• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Happier Homemaker logo

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Printables
  • DIY
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Home Tips
  • Printables
  • DIY
  • Free Organizing Course
  • Clean Routine Academy
  • Mom's Chore Toolbox
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » DIY Projects » DIY Gifts » How to Make a Diaper Cake (The Easy Way)

    Last updated: Aug 23, 2020 by Melissa Riker · 23 Comments

    How to Make a Diaper Cake (The Easy Way)

    collage of diaper cakes with text reading super easy diaper cake

    Diaper cakes are easy to make, especially this no-roll diaper cake! Create this easy diaper cake in just minutes with these tips and tricks.

    DIY stacked diaper cake with brown satin bows

    I like to give useful gifts when I go to baby showers, everyone loves buying newborn clothes but I'm a diaper girl-I give diapers because they are useful and something I know will get used.  But I do like to dress them up a bit into a pretty little diaper cake, just because a gift is practical doesn't mean it can't be cute!

    How to make a diaper cake without rolling

    You'll need a base, diapers, large rubber bands, dowel, and various sizes of round dishes or bowls. Instead of rolling the diapers, we'll be created a swirled pattern using the dishes as a template.

    An in process collage of how to make a DIY diaper cake with four different pictures
    1. To create the largest of the swirled layers place a stack of diapers in the large pan and curve around the plate to let them form a circle. Adjust until the spacing is just right.  Then use a rubber band around the outside to hold it together. 
    2. I like to place a little surprise in the middle of the bottom layer-here it is a tube of diaper cream.  Repeat for the second layer.  I formed the top layer in my hands before securing with a rubber band as I didn't have a small enough dish.
    3. Stack the layers and insert a dowel down the middle to hold it up. 
    4. Tie ribbon around each layer to cover the rubber bands and decorate as you like. (I used roughly 50 diapers for this cake.)
    5. Decorate as desired (see below for ideas)
    diaper cake with blue and green ribbons and accents

    How to decorate a diaper cake

    • cake topper
    • tissue paper flowers
    • silk flowers
    • scrapbooks paper flowers
    • curling ribbon
    • small toys
    • ribbon & bows
    • floral picks
    • baby booties
    • stuffed animals
    • rubber duckies
    collage of diaper cakes with text reading super easy diaper cake

    FAQs

    What are the best diapers to use for a diaper cake?

    I suggest finding plain or subtlety patterned diapers for your diaper cake. You can also choose diapers with a fun pattern that matches your decorating idea.

    What size diapers should I use?

    While any size diaper will work, I like to gift size 2 or 3 diapers so I use those in my diaper cakes. Babies grow quickly and many will outgrow newborn and size one diapers before they can use them all if they received many as gifts.

    How many diapers do you need?

    Depending on the size of your cake you'll need between 40-75 diapers for a three tiered diaper cake.

    What do you use as the base?

    The base can be a pizza pan (get one at the Dollar Tree inexpensively), cake board, charger, or even a piece of cardboard cut to size.

    DIY stacked diaper cake with brown satin bows

    What else can I make with diapers?

    To complement the diaper cake I made a little basket with the leftover diapers and ribbon.  I also made a couple of cutey-patooty diaper babies.  These guys are adorable and super cute. 

    Simply roll a diaper up and secure with a rubber band. Then using a baby washcloth, wrap the bottom ⅔ of the diaper up swaddle style.  Roll a baby sock up and use as a hat.  You can dot some eyes on with a sharpie like I did or glue on a couple of googly eyes.

    A close up of diaper babies in a wicker basket with a brown bow

    What do you like to give expecting parents at baby showers? Do you have any tried and true parenting advice to give new parents? Find more DIY Baby Shower Crafts here.

    « Easy 3 Ingredient Beer Bread Recipe
    Christmas Mouse Cookies »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michaela says

      November 17, 2012 at 11:09 pm

      This reminds me of a similar tutorial I found several months ago via Pinterest https://thebeansproutnotes.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-roll-diaper-cake-tutorial.html

      Reply
    2. Bobi Jensen says

      November 16, 2012 at 11:03 pm

      So cute!

      I have a weekend party I'd love for you to share this on:

      https://westernwarmth.blogspot.com

      Thanks!

      Bobi

      Reply
    3. angie says

      November 16, 2012 at 10:01 pm

      love your diaper gifts the basket is so super cute will have to possibly borrow this idea

      come see what I shared at https://shopannies.blogspot.com

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        November 17, 2012 at 8:28 am

        Thanks so much Angie, I'd love to see your version if you make one! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    4. Tonia@thegunnysack says

      November 13, 2012 at 12:59 am

      What a great diaper cake! I love your tutorial and think using the bowl is a cool idea!

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        November 13, 2012 at 6:53 am

        Thanks so much Tonia...its amazing how easy these are, isn't it? thanks for stopping by!

        Melissa

        Reply
    5. Laura Beth says

      November 12, 2012 at 7:37 pm

      What a fabulous diaper cake! I love how you used the bowl to shape everything up!

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        November 13, 2012 at 6:54 am

        Thanks Laura!

        Reply
    6. Crystal says

      November 12, 2012 at 2:03 pm

      Too cute!! I love the added ribbon!! I haven't been to a baby shower in a long time. Most of my friends, myself included, are done having kids. When I used to go, I give a basket/hamper with diapers, Desitin, my favorite sippy cups, travel toys, and something for the Mom like a Starbucks gift card.

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        November 13, 2012 at 6:56 am

        Crystal, that is such a great idea to include a little something for the mom, I've never heard of that and it sounds like such an ice touch-I'm definitely going to start using that idea! My baby shower days are starting to dwindle down as well...for a few years there it seemed like there was once every month!

        Reply
    7. Courtenay says

      November 12, 2012 at 12:05 pm

      Oh. Man. Why don't I have any showers to go to? I had no idea these diaper cakes were so easy to make! And those babies too!

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        November 13, 2012 at 6:57 am

        You better tell people to start breeding so you can make some diaper cakes Courtenay! (just kidding!)

        Reply
    8. Ann says

      November 12, 2012 at 10:04 am

      Pretty dang cute! I think the ribbon was the perfect touch. No babies around here but I've pinned for later...fingers crossed!

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        November 13, 2012 at 6:57 am

        Thanks so much Ann! 🙂

        Reply
    9. lucy says

      November 12, 2012 at 9:59 am

      How great does that ribbon look with those diapers? That is a great "double-duty" gift! So cute and SO practical! The diaper babies are adorable. My sister is still in baby making years.....maybe I can do this for her soon!!

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        November 13, 2012 at 6:58 am

        Thanks Lucy! By the way-loving your arrow chalkboards-too cool!

        Reply
    10. Inspire Me Heather says

      November 12, 2012 at 9:27 am

      Oh my gosh, that looks too cute! I love the non-traditional baby brown too, it "goes" with the tan & blue on the diapers! I'm going to have to save this for the next shower, that makes a wonderful gift!

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        November 13, 2012 at 7:00 am

        Thanks Heather! Love, love, love your table runner round up by the way! I just bought material to make one soon!

        Reply
    11. Gwen says

      November 12, 2012 at 8:30 am

      Oh, lord have mercy! Those diaper babies are beyond cute! I've seen diaper cakes, but never diaper babies! I'm going to do that for my niece and nephew's new baby. They will LOVE it!

      Reply
    12. Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says

      November 12, 2012 at 8:19 am

      Oh my goodness! These are too cute! I am definitely going to copy for my friend's upcoming baby shower!

      Reply
    13. Meg Morris says

      November 12, 2012 at 7:19 am

      I like handmade things. I usually make some burp cloths and a pacifier clip. I'm going to try my hand at a car seat cover for a friend who's due in February. I like to try and use fabric that fits the parents' personalities, too.

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        November 12, 2012 at 8:33 am

        Oh Meg- I wish I had your sewing skills!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Melissa

    Hi, I'm Melissa and I have a passion for helping people find effective ways to clean and organize, feed their families, and truly enjoy their homes.
    More about me -->

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Reader Favorites

    roasted bell peppers on white plate

    Easy Oven Roasted Bell Peppers

    chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter buttercream frosting on blue napkin

    Peanut Butter Buttercream Icing Recipe

    hand holding dirty washing machine seal open

    How to Clean a Front Load Washing Machine

    banana chips in white bowl

    Homemade Banana Chips Recipe

    More Reader Favorites Here

    30 Minute Meals

    white spoon with Swedish meatballs

    Turkey Swedish Meatballs

    two bowls of chicken and dumplings

    Easy Chicken & Dumplings

    creamy cajun chicken penne pasta in skillet

    Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

    pasta primavera in white bowl

    Pasta Primavera Recipe

    See More

    Featured On:

    collage of logos of major publications and TV networks

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! f

    Contact

    Contact

    Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Featured in:

    website and magazine logo collage

    Copyright © 2022

    1290 shares
    • 1