raffle prizes
- Diaper raffle tickets and pens to write guests’ names on the tickets
- Decorations to match the theme, including a diaper raffle sign
- A bowl or box to put raffle tickets in
- You prize of choice
Set up your diaper raffle station however you’d like, just make sure it is near the entrance of the party. That way guests aren’t carrying their diapers far and it keeps everything in one location.
If you get several packs of diapers, you can store them underneath the table as well to ensure there is plenty of space.
Have Extra Diaper Raffle Tickets Available at the Shower
Even if you sent diaper raffle tickets out with your invitations, chances are some guests lost their copy or forgot to bring them. Make sure to have plenty of extra tickets as well as pens so guests won’t miss their chance to be entered into the raffle!
Announce the Winner
Finally, you get to announce the winner (or winners)! This can be done at any point in time during your baby shower that you find appropriate.
At my shower we used this as a game to kick off a few other activities that my hosts had planned, which worked out great! You could also plan if to for the end of the shower as a grand finale and transition into thanking your guests for coming.
To choose the winner, simply mix up the tickets in a
bowl and have the new mama choose the winning ticket. The name on the ticket is
the winner of the prize. It really is that simple!
Diaper Raffle FAQs
Can a diaper raffle include wipes too?
Yes of course! This is your baby shower and diaper raffle so you can run it however you please! If you prefer to include wipes in your raffle as well then just make that clear to your guests.
Wipes and diapers go hand in hand so definitely be sure to include them in the diaper raffle if you’d like! Same as with diapers, be sure to include any preferences of brand on your baby shower invitations.
What if the parents have a brand preference?
Don’t let this stop you from hosting a diaper raffle! Just simply include the brand or brands you prefer in your instructions on the invitation. Just like the idea behind a baby registry, your guests will be appreciative that you told them what you will use for your baby rather than bringing an unnecessary gift.
You can also exchange the diapers you receive for the brands you prefer at the store. I know that Target and Walmart will let you exchange diapers for store credit if the diapers were purchased at their store.
Can a diaper raffle be held at a gender reveal party?
Absolutely! A diaper raffle is a great activity for a party, such as a gender reveal, where loved ones are gathered to celebrate the arrival of a new baby! It does not have to be reserved for just a baby shower. It is also a great option for co-ed style gathering to honor upcoming parents-to-be.
Can you do a diaper raffle for a virtual baby shower?
Yes! A diaper raffle works great for a virtual baby shower. Guests can ship diapers directly to the parents-to-be, and you can draw a winner live during the online event. To keep it simple, include shipping details and registry links in the invitation. For prizes, a digital gift card is an easy option, or you can mail a small gift to the winner. It’s a fun way to keep the tradition going, even from afar!
Where do I get the tickets for my diaper raffle?
When planning my own baby shower, I found some cute diaper raffle tickets on Etsy (this page has so many cute options) for a great price! There are so many cute designs to choose from that I’m sure you’ll find the perfect ones to match your baby shower theme.
Just send them to your local print shop and you are good to go. There are also pre-made ones on Amazon or you can make your own design using Canva.
Final Thoughts - Diaper Raffle Baby Shower Activity
A diaper raffle game is a simple and fun activity to play with your baby shower guests and help the new parents-to-be stock up on much needed baby supplies. Mixed in with other great baby shower games, a diaper raffle can be an exciting addition to your baby shower!
Check out more great baby shower related content:
- How to Ask for Books Instead of Cards at a Baby Shower
- How to Host a Diaper Raffle at a Baby Shower
- How to Throw a Virtual Baby Shower
- Best Locations to Host a Baby Shower
- Baby Shower Thank You Cards: How to Write the Perfect Card
- The Ultimate Baby Registry Guide
- 33 Best Baby Shower Game Prize Ideas (That Aren’t Gift Cards)
- How to Host an Amazing Baby Shower on a Budget
- The 10 Best Baby Shower Alternatives for Modern Parents
If you are pregnant, check out these blog posts to help you prepare for your baby:
- Top 10 Things Your Labor Nurse Wants You To Know
- Preparing for Pregnancy: 7 First Trimester Must-Haves You Can’t Do Without
- 7 Tips for the First 7 Days of Breastfeeding
- Navigating Pumping at Work: Top 11 Tips for a New Mom’s Success
- Everything You Need to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
- The Ultimate Third Trimester Checklist
- Baby Medicine Cabinet Essentials
- How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
- Postpartum Must-Haves for a Vaginal Delivery
