Best Out-of-The-Box Baby Shower Ideas in Richmond, VA

Most baby showers are held before the baby is born. Opening gifts is a long-standing tradition, as are paper invitations that can be tacked to the fridge.

But these days, more people are throwing nontraditional baby showers that are out-of-the-box. Baby showers that let the guys in are more common, either so both parents can participate, or to make the shower comfortable to male friends. Places like breweries and game rooms are great for coed baby showers. Games, such as "Diaper Olympics" - relay races with dolls and diapers - can be both memorable and instructional.

Richmond has many unique spaces that host baby showers that will create excitement and memories. Here are some of our favorites. For many more, check out EventZingo.

BABY SHOWER IDEA: COOK TOGETHER

Mise En Place cooking school, located in Richmond's historic Shockoe Slip, hosts hands-on cooking classes and catered private events. Showers can be dynamic and hands-on -- either as a fun "Iron Chef Challenge" workshop, where guests team up to cook using mystery ingredients, or with seasonal recipes agreed-upon before hand.

Cooking School

BABY SHOWER IDEA: A CATERED PARTY IN AN ORGANIC SPA

Scents of Serenity occupies a building from 1918 decorated in a unique, eclectic shabby-chic with a modern flair designed to make guests feel at ease and at home. Common spa parties include birthdays, bridal or baby showers, and bachelorette, engagement or sweet 16 parties. Their Spa Party Room is set up for people to bring in their own food; plates and silverware are available. Wine and glasses are BYOB. Scents of Serenity has four treatment rooms, two of which have double tables, allowing for six people to receive treatment at a time.

Spa Party

BABY SHOWER IDEA: HOST A CRAFT-MAKING PARTY

A Richmond staple since 1996, All Fired Up offers pottery painting, wet clay, wheel throwing, glass fusing and glass painting. Owned by a local art teacher, it has grown to have locations in Short Pump and Midlothian. All Fired Up's two locations each have private party rooms that can be booked with a minimum of eight people. All Fired Up will provide a devoted party assistant to guide the group through the process with set-up, organization, project ideas, techniques and colors.

Glass Dish Fusing

BABY SHOWER IDEA: COOK WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Interested in cooking for yourself? The "deam kitchen" at Kitchen Thyme has chairs, tables, silverware and china available for rent for private parties. Food can be brought and warmed up, or made from scratch on site.

Dream Kitchen

BABY SHOWER IDEA: EXPERIENCE BEER FLIGHTS

Strangeways Brewing lives up to its credo: Think Strange. Drink Strange. The brewery boasts an ever-changing tap list of at least 25 beers at any time - all made in house and currently only available in Richmond. The names and flavors of their beers are as unique as the space itself. The spacious back room, lined with barrels where their beer is actively brewing, is available for private party reservations for groups with 25 or more people.

Brewery Front Tasting Room

BABY SHOWER IDEA: RESTAURANT-SLASH-POOL ROOM

"Great atmosphere, AMAZING food, great staff! " - Meg Seagram, Facebook

Greenleaf's boasts 12 regulation Brunswick Gold Crown Tables, a bar serving upscale cocktails and craft beer, and food that has gotten rave reviews from Style Weekly, Richmond Times Dispatch and RVA Mag. The entire pool room can be rented out to private parties with advance notice. There are no private rooms, but there are options for discrete group spaces.

Vintage Pool Hall

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