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Finding the perfect baby shower gift can be a challenge, but keeping in mind the needs and interests of the parents-to-be is a good place to start. Practical gifts like diapers and wipes are always appreciated, but they’re also expensive. Consider turning those diapers and wipes into a DIY diaper cake, along with some inexpensive (but essential) baby gifts like pacifiers, washcloths, socks, and other baby necessities.
You can find most of the supplies for a diaper cake at places like Dollar Tree, Walmart, or Target. And the best part? It’s all super affordable. You can easily get away with spending less than $20 on all the supplies other than the diapers. Plus, making a diaper cake is easier than you might think. Just follow our simple steps (with pictures, of course), and voila! You’ll have the perfect baby shower gift that’ll impress all the guests.
Want more baby shower gift inspiration? We’ve also got a DIY diaper wreath tutorial that uses a lot of the same supplies. Use these diaper coupons to get a great deal so you can make both!
Download The Krazy Coupon Lady app for other great money-saving deals.
Here’s our list of DIY diaper cake supplies (with shopping links!).
Although the supplies needed may vary based on the mom’s preferences, you can make this diaper cake with baby items from any brand. We recommend taking a peek at the baby registry and selecting some essential items to include, noting any of the parents’ brand preferences. You could even go for a theme, like a feeding diaper cake with plates, spoons, and bibs, or keep it simple with a mix of necessary items.
Here’s what you’ll need for this “cake”:
- Approximately 60 diapers in size 1 or 2 (if using larger diapers, you’ll need fewer)
- Small clear elastic bands
- Large rubber bands
- A paper plate
- An empty paper towel roll
- Hot glue
And here are some of our favorite optional goodies for decorating the diaper cake:
- Burp cloths
- Socks
- Bibs
- Pacifiers
- Blankets
- Stuffed animals
- Mini bath supplies
- Baby care kits
Shopping links for diaper cake supplies:
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Start the DIY diaper cake by rolling the diapers.
Lay a folded diaper flat and roll it to create a log shape. Use small, clear elastics in the middle to hold the roll in place. Do this with all of the diapers you have, and then set them aside.
Make the cake structure.
Flip a paper plate upside down. Use hot glue to adhere an empty paper towel roll to the bottom of the paper plate, standing upright. This will be the base for your diaper cake, so use enough glue to make it sturdy.
Related: 20 Places With Free Baby Stuff for New and Expecting Moms
Create cake layers using rolled diapers.
Begin the first layer by securing six rolled diapers around the paper towel roll using a large rubber band. Use another 12 diapers to surround those first six and secure those with another rubber band. Finally, to finish the first layer, use another 18 diapers. So your bottom tier should have three rows of rolled diapers, totaling 36 diapers.
Next, move on to the middle tier. You’ll do the same group of six diapers rolled around the paper towel roll. Then 12 diapers around those. Secure with rubber bands and your middle tier is complete.
Finally, you’ll do a top layer with just six diapers secured around the paper towel roll. That’s it! Your cake is ready to decorate.
Add ribbons and cake decor.
With a hot glue gun or some safety pins, you can add large, decorative ribbons around each tier. Attach more accents or small ribbons to the large ribbon using a hot glue gun. Be sure that the diapers are easily removed from the cake. You don’t want to glue everything together because all of these items will need to be used by mama and baby!
Create rose adornments out of socks.
Let’s get to the fun part — decorating the cake with adorable baby sock roses (seriously, have you seen those tiny socks?). To make these little beauties, fold a sock in half lengthwise and roll it from the middle to the outside. Secure the rose shape in place with elastic bands around the middle. You can make clusters of three socks or single roses with each sock. Fold another sock or baby washcloth in half to create a leaf, and secure it in the middle with an elastic band. Finally, tie everything together with a ribbon or elastic band and attach it to the diaper cake. Ta-da! You’ve got baby sock roses.
Attach the baby gifts to the cake.
Arrange the baby gift items around the cake before you secure anything to ensure the right overall look. Adjust all of the baby items as needed to make the cake look full and decorative.
Once you’re happy with the placement of all the baby gifts, tie everything down. You can use string, ribbons, elastic ties, tape, or twine to secure everything around the diaper cake. Don’t use glue because you want the mama to actually be able to use these items without having to fight to remove them!
