How to Decorate Memorable Birthday Cakes

Pirate ship and construction worker birthday cake

Your kids will remember their birthdays forever if you take that extra time to make them a special birthday cake. With a little advance planning and some creativity, even the artistically challenged person can create a memorable and personal birthday cake for kids!

Instructions

1. Find out the kind of cake and icing your child likes best and buy the mix (or plan to make from scratch.) Use a light colored icing if you plan to use food coloring.

2. Ask your child what their favorite things are. Dolls, trucks, cartoon characters, pirates, mermaids, horses, etc. No doubt your child will have many ideas. You can even have them draw out a simple plan.

3. Pick an idea that sounds do-able on a flat rectangular cake surface. Decide the color of icing you need for a background and use food coloring to achieve that color.

4. Visit your thrift store, toy store, cake decorating or party supply store to gather the figures you'll need to top your cake. Try and think what you can make out of food (like trees or ships, for example, can be made of chocolate and licorice). Kids will love to eat as much of your creation as possible.

5. Ice your cake and do your best to make your child's vision come to life!

Tips & Warnings

• Take a picture of your cake when it's finished! Save the child's drawing of the cake plan so they can compare when they're older and looking back.