Kids Crafts You Can Make with Cereal

Cereal-it's what's for breakfast, but it's also great decorative material for crafts. Whether it's a rainy day, snow day, or just a day you feel like bonding with your little ones, grab a box of cereal, dig in, and have some crafty fun!

Fruit Rainbows

This simple craft is great for toddlers and older children. Easy to make with items you probably have on hand, children will love sorting the colors.

Materials Needed:

One Box of Fruit Loops (or Other Cereal with Rainbow-Colored Pieces)

All Purpose Glue or Craft Glue

Construction Paper (Printer/Copier Paper or Cardboard can also be used as a Substitute)

Pencil or Pen

Instructions:

Draw the lines of a rainbow shape on the construction paper for children to follow. Be sure to include one line for every color of cereal.

Have child(ren) separate cereal into piles of like colors. Then, glue the cereal onto the construction paper to fill in the colors of the rainbow.

Allow glue to dry. Hang up rainbow for a colorful decoration!

Cereal Bird Feeder

This craft is great for using up cereal that may have gotten a little stale and it's also a good learning experience for children, who love to watch the birds enjoy their treat.

Materials Needed:

One Box of Cheerios (or Other Non-Sugared Donut-Shaped Cereal)

Yarn

Pencil

Instructions:

Cut a two foot piece strand of yarn. Lightly tie one end of yarn around pencil to keep cereal from slipping off.

Have child(ren) string cereal onto the yarn as if they were string a necklace with beads. When yarn is nearly full, remove the pencil and tie both ends of the yarn together.

Hang the strand off a tree branch or bird feeder outside and watch the birds enjoy their treat.

Breakfast Cereal Placemat

This practical craft is a great way to keep kids busy and the table mess-free. It's also a terrific way to recycle cereal and milk boxes.

Materials Needed:

One Empty Milk Carton (Washed and Dried)

One Empty Cereal Box

Dental Floss

Instructions:

Open milk carton until you have a flat surface to cut. Cut milk carton into ½ inch strips. Open cereal box until you have a flat surface to work with. Cut cereal box into ½ strips.

Have child(ren) weave strips together in a criss-cross pattern. When a mat has been assembled, weave dental floss around the edges and tie when ends meet. This will keep the placemat from unraveling.

Use placemats to enjoy next milk and cereal breakfast!

Cereal Party Box

This craft is great for Valentines Day, Christmas, and other holidays where treats are passed out in the classroom or just for a fun storage or piggy bank for at home use.

Materials Needed:

One Cereal Box

Colored Construction Paper

Scissors

All Purpose Glue or Craft Glue

Decorative Materials (Sequins, Glitter, Buttons, Yarn, Beads, Pipe Cleaner, Markers, etc.)

Instructions:

Use construction paper to cover the empty cereal box. Glue in place.

Write Child's Name on the front of the box. Have child(ren) decorate the box with construction paper shapes and with other decorative materials. If you are working with a smaller child, suggest holiday themes or ideas, such as making a "spring flower" box.

Glue shapes and decoration in place. Allow to dry.

Cut a slit in the top of the box suitable for the purpose intended. For example, if the child will be using it as a piggy bank, cut a small slot. If it is to be used for storing Valentines Day cards, cut a larger slot to accommodate cards and candy.

When box is filled, use scissors to open from the bottom and re-seal it for future use.