Top 10 Unique but Easy Cake Ideas for Kids of All Ages

Whether you're an almost-kid, a teen kid, a kid at heart, or an actual kid-kid, these birthday cake ideas will cook up smiles all around. Cake ideas can range from simple (reading a book and lightly stirring a mix) to fairly extravagant (requiring the use of three hands and five double-jointed legs). The cake designs in this list are both simple enough to say "I can do that..." and fun enough to say "I want to do that!"

Spongebob Squarepants cake.

Since Spongebob Squarepants is well, square, this can be a pretty easy cake to make. The decorating can be as detailed or undetailed as you wish, since all you really need are big eyes, a mouth with few teeth, and a square cake that is half yellow and half brown. Many times this cake idea looks best the simpler you make it. Trying to design all the pockmarks of a sponge can get frustrating if you're a beginner, but adding a few green or brown dots is quite easy!

Sports-themed individual cakes.

The favorite sport of the season usually involves round equipment of some kind. Make serving a snap by giving everyone their individual baseball, tennis ball, racquetball, etc. Cake pans that make small half rounds can be found many places, even eBay. For simple all-around icing coverage, simply sport a pair of nylon or latex gloves and have at it! In addition, if using half rounds tempts you to try to use a chocolatey or fruity filling to keep the two halves stuck together, I highly suggest you let yourself be tempted. Display your finished products in army-like rows or find something appropriate to pile them in- they'll be striking either way.

Castle cakes.

Do not be daunted, fair one! The best castle cake ideas have ease built into their design. Simply make a three-layer wedding-style cake and use ice cream cones topped with upside-down waffle cones for towers. Simply anchor them to the levels you created. That's really about it; anything else is up to your imagination.

Favorite book-themed cakes.

Simple square cake ideas are a win for everyone. For the youngest crowd, you might get a rice paper transfer from the cover of their favorite picture book to simply lay across the top. For a pre-teen or older kid, make the cake look like a vintage version of their favorite book and paint the sides as pages. Listen carefully as Twilight fans across the nation begin to squeal.

Swimming Pool cakes.

A popular theme for summer birthday parties, cakes that resemble swimming pools make everyone feel festive. Don't forget the indescribable attraction to blue food, and the happy mind booster a bright teal blue can add to a day. This cake idea can be used with any shape of cake pan. For the simplest recipe, decorate the cake blue and add some plastic figures. You might try surfing the web for fun ideas for the outside, however, as that can be a simple trick to make blues look more intense and take the "oooh" factor to the next level.

The Gadget Cake

Kids are just as much into technology as adults, and a cake idea that encourages this can make them feel more grown up. iPods make a great jumping off point when taking this route. You just want to make sure your inspiration gadget is something everyone will easily recognize, though it might be kind of cruel to make a stellar copy of a Wii and watch your child's eyes swell once they find out it's made of vanilla.

The Diva Cake

With toys proclaiming that "Diva" is now an actual profession alongside doctors and astronauts, your kid might decide they too want to become a performer. Try using a half round pan to make the head of a large microphone and a small rectangular pan to make the grip. Distribute toy mics as party favors and you'll likely start a talent show.

The Cake-Shake

There's nothing like the old-timey memory of an old milkshake glass. Try using these and creating layers of cake, cream, ice cream, and fruit for individual servings that look fabulous. You can also make this cake idea healthier if you substitute yogurt for cream and add bits like granola. For older kids, you might use plastic margarita or other cocktail glasses, even beer steins. Cheers!

Hello Kitty or other Asian character cakes.

Super cute and simple in design make all sorts of characters from Sanrio or other companies very suitable for beginner to advanced cake makers. If you don't want to fashion little kitty ears from another cake loaf you can always draw her face on a white iced cake, leaving room for ears. Other great characters include Domo-kun, Keroppi, and Cinnamoroll.

Let them decorate their own!

Though probably the messiest cake idea, making muffins or mini cakes for kids to decorate as an activity can be fun. Round out the dessert by stocking up on some ice cream to serve with their creations.

Take these cake ideas and get baking!