Easy Instructions to make a Mini Diaper Cake
Diaper cakes are a practical and thoughtful gift that are perfect for a baby shower or newborn baby gift. A mini diaper cake, also known as a cupcake, is just the right size to bring to the hospital or can be used as a baby shower centerpiece.
Our simple instructions will show you how to make a mini diaper cake in a few easy steps. Not only are mini diaper cakes easy to make but they are also economical. It usually includes 12 to 15 diapers and a few baby products such as a receiving blanket, bottle, bib, burp cloth, rattle, and/or pacifiers. The diaper cake can also be made with just diapers and ribbon.
Supplies needed to make a mini diaper cake:
- 12 - 15 good quality diapers - Huggies and Pampers Swaddlers are both good choices.
- 1 - 8” cardboard cake round base (you can find these in craft stores in the cake decorating section), or a piece of cardboard cut into a 8” circle.
- 1 - 4 ounce baby bottle
- 1 Receiving blanket
- 1 Rattle
- 1 Pacifier
- 1 Plush Toy
- 1½ feet ribbon
- Small decorative bows, flowers, scrapbook embellishments, etc. (optional)
- Double sided tape or a hot glue gun and scotch tape (to attach the bottle to the base)
- Rubber bands or thin white ribbon. The rubber bands must be wide enough to go around the cake.
First you want to prepare the cake board base. You can leave it bare or you can use colored tissue paper or wrapping paper to cover the cardboard round. You can also decorate the edge with ribbon or lace. If you cover the base with paper you will need to cut a circle from the paper the diameter of the bottle. Make sure to center the circle in the middle of the cardboard round. This will enable you to securely attach the diaper cake to the base.
Next step is to make the diaper round. Take the bottle and wrap the first diaper, printed side against the bottle, tightly around the bottle making sure to keep the edge of the diaper aligned with the base of the bottle - do not open the diaper. Make sure to hold the diaper around the bottle tightly. Open the next diaper and wrap it around the first diaper. Pull the diaper taut as you wrap it making sure to keep it even with the edge of the bottle base and at the same time keep the first diaper rolled tightly with your other hand. Add the remaining diapers in the same manner. This part can be a little awkward after you have added a few diapers. It helps to prop the diaper round against leg as you are adding the diapers. Once you have added all the diapers secure the round with a rubber band or tie tightly with white ribbon.
Next you will attach the diaper cake round to the base. If you are using double sided tape, put a couple of pieces of tape on the bottom of the bottle only, do not put tape on the diapers. Make sure the cake is centered on the base and press firmly to the adhere to the base. Another alternative is to put 2 or 3 pieces of scotch tape on the bottom of the bottle, one piece on top of the other. Apply a drop of hot glue to the center of the base and press bottle firmly on to base. Allow to dry before moving or decorating.
The next step is to decorate the diaper cake. If you are using a receiving blanket you will put that on first. Fold the blanket length wise so that it is the same width as the diapers. Wrap the receiving blanket around the diaper cake. You can secure the top and bottom with safety pins to add a decorative touch. Take the ribbon and wrap it around the cake. Secure with a drop of hot glue using a low temp glue gun or tie in a bow. Be careful not to get the glue on the blanket.
To add the pacifier you will need a piece of ribbon long enough to loop around the bottle and hang over the side of the cake. Tie the ribbon around the handle of the pacifier in a bow. Then tie the ends of the ribbon to form a loop. Slip over the bottle.
The rattle can be tucked in between the blanket and diapers so it is peeking out of the top. You can also add it in the same manner as the pacifier and let it hang over the side or back.
The plush toy can be attached with either a rubber band or ribbon. Put the rubber band around the toy so that is around the lower half and loop it over the bottle. Alternately, put the ribbon around the toy and then tie it in a bow around the bottle.
You can attach a few decorative bows, flowers, or scrap book embellishments to the ribbon around the diaper cake with a low temp hot glue gun.
Your mini diaper cake is complete! You can wrap it in tulle or a cellophane bag, tie it with ribbon and a gift tag if needed.
Our mini diaper cake instructions can easily be used for any size diaper cake. If you want to make a two tier, three tier or larger, you would just use a larger base and a paper towel tube, mailing tube, or an 8 oz. bottle. The possibilities of diaper cake designs you can create are endless.
Save time and money by ordering one of our
diaper cake kits. They include everything you need to
make your own diaper cake creation.
