You can have a cake decorated and/or shaped to go with your theme or a traditional cake just using the theme colors. You can have cake and ice cream or an ice cream cake. This is an area where your creativity can really come out. Bakeries that do custom cakes can make a cake in just about any shape you can imagine. Of course, there’s a price for that.
How many people will a cake feed?
It varies. In general, figure that the standard US sizes are a full sheet cake = 18 x 24 x 2 inches and a quarter sheet cake = 9 x 12 x 2 inches. These sizes can vary by an inch or so in any dimension from one bakery to the next. This means that for a 2″ x 3″ serving you can get approximately 18 servings from a quarter sheet; 36 servings from a half sheet; and 64 servings from a full sheet cake.
Simple Design
As of this writing, you can get a full sheet cake at Costco for about $19. That’s super cheap and they and also Sam’s club have not only low cake prices but the taste is good too. We used to have them at office birthday celebrations regularly. Walmart also has sheet cakes and they’ll even write “Happy Birthday Johnny” on it if you ask. Just use their cake ordering form with this click.
Simple Design
You can get a food decorating gel tube or a pastery bag and add the birtday child’s name yourself. Slow and steady is they key. Practice on a plate first. (Use the image affiliate link to get yours).
Moderately Simple
You can give a digital picture of your child to the bakery and they’ll put the photo onto the cake with edible icing. Many bakeries also have license agreements with Disney and a variety of other child oriented brands. This allows them to put an image of your child’s favorite TV or movie character on the cake. These cakes will generally be a full, half, or quarter sheet. You can also get these in a round cake for smaller parties. (Use the image affiliate link to order an image topper for your cake).
Cupcakes
I perform magic shows at birthday parties almost every week of the year. In the last couple of years, I’ve seen a growing number of parents having cupcakes instead of a birthday cake. This increases your expense and effort on the front end, but it saves you some time during the party. You don’t have to worry about all of that cutting and carefully transferring cake to a plate. With this image affiliate link you can get PJ Masks cupcake toppers or some other type to dress up your cupcakes.
Smash Cakes
This wasn’t a thing when my kids were little. However, our granddaughter did have a smash cake when she turned one. So what is a smash cake? It’s a small cake made just for the birthday child. He or she gets to smash and play in the cake. Read this article by Molly Thornberg for more insight.
Custom Cakes
There is no limit to the number of custom kids birthday cake ideas. Bakers can make a cake in nearly any shape and size. If you have the budget for something super special, be sure to give them enough advance notice to create your masterpiece. For more inspiration take a look at my Pinterest kids birthday cake ideas board.
Leftover Cake Ideas
As the party winds down, you start eyeing what food is left and begin considering what to do with it. When it comes to birthday cake do this:
- Offer “seconds” to as many as would like more birthday cake.
- Ofter to wrap up slices to go home with your guests.
- If you still have leftover cake, then take a look that this article for more clever uses.
Fantastic No-Bake Cake Recipe
Here’s a do-it-yourself idea. Your guests are sure to be intrigued when you tell them this cake was “baked” in the freezer!
You will need:
- 24 chocolate chip cookies,
- 3/4 cup quick oats,
- 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine,
- 1/2 gallon ice cream or frozen yogurt (one or two flavors), your child’s favorite candy (for decoration)
First, place the ice cream in the refrigerator to soften.
Meanwhile, put 16 cookies in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Scoop out half the softened ice cream and spread evenly over the crust. Crush the remaining cookies, and combine with the remaining quick oats and melted butter. Spread mixture over the first layer of ice cream. Then, add the second layer of ice cream and decorate as desired.
Freeze until party time!
Adapt this kids birthday cake idea to your party theme by making a magician’s top hat out of black construction paper, leaving the top piece off. (Make sure the hat’s diameter is larger than the cake, so it fits around it without touching.)
Before serving, place the hat over the cake, with the brim up, as if you will be pulling the cake out of the hat. (This also allows you to light the birthday candles.)
Tap the hat with a magic wand, and say “Abra Ca Dabra!” before lifting the hat off of the cake.
For extra fun, place a magic rabbit ice cream ball (recipe here) on top!
Need A Show?
Click to find out more info on a fun, educational, and inspiring show for your group.
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