Have an empty cereal box and need ideas for how to reuse it? Well, you are in the right place because we have lots of fun ideas. I love crafts that find clever ways to reuse things you already have. A huge part of going green is just changing your mindset so that you are always thinking about how you can reuse or recycle to avoid throwing stuff away. An item as simple as a cereal box can have tons of uses! Here are a several cereal box crafts for you to reuse cereal boxes in cute, useful ways. I hope you enjoy these box craft ideas.
10 Clever Cereal Box Ideas
I hope you enjoy these cereal box reuse ideas as much as my family does. I love not having to shell out money for expensive craft materials when there are so many materials we can use in our recycling bin. My kids love that they can cut, tape, glue, and color as much as they want to. These box craft ideas and fun and functional ways to reuse empty cereal boxes.
Cereal boxes can be used in these crafts by facing the brand inside if you prefer the brown cardboard or by facing the brand outward if you find the brand images fun. A third possibility is to cover the cereal box in construction paper or fabric. There are so many fun cereal box craft ideas!
Cereal Box Magazine/ Book Holders
A great way to reuse old cereal boxes is to make magazine holders. Just draw a diagonal line across the cereal box about three inches from the bottom on one side and about 10 from the bottom on the other. Flip the box around and draw another diagonal line in the opposite direction using the same measurements. The sides of the cereal box should be connected with a straight line and then the top portion above the line on all sides can be cut off. You can likely find uses for even those scraps if you add them to your craft box for now. The cereal box has now become an excellent holder for magazines, soft back books, folders, and papers you may want to sort.
Bookmarks From Cereal Boxes
Now is when you can use some of the cereal box scraps you have saved to cut into nice even strips. Any size you prefer works fine. I like 1 ½ inches by 6 inches. If you choose to decorate your bookmark, do so now in the manner of your choice. You can paint it, glue a patterned paper to it, or color it with marker. Then use a hole puncher in the middle of the short side of your bookmark to punch one hole. Then tie a ribbon through the hole and add beads to the ribbon or string if you like.
These recycled bookmarks are cute and fun for kids and adults alike. If you are making the recycled bookmarks for kids, you can add a back side to the bookmark to encourage reading. Write 10 books= 1 prize and draw ten lines below that that so they can fill in ten titles of books as they read them.
Cereal Box Gift Bags
A cereal box makes a great little gift bag! It is very easy to trace a circle about the size of a mug near the top of the box in the middle and then draw a straight line across the top of the box so that intersects half way up the circle you traced. Then draw an arch over the top of the circle using a bigger circular object and remove the top portion of the box to be left with a nifty gift box with cardboard handles. You can also make good use of the leftover piece of cardboard to make gift tags for your gift bags!
Gift Boxes From Cereal Boxes
Even easier, you can make cereal box gift boxes. Just turn the cereal box inside out and use it as a gift box for long flat items like clothing. Wrap as you would a normal box. If you want to make a fancier gift box of a different shape, you can use the tutorial at Turning The Clock Back to make a beautiful gift box.
Desk Organizer
The cereal box can be laid flat on the table and you can trace circles around canisters or objects that you would like to reuse to hold things like pens. Then cut out the circles and slide the canisters into the box. Tape box shut. For example, an empty oatmeal canister can be used to hold paper, an empty toilet paper roll can hold colored pencils, etc. The best part about this fun project is it lets you reuse several different things while you get organized at the same time.
Book Covers
The thin but firm cereal box cardboard also makes a great book cover if your kids want to make some of their own books. Just fold the sheets of paper in your recycling bin in half to create the inside of the book which can be a great painting or sketch book. Then unfold the cereal box and place it over the interior part of the book and trace the measurements so you can cut out a perfect fit cover for the book.
DIY Pinata
You can even make homemade pinatas from cereal boxes! Look at this super cute Owl DIY Pinata from Sustain My Craft Habit. Be sure to visit her blog for the printable owl pinata template. You can also use googly eyes if you want. Making mini pinatas will be so much fun for kids crafts.
DIY Drawer Dividers
You can use cereal boxes to make your own drawer dividers. These come in super handy for decluttering and getting organized. Sum Of Their Stories shows you step by step how to divide and conquer drawers. She shows you how to make the drawer dividers and how you can decorate them so that they look pretty. You can make various shapes and sizes to serve as a pencil case or a rubber band holder. These homemade drawer organizer containers are sure to come in handy.
Cereal Box Aquarium
Kids will love this cereal box craft. They can make their own aquarium from a cereal box with a few basic craft supplies. The cereal box aquarium can be used to decorate the wall or a desk. This makes a great risk-free first pet! LOL. Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas For Kids, cereal box aquarium.
All of these cereal box craft ideas can be used plain if you dig the chic recycled look or made quite beautiful through the use of recycled wrapping paper, paint, fabric, or other embellishments.
Cereal Box Frame
Cereal boxes can be made into quick and easy frames too. They are a perfect way to frame your child’s artwork and/or school work. Fun Learning Life shows you how to make a Superstar Frame Craft. This simple craft is great for young children. They will enjoy using different colors and fun designs to personalize their cereal box projects.
Cereal Box Dollhouse
If you like cool things, this is a great craft project for your kids to play with. This adorable, foldable cereal box dollhouse is super cute and fun for kid to play with on the go. Making a craft like this is really fun for them and gives them a great sense of accomplishment too. Get the full tutorial at Red Ted Art’s post on the foldable doll’s house.
Cereal Box Cuckoo Clock
This last cereal box craft is so clever and cute you won’t believe it. This crafty upcycle is a functional clock that would be adorable in any play room. Dukes and Duchesses will show you how to make the upcycled cuckoo clock step by step.
These are my top 10 suggestions but other creative cereal box crafts include cereal box guitars, a cereal box puzzle, and cereal box monsters. Easy cereal box crafts are a great idea to keep younger kids and older kids busy on a rainy day.
Have you tried any of these cereal box crafts? Which of these creative ideas is your favorite? Tag us with your ideas for how to reuse cereal boxes! @familyfocusblog #familyfocusblog Share your photos so we can see how your clever projects came out!
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