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An easy step-by-step guide to creating a diaper cake centerpiece for a baby shower
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methods
1Rolled-Up Diaper Cake
2Wrap-Around Diaper Cake
3Decorating Ideas
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Co-authored bySophia Latorre
Last Updated: May 13, 2023Fact Checked
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Looking for a beautiful and practical gift for an expectant parent? A diaper cake is the perfect option. Plus, it’s actually pretty quick and easy to make—and super fun to decorate! We’ve created a simple tutorial to walk you through how to make a diaper cake using either the roll method or the wrap method. We’ll even give ideas and inspiration for decorating the cake to create the perfect baby shower centerpiece. Ready? Let’s get crafting!
Things You Should Know
- Roll up 50-75 diapers and put a rubber band around each one. Arrange about half of the diapers in a circle around a center support, like a paper towel roll.
- Secure the bottom tier with rubber band or string. Repeat the process twice more to create 3 tiers, making each tier slightly smaller than the one below it.
- Cover the rubber bands around each tier with ribbon. Add flowers or small gifts (like pacifiers and rattles) to the cake for decoration, and top it with a cute stuffed animal.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Rolled-Up Diaper Cake
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1
Roll up 50-75 diapers. Choose newborn diapers so the parents can use them right away, or go with size 1 or 2 so they have diapers on hand when the little one gets bigger. Simply take a diaper out of the package, roll it up starting at the “open” top end, and wrap a small rubber band around it.[1]
- Feel free to make your cake with either disposable or cloth diapers.
- Buying diapers with a colorful design will enhance the fun look of the cake.[2]
2
Lay out a base and center support for the cake. Use a cake stand, plastic tray, pizza pan, cardboard circle, or charger plate as the base for your cake. Place an empty paper towel roll, wine bottle, baby bottle, or even a bottle of baby shampoo or lotion in the center of the base to act as a support for your cake.[3]
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3
Arrange diapers around the center support to form the first tier. Keep layering diapers around the center support until it’s totally surrounded. Secure the first tier by wrapping a large rubber band around all of the diapers.[4] Alternatively, tie them together with string.
- Plan to use about half of the diapers for the first tier. Then, use about two-thirds of the diapers you have left for the second tier and the remaining third for the top tier.
4
Make the second tier the same way. Simply arrange the diapers around the center support to form another tier with a slightly smaller circumference than the first one. Wrap a large rubber band around all of the diapers in the second tier when you’re done.[5]
5
Build the third tier on top of the second one. Place the diapers in a circle around the center support on top of the second tier. Secure them with a rubber band to keep them all in place.[6]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Wrap-Around Diaper Cake
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1
Start with a base and center support. Use a circular piece of cardboard, plastic tray, cake stand, or even a pie tin for the base. For the center support, use an empty roll of paper towels, a baby bottle, or even a wine bottle for a nice surprise the parents can enjoy after the baby is born.[7]
2
Overlap the first tier of diapers around the center support. Place one diaper so that it is lying horizontally along the center support. Place another diaper the same way so that it overlaps the first. Repeat this process so that you form overlapping layers of diapers around the paper towels. Secure the base layer by wrapping a large rubber band (or tying a piece of string) around all of the diapers.
- You’ll need a full box of diapers to create a 3-tier cake. Feel free to use any brand or size of diapers you like. Even cloth diapers could work!
3
Repeat this process to form the second tier. Wrap the diapers horizontally around the center support on top of the first layer. Make the circumference of this tier a little smaller than the bottom tier. Secure the diapers with a rubber band or piece of string when you’re done.
- Use about half of the diapers to create the first layer, then two-thirds of the rest of the diapers for the second tier and the remaining diapers for the top tier.
4
Create the top tier the same way. Make this layer the smallest in circumference. Use a rubber band or piece of string to secure the diapers in place when you’re finished.[8]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Decorating Ideas
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1
Wrap ribbon around each tier to hide the rubber bands. Choose a wide ribbon that matches either the colors or theme of the baby shower. Wrap one piece around each tier of diapers and secure it with double-sided tape.[9]
- Go with pink ribbon for a girl or blue ribbon for a boy for a traditional look.
- Opt for a gender-neutral color like yellow or green for any diaper cake.
- Choose a printed ribbon to stay on theme, like red gingham for a baby shower picnic or a dinosaur-printed ribbon for a dino party.
2
Place decorative embellishments on the cake. Stick fake flowers into the diapers for a sweet look. For a practical and adorable option, place baby toys or accessories like pacifiers, baby rattles, or baby travel toiletries in the top of the diapers around the edge of each tier or behind the ribbon. Top the cake with a sweet stuffed animal or a teeny pair of baby booties for a finishing touch.[10]
- For a unicorn-themed cake, cut some pretty eyelashes out of black paper and attach them to the top tier with tape or glue. Add a unicorn horn and some ears to the top of the cake as a finishing touch.
- Keeping it classic? Grab some rubber ducks in various sizes and styles and place them around and on top of the cake.
- For a serene garden theme, stick pretty succulents around each tier, plus a few at the top.
- Secure the topper with a safety pin or tie it in place with ribbon, if needed.
3
Wrap the cake to keep it intact while you’re transporting it. Use a cellophane bag or some pretty tulle to show off your design. Tie it together at the top of the cake with a bow, and voila!
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Community Q&A
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Question
Can I still make this for a friend if I'm not the one hosting her baby shower?
wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff AnswerThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
Of course! It would be a lovely gift to bring to the baby shower as a guest.
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Question
How many nappies do I need?
Sandra 'Garman' Hoffarth
Community Answer
I did the first method (the rolled cake). I used almost a full bag (35) of newborn size for the middle and top tiers and then almost another full bag (35) of the size 1 for the bottom tier. The ones I used were Pampers Saddlers, not sure if that makes a difference or not. From start to finish it took about an hour. Not bad, and it's pretty!
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Question
How do you attach the base cake layer to the cardboard underneath?
Community Answer
You won't secure it down as you will want the diapers to be able to be used. Once the entire cake is assembled well, it's easy to move. However, I start mine with a paper towel tube glued in the center of the round cardboard piece, and build up around it. This helps with stability all the way up. Use hot glue as it holds better.
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Things You'll Need
- Diapers (50-75)
- Rubberbands (small and large)
- Circular tray or cardboard base
- Paper towel roll or bottle for the center support
- Ribbon
- Double-sided tape
- Decorations (like pacifiers, rattles, baby booties, or a stuffed animal)
- Cellophane bag or tulle
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References
- ↑ http://www.creative-baby-shower-ideas.com/diaper-cake-instructions-1.html
- ↑ https://ourbestbites.com/how-to-make-a-diaper-cake-centerpiece/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20180626222245/https://www.beautifulmatters.com/2011/11/how-to-make-a-diaper-cake/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20180626222245/https://www.beautifulmatters.com/2011/11/how-to-make-a-diaper-cake/
- ↑ https://allicrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-make-diaper-cake.html
- ↑ https://allicrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-make-diaper-cake.html
- ↑ http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/08/how-to-make-a-diaper-cake-centerpiece/
- ↑ https://ourbestbites.com/how-to-make-a-diaper-cake-centerpiece/
- ↑ http://www.creative-baby-shower-ideas.com/diaper-cake-instructions-1.html
More References (1)
About This Article
Co-authored by:
Sophia Latorre
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Latorre. Sophia Latorre is a Content Manager on the wikiHow team. Before joining wikiHow, Sophia worked as a technical editor and was published in six International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind Annual Reports. Now, she writes, edits, and reviews articles for the wikiHow Content Team, working to make the content as helpful as possible for readers worldwide. Sophia holds a BA in English from Colorado State University. This article has been viewed 4,367,852 times.
10 votes - 90%
Co-authors: 101
Updated: May 13, 2023
Views:4,367,852
Categories: Featured Articles | Baby Showers
Article SummaryX
Before you can make your rolled-up diaper cake, you’ll need a pack of 64 diapers, a pack of rubber bands, and some ribbon. To begin making it, roll up each diaper and secure it with a rubber band. You should use 7 upright diapers in the top layer, 16 in the middle layer, and 32 on the bottom layer. Carefully stack the layers, and hold them in place with 1 or 2 wooden dowels. Keep reading to learn how to create a wrap-around diaper cake!
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Français:faire un gâteau de couches
Español:hacer un pastel de pañales
Nederlands:Een luiertaart maken
Русский:сделать торт из подгузников
中文:做一个尿布蛋糕
日本語:おむつケーキを作る
Čeština:Jak vyrobit plenkový dort
한국어:기저귀 케이크 만드는 방법
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