A deliciously decorative choice for the centerpiece of this party is
the birthday cake displayed on a beautiful ceramic cake plate. Leave a
few books on cake decorating (available in craft stores and libraries)
around the room so that the children can leaf through them to get ideas
on how to decorate their own special cake.
Cover a large table with paper tablecloths.
Place large tin cans or terracotta pots filled with spatulas, butter
knives, forks and pastry bags in the middle. Place a paper chef's hat
at each child's place, along with crayons and stickers, so the children
can decorate the hats.
Before the party, cook one 6-inch cake for each child, leaving at least
an hour for the cake to cool (this prevents the icing from melting when
the child starts spreading it on). Place cans of prepared frosting
tinted with food coloring around the table. Let kids use pastry bags
with interchangeable tips for writing or drawing with the icing. Be
sure to show kids how to use the pastry bag to create effects like
stars, lines and leaves.
Place small paper cups around the table filled
with eye-catching decorations including colored sugar, sprinkles,
gumdrops, animal crackers, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, licorice,
mini marshmallows, jelly beans, lollipops, and other candies. Provide
small cake boxes (available at craft stores) so that kids can take
their finished creations home.
