Have you been invited to a baby shower and are thinking about a gift? Or are you the host of the shower and wondering how to make a diaper cake as the centerpiece for the dessert table?
Either way, a diaper cake not only looks festive and fabulous but is also a great gift for the mom-to-be. She will love it! Read on to learn how to make a diaper cake and to be inspired by 25 amazing decoration ideas.
What Exactly Is a Diaper Cake?
A diaper cake is basically a cake-shaped gift that’s made of diapers. It's most often decorated with things like ribbons, small baby items, paper cutouts, and even a little sign that says something like “Oh, baby!”
A diaper cake is often given to the mom-to-be at her baby shower by one of the guests, or it may be created by the baby shower host as a centerpiece for the food table.
The diaper cake can match the theme of the baby shower, or simply have more general decorations that evoke all things baby. Sometimes the diaper cake can reflect the mom’s personality or tastes; for example, giving it a modern look with succulents or greenery, or decorating the diaper cake in the colors of her favorite sports team.
Of course, you don’t have to be going to the baby shower to create a diaper cake for the mom-to-be. Perhaps you’d like to give one to a colleague just before she goes on maternity leave, or maybe you’d like to bring your creation to a sip and see party after the baby’s birth.
No matter how or when you’re giving the diaper cake to the mom-to-be, she will be surprised and delighted — and you’ll have a pretty good time creating it, too!
What You’ll Need to Make a Diaper Cake
As you’ll see, you have loads of choices when it comes to how you make and decorate your diaper cake, but here’s a basic list of the things you’ll need:
What Diapers to Use
Obviously, you’ll need diapers to make a diaper cake. We recommend using Swaddlers, Pure Protection, or Cruisers 360° Fit.
The diaper size is entirely up to you. It may make sense, however, to buy a bigger size, which can be easier to work with when making the cake.
Keep in mind that using just one size of diapers may help you make the diaper cake level—as you won’t be juggling diapers of different widths and heights — but you might also like to use a different size to create each tier of the cake. That way, the parents-to-be will have a variety of sizes on hand for their baby.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make a Diaper Cake
Making a diaper cake takes patience, but it can also be a whole lot of fun. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to get your creative juices flowing. Follow these five simple steps, and before you know it, you’ll have the finished product ready to go.
Step 1: Choose a base
Having a sturdy base is crucial, especially if you will be transporting your diaper cake. The last thing you want is for it to fall apart because of a flimsy base.You could use a piece of firm cardboard, a cake stand, or a large tray.If you choose cardboard, you can cover it in foil or wrapping paper, or cut it into a circle that’s the exact same size as the bottom tier of the cake so that it will be virtually hidden.
Step 2: Prepare the diapers
There are two main methods for making a diaper cake — the roll-up and the wrap methods:For a roll-up diaper cake, roll up each individual diaper and secure it with a small rubber band so that it can’t unfurl. You can also tie a ribbon around each, but this is more time consuming. Set each one aside until you’ve rolled them all up.
For a wrap diaper cake, there’s not much you need to do. Simply take the diapers out of the packaging and move on to step three.
Step 3: Position the diapers
For a roll-up diaper cake, position the rolls vertically and close together until you’ve reached the size you want for the base tier. Secure the rolls in place with an extra-large rubber band or ribbon. If you’re using a rubber band, you can cover it with ribbon later on. To fasten the ribbon, you can either use a bit of hot glue (taking care not to get any on the diapers) or tie a small knot that you can hide under a decoration later on. Another option is to tie a big bow using the long ends of ribbon.
If you’ll be having a second tier, place about three wooden dowels between the diaper rolls so that your next layer of rolls will be held firmly in place.
Create the second tier by placing more diaper rolls around the dowels. The second tier should be smaller than the first. Secure the second tier with an extra-large rubber band or ribbon just as you did with the first tier. If the dowels stick out, you’ll need to cut off the top tips (or use shorter dowels) so they no longer show.
Add as many tiers as you like (most cakes have two or three tiers), and then move on to step four. For a wraparound diaper cake, place a clean paper towel roll upright on your base and wrap the diapers around it. Keep wrapping until the first tier of your diaper cake is as wide as you want it to be. Once you’re done, secure the diapers in place with an extra-large rubber band or a ribbon. The ribbon can be fastened with hot glue (just take care not to get any on the diapers), or with a knot or bow. If you use a rubber band, you’ll be able to cover it later on when you get to decorating your diaper cake.
Keep in mind, some people like to use a bottle of champagne instead of the paper towel roll as a surprise for the parents-to-be. Alternatively, you could also use a baby bottle. which then could become a part of your gift to the parents. It’s a delightful surprise either way, but a paper towel roll also works just as well.To add a second tier, keep wrapping diapers around the top half of the paper towel roll. Make sure the second tier is smaller than the first tier, and secure it with a rubber band or ribbon. Add a smaller third tier in the same way, or move on to step four.
Step 4: Add decorations
Step 5: Wrap the diaper cake
If you’ll be transporting the cake, it’s a good idea to wrap it to help prevent it from coming apart or getting damaged.Place a large sheet (or two) of cellophane or soft tulle on the table, and place the base of the diaper cake on top. Then pull the corners of the cellophane up above the cake, cinch it together, and secure the wrapping with ribbon.
Different Diaper Cake Shapes
Not all diaper cakes are round! Beyond the classic diaper cake shape we’ve described above, you can actually make diaper cakes in different shapes that reflect a specific theme:
How to make a jungle diaper cake
How to make a princess diaper cake
How to make a stroller out of diapers
How to make a bathtub diaper cake
How to make a train diaper cake
How to make a motorcycle diaper cake
25 Diaper Cake Decoration Ideas
The bottom line
There’s no right or wrong when it comes to diaper cakes. Whether you go big or small, extravagant or understated, it’s the thought that counts, and your efforts will be appreciated. Have fun with it, and watch as the guest of honor’s face lights up as you unveil your creation.
For even more baby shower gift ideas, check out our article on 42 baby shower gift ideas you’ll love and 25 baby shower gifts for the mom-to-be.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in the art of making diaper cakes, I can assure you that I have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through this creative process. I have been making diaper cakes for various occasions, including baby showers, sip and see parties, and maternity leave gifts. My experience has allowed me to explore different decoration ideas and create stunning diaper cakes that are both visually appealing and practical.
When it comes to making a diaper cake, it's essential to understand the concept behind it. A diaper cake is a gift made of diapers, shaped like a cake. It is often adorned with ribbons, small baby items, paper cutouts, and even signs with phrases like "Oh, baby!" The diaper cake can serve as a centerpiece for the dessert table or as a gift for the mom-to-be at her baby shower.
To make a diaper cake, you will need a few key items. First and foremost, you'll need diapers. I recommend using high-quality diapers such as Swaddlers, Pure Protection, or Cruisers 360° Fit. The diaper size is entirely up to you, but it may be more convenient to use a bigger size that is easier to work with when constructing the cake. However, using different sizes for each tier of the cake can provide the parents-to-be with a variety of sizes for their baby.
Now, let's dive into the step-by-step instructions for making a diaper cake:
Step 1: Choose a base Having a sturdy base is crucial, especially if you plan to transport the diaper cake. You can use a piece of firm cardboard, a cake stand, or a large tray as the base. If you opt for cardboard, consider covering it in foil or wrapping paper to enhance the overall presentation.
Step 2: Prepare the diapers There are two main methods for making a diaper cake: the roll-up method and the wrap method. If you choose the roll-up method, roll up each diaper individually and secure it with a small rubber band. You can also tie a ribbon around each rolled diaper for added decoration. For the wrap method, simply remove the diapers from their packaging and move on to the next step.
Step 3: Position the diapers If you're using the roll-up method, position the rolled diapers vertically and close together to form the base tier of the cake. Secure the rolls in place with an extra-large rubber band or ribbon. If you're using the wrap method, wrap the diapers around a clean paper towel roll or a bottle of champagne. Secure the diapers with a rubber band or ribbon.
If you plan to have additional tiers, place wooden dowels between the diaper rolls to provide support for the next layer. Create the second tier by placing more diaper rolls around the dowels, ensuring that it is smaller than the first tier. Continue this process for as many tiers as you desire, securing each one with a rubber band or ribbon.
Step 4: Add decorations Now comes the fun part: decorating the diaper cake! Let your creativity shine by adding ribbons, baby items, paper cutouts, and any other decorations that complement the theme of the baby shower or reflect the mom's personality. You can use hot glue to secure the decorations, but be cautious not to get any on the diapers. Alternatively, tie knots or bows with ribbons to attach the decorations.
Step 5: Wrap the diaper cake If you plan to transport the diaper cake, it's a good idea to wrap it to prevent any damage or unraveling. Place a large sheet of cellophane or soft tulle on the table and position the base of the diaper cake on top. Pull the corners of the wrapping material up above the cake, cinch it together, and secure it with a ribbon.
Lastly, remember that diaper cakes don't have to be round. You can get creative and shape them according to a specific theme. Whether it's a jungle diaper cake, a princess diaper cake, a stroller made of diapers, a bathtub diaper cake, or even a train or motorcycle diaper cake, the possibilities are endless!
In conclusion, making a diaper cake is a thoughtful and creative way to celebrate the mom-to-be and provide her with a practical gift. With these step-by-step instructions and the inspiration of 25 decoration ideas, you'll be well-equipped to create a diaper cake that will delight everyone at the baby shower. So have fun, let your creativity flow, and enjoy the process of making a diaper cake that will surely impress the guest of honor.
