5. Diaper Cake Tricycle
A tricycle made from diapers has real personality, and it works as a standalone gift or as the base for a larger display. It looks complicated and is not.
What you need: About 45 diapers, two large rubber bands, one baby bottle, a receiving blanket, ribbon, and a small stuffed animal for the “seat.”
How to make it: Roll diapers into two large wheels and one smaller front wheel, holding each with a rubber band. Wrap each wheel with ribbon so the band disappears. Lay the two large wheels side by side and run a rolled receiving blanket between them to form the frame. Stand the baby bottle at the front as the handlebar stem and attach the small wheel beneath it. Set a plush toy on the blanket as the rider.
Time and difficulty: 60 minutes. Moderate, mostly because you need to balance the pieces before they hold.
This design tends to tip, so display it against a wall or on a low tray rather than a high shelf. If you are gifting it, deliver it assembled and warn the parents not to lift it by the handlebars.