32 Gender Reveal Ideas We Love (2024)

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. Whether you’re searching for gender reveal party inspiration or creative social media posts that reveal baby’s gender, 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.

A gender reveal can take many forms, but put plainly it’s an announcement that reveals the sex of your growing baby. Wondering when and how you can find out baby’s sex? There are a few different options to consider. With non-invasive prenatal testing a blood test can reveal baby’s sex at the 10 week mark, although it’s important to note that this test isn’t 100 percent accurate and may not be covered by your insurance plan. Other options include chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, which are slightly more invasive. Parents can also learn the sex of their baby at the 20-week ultrasound, although this relies on the fetus being in the correct position, so that the ultrasound technician can identify baby’s external genitals. Whatever option you choose, let your care provider know if you’d like to find out the gender during the appointment or would prefer to keep it as a surprise. You can also ask your ultrasound technician or doctor to write the results on a piece of paper and put it in a sealed envelope. That way you can pass it on to a trusted friend or family member who’ll coordinate a gender reveal on your behalf.

There are no rules when it comes to planning a gender reveal. Some expectant parents prefer to do a private reveal or a social media post, while others use the news as an excuse to throw a party with their nearest and dearest.

If you plan to host a gender reveal party, timing is key. Where possible, set the date for two or three weeks after the anticipated results of your blood test or ultrasound. This gives you a window of time to account for delayed lab results or an unclear sonogram. In terms of guest list, invite whoever you want. Some parents choose to incorporate a gender reveal into their baby shower or sprinkle, but there’s nothing stopping you from hosting an entirely separate event.

Want to avoid a baby gender reveal fail? Skip the fireworks, sparklers and smoke bombs (or any other combustible material for that matter). It might sound like a spectacular show for your grand announcement, but this type of display can have dangerous consequences and is something that should be saved for the pros.

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!

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

Add a competitive edge to your gender reveal with a fun party game. From simple printables to baby-themed board games, these activities are sure to be a hit with parents and party guests alike.

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

Now that we’ve covered a range of shoppable gender reveal ideas, below find a few DIY options to try. From sweet sibling photoshoots to baked delights, each of the options below are super-special.

Gender reveal manicure

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.

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 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. Add cupcake toppers and colorful sprinkles for an extra dollop of fun.

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.

Gender reveal cake

Looking for another sweet gender reveal idea? 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 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. Just be careful and don’t get hurt in the process.

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 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 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.

DIY shirt gender reveal

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 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.

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.

We get it—planning a gender reveal party can be tricky. As an expectant parent you already have a lot on your plate, so the best gender reveal ideas are easy to execute, affordable and fun. To help you find the best activity for your big reveal, we scoured the internet for inspiration. When sourcing options, we considered a list of criteria, such as cost, mess-factor and, most importantly, safety. We also read user reviews to understand how shoppable gender reveal products worked for real families.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

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