Fact-checked by Joyce Slaton, Commerce editor and CPST
Written by
Jenn Bonicelli and Meghan Hertzfeldt | Feb 7, 2022
BabyCenter selects products based on the research of our editors and the wisdom of parents in the BabyCenter Community. All prices and details are accurate at the time of publication. We may earn a commission from shopping links.
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Babycenter
- Best gender reveal idea overall: Pop Fizz Designs Gender Reveal Balloon Drop Bag
- Best gender reveal cake: Dylan’s Candy Bar Gender Reveal Candy BashCake
- Best gender reveal cake topper: Nanasuko Gender Reveal Cake Topper
- Best gender reveal balloon: Sweet Baby Co. Jumbo 36 Inch Baby Gender Reveal Balloon
- Best gender reveal piñata: Party City Pull String Gender Reveal Heart
- Best gender reveal party kit: JXHV Store Gender Reveal Party Supplies
- Best gender reveal invitation: Darling Celebrations Store Kraft Gender Reveal Invites
- Best gender reveal candy: Distinctivs Baby Gender Reveal Party Mini Candy Bar Stickers
- Best gender reveal box: Willa Flare Store Gender Reveal Box Sticker Kit
- Best gender reveal game: Rool Gender Reveal Dart Board
- Best baseball gender reveal: Winsharp Store Gender Reveal Baseball Set
- Best gender reveal game for online baby showers: Creative Converting Gender Reveal Scratch Off Game
- Best golf gender reveal: Port City Creations Gender Reveal Exploding Golf Balls Set
- Best gender reveal yard signs: Chinco Gender Reveal Party Decorations
- What to consider when planning a gender reveal
Gender reveals have taken the world by storm these past few years. Is it a boy or a girl? Or in our case with multiples, one of each? Gender reveal parties are fun and creative ways to reveal the sex of your baby or babies, whether it’s just for you and your partner or for a gathering of family and friends.
So where did this wild idea get started? In the early 2000s, an Los Angeles-based blogger revealed the sex of her baby on a cake and it went viral on the internet. Since then, people have upped the ante with uniquely creative ways to reveal the surprise, making gender reveals a popular to-do for modern expectant families. If you search any gender reveal hashtag on Instagram or TikTok, you’ll see that these moments can be an exciting way to involve family and friends and that it’s fun to record the priceless reactions.
Couples choose many different ways to accomplish their gender reveal. Some couples like to find out their babies’ sex on their own and then share that information with loved ones, while others enlist a family member or close friend to find out the gender and orchestrate the reveal so the expecting mom and dad are also surprised.
Typically, most gender reveals include the colors pink or blue and have an element of surprise. There are no official rules to a gender reveal, so you can make whatever you want of the experience, if you remember one thing: Whether you’re cutting a cake, popping balloons, or even arranging an airplane flyover, keep safety in mind. There’s a reason that #genderrevealdisasters is a popular social media tag, and there are tons of unique ways to celebrate without courting danger, so find one that speaks to you.
How we chose the best gender reveal ideas
A gender-reveal event is a very special moment in the life of a family, and the device you choose to spell out the baby’s sex is the centerpiece of the party. So it’s crucial that whatever you choose works, safely and reliably. With so much at stake, we started by looking for recommendations from real parents-to-be on BabyCenter’s Community, searching through millions of posts for gender reveal ideas that have worked well for actual families.
Next, we handed that list of ideas to our expert editorial team for research and vetting, as they looked for options that are well-reviewed, parent-beloved, widely available, and fairly priced. Keep reading to find the best gender reveal cake, our favorite gender reveal balloon, and more.
Why trust us?
BabyCenter's reviews are created based on parents' real-life experiences using products - experiences of editors and writers who are parents themselves, and also of the millions of parents and pregnant women who make up the BabyCenter Community. Our editorial team uses these insights, as well as feedback from the doctors and other experts on our Medical Advisory Board, to give you accurate and fact-based information, including the pros and cons of different products. That way, you can decide what's best for you and your family.
Learn more
Best gender reveal idea overall
Pop Fizz Designs Gender Reveal Balloon Drop Bag
Photo credit:
Amazon
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| Pop Fizz DesignsOpens a new window |
Inflate either the pink or blue balloons that come with this set (or both if you’re having a set of boy/girl twins), put them into the bag, hang, and pull the string to watch the balloons drop out in a festive shower. It’s clear even over Zoom what color balloons are being dropped against the background of the black bag, and couples can do a satisfying countdown before pulling the ripcord.
Heads up
Balloons are included with this product, as well as a hand pump, but the balloons will have to be inflated.
Specs
- Includes bag, hand pump, 16 pink balloons, and 16 blue balloons
- Drop bag is 47.2 x 23.6 inches
Best gender reveal cake
Dylan’s Candy Bar Gender Reveal Candy BashCake
Photo credit:
Amazon
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| Dylan's Candy BarOpens a new window |
Celebrate your sweet and exciting news with this super-fun milk chocolate shell filled with pink- or blue-sprinkled chocolate covered pretzels. It comes with a wooden mallet that you use to bash (thus the name) the outside shell to pieces, revealing a flood of colored pretzels inside. Shipped gift-wrapped in cellophane and topped with a gift-ready bow, this treat is sure to be the hit of the party (pun intended)!
Heads up
This item has a 4-5 business day processing time (in addition to transit time), so be sure to order ahead of time.
Specs
- Each BashCake is 7.5 x 7 inches
- Contains approximately 8 ounces of pretzels
Best gender reveal cake topper
This adorable gender reveal cake topper will simplify your party planning. It has whimsical cursive lettering covered on both sides with shed-free glitter and stands seamlessly on top of cakes thanks to its food-safe clear acrylic stick. Whether you are topping a trendy gender-reveal cake from your favorite bakery or you’ve baked your grandma’s favorite recipe, this gender reveal cake topper is sure to wow your guests.
Heads up
The pictures make this cake topper look larger than it really is.
Specs
- Lettering and design: 6.25 x 4.25 inches
- Stick: 4 inches
- 800 GSM thick glitter paperboard; clear washable acrylic stick
Best gender reveal balloon
Sweet Baby Co. Jumbo 36 Inch Baby Gender Reveal Balloon
Photo credit:
Amazon
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Simple? Yes, but still a fun and easy way to reveal the gender of your baby to your family and friends. With this gender reveal balloon, everything you need comes in one convenient package: two large latex “reveal” balloons, packages of confetti (one pink, one blue, natch), and gold ribbon to tie the balloon’s end once you’ve filled it. Just pop to produce a satisfying shower of gender-reveal confetti.
Heads up
This balloon must be inflated, and won’t float in the air unless you fill it with helium.
Specs
- Includes two 36-inch balloons, two packets of glitter (pink and blue), and 5 feet of gold ribbon
Best gender reveal piñata
Party City Pull String Gender Reveal Heart
Photo credit:
Partycity
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Everybody loves a piñata, especially when the filling reveals the gender of your baby. The element of surprise is so much fun as people can either use a bat (the old traditional way) or take turns using the tail to pull until the pink- or blue-colored contents come out of the trap door to reveal your baby’s gender. There is a strong plastic loop at the top so that the piñata can be hung up, and it can hold up to two pounds of filling.
Heads up
The bat, blindfold, and pink or blue colored filling are all sold separately from this heart.
Specs
- 17.5 x 3.25 x 17.25 inches
- Can hold up to 2 pounds
- Cardstock and tissue paper
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Best gender reveal party kit
JXHV Store Gender Reveal Party Supplies
Photo credit:
Amazon
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Your gender reveal party is complete with this party supply kit. WIth 200 pieces, including balloons, a black gender reveal balloon, photo booth props, a tablecloth, candy stickers, banners, and a “Mommy-to-be” sash, you’ll have everything you need to decorate your party space on-theme.
Heads up
This party supply kit contains balloons which are a choking hazard. There is also some assembly required.
Specs
- 200 pieces include 36-inch black gender-reveal balloon, 3 boy/girl foil balloons, 20 blue and pink “boy or girl?” balloons and 28 pink/blue solid color balloons, 30 reveal and baby shower photo booth props, cake topper, stickers, Mommy-to-be sash, tablecloth, shower decorations
Best gender reveal invitation
Darling Celebrations Store Kraft Gender Reveal Invites
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying options:
| AmazonOpens a new window |
When planning a gender reveal party, simple yet cute invites make it easy to tell your guests what the party is all about, and these cards in basic kraft paper brown won’t give your secret away before you’re ready. This pack of 20 is printed on professional cardstock with beautiful lettering and design. Darling Celebrations also makes cute gender reveal games if you’re looking to coordinate your party decor.
Heads up
There are 20 in each pack, which may not be enough for all your guests, but order two packs or more for a 15 percent discount.
Specs
- Each card is 5 x 7 inches
- 20 cards with envelopes
Best gender reveal candy
Distinctivs Baby Gender Reveal Party Mini Candy Bar Stickers
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Add a sweet and thoughtful touch to your party with these small stickers that fit perfectly on Hershey’s Miniatures or can be used to decorate jars and other party decor. Simply peel and stick to whatever surface you desire. When the party's over, use the leftover stickers in your scrapbook to remember your special day.
Heads up
Candy must be purchased separately.
Specs
- 45 stickers
- 3 different designs in pink and blue
Best gender reveal box
Willa Flare Store Gender Reveal Box Sticker Kit
Photo credit:
Amazon
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| SearsOpens a new window |
Turn almost any old box you have sitting around into an exciting gender reveal party prop. Cover with the included pink and blue stickers of heart and stars, as well as stickers that tease with the incomplete sentence “It’s a….” Then fill the box with either pink or blue helium balloons, lightly tape it shut, and at just the right moment tear the box open and watch your reveal float into the air.
Heads up
You can purchase a box or recycle a used one; stickers will cover any 18" x 18" x 24" box. Balloons are not included, and note that you’ll need helium balloons for a truly majestic reveal.
Specs
- 2 black and white text stickers with heart- and star-shaped stickers in blue, pink and white
Best gender reveal confetti cannons
TUR Party Supplies Fool Proof Gender Reveal Confetti & Powder Cannons
Photo credit:
Amazon
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For those who want a gender reveal that goes off with a bang, these non-pyrotechnic cannons are a lot safer than fireworks. Packed into 12- or 24-inch tubes is biodegradable cornstarch and confetti, colored in a brilliant shade of either pink or blue. You check the end to ensure you’re setting off the right cannon, cover up the color with the included black sticker so your audience doesn’t catch sight, give the cannon a twist, and compressed air forces the contents out in an impressive mass that can shoot up to 25 feet and hangs in the air in a beautiful cloud.
Heads up
Some say the smoke only lasts for a few seconds after the initial pop and surprise.
Specs
- Choose from 2 blue cannons, 2 pink cannons, or 3 blue and 3 pink
- Choose from 12- or 24-inch cannons
- Choose powder only or confetti and powder
- Includes secret stickers to cover colored end of cannon
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Best gender reveal game
This fun balloon popping game is suspenseful until the very end. People throw darts at the black balloons filled with confetti and count the total of blue or pink filled balloons to reveal at the end if you’re having a boy or a girl. The kit comes with balloons filled with pink and blue confetti, plain black balloons, a dart board, a balloon pump, and safety pins. Follow the instructions to make sure you set it up correctly for your big reveal.
Heads up
Some say the pump can be finicky at times.
Specs
- Dart board is 51 x 59 inches
- Includes 4 blue confetti-filled balloons, 4 blue confetti-filled balloons, 12 black balloons, pump, dart board, one dart, and 20 safety pins
Best baseball gender reveal
Winsharp Store Gender Reveal Baseball Set
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying options:
| AmazonOpens a new window |
Perfect for wowing your guests, these baseballs are filled with vibrant pink or blue non-toxic and environmentally friendly powder that makes a colorful poof of smoke when a ball’s hit with a mighty swing of a bat. Each baseball comes marked with a tag that reassures you the right color of powder is inside, then comes off to hide the color from guests until just the right moment.
Heads up
Swing hard for best results. Bat not included.
Specs
- Includes two baseballs, one filled with pink powder, one with blue
- Balls are 3 inches in diameter
Best gender reveal game for online baby showers
Creative Converting Gender Reveal Scratch Off Game
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying options:
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This is a fun and creative way to conduct a gender reveal for family and friends who live far away, as well as for siblings, because kids simply can’t resist the excitement of a scratch-off. About the size of a business card, each of these 12 fun game pieces can be sent to a different friend or family member and then everyone can be directed to scratch at the same time over Zoom to reveal pink or blue.
Heads up
Some say if you scratch too hard, it's tough to see the writing underneath.
Specs
- 0.13 x 3 x 5.25 inches
- 12 scratch-off cards
Best golf gender reveal
Port City Creations Gender Reveal Exploding Golf Balls Set
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying options:
| AmazonOpens a new window |
Golf balls are a fun and creative way to share your surprise, especially for golf enthusiasts. The colored powder from these golf balls is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, making it safe to use around your party guests, other children, and pets. When the package arrives, simply remove the color identifying sticker, give the ball a whack, and share the news of your baby’s gender with your loved ones.
Heads up
Don’t expect a big explosion from these; they’re not large enough to hold the amount of powder needed to make a big poof of blue or pink.
Specs
- Two golf balls, one pink, one blue
- Non-toxic
Best gender reveal yard signs
Chinco Gender Reveal Party Decorations
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying options:
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Share the surprise with the neighborhood with the waterproof and UV-resistant outdoor yard signs. These signs are a nice size and are decorated with blue and pink designs and gold glitter to make your yard decor eye-catching and easy to see. You can leave this high-quality corrugated material outside for a long time for both you and your neighbors to enjoy.
Heads up
Assembly is required: insert the wooden stakes into the sign and then slide the stakes into the soil.
Specs
- Signs range from 10-14 inches tall, and stakes are 11.8 inches long
- Letters spell out “Boy or girl?”
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What to consider when planning a gender reveal
When planning a gender reveal, you’ll want to make sure you take these items into consideration. After all, you only get one shot for your reveal.
- Timing: When do you want this to take place? Do you want to know your baby’s gender early on in your pregnancy or wait until you are further along? If there is travel involved, make sure you time it before you are no longer able to fly.
- Audience: Who do you want to invite to your gender reveal? You? You and your partner? Would you like an intimate audience of just close family and friends? Or do you want to blow it up and have a huge shindig streamed live online?
- Venue: Where is this event going to take place? Consider how you plan to reveal the gender of your baby and then think about the environment needed to safely execute your plans. We’ve all seen some crazy accidents caused by gender reveals gone awry, so keep safety at the top of your priority list. Parks, beaches, and backyards make for great spaces to gather for gender reveals, but smoke bombs or fireworks reveals are a safety hazard, especially in public outdoor spaces.
- Safety: We can’t emphasize this enough, which is why we highly discourage firework or explosive reveals. Weather can shift and accidents can happen in the blink of an eye.
- Siblings: Is there a fun and safe way to include your other children in the gender reveal? Do you want to let them in on the secret before you know? It's nice to find ways to bring your older children in on these momentous occasions, so look for things that little ones can safely partake in.
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Jenn Bonicelli and Meghan Hertzfeldt
Jenn Bonicelli and Meghan Hertzfeldt are the authors of the book,You Can Two: The EssentialTwinsPreparation Guideand cofounders of parenting siteTwo Came True.
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