Baby showers have traditionally been all about celebrating the mum-to-be, but these days, dads are getting their own chance to celebrate too. Enter the dadchelor party, a baby shower with a more blokey twist and a very good excuse for the lads to get together before one of them becomes a dad.
If you’ve got a mate who’s about to enter fatherhood, a dadchelor party is a great way to mark the occasion. It can be a big day out, a weekend away, a meal with the boys or just a few hours doing something the dad-to-be really enjoys. There aren’t really any hard and fast rules, which is half the fun.
Whether you call it a dadchelor party, man shower, dad baby shower, baby stag, dad shower or even a pre-baby stag do, the idea is pretty much the same. Get the lads together, celebrate the impending arrival and give the future dad a chance to have some proper fun before nappies, night feeds and a suspicious lack of sleep become his new normal.
What is a Dadchelor Party?
A dadchelor party is essentially a baby shower for the dad-to-be. Rather than the traditional format of sitting around with sandwiches and opening baby gifts, the focus tends to be on getting together with friends and doing something fun.
The name dadchelor is a playful combination of dad and bachelor, taking its inspiration from the bachelor party. It’s therefore easy to see why the whole thing has a slightly more grown up boys’ weekend feel to it.
A dadchelor party doesn’t have to be wild and it certainly doesn’t have to involve drinking. It’s about celebrating the man who’s about to become a father, so the best parties are built around what he actually enjoys. If he’s a football fanatic, get everyone together for a football-based day. If he loves cars, get behind the wheel. If he’d rather spend the afternoon eating steak and drinking a pint with his mates, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that either.
The whole point is to make the dad-to-be feel celebrated while giving him some quality time with the people closest to him.
What Else is a Dadchelor Party Called?
There are quite a few names floating around for this type of celebration. Dadchelor party is probably the best known, but you might also hear it called a man shower, dad shower, dad baby shower, baby stag, daddy shower, dad do, manchelor party or daddymoon.
Man shower is probably the easiest alternative to understand. It’s essentially the male equivalent of a baby shower, although there’s no rule saying it has to look anything like one.
Baby stag is another popular term, especially when the celebration takes the form of a day or night out with the lads. It’s got more of a stag do feel to it, although the reason for celebrating is very different. This isn’t about saying goodbye to single life. It’s about saying hello to dad life.
Where Did the Dadchelor Party Come From?
The dadchelor party is a relatively new idea. The earliest known mentions of the term date back to the late 2000s in the United States, with the phrase becoming more widely noticed around 2011. The word itself is simply a blend of dad and bachelor party.
Traditional baby showers have historically centred around mums-to-be, which makes sense given the physical experience of pregnancy and childbirth. However, as attitudes towards fatherhood have changed, there’s been a growing recognition that becoming a dad is a huge life change too.
Modern dads are far more involved in pregnancy, birth and raising their children, so it’s no surprise that celebrations aimed at dads have started to become more popular. The dadchelor party gives mates a chance to celebrate the future father and gives him a bit of time with his friends before life changes considerably.
It’s also worth remembering that there’s no ancient dadchelor tradition that everyone has to follow. This is a modern idea, and that means you can make the party whatever you want it to be. There’s no official rulebook and nobody’s going to turn up with a clipboard checking whether you’ve got the correct number of beers, burgers or baby-themed games.
When Should You Have a Dadchelor Party?
Timing is worth thinking about. You don’t want to plan the biggest dadchelor party of the year two days before the baby is due. That could make for a slightly awkward evening if the future dad suddenly has to leave because his partner has gone into labour.
A few weeks before the due date is usually a much safer bet, although every pregnancy is different. It’s also worth checking with the mum-to-be before booking anything, especially if the dadchelor party is meant to be a surprise.
Some groups choose to hold their man shower around the same time as the mum’s baby shower, while others prefer to give the dad his own separate date. There’s no right answer. The main thing is making sure it works for the parents and doesn’t add extra stress at what can already be a busy time.
Who Gets Invited to a Dadchelor Party?
That’s entirely up to the dad-to-be. His closest mates are an obvious starting point, but there’s no reason why brothers, cousins, work mates or his own dad can’t come along too.
If you’re organising the party for someone else, it’s worth checking who he’d actually want there. You don’t want to invite every man he’s ever exchanged a pint with when what he really wants is a relaxed day with five of his closest friends.
A smaller group can often make the day feel more personal, while a bigger crowd can turn it into a proper event. Again, there’s no magic number.
The Best Dadchelor Party Ideas
The best dadchelor party ideas are the ones that suit the dad-to-be. You don’t have to copy a traditional baby shower and you don’t have to turn it into a full-blown stag do either. Think about his hobbies, his favourite sports, the things he always does with his mates and anything he’s always wanted to try. Here’s some inspiration:
Go karting: Get the lads behind the wheel and let the future dad find out whether fatherhood has made him more responsible. Spoiler alert, it probably hasn’t. A go karting session gives everyone a bit of friendly competition and you can head off for food and drinks afterwards.
Bubble football: If the group wants something active without taking it too seriously, bubble football is a winner. You’ll be bouncing, barging and rolling around the pitch in giant inflatable bubbles, which makes for plenty of laughs without requiring anyone to possess actual footballing talent.
Beer bike: A beer bike gives the group a chance to pedal around the city while enjoying a few drinks along the way. It’s sociable, silly and gives the dad-to-be a proper afternoon out with his mates. Just make sure someone else is handling the route planning.
Axe throwing: Give the dad-to-be the chance to unleash his inner Viking with an axe throwing session. You’ll get tuition before taking on the targets, so you don’t need to arrive with years of axe throwing experience. It’s competitive, unusual and guaranteed to give everyone something to talk about afterwards.
Footgolf: Football and golf have somehow been thrown together to create footgolf, where you kick a football around a golf course and attempt to get it into oversized holes. It’s relaxed enough for a group of different abilities but still gives everyone a reason to take the competition far too seriously.
Escape room: If the dad-to-be prefers puzzles to paintball, an escape room can make a great man shower activity. You’ll need to work together to crack codes, solve clues and escape before the clock runs out. It’s also a good way to find out which of your mates would be completely useless during an actual emergency.
Clay pigeon shooting: For a dadchelor party with a countryside feel, clay pigeon shooting gives the group something different to try. You’ll get instruction before taking aim at the clays, making it suitable even if nobody in the group has picked up a shotgun before.
Beer tasting: If the dad to be knows his lager from his IPA, a beer tasting could be right up his street. You’ll get to sample different beers, learn a few things about how they’re made and, most importantly, have a good excuse to sit down with the lads and enjoy a few drinks. It’s a nice choice if you want something sociable without spending the whole day running around.
Cooking class: A cooking class gives the group something a bit different to get stuck into, especially if the dad to be is the type who enjoys his food. You could learn how to make pizza, pasta, curry or another favourite dish before sitting down to enjoy what you’ve made. It’s hands on, there’s plenty of room for a bit of competitive banter and nobody has to worry about where dinner’s coming from afterwards.
Murder mystery: Put the lads to the test with a murder mystery where everyone gets a character and has to work out whodunnit. You’ll need to follow the clues, interrogate the suspects and try to separate fact from complete nonsense. It’s a great option for a group that enjoys a bit of competition and doesn’t mind getting into character. Just don’t be surprised if the dad to be turns out to be the first suspect.
Go for a big meal: Never underestimate the power of a good meal with your closest mates. Book a steakhouse, find a private dining room or head somewhere known for great food and make an occasion of it. Add a few drinks afterwards and you’ve got a simple dadchelor party that doesn’t require an itinerary longer than a restaurant menu.
Take a trip away: If the group has the time and budget, why not turn the dadchelor party into a weekend? A city break, countryside escape or weekend by the coast can give everyone time to properly catch up before the baby arrives. It doesn’t have to become a three-day marathon. Sometimes a relaxed weekend with good food, a few activities and the right group of mates is all you need.
Watch the football: If the dad-to-be is obsessed with his team, tickets to a match could be a much better present than anything baby-themed. Get everyone together, watch the game, grab some food and enjoy a proper boys’ day out.
What Do You Give Someone at a Dadchelor Party?
Gifts aren’t compulsory, but it can be a nice touch. You could buy something for the baby, something for the dad or simply put money towards the day itself. A practical present could go down well, especially something that’ll actually get used once the baby arrives. Alternatively, make it personal with something linked to his interests, a funny dad-themed gift or something that celebrates the fact he’s joining the dad club.
Some groups also like the idea of bringing nappies or baby supplies alongside something for the dad. The old gag of swapping nappies for beer has even become known as Chuggies for Huggies. Of course, you don’t need to turn the party into a gift exchange. The main event is spending time together and celebrating the dad-to-be.
Do Dadchelor Parties Have to Involve Alcohol?
Absolutely not. Although drinking often features in dadchelor party ideas, it isn’t essential. The dad-to-be might not drink at all, or he might simply prefer doing something where everyone can get involved without spending the afternoon in the pub.
Activities such as go karting, escape rooms, football, axe throwing, footgolf and shooting all work perfectly well without alcohol being the focus. You can always finish with a meal or head somewhere for a drink afterwards if that’s what the group fancies. The important thing is that it feels like his party, not a generic boys’ night out.
Should the Dadchelor Party Be a Surprise?
There’s something undeniably fun about surprising the dad to be with a day he’s not expecting, especially when he’s been busy preparing for the arrival of a baby and probably has no idea what his mates have been plotting behind his back. A surprise dadchelor party can make the whole thing feel like a proper occasion, but it’s worth thinking things through before secretly booking an entire weekend away.
For starters, you’ll want to know whether he actually likes surprises. Some people love turning up somewhere without knowing what’s happening, while others would rather know the plan so they can mentally prepare, check what they’re wearing and make sure they haven’t accidentally agreed to spend Saturday doing something they absolutely hate. There’s also the small matter of his partner and the due date. Pregnancy doesn’t always stick rigidly to the schedule, so disappearing for a weekend without making sure the timing works could be asking for trouble.
A surprise works best when you keep it manageable. You could tell him to keep an afternoon free, arrange for everyone to meet somewhere and reveal the activity when he arrives. That gives you the fun of a surprise without secretly booking three hotels, four activities and a train journey to the other end of the country.
If you’re planning something bigger, it’s probably sensible to let him know the date and general idea in advance. You can still keep the details under wraps, so he knows he’s free but doesn’t know exactly what the lads have organised. It might not have quite the same dramatic reveal, but nobody wants to be the mate who plans a surprise weekend only to discover the dad to be has a hospital appointment, family commitment or simply isn’t up for travelling.
The golden rule is to make the surprise about making him happy, not catching him off guard for the sake of it. If you know he’ll love it, go for it. If he’s the sort who likes knowing what’s happening, there’s nothing wrong with giving him a few clues.
How Much Should a Dadchelor Party Cost?
There’s no standard price tag for a dadchelor party, and there really doesn’t need to be. You can spend a little or turn it into a full weekend, depending on what the group can afford and what the dad to be would actually enjoy.
At the cheaper end, you could keep things very simple with a pub lunch, a few drinks and a couple of rounds of competitive games. Add in some darts, pool or a trip to watch the football and you’ve got a proper afternoon out without everyone needing to raid their savings. If you have a bit of a bigger budget, booking an activity followed by food is an easy way to make the occasion feel more special.
Then there’s the bigger option: the dadchelor weekend. A city break or overnight stay can turn the celebration into a proper event, particularly if the group lives in different places and doesn’t often manage to get everyone together. Obviously, accommodation, travel, food and activities will push the price up, so this is where it’s important to talk about money before booking anything.
Whatever you spend, make sure everyone is comfortable with the budget. There’s no point organising an expensive weekend and discovering half the group is quietly panicking about the cost. It’s also worth remembering that the dad-to-be might not want everyone spending a fortune on him. A memorable day with his mates is far more important than how much money has been thrown at it.
When the Dad to Be Doesn’t Want a Big Fuss
Not every future dad wants a huge celebration with matching outfits, a packed itinerary and a WhatsApp group that’s been arguing about plans for six weeks. Some blokes would much rather have a relaxed day with their closest mates, and that’s completely fine.
In fact, a low-key dadchelor party can sometimes be more enjoyable than a massive production. Book a table at his favourite restaurant, head to the pub, organise a barbecue or get everyone together for an afternoon watching the football. The important bit is that you’ve made the effort to get his mates in the same place and celebrate the occasion.
You could also choose one activity rather than trying to squeeze five into a single day. Book something he’s always wanted to try, grab some food afterwards and call it a day. Another option is to make it more personal. Get the old group of mates together, put together some photos from over the years or organise a meal somewhere that has a bit of history for the group. It doesn’t need to become an emotional awards ceremony, but a few personal touches can make a simple get together feel like a proper celebration.
The best dadchelor party is the one the dad-to-be actually wants. If he’d rather have six mates around a table than sixty people following him around a city, listen to him. Becoming a dad is a huge life change, so giving him an easygoing day where he can relax, laugh and catch up with his mates might be exactly what he needs.
Can Dadchelor Parties Be Family Friendly?
Who says a dadchelor party has to be lads only? While the classic idea involves the dad to be heading out with his mates, there’s no reason the celebration can’t include his partner, children or other family members if that suits everyone.
A family-friendly dadchelor party can be a great option if the group wants something more relaxed. You could organise a big meal where partners are invited, book a daytime activity that works for everyone or arrange a barbecue where family and friends can come along.
This can also make sense if the dad to be doesn’t fancy a full day away from his partner during the final weeks of pregnancy. Rather than choosing between having a celebration and spending time together, you could combine the two. His mates can still make a fuss of him while his partner and family are part of the day.
There are loads of activities that can work well for a mixed group too. A family-friendly pub, bowling, a casual lunch, an outdoor activity or a big picnic can all give everyone something to enjoy without making the occasion feel too formal.
Of course, there’s also nothing wrong with splitting the celebration into two parts. The afternoon could be family-friendly, followed by an evening with the lads, or you could have a family meal one day and a separate boys’ activity another time.
Ultimately, a dadchelor party doesn’t come with a strict guest list. It’s about celebrating the dad-to-be, so the format should suit him and the people he wants around him. Whether that means a full day with the boys, a family get together or a combination of both, there’s plenty of room to make the celebration your own.
Why Have a Dadchelor Party?
Becoming a dad is a massive milestone, and it deserves more than a quick congratulations message in the group chat. A dadchelor party gives friends a chance to properly celebrate the occasion while giving the dad-to-be some time with the people who’ve known him long before he started buying tiny socks and arguing about pram brands.
It’s also a chance to make memories before everyone’s schedules change. Once the baby arrives, spontaneous weekends away and last-minute nights out can become harder to arrange. That doesn’t mean friendship disappears, but life certainly gets busier.
A dadchelor party is therefore about more than having a laugh. It’s about celebrating friendship, fatherhood and a pretty major new chapter.
Whether you go for a full baby stag weekend, a chilled-out man shower, an afternoon activity or simply a meal with the lads, there’s no wrong way to do it. Pick something the dad-to-be will genuinely enjoy, get his closest mates together and give him a proper send-off into fatherhood.
Because once the baby arrives, he might not be getting eight uninterrupted hours of sleep, a spontaneous Saturday afternoon or a peaceful trip to the toilet for quite some time. He might as well enjoy himself while he can.
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