Throw the Ultimate Nesting Party!
- Game Nights Galore
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
If you’ve never heard of a nesting party, you’re not alone. Unlike traditional baby showers filled with games and gifts, a nesting party is something quieter, more personal, and incredibly meaningful.
It’s a gathering designed to help expecting parents prepare for life with a new baby, not just by celebrating, but by showing up in the most practical, heartfelt ways. Think of it as a group effort to finish the pre-baby to-do list, fill the freezer, fold the onesies, and create a cozy, calm space before the baby arrives.
But it’s not just about checking things off. A nesting party is about connection. It brings close friends and family together to share stories, offer support, and make sure the parents-to-be don’t feel like they’re walking into this next chapter alone.
If you're looking for a way to truly help (and not just “ooh” and “ahh” over gifts), this is it. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to host a nesting party that’s warm, useful, and full of intention. From thoughtful invitations to meaningful activities, mocktails, music, and cozy bonding moments your guests won’t forget.
Invitations
The invitation is your chance to get people excited about what this party is all about. Since most guests won’t be familiar with the concept, this is where you can let them know they’re being invited to something personal, fun, and genuinely helpful. Whether you keep it casual or decide to go all out with a themed invite, the goal is to create a sense of purpose and warmth right from the start.
Ideas and Tips:
If the parent(s)-to-be have a nursery color scheme or favorite book, use that for the invitation design.
Include a short explanation of what a nesting party is and examples of what guests might do (fold baby clothes, prep meals, help with setup).
Let guests know they can come in comfy clothes and bring something if they’d like, but that their presence is what matters most.
Offer options. Some guests may want to bring a book for the baby, a meal to freeze, or just show up ready to help with whatever’s needed.
Sample wording: Help us get things ready for baby with an afternoon of prepping, folding, organizing, and connecting. This isn’t your typical baby celebration. We’ll be stocking drawers, sharing stories, and helping [name] check off a few big to-dos. Wear cozy clothes and bring your favorite snack, book, or just yourself.
Swaddle-Inspired Folded Card: Create a flat card with a soft, subtle swaddle-inspired pattern printed on the outside, like a muslin cloth. Fold it like a real swaddle (simple triangle or trifold), then place the invitation inside on a separate card. The message could say something like, “She’s wrapping up all the final details before baby arrives. Join us to help her get ready.” This format gives a visual nod to the nesting theme and is easy to assemble without needing any real fabric.
Freezer Label Invitation: Design the invitation to look like a meal prep label. Use lines like "Dish: Nesting Party", "Prep Date: [Insert Date]", and "Instructions: Bring good energy, comfy clothes, and a willingness to fold things." You can print this on sticker paper or cardstock and place it in a plain kraft envelope. It immediately sets the tone that this is not a baby shower, but a hands-on, supportive prep session.
Nesting Checklist Tear-Off Pad: Print the invitation to look like a to-do list. Use mock items like “Wash newborn clothes,” “Stock nursing snacks,” and “Label baby bottles.” At the bottom, add “Join us for a nesting party on [Date] at [Time].” Use a font that resembles handwriting and a simple layout to make it feel real. This is a great way to give structure and intention to the invite while keeping it fun and functional.
Closet Tag Invitation: Create a card that mimics a clothing tag, using heavy cardstock cut into a simple rectangle with rounded corners and a hole punched at the top. Add a small piece of string or twine to finish the look. The front could say, “Final Touches Before Baby,” and the back holds all the party details. This idea connects visually to folding and organizing clothes, a core part of any nesting day.
Preparing the Space
A nesting party works best when the space is set up with purpose. Guests feel more comfortable helping when it’s clear where to go and what to do. Creating a few dedicated zones throughout the home keeps things organized and makes it easy for people to jump in without asking what’s needed.
Ideas for Setting Up:
Kitchen – Meal Prep Station: Clear counter space and set out ingredients, containers, printed recipes, labels, and anything needed for freezer meals or snack prep.Have a separate table or counter for guest snacks and drinks so people can gather without getting in the way of cooking.
Nursery – Organization and Setup: Set up an area for folding baby clothes, sorting by size, or labeling drawers and bins. If anything still needs to be built or installed (cribs, shelving, changing tables), have the instructions and tools nearby and a small crew ready to help.
Living Room – Folding and Assembly: Lay out blankets, onesies, towels, and burp cloths for folding. Keep a few baskets nearby to sort and store them. If there are unopened baby items, this is a great place to open, unwrap, and assemble.
Dining Table – Keepsakes and Extras: Use this space for things like book signing, writing advice cards, or packing diaper bags and postpartum baskets. It’s also a great spot for a quieter guest who wants to contribute without doing heavy lifting.
Quick Tips:
Use small printed signs to label each area.
Don’t worry about cleaning the house top to bottom. Clear the clutter where it counts, and let the rest go, or make cleaning and organizing a task for guests.
Keep trash bins, recycling bags, and extra storage containers easily accessible.
Have a few extra baskets or bins on hand for sorting, collecting, or packing away completed items.
The space doesn’t have to look perfect. It just needs to be clear, comfortable, and easy to move through. Guests aren’t there to be impressed, they’re there to help. The more organized your setup, the more they’ll be able to jump in and do exactly that.
Organizing Tasks
The heart of a nesting party is getting things done in a way that feels relaxed and shared. A little planning ahead makes it easy for guests to know how to help, without needing constant direction. You don’t need a strict schedule, but offering a few clear tasks gives the party purpose and helps everyone feel useful.
How to Prepare:
Make a short list of what actually needs to get done: Think about what would be helpful: folding clothes, setting up furniture, prepping meals, organizing supplies, etc.
Break the list into 4–6 tasks or “stations”: Assign each task to a space in the house. Label with small signs or notecards so guests know what’s happening where.
Decide what can be done solo vs. what needs a group: Meal prep and furniture setup work best in pairs. Other tasks like folding or labeling can be done one at a time.
Gather supplies in advance.Have things like labels: bins, tape, Sharpies, ziplock bags, meal containers, tools, scissors, and baby-safe detergent set out and ready to go.
Keep things optional: Let guests float in and out of tasks at their own pace. Some may want to sit and write notes for the baby while others help prep meals.
Sample Task Ideas:
Wash and sort baby clothes by size
Label bins, drawers, or diaper baskets
Prep freezer-friendly meals or snacks
Set up or assemble gear (crib, swing, monitor, etc.)
Pack a hospital bag or postpartum basket
Stock nightstands with essentials (snacks, burp cloths, nursing supplies)
Sanitize bottles, pacifiers, and pump parts
Create a donation pile for duplicate or unused baby items
Organize baby books and write messages inside the covers
Tip:If a few guests ask what they can bring, assign them a task in advance. Some people love to be given a job and show up ready to lead it.
Food and Drink
There’s no one right way to handle food at a nesting party. Some hosts like to keep it simple with a few snacks and a favorite drink. Others use food as part of the gathering itself. Whether you’re feeding guests, stocking the freezer, or both, food can add comfort and connection to the day.
One approach that works especially well is making the party a potluck. Guests can each bring a dish to share and a second portion to freeze. It keeps things low-pressure while helping stock the freezer with real meals the parents can pull out when they need them most.
You can invite guests to bring any kind of dish they love—soups, casseroles, pasta bakes, smoothie bags, breakfast burritos, whatever they’re good at. Encourage labeling everything clearly, and offer freezer tape and markers so guests can write cooking instructions or even leave a personal note on their container.
Other food ideas that work well:
Set up a “meal assembly station” where guests work together to prep a few bulk freezer meals
Create a themed spread based on the parent-to-be’s favorite comfort foods
Make a snack board and let guests graze while they work and visit
Include a mocktail or tea bar with a signature drink just for fun
Food doesn’t have to be the focus, but when it’s woven into the party with care, it becomes another way guests can show up and contribute something lasting. Whether they’re cooking, eating, or labeling containers with inside jokes, it’s one more way to bring people together in a way that matters.
Optional Activities and Keepsakes
While the main purpose of a nesting party is helping with real tasks, adding a few thoughtful touches can make the day even more special. These don’t need to be structured or time-consuming. A few small, meaningful moments can create lasting memories and give the parent something to hold onto long after the party ends.
These ideas are meant to fit naturally into the flow of the day. Guests can participate if they’d like, or simply focus on the practical help. It’s about offering connection, not creating a schedule.
Optional Additions to Consider:
Advice Cards or “Open When” Notes: Leave out blank cards with simple prompts like “Advice I wish I had,” “What got me through the early days,” or “Open when you need encouragement.” Guests can fill them out quietly while chatting or taking a break, and the parent can read them later when they need support the most.
Storybook Signing: Set out a favorite children’s book with space for guests to write a short message or note to the baby. This works especially well with classic books that will be read again and again.
Diaper or Onesie Messages: Provide fabric markers and a stack of diapers or plain onesies for guests to write funny, sweet, or encouraging messages. These make the late-night moments a little more bearable and often end up being the most cherished surprise.
Baby Time Capsule or Keepsake Box: Ask guests to bring or write something for a memory box—notes, small tokens, a photo, or a letter to the baby. This can become a keepsake the family opens on a future birthday or milestone.
Gratitude Wall or Memory Board: Set up a cork board or poster with blank notes for guests to pin memories, affirmations, or things they love about the parent-to-be. It creates a visual reminder of the community surrounding them.
Diaper Bag Station: Create a small packing area where guests can help put together a diaper bag or postpartum care kit. Include things like snacks, hand lotion, lip balm, burp cloths, and mini encouraging notes tucked into side pockets.
You don’t need to include everything. Even one of these small additions can add warmth and meaning to the day. These ideas are about creating little moments the parent will remember later, long after the onesies are folded and the last meal has been labeled.
Music
Music can help set the rhythm of the day without ever becoming the focus. It gives the room a bit of energy, makes tasks feel lighter, and fills in any quiet spaces without making things feel forced. You don’t need a themed playlist. Just something that feels comfortable and keeps the background feeling active and warm.
Tips for Choosing Music:
Pick a mix of upbeat and calm songs so you can keep the vibe balanced as guests arrive, settle in, and start working.
Use a streaming playlist that plays on its own without constant skipping or managing. Look for mixes labeled acoustic, chill pop, soft indie, or coffeehouse if you want a neutral background sound.
Consider having a few genre shifts throughout the party, instrumental while folding clothes, light pop or throwbacks during meal prep, something playful during any games or group moments.
If guests are close friends or family, invite them to add songs to a shared playlist in advance. It becomes a subtle keepsake of the day.
Optional Playlist Themes:
Nostalgic favorites from the parent-to-be’s teen years
Easy listening or acoustic covers of popular songs
Instrumental film scores or piano versions of children’s songs
Soulful classics or soft R&B for something a little more relaxed
Nesting Party Playlist: 25 Songs
Better Together – Jack Johnson
Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson
Bloom – The Paper Kites
Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
You’ve Got a Friend – James Taylor
Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae
Sunday Morning – Maroon 5
Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes
Ocean Eyes (Acoustic) – Billie Eilish
Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Acoustic) – Haley Reinhart
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
Ho Hey – The Lumineers
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
From the Ground Up – Dan + Shay
Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
Forever Like That (Acoustic) – Ben Rector
Yellow (Acoustic Version) – Coldplay
Lucky – Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
Grow As We Go – Ben Platt
123456 – Fitz and The Tantrums
Dreams (Acoustic) – Brandi Carlile
Simple Things – Michael Carreon
Games to Play
Games at a nesting party don’t need to be traditional or over-the-top. The best ones are light, easy to join, and fit naturally into the gathering. Some will get people laughing. Others will spark conversation or leave behind a small keepsake. None of them require prizes, a microphone, or a structured game leader.
Ideas That Work Well:
Speed Folding Challenge: Set a timer and have guests fold as many onesies, towels, or blankets as they can in one minute. Add a twist by having them do it one-handed or while holding a stuffed animal like a baby.
Guess the Baby Gear: Place a few common baby items in paper bags, nose bulb, burp cloth, bottle brush, etc. Guests reach in without looking and guess the item by touch. Simple and always good for a few laughs.
Advice Card Pull: Drop cards with prompts into a bowl and let guests draw one at random. Questions can be serious or fun: “What surprised you most about the newborn stage?” or “Your favorite midnight snack?”
Frozen Meal Labeling Relay: Guests write instructions or messages on meal containers. You can make it funny, encouraging, or sweet, anything from “Eat this after a three-hour nap” to “Pairs well with coffee and no sleep.”
Baby Book Mad Libs: Create a short story using Mad Libs-style blanks about a day in the baby’s future. Pass it around for each guest to fill in a word, then read it aloud at the end.
Hosting a nesting party is less about having the perfect setup and more about creating space for people to show up and help. Every task crossed off the list, every shared story, and every small act of support adds to the feeling that the parent-to-be is surrounded, supported, and not in this alone.
You don’t need to overthink it. A few well-chosen tasks, an easy food setup, and a welcoming tone are more than enough to create something special. What matters most is that the gathering feels intentional, useful, and real. Guests want to help. They just need a clear way to do it.
Whether you host in the kitchen, the nursery, or wherever there’s room to fold a stack of tiny clothes, a nesting party has the power to turn a long to-do list into a celebration of care, time, and connection. It’s one of those gatherings that leaves everyone feeling lighter, and better prepared for what’s ahead.
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