How Many Cupcakes for a Kids Birthday Party

As a guide, plan one cupcake per child, then add extras for siblings, the adults who will want one and a few spares, and round up to whole boxes. Planning a Saturday party? We deliver on weekdays only, so order for Friday delivery by Thursday 12 noon. Here's an easy way to work out your number.

These figures are rule-of-thumb planning advice, not data. Every party is different. Adjust for the age of the kids, the time of day and how much other food you're serving.

A simple headcount formula

Here's the formula:

Invited kids + siblings who are coming + adults who will eat one + a few spares = cupcakes to order

Keep these in mind:

• Younger kids often eat half a cupcake and wander off. They still want their own, though. Count one each.
• Adults at kids parties do not always eat dessert, but many will take one if they are staying for the whole party. As a guide, count about half of the adults.
• Spares cover the extra sibling who turns up, the dropped cupcake and the one for the birthday child to take to their grandparents. Two to four is plenty.

Our birthday cupcakes delivered in Melbourne come in a box of 12 (confirmed on our live collection page), so it's easiest to round up to whole boxes.

Worked examples

Kids	Siblings and adults eating (estimate)	Spares	Total	Order
10	6	2	18	2 boxes of 12
20	10	3	33	3 boxes of 12
30	14	4	48	4 boxes of 12

A few leftovers? Hand them to the helpers as a thank-you.

Cupcakes, cake, or both?

For kids parties, cupcakes are hard to beat. No cutting, no plates, no queue at the cake table, and every child gets a whole one. They're easy to hand out at the park, too.

A cake gives you the classic candles and photo moment. Lots of families do both, with a small cake for "Happy Birthday" and cupcakes for everyone to eat. If that's your plan, you can order fewer cupcakes, since some guests will take a slice instead. Browse our round cakes, and remember that custom cakes need longer notice than a standard box.

For toddlers and little ones, mini cupcakes are a smart choice. They come in boxes of 24 (confirmed on our live collection page). They fit small hands, and less icing ends up on the furniture.

If you're after themes and decorating ideas rather than quantities, we cover those in our kids birthday cake ideas and birthday party ideas posts, and our first-birthday smash cake guide is handy if this is a first birthday.

Parties at school, kinder or childcare

Cupcakes at school, kinder or childcare are a lovely way to celebrate. Check the centre's rules first, though. Many have policies on food brought in from outside, and many have nut or allergen policies.

We'll be upfront here. Our cupcakes are made in a shared kitchen that handles gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts and other allergens, so cross-contact is possible. We cannot guarantee any product is free of a particular allergen. Please read our allergen information page and talk to the centre before ordering, so they can decide what works for their children.

Dietary-friendly cupcakes for guests

If a child at the party has dietary needs, it's kind to have something for them too. We offer a vegan range, an eggless version of every flavour and gluten-free options. Ask parents when they RSVP. Then order a separate box so those cupcakes are easy to keep apart and label.

Our gluten-free options are made in a shared kitchen, not a gluten-free facility. For any guest with a severe allergy or coeliac disease, please check with their parents and our allergen information page before ordering.

Ordering for a weekend party

Most kids parties land on a weekend, so this part matters:

• Weekdays only. We do not deliver on Saturday, Sunday or public holidays. For a Saturday party, order for Friday delivery. See our delivery policy.
• Order by 12 noon for next-weekday delivery after 2pm. After noon, the earliest delivery is the day after next. So for Friday delivery, order by Thursday 12 noon at the latest.
• Sunday party? Friday delivery is still the closest option, so plan to keep the cupcakes overnight.
• Larger, custom or themed orders need longer notice. Contact us with your date and we will confirm.

Storing cupcakes overnight: keep them in their closed box, somewhere cool and away from direct sun, heat and curious pets. Take them out shortly before the party so they look their best.

Delivery basics

We deliver across Melbourne Metro from our Narre Warren kitchen. Delivery generally runs between 9am and 3pm, and next-day orders arrive after 2pm. We can't guarantee a specific time slot. That's another reason Friday delivery works well for a weekend party.

Delivery fees typically range from $0 to $20 depending on location. Outside Melbourne Metro, contact us for a quote. Check your suburb on our Melbourne cupcake delivery areas page.

Planning a baby shower soon as well? our neutral baby shower cupcakes are worth a look.

Ready to order?

Browse birthday cupcakes. Saturday party? Order for Friday, by Thursday 12 noon.

Frequently asked questions

How many cupcakes per child?

As a guide, one per child. Then add extras for siblings, adults who will eat one and a few spares, and round up to whole boxes.

Can you deliver on Saturday for my party?

No. We deliver on weekdays only. For a Saturday party, order for Friday delivery.

When do I need to order?

Order by 12 noon for next-weekday delivery after 2pm; after noon, the earliest is the day after next. Custom or large orders need longer notice, so contact us with your date and we will confirm.

Are your cupcakes nut-free for school?

We cannot guarantee that. Our cupcakes are made in a shared kitchen that handles nuts and other allergens, so cross-contact is possible. Please see our allergen information page and check with the school.

Do you have gluten-free birthday cupcakes?

Yes, we have gluten-free options. They are made in a shared kitchen, not a gluten-free facility.

Do you deliver to my suburb?

We deliver across Melbourne Metro. If you are outside Melbourne Metro, contact us for a quote. See our delivery areas.