Oh, the '90s … such a simpler time. A time of neon scrunchies and Dunkaroos and afternoon marathons of Saved by the Bell. Wish we could all just hop in a time machine and go back right now? Yeah, me too. But people are bringing the '90s back in all sorts of unusual and clever ways these days — and I'm not just talking about that fanny pack revival. I'm talking about '90s-themed baby showers, which look about as cool as they do fun. Just picture it: Customized baby shower cakes topped with miniature Rugrats characters. Centerpieces made out of shiny old CDs. They're even making sugar cookies shaped like old-school Adidas sneakers, people! Honestly, if this doesn't make one nostalgic for childhood, I don't know what will…
But that's exactly why this is the perfect baby shower theme for any mom-to-be who was a '90s kid. It's also a total blast for the shower host, who suddenly has an excuse to buy things like inflatable boom-box coolers, Nintendo-themed photo booth props, and homemade slime as shower favors that look like Gak. I mean, HOW FUN DOES THIS SOUND? Even the games can be '90s-themed, if one gets a little creative. Think: A relay-race where contestants have to compete while wearing a Skip-It. (Trust me — they still exist.) Or, a '90s-themed snack table, stocked with Rice Krispie treats, GoGurts, and Totino's pizza rolls. (Mmmm my mouth is watering.) But of course, no '90s party is complete without a DJ spinning tables. Just be sure to approve the play list first — and fill it with lots of Salt-N-Pepa, Spice Girls, and some early Britney Spears.
A Throw-Back 'Throne'
Repurpose an old oversized chair, paint it gold, and use it as a retro, Fresh Prince-style throne for the mom-to-be! Unwrapping baby shower gifts never looked so cool.
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Retro Custom Cake
How fun is this retro custom cake? Honestly, the bottom half looks like it was taken straight off the walls of The Max (ahem, that was Saved by the Bell fans). Plus, it's topped off with a super cute CD and an "I <3 the '90s" message that will transport shower guests back to their childhood.
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels With Neon Swirls
Chocolate-dipped pretzels are pretty much a crowd-pleaser at any party. But these chocolate-dipped pretzels also have fun, neon-colored swirls on top (that somehow look like every slap bracelet I ever owned). Just make sure there are enough on the dessert table — these things are gonna go fast.
Neon Party Favors ($18, PartyTimeChocolates/Etsy)
'Welcome to the Shower' Sign
What better way to welcome shower guests (and let them know that they're in for a totally fun throwback party) than with a welcome sign in the entryway? This one has a Rugrats theme all Nickelodeon fans will appreciate, but it doesn't have to stick to any one show or genre to be memorable.
Photo Booth Props
Photo booths make any party fun, but with props like these, guests aren't gonna want to stop posing. Set up a camera in front of a '90s-themed backdrop or hire a photo booth company to do the legwork.
(Oh, if only we could still go rent a Blockbuster video, chug a can of Surge, and try (and fail) to keep our Pokemon alive. Those were the days!)
90s Photo Booth Props ($40, Lets Go Detective/Etsy)
Neon Garland
The key to throwing a great '90s party is to not stay away from color, color, and … more color. Hang strands of multicolored neon garland across the room or drape them on a wall to create a colorful look that will set the tone.
Tissue Paper Tassel Kit ($13, The Flair Exchange)
DIY Boom-Box Candy Holder
Calling all DIY queens …
This handmade boom-box-meets-candy-holder is the stuff of all our Pinterest dreams. But while guests are marveling at just how cool the display box is, they'll also be kind of freaking out over the candy inside. Stock it with Nerds, Fun Dip, AirHeads, and other '90s candy we all used to lose our minds over.
Game of MASH
We spent hours of our lives glued to games of MASH, waiting with baited breath to learn if we'd grow up to one day live in a mansion, marry Kyle from homeroom, and have seven kids. And honestly, this game could still reel us all back in.
Consider skipping traditional baby shower games in favor of '90s-themed games like this one, that will get everyone nostalgic.
MASH Printable Party Game ($4, ashleyandleigh/Etsy)
'90s Pop-Culture Cookies
Be prepared to hear shower guests freaking out at the dessert table, and shouting things like, "OMG, I loved All That!" and "Nintendo Game Boy was LIFE!"
Honestly, any '90s kid would appreciate one of these delicious treats. But the major nostalgia feels each one drums up will make a baby shower a truly memorable one.
O.P.P. Presents Sign
Want to give guests a heads-up on where to place their baby shower gifts? A cute sign with an old-school vibe like this one will let them to know where to drop that Diaper Genie (while also getting Naughty by Nature's infamous song stuck in their head).
O.P.P. Hip Hop Baby Gifts Table Sign ($13, Zazzle)
'Push It Real Good' Banner
This balloon banner/sign combo keeps it classy while invoking one of the most quintessential '90s songs. (But good luck getting shower guests to stop singing Salt-N-Pepa for the duration of the party.)
Hip-Hop Shower Favor Box
Send guests off with all their favorite '90s candy, plus some on-theme extras (think: slap bracelets, scrunchies, and glow sticks). This hip-hop-themed shower favor box will house all of it inside, while channeling the Notorious B.I.G. himself.
90s Baby Shower Favor Tents ($2.85/box, Zazzle)
Boom Box Garland
A '90s party theme can also work for a gender neutral shower, as the decor doesn't have to lean too heavily on any one color. This festive boom box garland will give the party an early '90s feel while also adding pops of color.
DIY 'Push It' Confetti Poppers
… And speaking of Salt-N-Pepa, these DIY "Push It" confetti poppers are a super fun way to celebrate the big day, by adding the perfect blend of modern style and nostalgic feels. Place them on tables toward gift-opening time for guests to set off as the party peaks.
Lisa Frank-Inspired Goodies
Nothing says the '90s like Lisa Frank. There wasn't a '90s girl out there who didn't own some Lisa Frank folders, a Trapper Keeper, and maybe even a pencil case, decked out in the signature neon-colored designs.
Hopscotch Game
That's right, kids … before Netflix and iPads, we had to make our own fun — sometimes, with just a piece of chalk on the driveway.
For another alternative to traditional baby shower games, try setting up easy, old-school games like hopscotch that guests can play at their leisure.
Multicolored Balloons
Multicolored pastel balloons like these ones help strike that '90s feel while not going full-throttle with the neon. (Hey, it's not everyone's jam.) Set them up around the room in bunches to add pops of color throughout the party.
Ice Cream Balloons ($13, Studio Pep/Etsy)
'90s-Inspired Party Cups
These fun '90s cups add a dose of the decade into the big day. Put a different one at each place setting or fill them up with candy and hand them out as party favors for guests to take with them.
'90s Party 12 oz. Party Cups with Lids ($11, Party Hardy Chick/Etsy)
'Rollin' With the Homies' Banner
Not sure if people will be digging this whole '90s baby shower thing? Two words: AS IF!
Add a nod to Clueless with this playful "Rollin with the Homies" party banner and remind everyone just how much they wanted to be Cher Lloyd when they were younger.
'90s Banner (from $25, LemonPopParties/Etsy)
'Clueless' Treats To-Go
Want to pay even more homage to Cher Lloyd? Wrap take-home cookies up in cellophane with favor tags that add just a little dose of everyone's favorite '90s character.
Inflatable Cell Phone and Boom Box
Hmm … is there anything more '90s than getting a call on a Zack Morris-style phone while listening to TLC on a boom box? (Yeah, I didn't think so either.) Use these inflatable pieces as background decor or photo booth props — either way, they'll help give a room the '90s feel it needs.
Inflatable Mobile Phone and Boom Box Set ($16, Amazon)
'I <3 '90s' Table Confetti
Add pops of color and a retro vibe to each party table with some "I <3 '90s" party confetti! It's an easy and inexpensive way to dress up any room without going over the top.
'90s Glitter Confetti ($7, SasstronautStudio/Etsy)
DIY Paper Fortune Teller Favors
Oh, the hours we all used to kill playing with these mesmerizing little fortune tellers. (Or, depending on where you went to school, they could also be known as "cootie catchers.") Someone was always passing them around — although somehow, no one actually knew how to make them — and we would all wait with baited breath for it to tell us our fortunes.
DIY a few before the party or buy some online to place on tables for guests to have fun during the shower, or toss them in their favor bags for later.
Hip-Hop Sugar Cookies
Who could resist eating one of these bad boys? (And then another … and another … ) Aside from being straight-up adorable, they also channel so much of what we love about early '90s hip-hop.
Speaking of, make sure you have some Biggie, Tupac, and Backstreet ("No Diggity!") on the playlist.
Party Favor Pins
What early '90s kid didn't have their acid-washed jean jacket or Jansport book bag loaded up with super cool pins? Buy a bunch in bulk and use them as shower favors, shower game prizes, and more.
Love the '90s 1" Buttons (from $8, Etsy)
Trivia Box Game
Forget that old "What's in everyone's purse?" game we've all played a thousand times over at every bridal or baby shower. This '90s trivia game will keep guests engaged while also bringing them way back, as they answer questions about everything from jelly shoes to JFK Jr.
We Love the '90s Trivia Box ($12, Amazon)
Old-School Shower Invitations
Set the tone of the party early with a '90s-themed baby shower invite. This one has a Fresh Prince vibe with bright neon colors and graffiti font, which will let guests know they can show up wearing their favorite scrunchies, jean jackets, or gold chains, if they want.
Fresh Prince Baby Shower Invite ($14, The Craftie Birdie Shop/Etsy)
'Friends' Party Favors
Every Friends episode was a classic, but we all have our favorites. There's "The One Where Everyone Finds Out" (about Chandler and Monica), "The One with Ross's Wedding" ("I Ross, take thee Rachel … "), and of course, "The One with the Cop," which is why none of us can ever move a couch again without screaming "PIVOT!"
And now, any mom-to-be can be the star of her own Friends episode. (Well, sorta.) These customized, Friends-themed drinking glasses are the perfect '90s baby shower favor, and even more perfect if the mom-to-be is a major fan of the show.
"The One Where She Has a Baby" Dipped Wine Glass (from $15, BusyBDesigns3/Etsy)
'Off the Chain' Photo Backdrop
Every good photo booth needs a killer photo backdrop — and this one, featuring gold chain balloons, a graffiti poster, and other early '90s touches, hits all the right notes. Prop it up against a wall and set up a camera in front (maybe even a Polaroid, to make things extra nostalgic!).
Gold Linking Chains – Set of 7 Balloons ($25, Amazon); '90s-Themed Graffiti Backdrop ($20, Amazon)
DIY Magic 8 Ball Balloons
Ah yes, the Magic 8 Ball. Who didn't shake this thing furiously trying to find out if Derek from seventh period bio was into them or what?
Check out this DIY tutorial from Aww Sam to find out how to turn an oversized balloon into a Magic 8 Ball to top off the ultimate '90s baby shower.
TV Show Treats Table
This dessert table is next level. Sure, the actual desserts look amazing, but the display details are what really catch the eye. Old-style trash cans with the show logos for Saved by the Bell and In Living Color on the front can't help but bring back memories of being a kid (and sitting way too close to the TV).
DIY Glow Stick Bar
Glow sticks were big in the '90s, and they're still a hit now. Hand them out during the shower or set up a cool "Glow Bar" like this one where guests can take as many as they want throughout the day.
'90s Decor Sticks
Looking for the right finishing touch? Stick these colorful decor sticks in everything from cupcakes to goodie bags to baby shower centerpieces and get ready to bring on all the '90s feels.
'80s vs. '90s Cupcake Toppers ($5, TrendyCelebrations/Etsy)
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