How to Use Zoom for a Virtual Baby Shower

Balloons, flower walls and signs are just a few of the decorations you might have at a traditional baby shower. Unfortunately, stay-at-home orders mean many parents-to-be aren't able to have the shower they envisioned. Instead, virtual baby showers have emerged as a safer way to celebrate your upcoming arrival during the coronavirus pandemic. But just because you'll be showered virtually doesn't mean you can't have "decorations" at your event.

Enter Zoom: We highly recommend hosting your virtual baby shower on this popular video meeting platform. The service makes it easy to chat with friends and relatives, and the virtual background feature means your event will still feel fun and festive.

Below, everything you need to know to host or attend a Zoom-powered baby shower, plus free backgrounds you can use during the event.

How to use Zoom for a virtual baby shower

You don't have to be super tech-savvy to figure out how to host or attend a Zoom baby shower.

Zoom subscriptions start at $14 a month. But the service also offers a free membership with the same features and a 40-minute call limit. In other words, to set up a group video call for free (without a paid membership), you just need to keep your baby shower under 40 minutes. (Luckily, this is totally doable; take a look at our suggested virtual baby shower timelines for 40- or 90-minute events here.)

How to set up a Zoom call

It's easy to launch a Zoom call, but we recommend starting the process a few days before your shower so you can troubleshoot any issues that might come up. It's also a good idea to send guests the link well ahead of time so they can make sure they're confident using the platform, too.

Visit zoom.com/signup and enter your birthday and email address.
You’ll receive an email asking you to set up your account. Click “Activate Account.”
Test out your Zoom account by clicking, “Start Meeting Now.”
Download Zoom and open the application on your computer.
On the Zoom website, navigate to the left panel on your screen and under “Personal,” select “Meetings.”
Click “Schedule a New Meeting.”
Include as much information as you want on the prompt, such as how long the baby shower will be. If you have a free account, just remember that the meeting will end after 40 minutes. However, if you purchased a Zoom subscription, you can set the time for as long as you want.
Save the meeting ID and optional password and make sure to include it in the invitation. You’ll also receive a "Join URL," which you should copy and paste and send to your guests.
On the day of the shower, when guests have all joined the call, click “Participants” at the bottom of your screen and select “Lock Meeting” to prevent others from joining the shower.

How to attend a Zoom baby shower

Copy and paste the instructions below and send them to your guests to make sure everyone knows how to download Zoom and join your virtual baby shower.

Visit zoom.com/signup and enter your birthday and email address.
You’ll receive an email asking you to set up your account. Click “Activate Account.”
Test out your Zoom account by clicking, “Start Meeting Now.”
Download Zoom and open the application on your computer.
Before the event, you'll receive an email from the host with the link to join the virtual baby shower call. On the day and time of the shower, click on that link to launch the meeting.
If a password is required for the meeting (check your invitation or ask the host), you’ll be asked to add it before joining.
Once you’ve entered the party, make sure your sound is working. You can ensure you’re not on mute by clicking “Join Audio” at the bottom left of your screen. To make sure you’re using video, click “Start Video” (next to the “Join Audio" button).
Enjoy the virtual baby shower!

How to use Zoom's Whiteboard feature

There's another way you can engage your guests on Zoom. If you want to add some creativity to the day, you can open up Zoom's Whiteboard feature, which lets you scribble or share notes with your guests.

Select "Share Screen" at the bottom of your Zoom window, and then select "Whiteboard."

How to add a virtual background on Zoom

A virtual background will appear behind your face on the call. Here's how to add one:

Once you've joined the call, you'll see your face on the screen. (If you don't, click "Join Video" on the botton left of the Zoom window.)
Click the "^" symbol, which appears next to the "Join Video" button.
Click "Choose Virtual Background."
Select the "+" symbol and go to your downloads folder.
Select the downloaded image of your choice and the background will appear.
Exit the pop-up window and resume the call.

Download free Zoom backgrounds for a virtual baby shower

Need some inspiration? We designed these adorable backdrops for your virtual baby shower. Simply click "Download" and you'll be ready to spice up your next video call.

Even better? Cleanup time is 0 minutes (!) with these decorations.