since he's a boy he might like the worms in dirt cupcakes.
i think you can find something like that online
recipes.com or allrecipes.com
the 'dirt' is crumbled up oreos i think and then you use gummy worms coming out the top.. not sure what the 'cake' part is made of,, if just cake or something else..
for my daughter's 1st birthday she wasn't on solid foods yet since she was 3 months premature she was behind 3 months in that. so we did jell-o cups and whipped cream. she was a big red mess!! but funny looking..lol
for her 2nd birthday a friend made a castle cake using pink cones for the towers.
this 3rd birthday she had a ice cream cake!! awesome.. because what isn't eaten, you can freeze in an air tight container and nibble on later. as with cake cake leftovers dry up quickly.
my son will probably have an ice cream cake for his 4th birthday next week.. thanks for reminding me..lol lol
good luck.