How do you announce your babys gender?

Family, friends, co-workers, strangers you meet in the grocery store—enquiring minds want to know: Boy or a girl? These days, parents aren’t just providing an answer, they’re revealing it in unique and special ways. There are lots of baby gender reveal ideas out there, and choosing the one that’s right for you and your growing family can feel daunting. You may feel the pressure to make it unique and special. Fortunately, whether you’re searching for gender reveal party inspiration or gender reveal picture ideas to post to social media, there’s something for everyone on this comprehensive list. Just remember: If you want to be surprised as well, ask a trusted friend to get the results from your doctor and arrange the reveal details for you. Keep scrolling to see some of the best gender reveal ideas around, from the sweet and simple to the utterly dramatic.

With “gender reveals” soaring in popularity over the past few years, it can feel like people are turning to the same gender reveal tactics time and time again. If you’re racking your brain for some under-the-radar options, don’t stress—we’ve come up with a few unique gender reveal ideas just for you. These are sure to step up the drama and turn your gender reveal party into one your guests aren’t likely to forget. Get ready for jaws to drop!

Gender Reveal Piñata

This gender reveal idea is simply smashing! Pick up a piñata that explodes with pink or blue confetti, revealing baby’s gender.

Buy it: starting at $30, Etsy.com

Gender Reveal Baseball

If you’re hosting a sports-themed gender reveal party, batter up! Have your gender reveal party guests don pink or blue to cast their votes, then see which team wins by hitting one of these colored powder-filled baseballs out of the park. (You can also choose a gender reveal football or a gender reveal soccer ball.)

Image: Courtesy Costume Discounters; Courtesy Peace Love Prints Co. / Etsy

Harry Potter Gender Reveal

Wizard or witch? Only the sorting hat knows! For one of the most magically unique gender reveal ideas, gather everyone around to watch as you lift the sorting hat. Underneath? An article of clothing for a boy or girl, revealing the sorting hat’s “decision.”

Gender Reveal Nails

Take your manicure to the next level with gender reveal nails. What’s that, you ask? A nail artist wowed the internet when she painted her nails pink and blue with a tiny fake cake atop her finger, then had a friend light the cake candle, which revealed either a blue or pink flame. We’re not actually suggesting you DIY this at home—leave it to the nail-painting pros. Still, you might consider getting your digits polished pink or blue as a little hint for your gender reveal party guests. Don’t want to take a subtle approach? Don a blue or pink gender reveal dress.

Gender Reveal Lightsabers

May the force be with you as you welcome a new baby into the world. Star Wars fans will absolutely love this unique gender reveal idea. If you’re expecting a mini Luke Skywalker, the lightsaber will glow blue. It’ll illuminate pink for a little Princess Leia. Bonus: These make great favors for a Star Wars-themed gender reveal party.

Gender Reveal Scratch-Off Cards

Time to get hands-on! You can design your own scratch-off card (check this out for a how-to) or buy them ready-made. This is one of the best gender reveal ideas for family members who live far away—just pop the card into the mail and wait for their excited call.

Buy it: starting at $16, Etsy.com

Gender Reveal Dragon Egg

You’re about to be a mother of dragons. Game of Thrones fans will love this truly unique gender reveal idea. The “dragon egg” starts out with black scales but changes color (to pink or blue) once heated to room temperature. How neat is that?

Gender Reveal Smoke Bombs or Powder Cannons

If you’re searching for cool gender reveal ideas, you’ve probably come upon some theatrical smoke bomb or powder cannon options. They can certainly present a dramatic effect. Guests gather outdoors and someone lets loose a smoke bomb in pink or blue. It may sound like the ultimate Instagram opportunity, but this popular gender reveal idea can have dangerous consequences. (We’re sure you’ve heard about some gender reveals gone seriously awry!) If you choose a smoke bomb option, use extreme caution and follow directions carefully. For the record: The same safety warning goes for gender reveal fireworks. It might sound like a spectacular show for your grand announcement, but this is something that should be saved for the pros.

Image: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/ Getty

Gender Reveal Ultrasound Party

In all honesty, most medical experts aren’t super-keen on this gender reveal idea, since things can get kinda squishy. You might not be able to have a bumping gender reveal ultrasound party per se, but your practice may allow you to invite a future grandma and grandpa into the exam room. Some couples say they cherished the opportunity to have loved ones with them as they discovered their baby’s sex during the mid-pregnancy ultrasound.

Cute Gender Reveal Ideas

Thoughtful, playful or both, these cute gender reveal ideas will undoubtedly make friends and family go awww.

Image: vsanderson/ Getty Images

Gender Reveal Cupcakes

This is a cute idea for any gender reveal party. To play up the “bun in the oven” pun, bake cupcakes colored with pink or blue food dye in the center (or commission a friend to do the task for you). Bite into your cupcake to get the ultimate surprise.

Gender Reveal Breakable Chocolate

Pregnancy hormones can affect your mood. Why not take it out on a piece of chocolate? Smash this breakable chocolate heart with a wooden mallot and see what color candies come spilling out. Bonus: You’ll have yourself a nice little snack too!

Buy it: starting at $14, Etsy.com

Image: oksana_nazarchuk/ Getty

Gender Reveal Cake

Ask your favorite baker to create a blue or pink cake, topped with vanilla or chocolate frosting. When it’s time for cake, gather everyone around the table as you make that first slice with a flourish—and show everyone what you’re having.

Gender Reveal Cookies

There’s no right or wrong way to eat an Oreo—unless, of course, it’s a gender-reveal cookie. In which case, you’ll want to bite right into this chocolate-covered delight to see whether the cream filling is pink or blue.

Buy it: $37 for one dozen, Etsy.com

Gender Reveal Candle

We love this cute gender reveal idea. For a more intimate way to learn the news, light the wick of a gender reveal candle—as it burns down, it’ll reveal a hidden message under a layer of wax. Since it’s small enough to box up and ship, a candle is another great gender reveal idea for family members who live far away.

Gender Reveal Confetti Cannons

If you’re hosting a gender reveal party, gather up a stash of these gender reveal poppers—either pink or blue—and have your guests give them a good tug! (Or get a set for you and your partner and do it yourselves.) It’s sure to step up the festive vibe and create the perfect photo (you’ll look like you’re in a parade!).

Buy it: starting at $3, Etsy.com

Gender Reveal Word Search Game

Gender reveal games are always a hit. This word search option is simple and sweet. It’s filled with the words “boy” and “girl;” but there’s nine of one and 10 of the other. And since it’s a digital download, you can print as many as you like and send to loved ones in the mail.

Buy it: starting at $1, Etsy.com

Funny Gender Reveal Ideas

Seriously, these fun gender reveal ideas are laugh-out-loud hilarious. Finding levity is good practice—after all, the secret to surviving parenthood is having a good sense of humor.

Gender Reveal Balloon Pop

In the market for fun gender reveal ideas? An interactive game is always a good way to go. Pour a little pink or blue paint into one balloon and the rest with white before blowing them up, then secure to a board. Now see which of your gender reveal party guests can pop the “belly” first. (Play this outside to minimize mess.)

Image: Getty Images

Gender Reveal Filtered Ultrasound

If you like editing and filtering photos, then you’ll love doing the same with baby’s ultrasound pic. Add blue or pink effects and emojis to the sonogram. Then email it to friends and family or blast it on social media and watch the likes roll in.

Old Wives’ Tales Gender Reveal

With this instant download, guests try to figure out if you’re having a boy or a girl based on the classic old wives’ tales associated with pregnancy. Has Mom had morning sickness? And what side is she sleeping on? This fun gender reveal idea is sure to get some giggles. Then you just have to figure out how to share the actual news!

Gender Reveal Silly String

Few things will bring on the LOLs like the parents-to-be covered in Silly String. This fun gender reveal idea calls for wrapping cans of Silly String with decorative paper so no one knows what color they have. Hand the cans out at your gender reveal party and let the stringing begin!

Gender Reveal Paint Guns

These proud parents-to-be wore white to their gender reveal party and armed their friends with paint guns filled with pink or blue paint. As guests went to town, they also discovered: It’s a boy! It’s one of the most creative gender reveal ideas we’ve come across.

Image: Chancey Co./ Etsy

Gender Reveal Eggs

You may have seen a viral video featuring a couple with a carton full of blue- and pink-dyed eggs at their gender reveal party. Eleven of the eggs were hard boiled; just one was raw on the inside. They smacked each colored egg until they found the raw one. Answer revealed!

Simple Gender Reveal Ideas

Just because these simple baby gender reveal ideas are low maintenance doesn’t mean they’re any less special. After all, when you’re expecting, you’ve got enough on your plate. Keep it streamlined, and everyone will be delighted.

Gender Reveal Fizz With Rubber Ducky

If you’re going along with “Waddle it be?” theme, this rubber ducky—which sits on top of a white bath bomb—is for you. Plop it into a bowl and watch the bath bomb slowly dissolve to turn the water pink or blue.

Buy it: $25 for 2, Etsy.com

Gender Reveal Guessing Game

What’s a gender reveal party without gender reveal games? Here’s an easy one for you: Have guests write their guesses down on slips of paper. Before they leave, announce what you’ll be having. Those who guessed right win a prize. This is also a great twin gender reveal idea!

Gender Reveal Name Suggestions

Place this instantly downloadable sign next to two bowls—one for boy names and one for girl names. Have everyone add a suggestion to each. Before the party’s over, reveal baby’s sex by picking up the “correct” bowl and reading off all the suggestions. It’s another easy twin gender reveal idea.

Image: iStock

Gender Reveal Punch

Here’s a tasty but simple gender reveal idea. Your party guests will know what you’re having once you serve them a drink—either pink lemonade or Blue Hawaiian Punch. Fun and sugary sweet!

Gender Reveal Shirts

Make your appearance at the party dressed in gender reveal shirts. We’re partial to these “Team Stashes” and “Team Lashes” shirts, but any related message (or color scheme) will do. Then you can make a dramatic show of unboxing and wearing the “correct” shirt.

Gender Reveal Box Ideas

Who doesn’t love an unboxing moment? These gender reveal box ideas build up the excitement and anticipation.

Gender Reveal Balloon Release

This one’s a classic: Pack a giant decorated box with pink or blue helium-filled balloons, and then during your gender reveal party, unbox the balloons and reveal! Just don’t let them loose into the air to protect our environment. Don’t feel like boxing balloons yourself? Just add a gender reveal box to your Amazon cart.

Gender Reveal Booties Box

Special delivery! Have loved ones who can’t make it to your gender reveal party? This is a cute gender reveal idea for family: Send them a package, and when they open it up, they’ll be greeted with either pink or blue crocheted booties.

Gender Reveal Onesies in a Box

This option is perfect for the big party moment–put the appropriate gender reveal onesie in a box and let guests get a look. Plus, seeing how easy it is to pop a box in the mail, it’s another perfect gender reveal idea for family afar!

Gender Reveal Gift Box

Want to store all the special gender reveal evidence in one keepsake box? This beautiful wooden crate will house your sonogram, announcement blocks and a personalized message.

Gender Reveal Ideas with Siblings

Many of the baby gender reveal ideas in this post can be customized for siblings—big sis can open the box of balloons or break the piñata, for instance. But these options are especially great for getting your little one involved in the fun.

Image: Getty Images

Gender Reveal Pictures

One of the best gender reveal ideas is to gather your family together for a memorable photo. Say cheese and have a friend or photographer click. Don’t forget the gender reveal sign or gender reveal balloons! Another option is to have the kids surprise you with the news to capture your raw reaction on camera.

Gender Reveal Big Sibling Tees

Let your older child make the big reveal by having them stroll into the party in a shirt that reads, “I’m getting a baby brother!” or “I’m getting a baby sister!” They can make the shirt themselves with fabric markers on a white tee or you can choose from a bunch online.

Image: Shutterstock

Gender Reveal Maternity Photos With Big Bro or Sis

We love this creative gender reveal idea for families expecting baby #2. For a fun twist on a maternity photoshoot, wear a white tee, then have your child dip their hands in blue or pink paint. Shoot one pic showing their little hands on your belly, and the next revealing the color of the handprints.

Gender Reveal Golf Ball

If your kiddo is into golf, let them take a swing at revealing baby’s gender—literally! One whack of the club and this golf ball will explode into pink or blue powder. It’s a simple gender reveal idea that’s fun for the whole family.

Plus, more from The Bump:

How do you announce the gender of a baby without a party?

How do I announce I'm having a boy?

What do you write in a gender announcement?

How do you announce we are having a girl?