If you are looking for a diaper cake that is also a great baby shower decoration, you will love this cute idea. This hot air balloon diaper cake is the ideal gift for new parents that also doubles as gorgeous baby shower decor. A simple base wrapped in diapers with a cute paper lantern on top creates an adorable hot air balloon look that is ideal for decorating at a fun baby shower event.

Hot Air Balloon Diaper Cake

There are so many choices when it comes to making diaper cakes. It is so much more than just the 3 layer cake that people think of. When it comes to giving diaper cakes as gifts I have made all kinds of designs like a diaper cake castle, and even a diaper cake crane. This one though, it may be my favorite now. It's so beautiful and fun. I love air balloons, and this is just special!

Making these cakes is always fun but I especially love ones I can so easily personalize like this. Add your own spin on the balloon with different looks or follow this tutorial exactly to create a cute gift that any expectant mom would love.

What Other Gifts Go Inside a Diaper Cake?

One of my favorite parts of this project is that I can add so many other gifts inside the base of the box. Diapers themselves are a welcome gift, but sometimes you want to personalize things just a little. For me, that includes adding in other small gifts. Below are a few more ideas you might like to add to your hot air balloon diaper cake.

Baby bath products like shampoo, lotion, washcloths, towels, or even combs and brushes.
First aid kits with a baby fever reducer, baby thermometer, nail clippers, tweezers, nose syringe, gas drops, and teething tablets.
Clothes for the baby like socks, pants, shirts, gowns, onesies, hats, or mittens.
Rattles, playmats, stuffed animals, teething rings, and other baby-friendly toys.

What All Can I Use for the Air Balloon Part?

While there are a lot of things that can be used to make the air balloon part of this, I love the paper lantern style. I have used these for many crafts over the years, but when it comes to balloons, like this, I think it really is the best choice to give that floating look you are looking to create.

Other options that can work include using beach balls, actual balloons filled with helium, or tissue paper over a balloon shaped frame. These all work well but require a bit more work than I want to put into this project. Personally, I prefer the lanterns for being so easy to find and affordable.

What Can I Use for the Balloon Support?

What you use as the balloon supports will depend on what you are using as the balloon. This is because you need to make sure it is strong enough to hold it up. Some ideas you can use for the hot air balloon cake supports are things like straws, dowels, twigs, or even pencils.

For my version, I used dowels with a craft stick base. They are just fine to hold this up and are already something I have on hand in my craft closet. Again, if you are using one of the other ideas listed above for your balloon part, you'll want to rethink what is used to hold it in place.

Supplies Needed

How to Make a Hot Air Balloon Diaper Cake

Wrap double-sided tape around the outside of a medium box.

Roll 15-20 diapers and secure with rubber bands around the middle.

Attach the diapers to the strip of tape on the outside of the box.

Wrap pink tissue paper strip around the outside of the diapers.

Add a length of wide burlap ribbon around the pink tissue paper.

Make a large burlap ribbon bow and a pink polka dot ribbon bow and combine then attach to the box.

You can also add a small embellishment or flower at the center.

Open up a paper lantern and use the elastic string or a thin twine and string around the lantern 4-5 times from top to bottom.

Add the additional string in scallops along the middle of the lantern.

You can also add beads or flowers at the base of each scallop if desired.

Wrap four dowels with a thin pink ribbon in a spiral and secure with hot glue.

Line the inside of the box with additional diapers.

Fill the inside of the box with stuffed animals and gifts.

Glue 4 craft sticks together to form a square.

Stick the dowels into the diapers on the 4 corners of the box.

Glue the top end of the dowels to the craft stick to form a base.

Place the lantern on top of the craft stick base - glue to secure if needed.

Wrap or display on the baby shower gift table.

More Baby Shower Gift Ideas

If you want to add more to the gift, you may be interested in some of my other ideas. I've shared tons of diaper cakes, sewing, crochet, and other tutorials that are ideal for sharing at the next baby shower you attend!

Crafting Tip

If you want a different look, you can use a bright color paper lantern or even a patterned paper lantern instead of the plain white lanterns.

Yield: 1

Cute Hot Air Balloon Diaper Cake Gift

Follow an easy video step by step tutorial to create your own cute hot air balloon diaper cake gift that is ideal for the next baby shower you attend!

Active Time 30 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $10

Materials

Tools

Double-sided tape
Rubber bands
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks or hot glue rope

Instructions

Wrap double-sided tape around the outside of a medium box.
Roll 15-20 diapers and secure with rubber bands around the middle.
Attach the diapers to the strip of tape on the outside of the box.
Wrap pink tissue paper strip around the outside of the diapers.
Add a length of wide burlap ribbon around the pink tissue paper.
Make a large burlap ribbon bow and a pink polka dot ribbon bow and combine then add a small embellishment or flower at the center.
Then glue to the outside of the box over the other tissue/ribbon.
Open up a paper lantern and use the elastic string or a thin twine and string around the lantern 4-5 times from top to bottom.
Add the additional string in scallops along the middle of the lantern.
You can also add beads or flowers at the base of each scallop if desired.
Wrap four dowels with a thin pink ribbon in a spiral and secure with hot glue.
Line the inside of the box with additional diapers.
Fill the inside of the box with stuffed animals and gifts.
Glue 4 craft sticks together to form a square.
Stick the dowels into the diapers on the 4 corners of the box.
Glue the top end of the dowels to the craft stick to form a base.
Place the lantern on top of the craft stick base - glue to secure if needed.
Wrap or display on the baby shower gift table.