The Ready to Pop baby shower theme is one of my favorites to plan because it can be taken in so many directions. Various things that “pop” can be featured throughout the shower’s decor, food options, and party games to go along with this fun play on words.
This guide will cover 40+ Ready to Pop baby shower ideas you can use for your event. This is a lengthy guide, so here is a table of contents to help you navigate it!
- Theme Overview
- Color Scheme Ideas
- Baby Shower Invitations
- Baby Shower Favors
- Popcorn Bar Ideas
- Cake + Dessert Table
- Decorations + Centerpieces
- Baby Shower Games
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Overview of the Theme
The idea behind the ready to pop baby shower theme is that the mama-to-be is ready to give birth soon. Her belly is about to pop. This is a cute play on words; you can incorporate items that “pop” or have the term pop in the name into the theme.
Here are a few ideas to get your imagination rolling:
- Popcorn. Popcorn is probably the most popular item used in the ready to pop theme, and you can do so many fun things with it. You can create a popcorn bar, give away gourmet popcorn as baby shower favors, and incorporate it into your baby shower decor.
- Soda Pop. I’ve seen baby showers with fancy soda (like Jones Soda) displayed on the dessert table mixed with various other items that “pop.”
- Bubble Gum. Bubble gum bubbles can pop. You can create a whole theme around bubble gum, and I have an adorable example for you later in this guide.
- Popsicles. You can have a fun play on words and throw a POPsicle-themed baby shower.
- Pop Rocks. Here’s a fun idea. Incorporate pop rocks into your candy or dessert table along with other items that pop to play up the theme.
- Champagne (pop the cork). Consider giving away mini champagne bottles and instructing your guests to “pop the bubbly” when the baby arrives.
- Cake Pops. Cake pops are an obvious choice for a dessert table with this theme, and they always make a dessert table stand out.
Color Scheme Ideas
The fun part about the ready to pop baby shower theme is that it goes with any color scheme! Sometimes, coming up with your color palette for a party is the most difficult part.
What are the mama-to-be’s favorite colors? Do you want to go with traditional baby boy or girl colors? Here are a few color scheme options I often see with this theme:
- Blue + Gold
- Pink + Gold
- Neutral, Boho-like colors
- Bright Colors
An idea I like to suggest to people is to choose your baby shower invitation first. Find one that really speaks to you or the mama-to-be, and then use the colors in that invitation for the baby shower.
Ready to Pop Baby Shower Invitations
I love the above invite, because the colors can work with either gender and even be considered gender-neutral. This invitation focuses on popcorn, which is a popular way to go with the ready to pop baby shower theme.
The above invitation is adorable as well. It focuses on bubbles about to pop, which I think is an adorable twist on the theme. It comes in various color options as well.
This baby shower invitation focuses on the theme’s popcorn element, which I love.
This is such a fun twist on the ready to pop theme! I love that this invite features POPsicles, and I adore the bright, fun colors.
Ready to Pop Baby Shower Favors
Baby shower favors for the Ready to Pop theme usually include something popcorn related, but I’ve also seen other adorable ideas I’d like to share in this section.
These window paper bags are perfect for a DIY baby shower favor! Simply add popcorn (gourmet, caramel, kettle corn, or even just regular popcorn) to the bag. You can either attach a “Ready to Pop” sticker to the bag or attach a label with these adorable mini clothespins, as shown above.
This is a cute baby shower favor featuring soda pop as the theme element. You need paper bags, ready to pop stickers, and string.
I love how beautiful the above popcorn party favors are! These were for a wedding, but you could easily do this for a baby shower. Displaying your baby shower favors like this makes a statement, as it doubles as decor.
You can use these same containers (minus the personalized names), and they come in various colors.
You can also order personalized popcorn boxes in pink or blue. You could add various phrases to the boxes:
- Thanks for popping by!
- She’s Ready to Pop!
- Jessica is ready to pop!
These ready to pop favors feature caramel corn in cone bags with a ready to pop tag tied to them. This is very similar to the gourmet popcorn you find at art festivals and fairs.
I love this idea, and you can grab this bag and tag bundle to make it incredibly easy to put together.
Another popular baby shower favor for this theme is mini bottles of champagne. Attach a custom tag to them to instruct your guests to POP the bottle to enjoy a toast to celebrate when the baby arrives.
Popcorn Bar
Consider adding a popcorn bar to your ready to pop baby shower! This popcorn bar can double as your baby shower favors, as guests can create their own popcorn mix to bring home.
You can add different types of popcorn: regular popcorn, kettle corn, caramel corn, cheddar popcorn, and more. You can also include different spices and flavorings to put on top.
Another idea for a popcorn bar is to provide regular popcorn and offer candies and nuts for guests to add to their favor bags for a sweet and salty treat.
Be sure to include favor bags or boxes for the guests to bring their mixed treat home.
Cake + Dessert Table
The dessert table is an opportunity to create a stunning focal point for your baby shower. You’ll have a cake or cupcakes, but you can also create a spread of cookies, cake pops, and other sweet treats.
This ready to pop baby shower cake is adorable. It goes well with this particular shower’s color scheme of bright, fun colors. It focuses on balloons that are ready to “pop” which is perfect for this theme.
This ready to pop cake looks delicious. It looks to be a Carmel flavored cake, with caramel corn placed on top. Use a cake topper to drive the theme home.
You could add various things that “pop” or have the word pop in them on your dessert table for a fun twist on the theme. You can use cake pops, pop rocks, soda pop, tootsie pops, popsicles, etc. Cake pops are always a win, in my opinion.
How cute are these ready to pop cupcakes? I love the ones with caramel corn on top.
I’m a little obsessed with this dessert table, which is a full-blown bubblegum theme.
I love how different types of bubblegum are spread throughout the table and on top of the cake. A framed “She’s Ready to Pop” photo is the perfect finish.
These bubblegum-shaped cookies are also from the dessert table above. This is a great example of how you can really go in various directions with this theme.
Rice Krispie “Pops” are on this dessert table. These would look great alongside cake pops, fruit “pops” and things of that nature.
Decorations + Centerpieces
There are so many fun ways to decorate for a ready to pop baby shower!
Tablescapes
Your tablescapes can really impact the baby shower’s decor. A tablescape can include as little or as much detail as you would like. Here are a few ideas:
- Centerpieces
- Party Favors
- Name Tags
- Plates + Napkins
- Table Runners
- Accents
Let’s dive into the details of the tablescape below for inspiration.
I adore this table setting.
The floral centerpieces really make a statement on the table and bring in a pop of color. The champagne favors are placed by each plate setting and fit perfectly within the “ready to pop” theme.
The framed name plates and the table runner bring in more color and decorative elements to the table.
Centerpieces
Centerpieces are a must-have for any baby shower. For the Ready to Pop theme, here are a few fun ideas:
Floral
A simple floral centerpiece is always a classic. You don’t always have to make the centerpiece match your theme. Sometimes it’s enough to have a vase of flowers, which can tie into your party colors and add a beautiful pop of color to the table.
Balloons
Balloons are things that can “pop” – so they’re often used in a ready to pop baby shower theme. You can use balloons in a fun way as your centerpiece.
Popcorn
Popcorn is the most common item used in this theme, so consider adding it to your centerpieces like the below example.
You can add the popcorn to a vase or jar and stick these centerpiece cutouts in them to really drive the theme home.
Tootsie Pops
These Tootsie Pop centerpieces are easy to DIY and look adorable as centerpieces.
Banners + Signs
Banners and signs are easy ways to decorate any baby shower. I love using printable signs and putting them inexpensive frames throughout the party.
Entrance
The entrance is a great way to greet guests with an introduction to the theme. Consider adding a welcome sign either from a printable or a chalkboard. You can add a welcome greeting with the shower details.
Table Signs
Use printable signs that match the theme to label each table. You can find signs for the diaper raffle, book raffle, dessert table, gift table, and more.
Above Dessert Table
Above the dessert table is a great place to add a ready to pop banner. You can also place the banner along the edge of the dessert table.
Photo BACKDROP
You want to set up a place that looks nice for photos. This generally is near the gift table with a chair for the mama-to-be to sit while opening gifts. This is usually decorated with a backdrop, banner, or balloons.
Balloons + Balloon Arches
Balloons are always a go-to at any shower, but this is especially true for a she’s about to pop theme.
Balloon arches have been trending in a big way for baby showers recently, and I don’t see that ending anytime soon. They make such a great focal point to an event and make for the perfect photo backdrop as well.
You can hire a service to create a balloon arch for you, but you can also DIY it with balloon arch kits!
Baby Shower Games
There are so many fun baby shower games and activities you can play. You can try finding printable games in the same color scheme as the event. There are also a couple of games that fit perfectly within the ready to pop baby shower theme.
How many pieces of popcorn are in the jar?
Use a jar or a large baby bottle and add a certain amount of pieces of popcorn inside. Have each guest write down how many pieces they think are in the jar. The person who guesses correctly or is the closest to the correct answer wins!
POP QUIZ
Have a pop quiz as a baby shower game. This can be the traditional “who said it, mommy or daddy?” or a quiz like the one above.
Final Thoughts
The ready to pop baby shower is a fun theme that you can take in various directions. Have fun and add your own twist to it!
Related:
50+ Baby Shower Activities to Keep Guests Entertained
