Add some wow to your next party cake with one of these fun, DIY cake toppers. From rustic to sparkly, these cake toppers are sure to impress your guests!

Kids will tell you that the two most important parts of a birthday party are the presents and the cake. I think that wanting a nice cake is something that sticks with us into adulthood.
Yes, it needs to taste great, but it also needs to look good – especially in photos!
How to create a beautiful cake when you don’t bake
Not everyone can bake and decorate beautiful cakes, but that isn’t really necessary. All you need to do is purchase a basic cake from the store and dress it up with a pretty cake topper.
No need to write a shaky, messy ‘happy birthday’ on top. Instead, create a really nice DIY cake topper!
These aren’t just toppers . . . they’re party decor. Just as much as garlands, backdrops, cake stands, balloons, and all the other goodies.
With this in mind, I looked around to see how creative you can get when making your own cake topper. I found over 20 fun ideas that will dress up a basic store bought cake.
Some are super simple (like pom poms on skewers) and others will take a bit more time (like a gingerbread house made of graham crackers).
All of them are creative and will look great in photos. Scroll down and get some inspiration for your next party cake!
DIY Cake Toppers
Add some wow to your next party cake with one of these 30+ DIY cake toppers. From rustic to sparkly, these cake toppers are sure to impress your guests!
Easy Paper Flowers
This easy DIY cake topper with paper flowers is an easy cake decorating idea everyone should try. Perfect for a birthday cake, Mother's Day, wedding, or baby shower!
DIY Tassel Balloons
Make a stunning but simple DIY tassel balloon cake topper for your next party. it's totally Instagram worthy! How to make a cake topper.
Yarn Rainbow
Make braided rainbow colors to connect and add to your cake. This DIY rainbow cake topper would be great for St Patrick's Day or any celebration!
Circle Garland
Get out your circle hole punch for this fun cake topper. It is super easy to make and would look great on any cake!
Washi Tape
Make any cake look fabulous with an awesome DIY cake topper. Only a few supplies needed and your cake will look fun and festive! Almost too good to eat.
DIY Sprinkled Number
Learn how to make these DIY number cake toppers with Wilton candy melts and sprinkles! The easiest edible cake topper tutorial ever.
DIY Mini Paper Chain
This cake topper is colorful and adorable (who doesn't love things that are mini?!) and easy and customizable. This paper chain is perfect for any celebration, and you can even get your kids to help make it.
Christmas Letters
This simple project adds the perfect, colorful touch to a holiday party! Make these DIY Christmas cake toppers with just a few supplies.
Hexagonal Photo
Use Mod Podge to attach a favorite photo to an acrylic hexagon. Perfect for a wedding or engagement cake, but really this DIY photo cake topper would work for any party.
Photo Cut Outs
If you don't want to use a wood shape - just use cutouts! These little couple cakes are so cute! These toppers are great for engagement parties, bachelorette, or weddings.
Oh Baby!
Celebrate the love for a new arrival by creating a handmade cake topper. Flowers and honeycombs can be made out of any color combo you wish! A raspberry, blush and bubblegum pink combination would be so sweet for a baby girl. Don’t know the gender yet? An all-white version would be darling!
New Year
Jazz up your New Years Eve with an easy-to-cut cake topper. Pair it with some glitzy glitter paper, and you have serious “wow-factor” for your celebration!
Birthday Candles
Honestly I never thought about topping a cake with LOTS of candles! You don't even necessarily have to light them all, but the variety of candles sure does look cute.
Balloon Animal
You can get balloon animal kits at the dollar store! Not only are they fun for decorating the party, but you can also put them on top of a cake.
Rainbow Garland
Inspired by a fantastic rainbow arch, here’s the mini version for a cake! Full of everything fun – balloons, honeycomb balls, candy – this cake topper really “takes the cake." Make it for St. Patrick's, a birthday, Pride, or any other celebration where you want a lot of color.
Mother's Day
An extraordinary mother needs an extraordinary cake! What I love about this particular cake topper is that it's got lots of colors and takes the word "floral" to a new extreme. Does it remind you of A Small World at Disneyland? Because it does me!
Fresh Flowers
Adding flowers to the top of your cake is really impressive. Find out how easy it is to do, and get great tips from Stephanie.
Rainbow Candy
If you're not feeling particularly inspired but want a cute cake topper, this one is very easy. Simply make two "clouds" using frosting, and then use a rainbow strip of candy to connect them. Easy peasy for spring or summer!
Fall Feathers
Add a festive touch to your autumn celebrations with this brilliant fall cake topper! It’s very easy to make and you can customize the colors!
Plastic Numbers and Letters
Create this DIY cake topper with any number, name, or fun phrase you like. They are simple to make with only a few materials needed.
DIY Glitter Hearts
Glitter does a heart good! You can use any wood shapes along with skewers and glitter paint to make these cute toppers.
Simple Heart
This rustic cake topper is easily made with wire and fresh thyme. A heart shape is great for a wedding cake but you could make numbers or letters too!
Alphabet Beads
String together whatever you would like to say with this DIY alphabet bead cake topper. Since these letters are beads they already have holes so this DIY is super easy!
Tropical Leaves
Use a die cutting machine to make these tropical leaves for the top of your cake. They look great surrounding the flamingo!
Brass Pinwheels
Metallics are a popular choice for graduation, a milestone birthday, an evening wedding, or even a retirement party! This pinwheels are easier to make than you think.
Mr. and Mrs. Animals
Use kid's toys to top off your cake. For this one, she spray painted them and gave them the bride and groom treatment for a wedding cake.
Plastic Animals
We love plastic animals around here! These were put on top of a birthday cake, but the part that is really fantastic is the mini hats with pom poms that were put on top.
Birthday Pennant
If you want to make your own cake topper but don't necessarily want to spend any money, this is a great option! There's a free printable for a happy birthday banner, and you probably have the rest of the supplies around your house.
Valentine Hearts
Take a plain cake to new heights with this DIY paper heart cake topper for Valentine's Day. So easy, and so cute!
Mini Graham Cracker House
Create a 'gingerbread' house for the top of your cake using graham crackers, icing and mini candies. Add other accessories or create a mini village.
Simple Snowflakes
Make hot glue gun snowflakes and use them as a fabulous snowflake cake topper! This craft is perfect for winter, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve.
Did you like these DIY cake toppers? I would love if you shared this post using the buttons below. Then check out these other popular party posts:
Stephanie
Tuesday 29th of March 2022
So many great ideas! Thank you so much for including my fresh flower cake topper!
Amylover
Monday 20th of March 2023
@Amy, I love you Amy!! Leave your husband.......
Amy
Tuesday 29th of March 2022
My pleasure!