My son's first birthday is coming up and I want to make him a zoo theme cake. I want to make 3d animals and I don't know what to use to make them. Should I use fondant, gumpaste, or a mix of the two? This will be my first time making animals so any help would be appreciated. Also I want to put a big #1 on the top of the cake what should I make that out of?

its easier to make figurines from a 50/50 mixture, gumpaste dries very fast and by mixing it with regular fondant it will give you more time to work with. The no 1 I would do from gumpaste, cut it a few days before and leave it on a flat surface to dry.
HTH

Thank you! How far in advance can I make the animals? Can I make them the week before or do I have to wait until closer to the day?

a week would be fine.

I agree with riana. You can make the figures a few weeks in advance. Just be sure to store them in a cool, dry place. I put mine in a covered box and keep them on the top of my fridge.

thanks guys! I can't wait to start making it!

Here is some ideas for you - made them for a zoo theme. Also 50/50 gumpaste, and I made them 2 weeks before.

Wow thanks a lot PatrysV!