Numbers

• Make two cakes shaped like numbers and set them side by side on the cake platter. Most specialty cake stores sell cake pans shaped like numbers; you simply pour the cake batter in the pans and bake. Alternatively, bake two rectangular cakes and cut the numbers out of them. Frost the cakes in colorful icing and decorate them with sprinkles or other candies.

Popular Entertainment Cake

• Many older children and tweens are interested in popular entertainment figures, such as stars of book series, movies and musical groups. When the birthday boy or girl loves a particular person, group or movie, consider creating a cake around that. For example, bake a cake in the shape of a musical note and decorate it with figurines representing the members of the band she likes. If he enjoys a book, bake a cake shaped like a book and pipe the title onto it.

Party Balloon Cupcakes

• Make a batch of cupcakes in the birthday boy's or girl's favorite flavor. Frost the cupcakes in colors that coordinate with the party's decor. Place the cupcakes on a large platter so that they look like a bunch of balloons. Place a piece of ribbon beneath each cupcake and gather the ribbon at the bottom of the platter so that the entire platter looks like a bunch of party balloons.

DIY Cupcakes

• Children who are 10 or 11 years old are old enough to decorate their own cupcakes. Bake the cupcakes before the party, but leave them unfrosted. Create a table filled with bowls of all sorts of flavored frosting. Let the kids frost their own cupcakes. Place bowls filled with other types of cupcake decorations, such as sprinkles, marshmallows, small candies and fruits.