I have been thinking about offering my services for children's cake dcorating parties. Just like a magician or clown would go to your house, I would go with mini cakes for each child and icing and bags. I would teach them fun ways to decorate their own cake. Maybe, theme cakes?? A ladybug, etc?? Has anyone ever done this for anyone other than their own kids? I have had several people mention that their daughters would love to have a cake decorating party for their birthday. What do you all think?? Definitely something different.

It sounds like an awesome idea. The cake shop here in Austin, (the All in One Bakery) used to offer them, but they don't anymore. I bet you could charge $10-$20 a kid, depending on what you provide.

I was just thinking about this myself. I met someone who did it and charged 22 bucks a head. Although she had to do all the baking....I think it is a great idea.. but as I was thinking about it....would you purchase all the materials for however many kids were at the party (could get pricey but, I guess its a one time cost with the exception of bags and parishible things). the other question that came to mind....who would make all the cakes (maybe small 4" cakes for each kid?) would you provide all the frosting?

I am so glad you posted this thread, I am dying to see what everyone says...like I said I think its a great idea and would be up for doing it myself!

i did it for my daughter's brownie troop and it was a huge success. another troop found out and wants me to do one for thier troop also. i think it's a great idea. one problem i had was kids trying to lick everything. just something to think about

actually i offer this, however each time i did it, the parents were upset because thier kids got messy. and the clean up was a pain. it is totally not worth it.

Actually, this is what I was planning for my daughter's 6th b-day in September. I was going to do a princes castle cake, and then I was going to do a mini wondermold for each attendee. Each girl would get to decorate her own princess and then put her on display beside the castle.

My 5 year old is super excited and can't wait til September. She talks about it every day!

I've done a few. They can be a lot of fun. Here's a link to my website with more information on the ones I do plus a few pictures: http://mycakesandmore.bravehost.com/create.html


I've only done a few of these but am hoping to do a few more in the next couple of months (then hoping the idea will catch on down here!).

love the princess thing

i think most parents would not get too upset mine didn't care at all

[quote]actually i offer this, however each time i did it, the parents were upset because thier kids got messy. and the clean up was a pain. it is totally not worth it.
These were exactly my concerns when I was thinking about doing a similar function for kids


Maybe you can also make up, or purchase, some inexpensive chefs aprons to help cut down on the clothing mess. I've considered doing this for a boy scout group, but decided organizing a Raingutter Regatta would be less stress

Wow, What a great idea. I did a small cake decorating class for American Heritage Girls. They had to learn how to do some basic cake decorating to earn a badge. They had a blast!! All of their MOthers have told me how much they enjoyed it. They have all been making cakes at home. One of them has actually become very good. She had neve rdone any decorating, but has decided she wants to become a cake decorator.. SO Cute. The girls were ages 9-11. I don't know how well younger girls would do as far as attention, But I have a five year ol d who is pretty good at making stars.

I purchased a large box of disposable plastic aprons from Sams Club. They are great and cut done on damaged clothes.

I've done cupcake ones for kids....less messy.

The parents crabbed they wanted to do some too...so I make extra so the "big kids" get to do some too.

Well, after reading the thread so far maybe it would be worth giving a shot to see how it would go.

rhopar33 - That is exactly what I was thinking for my daughters party in May. She will only be 4 though so I am a little concerned about all the licking too. But she too is soo excited about it.

I think as long as you tell the hostess to tell guests the craft at the party may be messy the kids can bring a smock (or you could have smocks for them) or dress appropriately. Love the idea!

I am not sure I would be willing to pay $22/per kid though. I will see how my party goes then go from there. I would love to offer it to others as well. I guess I will see what type of cost I have into it then see what to charge.

great thread, I am watching to see what others think

[quote="LanaC"]

it wasnt the clothing, it was the table, floor, faces, ect.. the colored icing was all over, even thou these were older kids 12 yrs old. as well as the sprinkles and the colored sugars for 6 kids i charges 150.00

I've done this a couple of times. Once with sugar cookies, and once with cupcakes. A lot of the girls were interested and did a good job, then there were some that just wanted to see how much icing they could put on a cookie or cupcake. I charged $10 per child for 3 cookies or 2 cupcakes. I also found I needed to bring extras for the grown ups that are there. I never failed, they always wanted to decorate too.

I make sure they understand the girls will get messy up front and that it has been ok'd with all the parents. I use the clear disposable pastry bags, so the girls can see which color they want. I also only use 1 tip on each color. If you start changing out tips you get into big trouble. So when I begin I show them what each tip will do and they have to use whatever tip is on that color.

I love the princess idea, I might try that at the next one, that's why I love CC!!!
Carrie

I just did one for the first time this past weekend. Eight 9 year old girls. I supplied a 2-layer 6" frosted and smoothed cake per kid. Brought all the icing in bags, tips, spatula, practice sheets, etc. It was a theme party so I showed them how to make a pink poodle and do a border. I'll post pics later. I charged $17/kid but I would do $20 next time. It was a lot of work but worth it in the end. The girls had a great time, made pretty cakes and the moms were very excited about it. I told all the kids no licking the tips from the beginning since they had to share some colors but they could eat off their practice sheet. Seemed to make them happy. There really wasn't any mess either - may have to do with the age. They were all neat and patient and did a really good job. I think this was a very good age for it - any younger and I could see it getting really messy and its harder for them to handle the bags. If anyone wants more details feel free to pm me.

This sounds like something I would love to do. I live in the Boston area and haven't heard of anyone doing this. I think this would be a great idea!!

So here are some questions for Zoraya and Mycakesandall:

1. Who does the clean up at the end?
2. How much icing are you having to make for a party for 8?
3. How big of a birthday cake do you make for the birthday girl and is this cake included in the per person charge or is there an extra charge?
4. How do you transport all of these cakes?









Zoraya and Mycakesandall:

I have a friend who offers "Kids in the kitchen" birthday parties and they have been a pretty good success. She first has all the kids rolling out pizza dough and putting all of the toppings on and then while the pizza is cooking they decorate a premade cake. I think she charges around $120 for 1.5 hrs and she also offers to purchase the partyware and favors for an additional amount. HTH

This seems like a really good idea. Is there any insurance or license or liabilities that you need to think about to do this? I'm just wondering about lawsuits, etc. It is a really, really cool idea. I've never heard of it.

I haven't done this but sounds like a GREAT idea! I'll be watching this thread

SweetTreats, your from Bloomington? I grew up in Heyworth. My Mom still lives there and works in Bloomingotn. I am now in FL.

How would you recommend pricing this package???

I think you could also charge 20 per kid but give them a decorating kit, like a disposable bag, a star tip, and an icing color to take home, or charge less and ask for the equipment back.

all my friends tell me to give this service, in my area and its really a great way to entertain, and do something different

but a question do you think boys will like doing it?, because I have three boys and they always want to help me.

Could it be for both genders?

I think boys would also like it.....
Look they have cooking calsses in school for boys..
Would you have to have a liencse?
I too have been thinking of the same thing, only if I had to have a food permit, openning a shop, and being able to offer the whole party there.

I haven't done it with cake, but did cookie decorating with the 4K class. We brought a disposable tablecloth (plastic sheet), used coffee filters to put each cookie in and help contain sprinkles, and the supplies. Since they were spreading the frosting, we used small tubs of different colors with plenty of popsicle sticks as spreaders, and took away any that got licked before they were re-dipped. Baggies were provided to take them home, but few used them; they wanted to eat them at school.

All in all, things went well. For older kids, ziploc baggies with frosting and snipped on site would work fine for most decorating purposes.

i;ve done it with the boy scouts as well as brownies. the boys love it just as ;much and yes you always get at least 2 kids who have to see just how high they can get the icing. with the brownies i also let them ice the cakes. next time i'll definately ice them myself. that was probably the biggest mess.