Colors

• When choosing colors for the cupcake design, there are a couple of things to think about. First, children are attracted to bright colors, such as the primary colors. However, colors need not be limited to red, yellow and blue. Consider the theme of the party and coordinate the colors to match the theme. For example, if you plan a party around Easter time, choose pastel colors to match the pastel Easter eggs. Alternatively, if you plan a rainbow party, use bright vibrant colors. The second thing to consider is the food coloring. Whether you use liquid, gel or powdered, food colors stain. If stains worry you, use food coloring sparingly or choose lighter colors, such as pastels.
  
  

Toys

• Once you choose your colors, consider the decorating theme. A simple decorating technique is covering the cupcakes in a solid colored frosting and then adding little toys on top. For example, if your son loves Mickey Mouse, cover the cupcakes in red or yellow and then add a small plastic Mickey Mouse toy on top. Alternatively, if your daughter loves cats, frost the cupcakes pink and purple and place small plastic cats on top. If you choose to use toys, pick toys that are safe for a one-year-old and remove the toy from the cupcake before giving it to your child.
  
  

Animals

• Choose different animals to decorate your child's cupcakes. For example, if your baby loves barnyard animals, use frosting to make the cupcakes look like chickens, pigs and sheep. Or, if your son's room is decorated in dinosaurs, use that for your theme. Make chocolate candy dinosaur bones and place them on top of the frosted cupcakes. If your little one loves the family pet, make the cupcakes look like dogs or cats using frosting and candies.
  
  

Other Ideas

• Another cupcake design idea is cupcakes that look like something else. Choose something your son or daughter enjoys, such as spaghetti, and make the cupcakes look like a plate of noodles. Use frosting in thin lines to make the spaghetti and raspberry jam for the spaghetti sauce. If the party is during the fall season, use frosting and candies to make the cupcakes look like pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. During the spring months, use frosting to decorate sunflower shaped cupcakes.