Cake Costume Challenge - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Cake Costume Challenge!

Make a wearable cake costume using cardboard, tissue paper, paint, and straps; design layers, decorate with candles, and practice measuring and cutting safely.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make a wearable cake costume

What you need

Cardboard sheets, tissue paper, paint, paintbrushes, glue suitable for crafts, scissors, tape, elastic straps or ribbon, markers, battery tea lights or paper candle cutouts, adult supervision required

Step 1

Gather all materials in one spot so you can find them easily.

Step 2

Draw a simple sketch showing how many cake layers you want and how tall each layer will be.

Step 3

Measure and mark the cardboard for every cake tier using a ruler.

Step 4

Cut out the marked cardboard shapes using scissors or a craft knife with adult supervision.

Step 5

Shape each cut piece into a round or square tier and tape the edges to hold the shape.

Step 6

Stack the tiers in the order you want and secure them together with tape or glue.

Step 7

Cut the tissue paper into strips or sheets for covering the cake tiers.

Step 8

Glue the tissue paper onto each tier to cover the cardboard neatly.

Step 9

Paint icing designs and colorful decorations on the covered tiers and let the paint dry.

Step 10

Make candles by cutting paper candle shapes or prepare battery tea lights for the top.

Step 11

Attach the candles safely to the top tier using glue or tape.

Step 12

Measure and attach elastic straps or ribbon to the inside of the bottom tier so you can wear the cake.

Step 13

Try on your cake costume to check the fit and balance.

Step 14

Adjust the straps or add padding until the cake feels comfortable and secure.

Step 15

Share your finished wearable cake costume on DIY.org

Help!?

What can we use instead of hard-to-find materials like large cardboard, tissue paper, or battery tea lights?

Use layered cereal boxes or poster board for the tiers, crepe or wrapping paper instead of tissue paper, and rolled paper candles or inexpensive LED string lights in place of battery tea lights.

My tiers keep collapsing or the tape won't hold—what should I do?

Reinforce taped edges with extra-strong tape or hot glue, insert rolled-up newspaper or a small cardboard tube inside each tier for internal support before stacking, and press tiers together while the glue sets.

How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?

For preschoolers, pre-measure and pre-cut the cardboard and let them glue tissue paper and add stickers, while older kids can measure and cut with a ruler and craft knife (with supervision), paint detailed icing designs, and sew or fasten adjustable elastic straps.

How can we extend or personalize the cake costume to make it more special?

Add LED string lights under the tissue paper, paint a name banner on a tier, attach fabric ruffles or glitter to the painted decorations, or make removable tiers to change the costume height before attaching the elastic straps.

Watch videos on how to make a wearable cake costume

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Annie and Sammy with Decorating Cakes Challenges

3 Videos

Facts about costume making for kids

🎂 Ancient Greeks offered moon-shaped cakes to Artemis and lit candles on them — an early ancestor of birthday candles.

📦 Corrugated cardboard gets its strength from a wavy "fluted" inner layer sandwiched between flat liners.

🎨 Tempera (poster) paints are water-based, fast-drying, and popular in schools because they're bright and usually washable.

✂️ Safety scissors for kids have blunted tips and smaller grips to help prevent pokes and teach safe cutting skills.

🕯️ Battery-operated LED "candles" are a fun, flame-free decoration that keep wearable costumes much safer at parties.

How do I make a wearable cake costume for the Cake Costume Challenge?

Measure the child’s torso and decide on tier sizes. Trace and cut circular cardboard tiers, leaving openings for the head and arms. Connect tiers with strong tape or glue, reinforce seams, and add shoulder straps from fabric or elastic. Cover tiers with layered tissue-paper “frosting” and paint details after glue dries. Create candles from rolled cardboard or foam and attach securely. Always cut with adult supervision, test the fit often, and allow decorations to dry fully before wearing.

What materials do I need to make a cake costume?

You’ll need corrugated cardboard for tiers, colored tissue paper, acrylic or tempera paint, fabric or elastic straps, masking tape and strong craft glue. Add scissors, a ruler, pencil for measuring, and a box cutter or utility knife for adults. Optional items: hot glue gun (adult use), craft foam, pom-poms or sequins for decorations, LED tea lights for safe candles, and safety goggles for cutting or painting sessions.

What ages is the Cake Costume Challenge suitable for?

This activity suits children roughly ages 5 and up with adult help. Ages 5–7 enjoy decorating and simple assembly with supervision for cutting and gluing. Ages 8–12 can plan measurements, cut with guidance, and lead decoration ideas. For toddlers (2–4), simplify the challenge by letting them tear tissue paper, stick pre-cut shapes, and try on a pre-made lightweight tier with constant adult supervision.

What safety precautions should I follow when making a wearable cake costume?

Always supervise cutting, use child-safe scissors for kids, and reserve box cutters or hot glue for adults. Check that straps and tiers are secure and don’t restrict breathing or movement. Avoid small decorations that pose choking hazards for young children. Use non-toxic paints and let everything dry before wearing. Test the costume’s balance to prevent tipping and keep weight light to reduce strain on a child’s shoulders and neck.

Ready to create?