Try one of these ways to decorate cupcakes to wow the crowd at your child’s next birthday party. One is somewhat challenging but the rest are easy.

Fish Cupcake display

This cupcake display would be perfect at any child’s under-the-sea celebration.
Directions:
Bake one 6” layer (about 2” thick) round cake and 12 cupcakes in any flavor.
Cut the round cake in half and cut a notch in the middle of one side to make the tail. Frost the head and tail pieces with yellow crusting buttercream and place in the fridge to harden.
Frost all of the cupcakes using pink and green buttercream frosting using a 2D large closed star tip. Attach all of the pieces, using buttercream as glue, to a cake board.
Now it’s time to add the finishing details, pipe on buttercream lips with a medium to large size piping tip or cut them out using pink fondant. Next add the eyes and eyelashes using fondant or icing.
Source: Melissa Diamond from mycakeschool.com (search for fish cupcake)

Oink Oink

Mini pigs would be perfect for a barnyard bash or pink pig party. Make them by using pink marshmallows, strawberry icing, mini chocolate chips and edible eyeballs.
Source: gourmetmomonthego.com (search for pig cupcakes)

All About Sports

Your child will love these sporty cupcakes made to look like baseballs, basketballs and footballs. Using white, orange and black M&M’s and red licorice, you can design these cupcakes to look like your favorite activity.
Source: thejoysofboys.com/sports-cupcakes/

Sunflower

Perfect for any girl’s party, these cupcakes made to look like sunflowers will wow the crowd. Use orange, yellow and black mini jelly beans, green fruit laces and candied mint leaves to decorate these unique treats.
Source: www.lovethatparty.com.au (search for sunflower cupcakes)

Hootie Hoot

Everything about owls is all the rage right now. Have a cute owl- themed party this fall, and make these easy cupcakes to match the theme. Top with chocolate icing, Oreos and Reese’s pieces.
Source: budgetsavvydiva.com (search for owl cupcakes)

Mickey Mouse

These cupcakes would be perfect for a Disney-themed party. Attach mini Oreos with toothpicks and cover with chocolate sprinkles and chocolate frosting.
Source: ericasweettooth.com (search for Mickey-cupcakes)

Shark Fin

These cupcakes are perfect for a Jaws- or surfer-themed celebration. Decorate with blue icing and a shark fin cut out of grey or blue cardstock.
Source: KarasPartyIdeas.com (search for shark)

Go Fish

Make these for a fishing-themed party or a pool party using goldfish crackers, pretzel sticks and assorted icing colors.
Source: threepixielane.blogspot.ca (search for fishing pole cupcakes)

Snake

For a jungle- or reptile-themed bash, display these cupcakes in the shape of a snake. Add green, orange, yellow and brown M&M’s to decorate. For the snake’s head, cut a small triangle from a graham cracker and place it onto a frosted cupcake. Frost over the graham cracker to cover it completely.
Source: celebrating-family.com (search for snake cupcakes)

Cupcake- themed party ideas

Not only are creatively decorated cupcakes popular these days, now entire parties are taking on a cupcake theme.

Arrange cupcakes in giant numbers corresponding to your child’s age for a display that would catch anyone’s eye.
String together cupcake liners on a piece of yarn for a cute and easy garland.
“Make your own cupcake” at the party using paint pallets to organize the toppings. mamamiss.com (search for palette)
Cut out scraps of fabric to look like icing and cupcakes and let kids make a collage to take home.
Pin the candle on the cupcake. Cut out a large cupcake out of poster board, blindfold the kids and let them try to pin the candle in the right spot.