Cupcake decorating is a favourite with kids: the cake is small enough for little hands, it's done before they get bored, and then they get to eat it. Here are 8 ideas that take no skill, plus what to prepare and tips by age. They all work on cupcakes and on cake in a cup.
What to prepare
- A cupcake or cake cup for each child, topped with white cream.
- 2–3 cream colours in small piping bags.
- Pearls and sprinkles in small dishes or easy-open jars.
- A table cover and wet wipes, because sprinkles travel.
No time to bake? The cup size of our DIY cake arrives ready, with 3 colours of your choice and two jars of pearls and sprinkles.
8 cupcake decorating ideas
- Smiley face: two dots for eyes and a curve for the smile. Great for the youngest, and no two come out the same.
- Teddy bear: a big circle in the middle, two dots on top for ears, and pearls for eyes.
- Flower: 5 dots in a ring with a different colour in the centre.
- Rainbow: three arcs in three colours, with white dots underneath for a cloud.
- The sea: wavy lines in blue, with a yellow dot for a fish or the sun.
- Outer space: small dark dots with pearls on top for stars and planets.
- First letter: each child pipes the first letter of their name, with sprinkles around it.
- Sprinkles on everything: one big dot of cream, covered in sprinkles. The little ones love this one.
More on using them in sprinkles for cake decorating.
Tips by age
| Age | What suits them | Your job |
|---|---|---|
| Youngest | Sprinkles, pearls, big dots | Hold the bag with them and show them how |
| A bit older | Faces, flowers, hearts | Give an idea and step back |
| Older | Letters, names, drawings | Just set up the table |
You know your kids best, so treat this as a starting point.
Want a full activity?
If it's part of a party, we've laid out the steps, including how many cups to order and a 30-minute plan, in kids' cake decorating party. For the main cake, see character cakes for kids.
Prefer ready-made cupcakes?
Our Hello Kitty cupcakes come 8 to a box, two of them with the age written on top. There's more in cupcakes for occasions.
FAQ
What's the easiest idea for kids?
Sprinkles on a big dot of cream, or a smiley face. Neither needs any drawing skill.
How many colours do I need?
2–3 per child is plenty.
Do you sell plain cupcakes for decorating?
Our option is the cup size of the DIY cake: a white cake in a cup with colours, pearls and sprinkles. See also plain cake ready to decorate.
What's the difference between a cupcake and a cake cup?
A cupcake is a small cake in a paper case, ordered by the box. A cake cup is a cake inside a cup, which is steadier in a child's hand and easier to decorate.
Ready to start?Order the DIY cake in the cup size and pick the colours.
Cake and the details that make giving personal.