Touchdowns or Tutus Baby Shower DIY Guide — Gender Reveal Theme
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Touchdowns or Tutus is one of the most fun gender reveal baby shower themes out there — and it works whether you're revealing the gender at the party or just celebrating with a playful boy-vs-girl vibe. Split the room in half, let guests pick a team, and watch the friendly competition unfold. Here's your complete guide to throwing the ultimate Touchdowns or Tutus shower.
Watch the video inspo!
See our Touchdowns or Tutus Shower Short on YouTube for a quick visual tour of this theme.
Color Palette
Classic blue versus pink with metallic gold or silver accents as the neutral bridge. The split-color look is bold, festive, and instantly sets up the "pick your team" energy. Add white as a base to keep everything feeling fresh and cohesive.
Decorations — How to DIY Them
Split-Color Balloon Arch
THE centerpiece of this theme. Build a balloon arch that's blue on one side and pink on the other, meeting in the middle with white and gold balloons. Add football-shaped foil balloons on the blue side and ballet slipper or tutu foil balloons on the pink side. Set it up behind the dessert table or as a photo backdrop — guests will pick a side and snap selfies all day.
Shop Gender Reveal Balloon Arch Kit →
"Touchdowns or Tutus" Banner
A glittery banner spelling out "Touchdowns or Tutus?" ties the whole theme together. Hang it above the dessert table or across the entrance. Some come with football and ballet slipper cutouts attached — instant decor.
Shop "Touchdowns or Tutus" Banner →
Voting Station
Set up a "Cast Your Vote" station with two glass jars — one labeled "Team Touchdowns" (blue) and one labeled "Team Tutus" (pink). Give each guest a blue or pink pom pom (or marble) to drop in their pick when they arrive. By the end of the party, you can see which team won the popular vote before the big reveal! Display the jars on a table with the banner behind them.
Split-Room Decor
Go all in on the split theme. Divide the party space in half — blue streamers, pennants, and mini footballs on one side; pink tulle, ribbons, and ballet slippers on the other. A gold question mark balloon or sign sits right in the middle. It's dramatic, fun, and makes for incredible photos.
Team Stickers & Pins
Give guests "Team Touchdowns" or "Team Tutus" stickers or pins when they arrive. They wear them all party long and it creates that fun rivalry energy. You can also use wristbands — blue for team boy, pink for team girl.
Food & Dessert Table
- Question Mark Cake: A stunning cake with a gold question mark on top — or a cake that's white on the outside and reveals blue or pink inside when cut (if you're doing the reveal at the party!). Even a simple white cake with a question mark cake topper looks amazing.
- Football Cake Pops: Brown cake pops shaped like footballs with white icing laces. Display them on the blue side of the table in a foam block wrapped in blue tissue paper.
- Tutu Cupcakes: Pink cupcakes with a strip of tulle wrapped around each liner to look like a tiny tutu. Top with pink buttercream and a sprinkle of edible glitter. Display on the pink side.
- Halftime Sliders: Mini burgers or pulled pork sliders served on a "Halftime Snacks" display. Sports-themed but delicious for everyone.
- Pink & Blue Candy Bar: Two glass jars side by side — one filled with blue candy (blue M&Ms, rock candy, gumballs) and one with pink candy. Guests scoop their team's color into treat bags.
- "Penalty Kick" Punch: Two punch bowls — blue Hawaiian punch on one side, pink strawberry lemonade on the other. Serve with team-colored cups.
- Popcorn Bar: Label it "Ready to Pop!" with blue and pink popcorn seasoning options. Guests grab a striped box and choose their team's flavor.
Complete the table with themed tableware:
Shop Gender Reveal Tableware Set →
Table Setup
Split the table right down the middle. Blue tablecloth on one half, pink on the other. Use a gold sequin or white runner down the center as the dividing line. Place football centerpieces on the blue side (foam footballs on stands, or footballs in glass vases) and tutu-wrapped vases with pink flowers on the pink side. Scatter blue and pink confetti stars along the runner.
For place settings, use blue plates on one side and pink on the other. Tuck a team sticker into each napkin so guests know which side they're sitting on — or let them choose!
Games & Activities
Gender Prediction Cards
What you need: Printed prediction cards, pens, a decorated basket
How to play: Each guest fills out a card predicting boy or girl, plus the baby's arrival date, weight, and name guess. Collect them all in a basket. After the baby arrives, the guest with the most correct predictions wins a prize!
Pro tip: Use cards that are half blue, half pink to match the theme. The parents keep them as a keepsake.
Football Toss
What you need: A foam football, a hula hoop or laundry basket target, tape to mark throw lines
How to play: Set up a throwing target at different distances. Guests get 3 throws each and score points based on distance. Team Touchdowns members compete against Team Tutus members. Winning team gets bragging rights (and prizes).
Pro tip: Use a mini football for indoor parties. Set up the target in a doorway with streamers as the "goal posts."
Tutu Relay Race
What you need: 2 adult-sized tutus (one blue, one pink), cones for a relay course
How to play: Divide into Team Touchdowns and Team Tutus. Each team member puts on the tutu, runs the relay course, and tags the next person. First team to finish wins! The sight of dads and grandpas in tutus running a relay is absolutely priceless.
Pro tip: Film this one. It WILL go viral in your group chat.
Don't Say "Baby" (Team Edition)
What you need: Blue and pink bead necklaces — 1 per guest (matching their team)
How to play: Can't say "baby" at the party. Get caught? You lose a bead necklace to the person who caught you. Most necklaces at the end wins. Track which team collected more necklaces for bonus competition!
Pro tip: Use football and ballet slipper shaped beads if you can find them!
Old Wives' Tales Quiz
What you need: Printed quiz cards listing old wives' tales gender predictions, pens
How to play: List 10-15 old wives' tales (carrying high = girl, craving salty = boy, etc.). The mom-to-be answers each one based on her actual pregnancy. Guests score each tale as pointing to "Touchdowns" or "Tutus." Tally up — which does folklore predict? Reveal the real answer at the end!
Pro tip: Include some funny fake ones like "If the dog sleeps on the left side of the bed, it's a girl" — see who falls for it!
Favors & Gift Table
- Team Candy Bags: Blue bags filled with blue candy for Team Touchdowns, pink bags with pink candy for Team Tutus. Tie with a ribbon and a "Thank you for playing!" tag. Shop Gender Reveal Candy Bags
- Mini Footballs & Tutus: Foam mini footballs for Team Touchdowns guests, mini tulle tutu keychains for Team Tutus guests. Fun and memorable.
- "MVP" Cookies: Sugar cookies shaped like footballs and ballet slippers, individually wrapped with a "Most Valuable Parent" tag.
- Team Photo Props: Provide football helmets, tutus, pom poms, and foam fingers as photo props. Guests take photos at the photo station and keep a prop as their favor.
- Scratch-Off Reveal Cards: Each guest gets a scratch-off card at the end. Under the scratch is the answer — boy or girl! Everyone reveals at the same time for a group reaction moment.
The Big Reveal
The best part of this theme is the reveal moment! Here are some popular options:
- Football Kick: Fill a football with blue or pink powder. The dad-to-be kicks it and it explodes in color!
- Confetti Cannon: Hand the parents a confetti cannon — pull the string and blue or pink confetti flies everywhere.
- Balloon Box: Open a large box and blue or pink balloons float out.
- Cake Cutting: Cut into the question mark cake to reveal blue or pink filling inside.
- Piñata: A football or tutu shaped piñata filled with blue or pink candy. Smash it open!
Complete Supply List
- Split Blue/Pink Balloon Arch Kit
- "Touchdowns or Tutus" Banner
- Touchdowns or Tutus Backdrop
- Gender Reveal Tableware Set (serves 24)
- Question Mark Cake Topper
- Team Stickers / Pins
- Confetti Cannons (blue & pink)
- Foam Mini Footballs (12 pack)
- Mini Tutu Keychains (12 pack)
- Team Candy Bags (24 pack)
- Photo Props (football & ballet)
- Complete Touchdowns or Tutus Party Kit
Budget Tip
Dollar store is your MVP here. Grab blue and pink tablecloths ($1 each), streamers ($1), and candy for the candy bar. Use foam footballs from the dollar store as centerpieces. DIY the tutu cupcake liners with $3 worth of tulle from the craft store. Print team stickers and prediction cards for free. Splurge on the balloon arch kit ($15) and confetti cannons ($8) — those two items make the whole party. Total budget: under $45 for both teams!
The Perfect Shower Gift
No matter which team wins, the MomEZ Hands-Free Baby Bottle Holder is a game-changer for new parents. It attaches to car seats, swings, strollers, and more — giving parents their hands back during feeding time. Because whether it's touchdowns or tutus, new parents need all the help they can get!
Love This Theme? Check Out These Too
What Will It Bee? Shower
Sunshine yellow, honey accents, and adorable bumblebees — another perfect gender reveal theme.
Storybook Baby Shower
Classic children's books, fairy tale charm, and cozy library vibes — timeless and gender-neutral.
Summer Luau Tropical Shower
Flamingos, pineapples, and tiki vibes — the ultimate tropical party.
Boho Rainbow Shower
Muted earthy tones, macrame, dried flowers — dreamy and Pinterest-perfect.
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Dr. Judith Mendez , MD, Pediatrician, Board-Certified
Dr. Judith Mendez is a board-certified pediatrician with over 15 years of experience caring for newborns, infants, and children. She is passionate about helping new parents navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood with evidence-based guidance.
