Regular flat sheet, square or round cakes can be cut and arranged to create fun shapes without special pans. The easiest way to do this is to first cut a pattern out of waxed or parchment paper. First, trace the pan onto the paper so you make sure to use the maximum amount of cake. Then, sketch and cut until you have the pieces you need. If you are not comfortable drawing freehand, try printing clip art for inspiration. Dense cakes such as pound cake or cakes with pudding in them are easiest to work with for cutting. You can build nearly anything this way, but a few suggestions include:

Fish, shark and dolphin: A rectangular cake can easily be cut into any of these underwater animals. Use extra cake pieces to make "bubbles" iced in white or blue that can float on the cake tray around your marine animal.

Rocket ship: Turn a rectangular cake into a rocket for your little explorer. You can cut a rocket in one piece by simply trimming cake off around the sides. Use mini marshmallows for a cloud of "smoke" at the base for lift off.

Racetrack: Place two round cakes side by side to form a racetrack. Use frosting or licorice whips to make a figure-8 shaped track on the top. Set clean toy cars on the track or make cars from wafer cookies and icing.

Flower pot: Have a gardener in the family? Use two round cakes to make this flower pot. Make two round cakes: frost the bottom layer. Cut a circle of cake from the top layer and remove it. Place the remaining cake "ring" on the top layer. Frost the outside of the "pot" with a pretty pastel icing and fill the inside with "dirt" made from crushed chocolate cookies. Poke lollipops into the dirt for a completed flower pot. For boys or outdoor adventurers, consider supplementing the flowers with gummy worms and bugs.