DIY Unicorn Diaper Cake Tutorial (2024)

If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind baby shower gift, look no further than this unicorn diaper cake. This magical cake is made from rolled diapers and a unicorn horn, making it both adorable and practical. The lucky parents-to-be will appreciate the thoughtfulness of this gift, and the unicorn design is sure to be a hit. It's gender-neutral, easy to make, affordable, and will match almost any color theme!

Unicorn Diaper Cake

Over the last few years, unicorns have become more and more popular with kids and adults alike. This unicorn diaper cake is a popular baby shower gift that is practical and adorable. The cake is made using diapers, a few craft supplies, and fake flowers to create a simple but beautiful display or decoration that is also perfect for new parents to take home and use after their baby shower.

If you want to add more of this unicorn magic to the baby shower, there is a gorgeous quilled paper unicorn wreath that is ideal for a door wreath at a party. Or, you can just go through this list of unicorn craft ideas and find some ideas for party favors or decor! A bonus idea is this cute little unicorn poop cookie idea or even these unicorn cupcakes for the party! Delicious and adorable.

Can I Make This Taller?

Yes, you can make this cake taller. You will make more layers to build it up. Make each layer a little smaller each time, like the layers of a cake. Add the unicorn decorations to the top layer of the cake as shown.

I don't recommend making more than 5 layers and ideally, stop at 3. This is just for stability reasons. When going taller, make sure you put a few dowel rods through the center and edges to keep the cake from toppling over from the weight.

What Size Diapers Should I Use for a Diaper Cake?

The best part of making a diaper cake like this is that you can use whatever diapers that you want. I like to use larger size diapers so that the parents can display the unicorn diaper cake for a while. This is also a great idea when you are giving this cake to someone with an older baby, as you might with an adoption shower. You can also use smaller size diapers if that is the size diapers that the parents need.

So, to answer the question in numbers, a unicorn diaper cake would use anywhere from 20 to 75 diapers depending upon the size of diaper used.

What Can I Use for the Unicorn Horn?

For the unicorn horn, I am using rolled paper, like cardstock. I like using the stronger paper because it holds better. You can buy unicorn horns, hats with unicorn horns, or make them from something as simple as construction paper. I just have to share this idea for a unicorn horn headband that would be a perfect way to add something fun to the top that the parents could save for their little one later in life.

If you want something a bit more permanent, you could use modeling clay, or even buy a baby towel with a unicorn hood that can be draped over the back of the diaper cake and top to create the horn you want.

Ways to Customize My Unicorn Diaper Cake

You can definitely get creative with this cake and make it your own. As with all of our craft projects, this is just a tutorial with an idea for you to use, and can be adjusted for your own style or needs. Below are a few more ideas to customize yours.

Use different colors of paper for the face and horn.
Add glitter spray to the face, horn, or ribbons.
Replace the flowers with sparkling ribbons or even sparkling pom poms.
Use blankets, burp cloths, cloth diapers, or baby clothes instead of paper to wrap around the diapers.
Add baby toys, teething rings, pacifiers, bottles, baby shampoo, and other hygiene items around the cake.
Use googly eyes and a pink marker to create a face with eyes and pink cheeks.

Supplies Needed

How to Make a Unicorn Diaper Cake

Start by creating a base for your diaper cake. I cut out a 12" circle from cardboard and then cover it with tissue paper or wrapping paper.

Then add a few strips of double-sided tape on top of this circle and set it aside until your diapers are rolled.

Roll around 30 diapers into tubes and wrap each one with a small rubber band or ribbon to hold secure.

Materials

Tools

Instructions

Cut a 12" circle on cardboard and cut it out. Then cover in pink paper.
Place 3 to 4 strips of double-sided tape onto the top of the pink circle then set it aside.
Roll 30 diapers into "tubes" and secure each with a rubber band individually.
Begin placing the rolled diapers onto the top of the pink circle.
Fill in the circle with the diapers standing upright. This should use about 20 of the diapers, leaving the remaining for topping the cake.
Once the circle is covered, wrap a length of pink polka dot ribbon around the center of the diapers and secure with hot glue.
Wrap the remaining diapers into a smaller bundle.
Add a length of the same pink polka dot ribbon around the smaller bundle.
Place this bundle on top of the first larger one.
Then, use a few long dowels or skewers through the top tier of the cake to hold it in place.
Next, begin tucking flowers and greenery throughout the diapers around the base and between the layers of the diaper cake.
Add a variety until it is mostly covered but the diapers are still visible.
On a rectangular piece of cardboard, draw two "lashes" for the unicorn face.
Glue this onto the ribbon of the top tier of the cake.
Next, cut out 2 white pieces of paper in the shape of ears.
And then 2 glitter gold pieces slightly smaller than the white ones and then glue them into place.
Stick these onto the top tier of the cake above the face.
Next, cut and roll a larger piece of paper into a cone to create the unicorn horn.
Then add strips of solid gold foam paper or ribbon around the cone to create a spiral of color.
Tuck it on top of the top tier of the cake.
Then add a few additional flowers around the cone and on top of the cake.
Now you can wrap or gift the unicorn diaper cake.