Calling all crafty parents and kiddos! Who says breakfast can’t be a springboard for creativity? We’ve all seen those mountains of leftover cereal tempting little hands.
But before you toss them, why not transform them into a delightful afternoon of crafting?
Cereal crafts are a fantastic way to unleash your child’s inner artist, develop fine motor skills, and have some crunchy good fun, all while putting those leftover loops and puffs to good use!
Crafty Considerations:
Before diving in, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Age: Choose projects that match your child’s age and skill level. Younger children might need more assistance with gluing and cutting, while older ones can tackle more intricate designs.
- Materials: Most of these crafts require common household items like glue, construction paper, markers, and of course, cereal! Feel free to get creative and substitute materials you have on hand.
- Safety: Adult supervision is recommended, especially with younger children using scissors or hot glue.
20 CEREALific Crafts to Get You Started:
Rainbow Cereal Wreath:
Transform colorful loops into a vibrant wreath! Glue cereal onto a cardboard circle base in a rainbow pattern or any design your child fancies.
Cheerful Cheerio Sun:
Paint a large yellow circle on construction paper. Use Cheerios to create bright sun rays radiating outwards. Add a happy face in the center for extra cheer!
Fruity Loop Fishbowl:
This craft is a delightful centerpiece or gift. Decorate a small jar with paint or washi tape. Glue Froot Loops around the rim to resemble colorful fish swimming in a bowl.
Puffy Puffin Pals:
Craft adorable puffins using puffed rice cereal! Glue two large puffs together for the body, and add smaller puffs for wings and a beak. Use construction paper or markers for eyes and details.
Cereal Box Critters:
Upcycle those empty cereal boxes! Cut out shapes like cat faces, dog ears, or bunny ears. Decorate with paint, markers, and leftover cereal for a whimsical animal menagerie.
Crunchy Card Collage:
This activity is perfect for little hands exploring textures. Use a glue stick to adhere cereal pieces of all shapes and sizes onto cardstock. Paint or decorate further for a unique textured artwork.
Cheerio Chick Craft:
Celebrate spring with these adorable chicks! Glue Cheerios onto a yellow construction paper base to form a chick’s body. Cut out orange construction paper for a beak and googly eyes for a charming addition.
Cereal Mosaic Masterpieces:
Create stunning mosaics using different colored cereals! Draw a simple design on cardstock, then use glue to fill in the sections with cereal pieces. Let your child experiment with patterns and colors.
Cereal Letter Learning:
Make learning the alphabet fun and crunchy! Cut out large letters from construction paper. Glue cereal pieces onto the letters, providing a tactile and visual learning experience for young children.
Puffy Snake Surprise:
For a slithering good time, create a playful snake! String puffed cereal pieces onto yarn or pipe cleaners, creating a long and colorful snake. Add googly eyes and a felt tongue for extra personality.
Froot Loop Flower Power:
Channel your inner florist! Glue Froot Loops in a circular pattern onto construction paper to create flower shapes. Add a green pipe cleaner stem and construction paper leaves for a blooming masterpiece.
Cereal Collage Creatures:
This open-ended craft encourages imagination! Let your child cut out shapes from magazines, newspapers, or construction paper. Glue them onto cardstock and decorate with cereal pieces for fantastical creatures.
Cheerio Counting Caterpillars:
Turn counting practice into a wiggly craft! Glue Cheerios in a row on construction paper. Use markers to draw a cute caterpillar face and legs. Number each Cheerio for a fun and educational activity.
Cereal Box Castles:
Calling all little architects! Empty cereal boxes can be transformed into magnificent castles. Cut out windows, doors, and crenellations. Decorate with paint, markers, and leftover cereal pieces for a truly royal creation.
Cereal Sensory Bin:
Fill a bin with uncooked cereal! Add plastic animals, scoops, cups, and other sensory items. This engaging activity encourages exploration of textures and fine motor skills development.
Cereal Coasters:
Protect your furniture and unleash creativity! Cut out circles from cardboard or felt. Glue leftover cereal pieces onto
3D Cereal Sculptures:
Take your cereal creations to a new dimension! Glue cereal pieces together to form simple 3D shapes like spheres, cubes, or pyramids. Paint them afterwards for a vibrant and textured art project.
Cereal Suncatchers:
Let the light shine through with these dazzling suncatchers! Cut out fun shapes from clear contact paper. Glue on colorful cereal pieces, creating beautiful designs. Hang them in a sunny window for a mesmerizing display. Adult supervision is necessary when using contact paper.
Cereal Box Gift Bags:
Who needs store-bought gift bags when you have creativity on your side? Decorate empty cereal boxes with paint, markers, and leftover cereal pieces. Punch holes on the sides, thread yarn or ribbon through, and you’ve got a personalized and eco-friendly gift bag!
Cereal Box Play Kitchen:
Calling all junior chefs! Transform a large cereal box into a play kitchen. Cut out openings for an oven and stovetop. Glue on buttons or bottle caps for knobs. Decorate with paint and markers. Add paper play food and let the culinary adventures begin!
Bonus Craft: Feed the Bird Feeder!
Cereal isn’t just for crafting! String uncooked loops or puffs onto yarn and create a DIY bird feeder. Hang it outside for feathered friends to enjoy a crunchy snack. Make sure to use uncooked, unfrosted cereals that are safe for birds.
Cleaning Up the Fun:
After all the crafting fun, use a lint roller or a vacuum cleaner to remove stray cereal pieces. Remember, most cereals are not biodegradable, so dispose of them responsibly.
The Benefits of Cereal Crafts:
Cereal crafts are more than just a fun way to spend an afternoon. They offer a multitude of benefits for children:
- Develops Fine Motor Skills: The act of gluing, sorting, and manipulating cereal pieces helps children develop the small muscle movements in their hands and fingers, which are crucial for tasks like writing and dressing.
- Enhances Creativity and Imagination: Cereal crafts provide a platform for children to express themselves creatively. They can experiment with different colors, textures, and shapes, bringing their unique ideas to life.
- Boosts Color Recognition and Sorting Skills: Working with colorful cereals allows children to explore and identify different colors. Sorting them by color further strengthens their sorting and categorization skills.
- Provides Sensory Exploration: The various textures of cereals offer a unique sensory experience. Children can explore the smooth texture of loops, the bumpy texture of puffs, and the satisfying crunch of flakes.
- Promotes Recycling and Upcycling: Cereal crafts are a fantastic way to give new life to empty cereal boxes and leftover cereal. This teaches children the importance of resourcefulness and reduces waste.
So next time you’re staring at a box of leftover cereal, don’t toss it! Grab some construction paper, glue, and a little creativity, and embark on a delightful journey of cereal crafting with your kids!
