Wild Cat Cake Stand DIY

Is it ever too early to start planning your next birthday party? I certainly don’t think so, which is why I’ve been mentally gathering ideas for my dream cat-themed May birthday for weeks now. I found a few plastic lion, cheetah, and leopard toys last month that I snatched up with the intention of making a party DIY, but I wasn’t able to think of a good use for them for a couple of weeks. Finally, it hit me-cake stands!  Supplies: Plastic animal toys (the really hard plastic ones), wooden dowel rod (at least 1/2″ thick), wooden plate, smaller wooden circle (I used a 4″ trophy mount), drill, hand saw, gold spray paint, white spray paint, wood glue, quick dry cement.1. Drill a hole the size of your dowel rod into the top of your plastic animal (my dowl rod was 5/8″ thick, but not all drills can take a drill bit that big, try 1/2″ if yours can’t or check out spade bits). I found it a lot easier to start with a smaller bit first and then drill bigger and bigger holes until you get to your desired size. 2. Drill a hole the size of your dowel rod into the middle of your smaller circle. Stick your dowel rod down into the back of your animal and make a mark where want your cake stand top to sit. Use the hand saw to cut your dowel rod to that height. 3. Put some wood glue in the hole of your smaller wooden circle and stick the dowel rod into the hole. Then glue this new piece onto the middle bottom of your wooden plate. Allow the glue to fully dry. 4. Use your spray paint to spray your animal and your wooden topper (I painted the top of the plate white, but you do whatever you like!). 5. Follow your quick dry cement instructions and fill your animal almost to the top. I found a cement crack filler that was already mixed in a bottle at Home Depot, so I would recommend something like that if you can find it. 6. Stick the wooden top into the hole and allow the cement to dry (make sure the top is centered and straight before you let it dry).

Note: Since the surface on the top of the plate isn’t food safe, don’t put food directly on the stand. However, cupcakes with liners are fine, or just put some parchment paper under any other food you choose to display.  Plucked from the wild, these fierce felines are now ready to carry as much sugar as their four paws can carry. I can’t wait to use these guys at my party, but I have a feeling they may make an appearance sooner, since I just can’t wait another 4 months. Wouldn’t these be so cute with lots of other animals too? xo. Laura

Credits // Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman