There’s no news like baby news—and some of the most excited recipients around are the grandparents-to-be. When trying to decide how to announce your pregnancy to your parents, simplicity is fine but sometimes going bolder is better. From props to poems, sweets to sweaters, there are so many creative ways to tell your parents you’re pregnant.  

Let this list serve as inspiration for sharing your special news! And make sure to have a camera on hand, because none of you will ever want to forget their reactions to the moment you announce your pregnancy to your parents!

Wearable Pregnancy Announcement for Grandparents

Photo/Where to Buy: LoveLuluBell via Etsy

Grandma and Grandpa will love opening these exciting pregnancy announcement t-shirts, which are the perfect way to tell them there’s a baby on the way! 

Scratch-Off Pregnancy Announcement for Grandparents

Photo/Where to Buy: PetalPaperCo via Etsy

These scratch-off cards are an adorable Etsy find for your parents to let them know you’re expecting a baby. It might seem like a standard greeting card, but beneath the surface is the best news of all.

Write a Letter From the Baby to Announce Your Pregnancy to Your Parents

Pen a letter from your baby to the grandparents-to-be for a simple—yet still thrilling—way to tell your parents you’re pregnant. Case in point? This Grandma-to-be thought her Valentine’s Day card was from her daughter’s dog. When she realizes what’s going on, the reaction is absolutely priceless

Grandparent Pregnancy Announcement Mug

Photo/Where to Buy: ByTracey via Etsy

There are so many cute baby-news mugs on Etsy, but the pretty design and funny text of this one makes it a favourite. Casually pour Grandma’s hot tea or coffee into this mug and wait for the magic moment when she finds your subliminal message.  

… Or a Grandparent Pregnancy Announcement Bottle of Wine

Photo/Where to Buy: LabeledByLong via Etsy

Coffee is nice, but wine is even better! Pop over to your parents’ on a dinner invite or for “no reason” at all, handing over a bottle of their favourite wine reworked with one of these amazing labels from Etsy. Tears of joy guaranteed!

Frame an Ultrasound Picture to Announce Your Pregnancy to Your Parents

Photo: @JadeHarbour

A framed ultrasound picture is a perfect bringer of baby joy—plus it will be a keepsake that the grandparents-to-be will keep on display and treasure for years to come. Check out the adorable reaction when this mum and aunt received one just like this. 

Wrap Your Grandparent Pregnancy Announcement in a Tiny Package

Photo/Where to Buy: EvDavyBottles via Etsy

Great news comes in small packages! The proof? These tiny messages in a bottle are the absolute sweetest trinkets. Bottle up your pregnancy announcement and let the grandparents-to-be unwrap the best news ever!

Use a Puzzle For Your Parent Pregnancy Announcement

Photo/Where to Buy: FJ4LifeCreations via Etsy 

As your parents assemble this cute custom baby news puzzle, they’ll get the message bit by bit. Make sure you have your camera ready for the big reveal! The puzzle can be Mod Podged and framed after completion for a sweet memento.

Let Your Parents Crack Open Your Pregnancy Announcement 

Photo/Where to Buy: OviYahShop via Etsy

These beautiful eggs may appear to be simply a decorative piece at first glance. But once Mum and Dad crack it open, the precious pregnancy announcement for your parents waits inside. You can have it shipped anywhere in the world if sharing the news with your parents in person isn’t possible. 

Grandparent Pregnancy Announcement Onesie

Photo/Where to Buy: ConfettiandSparkle via Etsy

Gifting them baby announcement clothes is a classic and super cute way to tell your parents you are pregnant. This design is simple, sweet, and affordable.

Make a Cozy Pregnancy Announcement to Your Parents

Photo/Where to Buy: OneOkGo via Etsy

Tees are fun, but sweatshirts feel like a hug from you to them. Your parents will delight in these cozy pullovers with their grandparent-nicknames on display. Wrap them up and drop them off or ship them over for a huge, joyful, and comfy surprise!

Dummy + Note Grandparent Pregnancy Announcement

Photo: First Grade Teacher Lady

Box up a dummy and pen a little note about leaving it at their house for when Mummy and Daddy forget. It might take them a second to catch on, but the tears of joy will flow!

Have Big Sibling Wear a Telling Outfit

Photo/Where to Buy: Cecil and Lou

If this is Baby #2 or beyond, get the older siblings in on telling your parents you’re pregnant! Imagine Grandma and Grandpa’s surprise when you cover one of these bubbles, dresses, or tees up with a cardigan and ask them to take it off for you.

Give Your Parents a Pregnancy Announcement Coupon

Photo/Where to Buy: Zazzle 

This is a fun and affordable way to tell your parents you’re pregnant. Insert their “coupon” in a letter or tucked in the cover of a book you’re lending them, and watch their faces light up.

Bake (or Buy) a Grandparent Pregnancy Announcement Cake

Photo: Sally’s

This one is a little over-the-top, but pretty darn fabulous. Bring a decorated cake like this to a casual brunch or dinner at your parents’ house. When it comes time for dessert, their jaws will hit the floor! But for those of us who aren’t artistically inclined, the idea can have just as much impact with a simple sheet cake iced with the words, “We’re Having a Baby!” 

…Or Announce Your Pregnancy to Parents With a Cake Topper

Photo/Where to Buy: PSWeddingsandEvents via Esty

What’s great about this gorgeous pregnancy announcement cake topper from Etsy is you can really use it on anything, from a cake to a pizza at Mum and Dad’s. Stow it in your purse and wait for a moment alone with the food to pop it in and plant the big news. 

Wrap a Pack of Nappies to Tell Your Parents You’re Pregnant

Photo: @hellobello 

You’re going to want to plant a pack at Grandma and Grandpa’s anyway, so why not purchase and prettify a pack of nappies, then drop them off as a little “just-because” gift for the expectant grandparents? 

Play Baby Charades to Announce Your Pregnancy to Your Parents

Gather the grandparents-to-be (and any other family members with whom you’re ready to share your big news) for a family game night and let them guess without even knowing that’s what they’re doing, as this couple did

Challenge Your Parents to a Game of Scrabble

Photo/Where to Buy: Hasbro

If charades isn’t plausible, or if you prefer not to rely on your acting skills to announce your pregnancy to your parents, dig out an old Scrabble game and suggest that at the family game night. Make sure to rig the pieces in advance and take your turn first, so you can spell out IMPREG on your first try. When your parents challenge you that that isn’t a word, insist they look a little closer…  

Gift Some Grandparent Pregnancy Announcement Jewelry

Photo/Where to Buy: SierraMetalDesign via Etsy

If the grammy-to-be has a charm bracelet, add a carriage or other baby charm to let your mum know that she’s going to be a grandma. If her style is more sleek and minimalist, opening a bar bracelet or necklace is the perfect way for her to discover you’re expecting. 

Buy a Baby Book to Announce Your Pregnancy to Your Parents

Photo/Where to Buy: Amazon 

Nothing will beat the days ahead when your parents get to read your child a story. Start their collection by casually placing a beloved children’s classic or interactive baby book on their coffee table during an upcoming visit and wait until they catch onto the clue!

Blow Up Balloons to Announce Your Pregnancy to Your Parents

Photo/Where to Buy: Lushra

Nothing says “celebration” like a big ol’ display of balloons. Hide a bunch of pink and blue ones in your coat closet to spring forth when they stop by and open it, or pick up a balloon banner that spells “BABY” and hang it in the kitchen or out back.  

Plan a Sunny Pregnancy Announcement for Your Parents

Photo: @biancaftyler 

When visiting your parents, make an excuse to go outside, and throw this hat on, on your way out the door. The mama-to-be pictured here bought a basic sun hat and embroidered the letters on it with this tutorial

Spell Out Your Pregnancy Announcement to Your Parents

Photo: Theresa Elizabeth Photography

Host a mother-daughter baking day or pizza night with the whole family. Make sure you or your partner is on dough detail, so you can subtly scribe an extra-special message in the flour.  

Write Your Pregnancy Announcement in the Sand

Photo: @dibellavita

Is there anything cuter than a message like this scrawled into the sand? If your parents aren’t present, set it up and take some great shots. When they ask how your beach day is going, fire back with a snap like this! If they are there, distract them briefly so you can head down the beach a bit, stick in hand. Then let them know you’ve made an amazing discovery that they need to come and see. 

Final Thoughts: Pregnancy Announcement to Parents

After you’ve announced your pregnancy to your parents, you will want to start thinking about all the rest of the fanfare that comes with a pregnancy...your baby shower theme, gender reveal, and more. Take a look at some of our best advice on planning every event before your big day! 

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.