These April Fools’ jokes for kids will give your merry pranksters a good laugh

Parents, your kids probably already think you are the coolest but also the weirdest, so why not just own it and prank the heck out of them this April Fools’ Day? The following April Fools’ pranks are (relatively) harmless so you can have a little good fun, all in the name of the game. Once you’ve picked your favorite April Fools’ joke to play on your kids, check out our favorite spring jokes for kids for more seasonal fun.

April Fools’ Pranks for Kids

1. Swap Beds

This prank is perfect for heavy sleepers (and kids that don’t already crowd you in bed). Once the kids have hit the hay, pick them up and move them into different beds! They’ll wake up in the morning and wonder, “What just happened?”

2. Serve Dinner for Breakfast

Breakfast for dinner is a family favorite, but dinner for breakfast? Spaghetti? Cheeseburgers? Tacos? Just make sure that you serve them something you know that they’ll eat… or else the cranky, hungry kids that you’ll face the rest of the day will make it seem like the joke was on you instead!

3. Jell-O Drinks

It may look like your kiddos’ favorite drink, but there’s a surprise waiting! Follow the steps from Story Piece on how to use Jell-O to turn that beverage into a solid, and watch as your littles try and take a sip.

4. Make “Grilled Cheese” for Dinner

Your kids won’t mind this April Fools’ prank once they take a big bite. This “grilled cheese” is dessert! Take slices of pound cake and colored buttercream frosting that looks just like cheese, then grill in a pan. We say, why not have dessert for dinner once in a while? Check out more details on this fun prank at The Craft Patch.

5. Mess with the Remote Control

This trick is an oldie but a goodie. When no one is looking, cover up the sensor on your TV remote control so that it won’t work when your kiddos are trying to change the channel!

Related: Here Comes the Pun: 300+ Best Jokes for Kids

6. Let Them Know the Milk Has Gone Bad

Leave a little head’s up to the fact that the milk has taken a turn for the worse.  Then, when they open the fridge and see a frowning milk carton, get ready for laughs.

7. Hide Bubble Wrap in Unsuspecting Places

This prank will get everyone up and moving. The night before Apr. 1, hide a few sheets of bubble wrap under bathmats, rugs, and doormats so that anyone who walks over it will get a nice (loud) surprise!

8. Turn the House Upside Down

Before you head to bed, go through the main living spaces and turn as much furniture upside-down as you possibly can—armchairs, benches, tables, and even the stuff on your kitchen countertops. And, the best part: when they come running into your room the next morning, screaming that everything is upside-down, pretend like things are 100 percent normal! If your living room already looks upside down, you’re not alone.

9. Freeze Their Breakfast

The night before April Fool’s Day, pour some cereal and milk into a bowl, then put it in the freezer overnight. When it’s time to dig in, let your kids try and enjoy the frosty treat!

10. Have Fun with Their Lunch

One day of a super sweet lunch won’t kill them, right? When lunchtime rolls around try one of these pranks: Top a bagel with frosting or replace the raisins in the box with chocolate chips. You can also take the foil wrap off of chocolate Easter egg-shaped candy (the small kind) and wrap the foil around grapes.

11. Tie Their Shoes Up

This April Fool’s Day prank won’t work on Velcro or slip-on shoes! Tie all of their shoelaces together before you go to bed the night before—you can either tie pairs of shoes together or, tie every single shoe they have into one long string!

12. Switch Out the Sweet Stuff

Whether you do it to cinnamon buns or OREO cookies, swapping out the frosting for something like mayo is an April Fools’ joke the kids can’t help but laugh about.

13. Put a Tiger in Your Living Room (or a Panda on Your Porch)

Use Google’s new 3D animal feature and snap a photo of an animal on the back porch, yard, living room, or bathtub. Then convince your most gullible kids what you found/saw. If all else fails, send the picture to Grandma or Grandpa and tell them the local zoo is now doing in-home visits.

14. Bug Their Ice (or Drawers, or Backpacks)

Another classic April Fools’ joke for kids, pop a few frozen insects into an ice cube tray and when they ask for a cold drink, serve up a surprise. It’s also easy and fun to throw one in their bathroom drawer or their lunch bag or backpack.

15. Put Googly Eyes on Everything

When we say everything, we mean everything. This April Fools’ joke is so easy to pull off, and the fun could last longer than one day if you go all out and put those crafty eyes on everything from food to family pictures.

Related: 30 Silly Spring Jokes That’ll Brighten Your Day

—with additional reporting by Amber Guetebier and Karly Wood

 

Ahh, conversation hearts. As a kid, there was nothing quite like sneaking one across the desk to your crush. Now, as a parent, you can create a (much) tastier version with your kids at home. Confetti Cakes, a mom-owned cake company, is selling an at-home baking kit, and yup, it’s in the form of a giant conversation heart! If this gives you the warm fuzzies, keep reading to find out how to get one in time for Valentine’s Day.

What It Is

This lovable cake kit is designed by Elisa Strauss, the pastry chef behind Confetti Cakes. She's been making cakes for over 20 years and is the author of two cookbooks, and last year, she added cake kits to her repertoire. Elisa says, “Creating a baking kit has been a dream of mine for over a decade! I love teaching, and I want people to feel that they can create amazing cakes at home. Also, being a mom of 3 young kids, I see how wonderful it is to have a fun project to do—especially around sweets. The most important thing in childhood is to make memories. I hope I am helping people to do that whether they are 6 yrs or 106!”

The conversation heart kit sold out in 2021, but it's back and available now. If you’re worried about procuring fancy cake-baking ingredients, don’t be. You’ll get almost everything you need to make the giant conversation hearts: vanilla or chocolate cake mix, buttercream frosting mix, stencils, cake molds, fondant and more. You just need to provide the eggs, milk, oil and butter! 

How Do You Get One? 

If you want the kit to be delivered before Feb. 14, be sure to place your ASAP. Each kit is $65 (plus $12 for shipping), and there’s an option to send one as a gift, which is perfect if you aren’t able to see your loved ones. 

Order one here.

—Gabby Cullen

All images courtesy of Confetti Cakes

 

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Summer desserts are easy—a scoop of ice cream, sorbet, or gelato and everyone’s happy. But as the weather begins to cool down and the darkness creeps in earlier, you might be craving something that provides a little more comfort. Get ready to snuggle up to DC’s best sweets; we rounded up the city’s most iconic fall desserts so you can tuck in to a satisfying sweet treat. Whether your favorites are cinnamon, chai or pumpkin, grab your utensils and get your fall flavor on!

Butler's Orchard

Butler's Orchard via Yelp

What says autumn more than apples and apple cider? A quintessential fall treat, apple cider donuts do double duty as a delicious breakfast or dessert. And The Farmer’s Porch at Butler’s Orchard is offering up some major fall treats. In addition to the traditional pumpkin pie or pumpkin roll, they offer apple cider donuts by the donut or the half-dozen. But perhaps the best reason to make the 40-minute drive is their Apple Cider Donut Sundae: an apple cider donut with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and caramel topping. 

Insider tip: Due to the 40-minute drive and the orchard requiring reservations, it’s worth making a day of this. Pick your own Halloween pumpkins, enjoy the huge slides, and spend some time with the farm animals before enjoying dessert (before or after dinner!). 

Butler’s Orchard
22222 Davis Mill Road
Germantown, MD 20876
Online: www.butlersorchard.com

Rise Bakery

iStock

If you or your little one often feel like you have to miss out on dessert because you’re gluten-free, Rise Bakery has you covered. Plus, many of their dishes are also dairy, soy, egg, and/or nut free! They’ve got some deliciously tempting treats on their menu that just scream autumn. Some of our personal faves: their apple pie (or the vegan apple pie), pumpkin cheesecake with ginger molasses cookie base, pumpkin roll, carrot cake, cinnamon roll, or cinnamon coffee cake. Yeah, there’s plenty to love. 

Insider tip: There’s a super-small seating area so plan to take your treats to-go. You can walk to Kalorama Park in about five minutes to enjoy your desserts. 

Rise Bakery
2001 L St NW Ste 140
Adams Morgan
Online: www.riseglutenfree.com

Rocky Point Creamery

John B. via Yelp

Ice cream might not be your first idea of the ideal fall dessert, but if you head to Rocky Point Creamery, it just might become your first idea. Offering unique flavors like Pumpkin, Salty Caramel Pretzel, and Caramel Apple (on rotation, so check their Facebook page to know when it’s available), their ice cream goes from summer refresher to fall comfort. They also have a Green Apple Sorbet for dairy-free dessert. Not to miss: check out their Halloween candy-themed flavors, such as Reese’s Pieces, M&M, Almond Joy, Trick or Treat, and Monster Mash. Yum! Sometimes they offer spur of the moment flavors, so make sure to check their Facebook page each week to know what’s on offer!

Insider tip: This ice cream shop is on a working farm, so your littles can wave to real-life dairy cows and climb a farm tractor converted into a slide! 

Rocky Point Creamery
4323A Tuscarora Road
Tuscarora, MD 21790
Online: www.rockypointcreamery.com

Crepeaway

Kinu S. via Yelp

Got a little pancake-lover in the house? Then they’ll probably love Crepeaway. Crepes are very similar to pancakes but much thinner, and Crepeaway serves them up with a variety of sweet-tooth satisfying choices. First, they add Nutella chocolate, then they add your choice of powdered sugar, cinnamon-sugar, fruits, berries, or cookies. There are a lot of options here, so it’s unlikely anyone’s going to leave disappointed. If you’re not sure what to order, ask the staff for recommendations. 

Insider tip: They offer both pickup and delivery, but you will want to make sure you can eat your crepes as soon as possible so they’re still hot. They do lose a little of their yumminess as they cool down. 

Crepeaway
2001 L St NW Ste 140
Downtown
Online: www.crepeaway.com

District Doughnut and Coffee

Tara L. via Yelp

If you thought doughnuts were just a breakfast food, you’ve never been to District Doughnut and Coffee. These delectable doughnut flavors are swapped out seasonally, but you’ll sink your teeth into delicious scratch-made Vanilla Bean yeast dough year-round. Their fall menu includes Pumpkin Crème Brulee, Pumpkin Glazed, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Apple Cider Bites. 

Insider tip: While these specialty doughnuts are delicious any time of day, swing by early in the day to make your selections. By late afternoon, you may have limited options or none at all. They’re that good!

District Doughnut and Coffee
5 locations in DC and VA
Online: www.districtdoughnut.com

Le Diplomate

Natalie M. via Yelp

Your little one's picky palate may not be ready for French food in general, but their immature taste buds will appreciate this vanilla bean crème brûlée.  The toasted sugar crust has the perfect amount of crunch, while still remaining a creamy, rich dessert. It comes with a French cookie on the side, too. For some truly autumnal flavors, try their Apple Tart Tatin or the Milk Chocolate Pot De Crème.

Insider tip: The crème brûlée, like their other desserts, is sized for sharing so grab a spoon!

Le Diplomate
1601 14th St NW
Logan Circle
Online: www.lediplomatedc.com

Baked & Wired

Christine W. via Yelp

If you’ve got a unicorn or rainbow lover in the house, head to Baked & Wired for a cupcake that looks like it was baked and frosted by Lisa Frank herself. It's a funfetti cake topped with buttercream frosting and brightly colored sprinkles; frosting colors change regularly for extra fun. Their fall assortment is a dozen delicious cakecups for $52.80. You get four each of pumpkin, dirty chai, and chocolate doom flavors. You might want to wipe the drool of your chin before you go.

Insider tip: Some of the cupcakes have adult-themed names. If you have a non-reader, it probably is a non-issue.

Baked & Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW
Georgetown
Online: www.bakedandwired.com

Osteria Marzano

Cathy K. via Yelp

Does your tot love Nutella? S’mores? Anything and all things gooey? Then they’ll adore this Nutella pizza meant for sharing. It’s thin pizza dough topped with mascarpone, Nutella, pistachios and mini-marshmallows. Rich and delicious, this dessert is the best combo of pizza and dessert.

Insider tip: Even if it’s just you and the kiddo, order this full-size pizza. The leftovers will taste just as delicious reheated in the microwave tomorrow.

Osteria Marzano
6361 Walker Ln
Metro Park VI (#140)
Franconia, VA
Online: www.osteriamarzano.com

Boqueria

Nicole F. via Yelp

If your little has never had churros before, this Spanish tapas restaurant’s delectable dessert may spoil them on traditional churros forever. Boqueria offers churros con chocolate, the traditional fried dough with a cinnamon-sugar dusting that you dip in thick hot chocolate. They also have churros rellenos, filled with either Nutella or dulce de leche. Whichever ones you get, your kiddo is guaranteed to love them.

Insider tip: The main dining area at the Penn Quarter location can get a bit loud when it fills up. You may want to swing by during quieter periods if your little one is sensitive to loud noises.

Boqueria
777 9th St. NW
Penn Quarter

1837 M St. NW
Dupont Circle
Online: www.boqueriarestaurant.com

Tiger Fork

Braden T. via Yelp

Does your munchkin live on waffles for breakfast? One of the most beloved hand-held foods just got more fun with... bubbles! At Tiger Fork, the bubble waffle is served with two scoops of ice cream plus “fun stuff." The “fun stuff” is a random assortment of toppings from sprinkles to crushed cookies to pixie sticks chosen by the kitchen. You might not know what toppings you’ll get, but you know sugar overload is guaranteed!

Their Baonut holes are fried bao with cashew sauce and cinnamon and sugar. Like a traditional donut hole but with that extra flair, these are utterly delicious. If you want to have that fall bonfire feel with a little something special, try the Chinese S’more. It’s roasted marshmallow with chocolate five-spice streusel and ice cream.

Insider tip: They only serve the bubble waffle at dinner.

Tiger Fork
922 N St.NW
Blagden Alley
Online: www.tigerforkdc.com

Indique

Tinique P. via Yelp

Indique offers Gulab Jamun, a milk solid donut hole drizzled with honey and served with vanilla ice cream. This melt-in-your-mouth dessert comes out piping hot with a super-soft texture and a hint of rose flavor. You might even catch a hint of cardamom in the ice cream. Plus, it’s perfectly pint-sized, making it an excellent dessert for littles.

Insider tip: If you plan to go at brunch, make sure you get a reservation. They get very busy!

Indique
3512-14 Connecticut Ave. NW
Cleveland Park
Online: www.indique.com

The Source

The Source by Wolfgang Puck offers a 15-layer carrot cake that is worth its weight in gold. While a serving looks light and thin, this rich dessert is easy to share (and is topped with ginger ice cream. Yum!).

Insider tip: Take your little on their birthday, and the restaurant will write their name on the menu!

The Source
575 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC
Online: www.wolfgangpuck.com

Firefly

Mr. B. via Yelp

Make dessert an extra special occasion by bringing the kids to Firefly for dinner. Firefly doesn’t advertise it on the dessert menu, but they have the perfect make-your-own dessert for kids. Before dinner, each kid is given cookie dough to decorate to their own satisfaction. While you eat, the cookie is baked and then served to your little one as dessert. This might be the perfect dessert: a pre-dinner activity to keep them busy, and a dessert they’re guaranteed to eat since they made it themselves!

Insider tip: The atmosphere is a bit upscale, so if the kids are cranky, it might be better after a nap.

Firefly
1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Dupont Circle
Online: www.firefly-dc.com

—Wendy Miller

featured photo: Pexels 

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Yes, you can skip the bakery birthday cake and take matters into your own hands. Even if you aren’t blessed in the culinary department, we’ve rounded up a bunch of cake hacks and DIY tricks that will help you pull off a Pinterest-worthy masterpiece. Box cake mix is about to get a serious upgrade—read on for all the sweet deets.

Warm Up Your Icing Tools

Jennifer Pallian via Unsplash

If you've decided to make your own cake at home, a warm spatula or knife will make spreading frosting easier. Head over to the Kitchn for the details, and their preferred tools! 

Give It a Crumb Coat

iStock

Once your cake is completely cool, it’s time to get frosting! We swear by the crumb coat trick—spread a thin first layer of frosting over the whole cake to catch the crumbs before you do the rest of the decorating.

Get a Perfect Sprinkled Look

Beki Cook’s Cake Blog

Go wild with sprinkles inspired by Beki Cook’s Cake Blog. She’s got a hack to make decorating a cinch (it involves a plate and some careful maneuvering). Click here to find out how this colorful confection is made.

Easy Gumdrop Cake

Lyndsay Sung

Sometimes basic is best when it comes to cake decorating! It doesn’t get much easier than this idea from Lyndsay Sung via You Are My Fave. Just buy a bunch of chocolates or gummies and pop them on the frosted cake. Click here to see two more simple ideas that look just as delicious.

Whip Up an Easy Name Topper

Paper & Stitch

Feeling crafty? This cute idea from Paper & Stitch is easier than you’d think—just spell out your kiddo’s age with a few supplies that you might already have at home. To get all the details on how it’s done, click here.

Add Cookies for Crunch

Studio DIY

If your kid loves circus animal cookies, they’ll adore this cute creation from Studio DIY. Best of all, the starting point is a basic cake from the grocery store. Music to our ears! To get the details (plus five more ways to jazz up store-bought cakes), click here.

Use Toys for Cake Toppers

Butterlust

We love this sweet idea from Butterlust, especially for kids who are obsessed with all things prehistoric. The recipe includes a rich chocolate frosting and ganache, but you can also simplify it with a store-bought cake if you’re short on time. Click here to learn more.

Icing Letters Letters You Can Actually Read

Aneta Pawlik via Unsplash

It’s pretty tricky to pipe words with icing, which is why we love this tip from the Food Network. Use a toothpick to make dots where the letters should go, then pipe them on when you’re happy with how they look. Click here for more helpful hacks.

Make an Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Sprinkle Bakes

Keep it cool with this amazing ice cream cake from Sprinkle Bakes. Ice cream sandwiches form the base, and it’s topped off with even more ice cream, sprinkles and sugar cones. Click here to get the step-by-step instructions.

Craft an Easy Donut Cake

A Subtle Revelry

Take inspiration from A Subtle Revelry and make a supersized donut for the birthday kiddo. The pink frosting and sprinkles on top are essential! To grab the recipe, click here.

Make a Layer Cake without Making Lots of Cakes

The Kitchen McCabe

Perfect for summer parties, all you need for this recipe from The Kitchen McCabe is a big batch of berries. Plus, there’s a way to make a layer cake without actually having to make multiple cakes—yes, please! Get the scoop by clicking here.

Make a Candy Cake

Rodrigo Andrade via Flickr

This Kit Kat cake is actually a single layer cake lined with Kit Kat bars and topped with M&Ms. Not only does it look super cool, but it's easy to transport, too. Get the recipe from Mom Loves Baking

—Susie Foresman

 

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I have a theory that cupcakes are a form of feminine oppression. No joke. Allow me to explain.

Your cupcakes for the second grade class are due to the teacher Monday at 8 a.m. sharp. You remember on Sunday around 5 p.m.. You freeze — and then visions from Pinterest begin to dance in your head. You know what I mean: the perfect cupcakes, the ones with the frosting piped on and the delicately drizzled decorations…

For those of you who spark joy from Pinterest-perfect cupcakes and can pull it off, I applaud you. I know you are out there. But for those of us mere mortal moms, I say… free yourselves! You see, to my way of thinking, Pinterest-perfect cupcakes lack an essential ingredient. They’re missing the OOPS.

Oops cupcakes have uneven, spattered batter and frosting that was smooshed on with a dinner knife and probably have a few finger pokes around the outside edges. Maybe a few even landed on the floor (frosting side down, naturally). Oops cupcakes are a form of freedom—freedom from a world where the image of perfection doesn’t allow for the beauty that is a mistake. Beauty that comes naturally and unintentionally. Beauty that comes from an oops.

In my work as the founder of Bay Area Children’s Theatre and mom of three (2, 6 and 9), I have found that creativity thrives when kids (and parents) are allowed the freedom to learn and discover on their own. Yes, they need adult guidance, but they also deserve an opportunity to make a mess and make a giant mistake.

“Living in the Oops” is accepting that if our job as parents is to train these small people to one day leap into life as fully formed adults, we must not only allow for mistakes, we must model mistakes and CELEBRATE mistakes.

In a theatre class, kids are asked to embark on a rehearsal experience where mistakes are a natural part of the process. No child will remember every dance step, every word of the song and the blocking all at the same moment. They have to learn each of those elements incrementally and as they are learning, mistakes are expected. What a powerful learning tool!

The permission to make repeated mistakes allows them to move towards proficiency.

At my house, we don’t usually have anything that resembles perfect. My boys like to cook dinner on their own occasionally. I assure you, these dinners are not pinned by anyone on Pinterest, but nonetheless, those two serve their scrambled eggs and over-steamed broccoli beaming with pride. My toddler is pretty sure that frosting is actually a versatile art supply.

And, right now, the infamous California missions school project has taken over an entire room of my house with LEGOs. My nine-year old has no idea how to build a LEGO model of a mission, but he’s going to try, and I applaud his can-do approach. There will be mistakes, there will be frustration, but he will persevere and I’m not going to tell him to clean up the LEGOS—even if I step on them with bare feet in the middle of the night.

5 Ways You Can Live More Freely in the Land of Oops

1. Celebrate mistakes . Make a silly dance, turn on music, throw confetti every time a mistake is made.

2. Tolerate a level of chaos that’s right for you. When kids create, they make messes, and messes allow for the “Oops” to thrive.

3. Remember small eyes are watching . If you make a mistake, respond with laughter and positivity.

4. Create with what you have, not with what you think you need. If your kids want to build, leftover cardboard and masking tape are just as exciting as the fancy building kit

5. Share your own “Oops” stories with your kids. The best bedtime story is a true story from your childhood. Last night, I told my gang about the time that I ignored my mom, jumped on the bed anyway, and it fell through the floor. OOPS! Trust me, that story got some good laughs! (And I will never, ever have to tell my kids not to jump on the bed.)

So, back to those cupcakes. Sure, I like beautiful, perfect cupcakes. I struggle because I sometimes think of my whole life as an analogy around The Perfect Cupcake. I’m supposed to be the perfect mom, the perfect artist, the perfect boss.

The reality is, the more I strive for perfection, the more I struggle.

So, let’s revel in the sprinkles that end up on the floor, relish the blob-like sugar decorations that are supposed to be snowflakes and release ourselves from Pinterest-perfect cupcake oppression.

When we let in the Oops and celebrate the mistakes, that’s when we leap.

Nina Meehan is CEO and Founder Bay Area Children's Theatre and the host of the Creative Parenting Podcast. An internationally recognized expert in youth development through the arts, Nina nurtures innovation by fostering creative thinking. She is mom to Toby (13), Robby (10) and Meadow (5).  

   

So, for my little monster’s second birthday she got a MONSTER (shocking) pajama party.  Complete with monster paper dolls, sock monster favors, and, of course, a monster cake!  It couldn’t be a monster party without a monster cake.

What you will need to create your own monster cake:

  • a round cake pan
  • a cake mix or a homemade one frosting, dyed to your desired color
  • sixlets, in your chosen color/s
  • paper eyeballs
  • wooden skewers
  • hot glue gun & glue stick

For my eyeballs, I used Photoshop Elements to create what I was looking for.  I created one orange and one pink, those were our party colors.  I went with only two eyeballs for my monster; but you could definitely add or subtract from this, there are no rules when it comes to monsters!

Once I was done I printed them out, glued them to some grey cardstock to make them sturdier, and then hot glued them to two wooden skewers.  With them attached to the skewers, I can just poke them into the finished cake wherever and however I choose.

I used a 7 inch round cake pan, you can use whatever size or shape suits you and your monster needs.  As I said with the eyeballs, there are no rules when it comes to monsters!

I used box cakes and store bought frosting because baking is not always my strong suit, and, honestly, it is just simpler.  I first dyed my frosting a light pink so that the bits that could be seen would match. Then I baked, I cooled, I frosted, I stacked, I frosted the rest and then the real fun began.

I got out my massive amount of orange and pink sixlets and started covering the cake.  I started in the middle of the top and worked my way out and then down the sides.  I picked the two colors at random, just reached in and pulled out.  You could easily make a pattern out of it if that’s what you want.

It was tedious; but, eventually, the cake was covered in the sixlets and looking like a scaly, bumpy, pink, and orange monster.  I situated it on the platter, poked the eyes into place, and voila!

There was singing, wish-making followed by cake slicing and eating!

I also made cupcakes, as the cake was not very big, and I always love to make too much.  I made smaller eyeballs and hot glued them to toothpicks for the cupcakes.  The cake ones would have been oddly huge on the cupcakes.

 

I'm a stay-at-home mother of three amazing kids.  My days are filled with bus stops, cleaning food off the walls, changing diapers and tackling the perpetual mountain of laundry.  And I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Happy Birthday! It’s time to celebrate! Along with balloons, fun gifts and themed décor on the list, a birthday cake is not to be forgotten. We’ve rounded up our picks from all over the Bay Area for the most delicious, beautiful cakes to celebrate the big day. From ice cream cakes to 3D works of art, we’ve got you covered. Let’s eat some cake!

San Francisco

Mitchell's Ice Cream

Tina O. via Yelp

One of our favorite ice cream spots in the city also makes to-die-for ice cream cakes. Choose from their fresh, pre-made cakes with themes like Elmo or Frozen, or opt for something completely custom. Each cake is made with a layer of ice cream (your choice), a layer of white or chocolate cake, and topped with vanilla or chocolate frosting. Orders can be placed by phone, in-person or online.

Online: mitchellsicecream.com

Pretty Please Bakeshop

Owned and operated by a fellow Bay Area mom, Pretty Please Bakeshop in Inner Richmond makes gorgeous cakes for just about any kind of occasion. Elegant, vintage or whimsical, they can customize whatever you want. For something classic and more budget-friendly, check out their Celebration Cakes. With designs like a rainbow, Toy Story, or Snickers including complimentary inscriptions, it’s a win/win. 

Online: prettypleasesf.com

Noe Valley Bakery

This neighborhood bakery has everything from cookies to danishes, pies and baguettes, but their cakes are a fan favorite. The house-made funfetti birthday cake (with lots of sprinkles, of course) is delicious and great for something last-minute. If you want something more custom, check out their build-your-own-cake and choose the flavor, filling, colors and message (including photos).

Online: noevalleybakery.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxQegi8jSU1/?hidecaption=true

Wholesome Bakery

If you’re looking for a solid gluten-free option, check out Wholesome Bakery in the city. This 100% gluten-free bakery stays away from all additives, preservatives and fillers and uses plant-based frosting colors. Their six-inch, four-layer custom cakes are beautifully designed and feed 8-10 people in delicious flavors like confetti and dulce de leche. Delivery and pick-up are available. 

Online: wholesomebakery.com

East Bay

Fenton's Creamery

Ivana Y. via Yelp

The ice cream at this Oakland spot is already super popular, with people coming from all over the country to try one of their classic flavors like butter brickle or seasonal flavors like apple pie. Their ice cream cakes are just as fabulous, with custom or pre-made cakes ready to be picked up. Note that for custom orders you’ll need to order three days in advance. 

Online: fentonscreamery.com

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Bakes by Eileen

For absolutely beautiful cakes that you don’t want to eat (but should, because they are delicious), look no further than this bakery in Alameda. While you won’t find Paw Patrol or Frozen-themed cakes here, what you will find are edible works of art. Check out the celebration cakes made with optional details like edible flowers or gold leaves. Another option is a unique letter/number cake shaped in any number or letter with optional add-ons like gold-painted macaroons and seasonal fresh fruit. 

Online: bakesbyeileen.com

James and the Giant Cupcake

For a cake that’s full of colors and fun for a special occasion, James and the Giant Cupcake can definitely deliver. Check out the signature Boardwalk cake covered from top to bottom with sprinkles, a deluxe cake in themes like a unicorn, mermaid, or custom cake for something specific. Custom cakes need a week’s notice for standard cakes, so plan ahead. 

Online: jamesandthegiantcupcake.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Kathy's Creative Kakes

With a specialty in creating unique and fun cakes for kid’s birthdays, this San Mateo bakery has won some well-deserved awards. Owned and operated by Kathy herself, you can see and taste the passion of her work in every cake made and decorated. Pick from the massive book of past work, including characters and numbers, or bring in a picture and an idea for something truly custom. 

Online: kathyskakes.com

Copenhagen Bakery

A favorite spot for delicious pastries, cookies and cakes, Copenhagen Bakery in Burlingame has been around for many years and for good reason. Their custom cakes for kids of all ages and parties of all sizes are no problem and the designs are truly one-of-a-kind. For something easy and a crowd-pleaser, check out their house specialty cakes (which can also be customized) like red velvet or princess. 

Online: copenhagenbakery.com

The Cake Queen and Coffee Bar

Created in-house with the best and freshest ingredients, this South San Francisco bakery knows the art of 3D cakes. With so many flavors combinations, the hardest part is picking one. Examples include Peter Rabbit (carrot cake), Cinnamon Toast (horchata cake and cinnamon cream cheese) and Blueberry Pancake (blueberry cinnamon cake and maple cream cheese). Check out their gallery for some pretty amazing works of art. 

Online: bayareacakequeen.com

Mazzetti's Bakery

H C. via Yelp

The family-owned business out of Pacifica specializes in cakes for special occasions for over 40 years. The cakes are made in-house without using any preservatives and fresh ingredients. Customize your own cake to your little one’s liking with flavors like chocolate and white, red velvet and tres leches. Flavorable fillings include strawberry jam and chocolate fudge. Check out their website for more flavors and combinations! 

Online: mazzettisbakery.com

North Bay

Krumbs Cake

From elegant to whimsical and everything in between, Krumbs cakes in Marin has a birthday cake for every kind of theme and idea. From fire engines real enough to play with to an Alice in Wonderland theme, these cakes really make an impression. They have a ton of flavors and fillings to choose from, as well as some “winning combinations” if you can’t decide! 

Online: krumbscakes.com

SusieCakes

With several locations around the Bay Area, SusieCakes is a parent-favorite because of the clean ingredients used in all of their treats. No cake mix or preservatives are used, so you’re getting the real deal made from scratch. The classic Celebration Cake is a winner with vanilla cake, colorful sugar confetti and light blue frosting. Customized cakes are also an option with classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla and fluffy buttercream frosting. 

Online: susiecakes.com

—Sandra Lee

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Is it possible to ever get your fill of donuts? We don’t think so, which is why we’re so excited for Confetti Cakes’ brand-new cake kit that launched in honor of National Donut Day. An adorable way to bond with your kids in the kitchen, we might love this new donut cake kit even more than the original conversation heart, if that’s even possible! Find out more about the kit and where to order below.

Founder Elisa Strauss, the pastry chef behind Confetti Cakes, has been making cakes for over 20 years and is the author of two cookbooks, but the cake kits are a new venture in 2021. Elisa says, “Creating a baking kit has been a dream of mine for over a decade! I love teaching, and I want people to feel that they can create amazing cakes at home. Also, being a mom of 3 young kids, I see how wonderful it is to have a fun project, especially around sweets. The most important thing in childhood is to make memories. I hope I am helping people to do that whether they are 6 yrs or 106!”

The kit includes almost everything you need to make three mini cakes that you can decorate to look exactly like glazed donuts: vanilla or chocolate cake mix, buttercream frosting mix, stencils, cake molds, tons of fondant (there are more colors in this kit!) and more. You just need to provide the eggs, milk, oil and butter! There is even a tutorial video available on Confetti Cake's YouTube page

Order one for yourself here, $65. 

—Gabby Cullen

All images courtesy of Confetti Cakes 

 

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Need some breakfast inspo? We’ve got you covered, for cereal.

General Mills just announced two limited-edition cereals and four new permanent offerings, featuring one of your favorite ’90s movies, a dance icon and another twist on Lucky Charms.

Snag the limited edition Space Jam: A New Legacy cereal from shelves starting May 31. It combines berry flavored puffs with bunny and basketball marshmallows and retails for $2.50. Team Cheerios: Frosted Berry celebrates the upcoming Olympics and also won’t last long. Combining frosted, blueberry and strawberry Cheerios for a taste explosion, you can buy this one for $3.99 starting today.

If you miss out on these, you’ll have plenty more to choose from! Now you can have your favorite kids’ cereals in instant oatmeal form: Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, and Trix. They’ll be available exclusively at Wal-Mart in June in June and expand to other stores after, retailing at $2.48.

TikTok star Jojo Siwa has her own new breakfast offering, Strawberry Bop cereal. Think strawberry flavored puffs and Jojo-themed marshmallows! It’s available permanently starting in June for $3.99.  Nature Valley just launched the granola form of their popular Sweet & Salty bars, in Dark Chocolate Pretzel Peanut and Salted Caramel Cashew. Grab each for $4.49 starting in mid June.

––Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of General Mills

 

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Last year, ’90s kids everywhere went into a frenzy with the news of a Dunkaroos comeback.

The only thing that could make that comeback any sweeter? Chocolate Dunkaroos! This summer, you can snag your own epic duo of vanilla cookies and chocolate frosting. The Dunkaroos official Instagram account dropped the good news on April 26.

Dunkaroos were first introduced in 1992 and then discontinued in the US in 2012. The delicious dipping treat are available in grocery stores and major retailers now! Packs retail for $1.79.

Pair a pack with a Surge and a few episodes of Full House for a day from your childhood dreams.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured photo courtesy of General Mills

 

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