If you’re planning a first birthday party for your kiddo, you’ve probably heard by now that it’s not complete without a smash cake. Smash cakes are small frosted cakes made just for the birthday guest of honor. Give it to your kid and let him or her dig into it with their hands. Be warned that it gets messy, but the photos are priceless.
My son’s smash cake experience was pretty hilarious. Up until that point he hadn’t eaten much sugar, so in hindsight, letting him go nuts on a little cake was probably ill advised. But we loved seeing how much fun it was for him to dig into a cake of his own, though we were still finding frosting in every nook and cranny of his high chair for a week.
If you’re on the hunt for smash cake inspiration, check out some of the best first birthday mini cakes out there to inspire you in the slideshow.
Pink Sprinkles All Around
When all else fails? Rolls your smash cake in sprinkles. Photo via Lovin' from the Oven.
Simple Squiggles
See more over here on Studio S Photography.
Pretty Colorful Roses
Fawning over the rosette piping on this colorful pastel cake. Photo via here on Brandi Williamson Photography.
Simple Blue with Red Dots
If loving polka dots is wrong- we don't want to be right! See more over here on Betty Crocker.
Sweet Orange Stripes
If orange creamsicles were a smash cake, we'd imagine they'd look something like this. Learn how over here on Betty Crocker.
Barns Never Looked So Sweet
This farm cake is so cute it hurts. Learn how on Cake Ideas Pic.
Perfectly Purple
If your little one loves purple, then they'll LOVE this cake lovely lilac lavender cake idea. Get the recipe on I'm Topsy Turvy.
Pink and Ruffles
See more over here on Topsy Turvy Cakes.
No Clownin' Around with This Cake
See more over here on Brown Eyed Baker.
Fun Rainbow Sprinkles
This confetti cake is to DIY for. See more over here on Chelsea Peterson Photography.
Pretty and Dairy Free
No dairy? No problem. This smash cake is perfect for tiny tots with lactose intolerance. Learn how on The Urban Poser.
Smash Cake...Literally
Smash cakes are to be smashed- duh! Make the fun of smash cakes come to life with a fun fondant hammer. Get the tutorial Hotly Spiced.
Mr. Mickey
Could you image a smash cake more perfect for any Disney lover? Give your kids the magic of Mickey Mouse with a fantastic Mickey cake! See how here on I'm Topsy Turvy.
Lots of Blue Sprinkles
Have a boy (or little girl) who loves blue? Then this cake is for them.Get the full tutorial on Betty Crocker.
Out on the Farm
See more over here on Worth Pinning.
Peas and Carrots? Yes!
Peas, please! Trick your tot in to liking their greens with this suspiciously healthy-looking pea cake! Learn how here on Betty Crocker.
The Classic One Cake
Sometimes it's best to get straight to the point. In those moments what's more fitting than this classic "one" cake? Learn how on General Mills.
Cute Little Lion
See more over here on Betty Crocker.
Pretty in Pink Ombre
See more over here on Food Swoon.
Zig and Zag Cake
See more over here on Rose Bakes.
Go Bananas for Bananas
See more over here on One Swell Studio.
My Kind of Camping
See more over here on A Little Savvy Event.
Tie It Up with Ribbon
See more over here on A Little Savvy Event.
Not So Rubber Ducky
See more over here on Betty Crocker.
Snowflakes All Around
See more over here on Carisa's Cakes.
Tiny Cake, Big Sprinkles
This smash cake would be perfect for a first time baker. Cover your tiny cake with fondant, roll in sprinkles and enjoy your masterpiece! See more over here on General Mills.
Little and Blue
See more over here on Lolly Jane.
Two Is Better Than One
See more over here on Fidanzo's.
Pretty Watercolor Cake
See more over here on Betty Crocker.
Colorful Candyland Inspired
See more over here on Carrasquillo Creations.
Sweet Owl Cake
See more over here on Sweet Elizabeth.
Pretty Detailed Butterflies
See more over here on Sugar Mom Treats.
Touch Down! Manly Football Cake
See more over here on Curly Girl Kitchen.
The Only Thing Better Than a Cupcake Is a Giant Cupcake
See more over here on A la Mo.
Simple, Sweet, and Perfectly Pink
See more over here on Craftsy.
Cheerios Are Number One
This cheerio cake it perfect if you're low on cake-making materials. Get the full tutorial here on Betty Crocker.
Go Simple or Go Home
See more over here on Hellobee.
Pink Swirls
See more over here on One Little Project.
Blue Petals for Little Man
See more over here on Carisa's Cakes.
Start Your Engines Cake
See more over here on Cake Pic 4 U.
Lots of Rosettes
See more over here on Cake Pic 4 U.
Hungry Caterpillar
See more over here on Catch My Party.
One Cake, Two Kids
See more over here on Cake Pic 4 U.
Generously Green
See more over here on I'm Topsy Turvy.
It's All in the Little Details
See more over here on Babble.
Who Baked Minnie into a Cupcake?
See more over here on Cakes Decor.
Who Says Ruffles Are for Girls?
See more over here on Kristina Curtis Photography.
Smash Cupcake
See more over here on Rebloggy.
Beautiful Blue Ombre
See more over here on I'm Topsy Turvy.
Ladybug for Your Little Lady
See more over here on Simply Sweet Cakes.
Awesome Ocean Themed Cake
See more over here on Limelife Photo.
Polka Dot Names
See more over here on Cake Central.
Naked Sides and Pretty
See more over here on Cake Chooser.
Purplicious
See more over here on I'm Topsy Turvy.
Outrageously Orange
See more over here on Topsy Turvy Cakes.
Ruffled Ombre
See more over here on Topsy Turvy Cakes.
Three Eyed Monster
See more over here on Rachel Domesticated.
Cookie Monster
See more over here on Marvelous Mommy.
Hot Air Balloon Cakes
See more over here on Tricia Darling Designs.
Big Blue Balloon
See more over here on Design Home.
Dr. Seuss Inspired
See more over here on Hostess with the Mostess.
Purple Ombre Minis
See more over here on Glorious Treats.
Cute Caterpillar
See more over here on Wilton.
Like Dumbo, but Tasty
See more over here on Wilton.
Colorful Fun
See more over here on Wilton.
Simple Dots
See more over here on Kara's Party Ideas.
Purple and Turquoise
See more over here on Director Jewels.
Healthy Cake? Yes!
See more over here on Fit Mama Real Food.
Mini Mini
See more over here on Wedding Chicks.
Rainbow Layered with Sprinkles on Top
See more over here on Modern Kiddo.
Psychedelic Baby
See more over here on Sugar & Spice.
Thick Swirls Are the Best Kind of Swirls
See more over here on The Kitchen McCabe.
Greek Yogurt Frosting
See more over here on Hellobee.
The Pig Says...
See more over here on Adventures in Savings.
Under the Big Top
See more over here on Adriel Booker.
Pow! Wham! Smash!
See more over here on Catch My Party.
Let's Go Fly a Kite
See more over here on A Little Slice of Heaven.
Brilliant One
See more over here on I Am Baker.
Sock Monkey Hat
See more over here on Hostess with the Mostess.
Beach Ball!
See more over here on Baby Center.
Igloo Icing
See more over here on Martha Stewart.
So Simple, Safari Cake
See more over here on Hostess with the Mostess.
Van Gogh Cake?
See more over here on I Am Baker.
Piñata Cake!
See more over here on Bubble and Sweet.
Super Hero Cake
See more over here on Catch My Party.
Fish Bowl Cake
See more over here on Better Homes and Gardens.
Strawberry Shortcake Cake
See more over here on Kara's Party Ideas.
Rainbow Ruffles
See more over here on Rose Bakes.
Little Birdie Cake
See more over here on Project Nursery.
Berries and Specks
See more over here on On to Baby.
Hang Loose, Dude
See more over here on Hostess with the Mostess.
Put a Mini Banner on It
See more over here on My Sweet and Saucy.
Colorful Spots
See more over here on The Sweetest Occasion.
ABC Block Cake
See more over here on Me and My Insanity.
Giant Cupcake, Giant Sprinkles
See more over here on At Second Street.
Naked Sides Mini
See more over here on Best Friends for Frosting.
Sail Away Cake
See more over here on Martha Stewart.
Lemonade Inspired Cake
See more over here on Embracing Beauty.
Rainbow Stripes
See more over here on Stacy Makes Scents.
Buzzing Beehive Cake
See more over here on Cake Is a Good Thing.
Yellow Ombre Petals
See more over here on Hostess with the Mostess.
More Birthday Party Ideas:
The Best 1st Birthday Party Gifts That AREN’T Toys
How to Throw a (Somewhat) DIY Peppa Pig Party
7 Charitable Ways Kids Can Give Back on their Birthdays
The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.momtastic