What is a Baby Sprinkle? Invitations, Games & Gifts

Hold on. Stop right there. Baby sprinkle? Yup, you read that right. Don’t fret if you’ve never heard of baby sprinkles before, they’re a pretty recent invention. But what is a baby sprinkle?

Just when you think you’ve got all the baby lingo down, another new phrase pops up.

Never fear, a baby sprinkle is actually one of our new favorite additions to our mamahood dictionary ‒ let us tell you why.

In this article: 📝

What is a baby sprinkle?

A baby sprinkle is like a Baby Shower Lite ‒ one of the easiest alternatives to a baby shower.

You can throw a baby sprinkle for the second (or third or fourth) baby—and while it’s categorized by its low-key-ness, it doesn’t have to be short on the magic.

This may sound like very welcome news if everyone in your general vicinity seems to have had a baby lately and even the thought of going to yet another big shindig—even if it’s your own—is wearing you out.

Basically, if you chose to have a bigger baby shower for your first baby, you probably already have all the parenting paraphernalia.

You’ve got the big-ticket items ‒ the crib and the pram and enough booties to adorn the feet of your baby-to-be.

You may also have a group of friends that have Mini Mes floating around, so by the time this new addition is born, they essentially have the equivalent of a warehouse-sized vintage store of hand-me-downs.

This is the reason that baby showers were typically only thrown for the firstborn in a household.

But Millennial Mamas (and some of their Gen X predecessors) still wanted in on some of the fun of a party, so the baby sprinkle was born.

What’s the difference between a baby shower and a baby sprinkle?

A baby sprinkle is to baby shower as cupcake is to cake, as a date night is to a weekend away, as light breeze is to gale-force wind.

Basically, a baby sprinkle is just a smaller baby shower ‒ short, sweet, and simple!

Why is it called baby sprinkle?

Well, a baby sprinkle isn’t a full-on shower, just a little sprinkling.

Instead of being “showered” with gifts, you’re given a smaller sprinkling, because, usually, you’ve already got most of the baby essentials.

What do you need for a baby sprinkle?

Since baby sprinkles are a simpler, more budget-friendly version of a baby shower, we’ll keep things simple.

Here’s how to plan a baby sprinkle in four easy steps.

1. Baby sprinkle invitations

The first thing to consider when you’re setting up your baby sprinkle invitations is that, if you had to Google “what is a baby sprinkle”, chances are other people will have to, too.

That means you may have a little explaining to do.

In your baby sprinkle invitations, explain that a sprinkle is the little brother/sister to the shower, and that it’s not a big event.

Other things to include in your baby sprinkle invitations:

• The location
• The date and time
• A link to your baby sprinkle registry
• RSVP information
• Dress code (especially if your baby sprinkle theme involves dressing up!)
  If you’re doing a baby sprinkle theme, make sure your baby sprinkle invites follow that theme.

And then, in light of keeping things lite, you may want to distribute the baby sprinkle invitations digitally rather than make hard copies.

Good for the environment, good for your purse.

2. Baby sprinkle games

One of the incredibly fun parts about the baby sprinkle is that you already have at least one peanut in your life — and their little posse of friends.

That means you can have quite a blast when it comes to baby sprinkle games by including the little players.

Here are some of our favorite ideas for baby sprinkle games:

• Pamper day (with kids): Paint nails. Do hair. Put on masks. Mamas. Papas. Kiddos. Everyone.
• Pin the dummy on the baby: Like pin the tail. You get the idea.
• Baby bingo: Set up an easy card that has baby-related items on it. First one to bingo gets a pat on the back. This is a low-budget party after all!
• Guess the flavor or baby food: All you need is blindfolds, a selection of baby food, spoons, and (sometimes) a strong stomach!
• How old?: Print out some baby pictures of yourself and (if you want) your partner or your other children. Have your baby sprinkle guests guess how old you each are in the pictures. Most correct guesses gets a baby sprinkle prize!
• Match the moms: Print out photos of celebrity mamas and their children, then match them together.

3. Baby sprinkle food ideas

One of our favorite things about a baby sprinkle is that when it comes to food, you can do as little (or as much) as you want!

There’s no obligation to offer a full meal, but you may want to put out some snacks and nibbles.

If you’re exhausted, get someone to do it for you ‒ get your baby sprinkle guests involved.

Why not have a baby sprinkle potluck?

This is about honoring your baby and the village that’s going to raise them. It’s not about throwing a massive shindig.

Baby sprinkle cake ideas

When it comes to baby sprinkle cake, it’s hard to pass up the “sprinkle” in “baby sprinkle”.

We’re thinking confetti cake with all the sprinkles.

If you’ve got little ones as baby sprinkle guests, a fun activity is to get them to decorate cupcakes with their favorite sprinkles.

(Keeps ‘em busy for a good long while too, if you don’t mind the cleanup.)

4. Baby sprinkle decorations

If you want to keep things super low-key, you don’t even have to do baby sprinkle decorations.

But if you wanted to decorate for some fun photos, why not check out our baby sprinkle theme ideas below?

Five fun baby sprinkle ideas

If you’re into it, you may want to have a theme for your baby sprinkle.

Here are a few of our favorite baby sprinkle ideas for themes:

1. Baby sprinkle theme: Sequels

You could tell everyone to come dressed as a character from their favorite one ‒ and make your invite a movie poster.

If you’re having baby number two (three, four, five…), why not dress your bigger children as characters from the same movie, with one key character missing ‒ your little peanut.

For baby sprinkle food ideas, go for movie-themed snacks, like popcorn, hotdogs (although, if you’re expecting, you might want to avoid these), ice creams, and nachos.

If you choose to go for baby sprinkle decorations, how about these movie-themed decorations from Amazon?

2. Baby sprinkle theme: Sprinkles!

Confetti, cakes with sprinkles on top, cake decorating baby sprinkle games… the sky’s the limit!

Opt for a color theme for added oomph ‒ you could go traditional with blue for a baby boy sprinkle, pink for baby girl sprinkle ideas, rainbow for a rainbow baby, or even just your favorite color.

3. Baby sprinkle theme: Brunch

Feeling elegant? Then a brunch-themed baby sprinkle is the perfect idea for you.

Keep it low-key with minimal decorations ‒ maybe just a single baby-themed banner ‒ and afternoon tea for a few select baby sprinkle guests.

4. Baby sprinkle theme: Gender reveal

If you choose to do a gender reveal (or rather, sex reveal), why not embrace that as your theme?

Think blues and pinks for baby sprinkle decorations, food, and a quiz where each answer is either “boy” or “girl”.

5. Baby sprinkle theme: Kids in charge!

If this isn’t your first child, you could always have your older children do the party planning!

Let them choose the baby sprinkle decorations, baby sprinkle food ideas, and even the baby sprinkle games and invites.

This is a great idea if your little one(s) are a little anxious about baby’s arrival, getting them involved and excited for their new little sister or brother.

Baby sprinkle FAQs

Keen to throw your own baby sprinkle but have a couple more questions?

Check out our quick-fire answers to your baby sprinkle queries:

When should I host a baby sprinkle?

An ideal time for a baby sprinkle or baby shower is usually about 10 weeks out from your due date.

That’s the sweet spot where you have enough energy, you may be close to taking maternity leave (if you have the option), and you’re over morning sickness.

After all, you want to enjoy those sweet treats without them making a come-back.

What do you do at a baby sprinkle?

Basically the same as what you’d do at a baby shower, but usually with fewer people, fewer gifts, and fewer baby sprinkle games.

But it’s totally up to you how little or how much you want to do.

Who gets invited to a baby sprinkle?

Here is the mantra for baby sprinkles everywhere: THINK SMALL.

This event is for your very nearest and very dearest.

To keep it hassle-free, you might want to keep the invite list to close family and friends.

What do you take to a baby sprinkle?

Let’s return to our keywords: THINK SMALL.

This is not the time for elaborate gifts.

Some mamas may have issued a baby sprinkle registry or sent out a simple email of what they need.

One of the best ways to put together your baby sprinkle registry is to start on Babylist.

Add whatever you want, from any store, get a free baby box (with treats for you and baby), and get 15% discount from the Babylist store when you complete it.

Easy!

Here are a few ideas of what to add to your baby sprinkle registry:

• Diapers
• Fun decor for baby’s room
• Wipes
• A cute non-budget-breaking toy
• Hand-me-downs from your own kids. This can be a super special way to share the love in your group of friends or family
• Gift certificate for takeout from your expecting friend’s favorite restaurant

Who should host a baby sprinkle?

It’s totally up to you. You can host your own baby sprinkle, your partner can step up to the hosting plate, or your can have a close friend or family member host it for you.

Can I throw my own baby sprinkle?

You certainly can ‒ just be sure not to do too much. After all, it’s just a sprinkle, not a shower!

What should I ask for at a baby sprinkle?

Chances are, if you’ve already had a baby shower for your first baby, you probably won’t need the ‘baby essentials’.

But it is traditional to receive gifts at a baby sprinkle, just like you would for a baby shower.

Here are some ideas for baby sprinkle gift ideas to ask for:

• Clothes for baby (specify the sizes, so you don’t have too many newborn outfits that baby will grow out of)
• Money towards a babymoon
• Disposable baby essentials, like diapers, wipes, and burp cloths
• New baby toys for baby’s older siblings as well as your latest arrival

How much should you spend on a sprinkle gift?

There’s no specific rule, but generally speaking, people tend to spend more on baby shower and baby sprinkle gifts for family than for friends.

It depends on how close you are to the expecting mama, but here’s a loose guide on how much to spend for baby sprinkle gifts:

• If they’re immediate family, $40-60
• If they’re more distant family, $20-30
• If they’re a close friend, $30-50
• If they’re more of an acquaintance, $20-30

Is it appropriate to have a baby sprinkle?

While it may be a new tradition that’s been added to the mama-to-be repertoire, it’s a pretty special one nonetheless.

If you think you’d enjoy it, and nobody gets hurt in the process except the odd pinata, we’d say it’s appropriate!

What to wear to a baby sprinkle

First, dress for the weather. If you’re attending or hosting a baby sprinkle in the winter, go for layers and knitwear.

If it’s a summertime baby shower, dress light.

But if there’s a baby sprinkle theme for dressing up, definitely stick to the theme.

Can I host a virtual baby sprinkle?

You certainly can! Similar to a virtual baby shower, a virtual baby sprinkle has fewer guests (after all, you don’t want too many people on one Zoom call!).

Have your guests provide their own food and drink, but make a themed suggestion to them ‒ why not have them dress up, too?

A virtual baby sprinkle is a great way to get distant friends and family members involved, without the pressure of a full-on baby shower.

That’s all there is to know about the latest mamahood trend: baby sprinkles!

Looking to host your own baby sprinkle but not sure which theme to go for? Have a chat with our other mamas-to-be on Peanut!