101 Adorable Smash Cake Ideas

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.

More Birthday Party Ideas:

101 Adorable First Birthday And Smash Cakes

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 Brandi Nicole 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. Check it out on Simply Sweet Cretions by Liz.
Perfectly Purple

If your little one loves purple, then they'll LOVE this cake lovely lilac lavender cake idea. Get the recipe on Ashlee Marie.
Pink and Ruffles

See more over here on Topsy Turvy Cakes.
No Clownin' Around with This Cake

Found 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 toy 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 Ashlee Marie.
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

Discovered on A Little Savvy Event.
Tie It Up with Ribbon

Discovered on A Little Savvy Event.
Not So Rubber Ducky

See more over here on Betty Crocker.
Snowflakes All Around

Discovered 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

Discovered 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 Red Tricycle.
The Only Thing Better Than a Cupcake Is a Giant Cupcake

Discovered 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

Discovered on Carisa's Cakes.
Start Your Engines Cake

See more over here on Salt Cake City.
Lots of Rosettes

Discovered on Carisa's Cakes.
Hungry Caterpillar

See more over here on Catch My Party.
One Cake, Two Kids

See more over here on Sweet Things.
Generously Green

See more over here on Ashlee Marie.
It's All in the Little Details

Discovered 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 AshleeMarie.
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.