Kids Activities

Cereal Box Crafts - Creative Craft Ideas for Summer!

Published: 10/07/2026
By Nestlé Cereals
Reading time: 7 min.
Share it with your friends

Get Crafty With our Cereal Box Crafts Ideas

Don’t toss your empty cereal box just yet - there’s a whole world of summer fun waiting inside it! Now that you’ve enjoyed every last bite, it’s time to transform that box into something bright and wonderful for long sunny days. 

From dazzling puzzles to winding mazes and even a mini aquarium, our cereal boxes can become anything with a sprinkle of imagination and a few items you likely have around the home. Whether you're crafting in the garden, at the kitchen table, or on a rainy summer afternoon, these ideas are certified to keep the whole family entertained. 

 

 

toddler girl making craft

Cheerios®: Trio of Sunny Crafts

Bring a burst of sunshine to your craft time Cheerios® . With just a few simple supplies, you can create bright, summery designs that little ones will love making (and showing off). 

 

All you need is: 

  • Cheerios® 

  • Cereal Box 

  •  Colourful pipe cleaners 

  • String or ribbon 

  • Scissors 

  • Glue (PVA or glue stick) 

  • Blank cards or card cut from a cereal box 

  • Pencil or printed outlines (sun, flower, ice cream) 

  • Paper or card 

  • Colouring pens, crayons or markers 

 

Thread, Twist and Create 

Turn your cereal box into a mini summer craft station! Thread Cheerios® onto colourful pipe cleaners and twist them into cheerful sunshine shapes, blooming flowers or even fun summer bracelets. Add ribbon or string to hang your creations or wear them with pride. 

DIY Summer Cards

Looking for a delightful way to send a little sunshine? Glue Cheerios® onto sun, ice cream or flower outlines to create textured, cheerful cards- a great way to share those summer vibes with friends and family. 

 

Shreddies® Sunny pictures

Keep little hands busy with a bright summer picture! Use Cheerios® to decorate a sunshine scene, flower garden or even a picnic setting. Quick, creative and full of feel-good summer energy. 

 

RECYCLE

Bright & Tidy: Your Cereal Box Desk Organiser

Keep your space organised and colourful this summer with a bright, handmade desk tidy, which is an ideal holder for crafts, colouring supplies, or holiday homework. 

 

You will need:  

  • Your favourite cereal box 

  • Scissors 

  • Glue 

  • Crafting paper 

  • A ruler 

     

 Steps: 

  • Cut the box into two halves 

  • Glue the two halves together 

  • Use the crafting paper to decorate the sides 

     

That’s it! Now you have a colourful file organiser for your home office. Why not make one for the kids’ desk too? 

Check out our easy DIY Desk Tidy tips.  

Creative arts and crafts project

Shreddies® Enchanting Shadow Theatre

As the sun begins to set, keep the magic alive with your very own shadow theatre; it's a fantastic way to tell stories after a day of outdoor adventures.

 

 You will need: 

  • Tracing paper 

  • Paper/card 

  • Craft tools/ small scissors 

  • Skewers 

  • A torch 

     

Steps: 

Step 1: Cut out the back and front of the cereal box 

Step 2: Replace one side with tracing paper 

 Step 3: Create summer-themed puppets (fish, birds, sunshine characters) and attach to skewers 

 Step 4: Grab a torch, and let the storytelling begin!

TABLE

Goal! Create a Cereal Box Football Game

Looking for engaging activities on a weekend? Your empty cereal box can save the day! Craft a fantastic football table with this clever cereal box idea, and watch as little ones immerse themselves in hours of play. 

 

What you need:  

  • Your favourite cereal box 

  • Scissors 

  •  Colouring pens 

  • Wooden dowels 

  •  Pegs 

  • Crafting paper  

  • and tools. 

     

 Steps: 

  • Cut out holes in the sides of the box 

  • Put in the dowels 

  • Turn the pegs into the players and mark them with the team colours 

     

You’re all set for kick off! 

Check out our easy DIY Football Table tips.

Twist & Turn: Craft a Cereal Box Marble Maze

Transform your cereal box into an exciting marble maze, offering children hours of engaging fun with this simple craft. Encourage them to unleash their creativity and help design the maze using their favourite colours and even their favourite cereals. Always ensure adult supervision when using scissors. 

What you need:  

  • Your favourite cereal box 

  • Scissors 

  • Glue  

  • Coloured pens 

  • Craft tools  

  • and Shreddies ®. 

Steps: 

  • Cut off the front of the box and cut out holes 

  • Glue on Shreddies and create your maze 

Check out our easy DIY Marble Maze tips. 

draw and make crafts

Shreddies® Summer Photobooth Props

Bring the sunshine to your family photos with DIY Shreddies® photobooth props! Perfect for garden parties, picnics or just a fun afternoon outside. 

 

All you need is: 

  • Wooden skewers 

  • Scissors 

  • Tape 

     

Steps: 

Step 1 - Cut out the fun shapes of your choice - sunglasses, suns, ice creams or palm trees 

Step 2 - Attach the skewers to the back with take 

Step 3 - Strike a pose and start snapping those sunny memories!

PUZZLE

Piece by Piece: Design Your Own Cereal Box Puzzle

Puzzles bring joy, and now you can create a brand new one using our straightforward cereal box craft! Give old images a new life as a fun challenge. 

What you need: Your favourite cereal box, scissors, pencil, ruler. 

 Steps: 

  • Cut off the front of the box 

  • Draw your design 

  • Cut out the puzzle pieces 

Check out our easy DIY Puzzle tips.

GUITAR

DIY GUITAR

Do you have a budding musician in the family? They'll adore this cereal box idea! Using just a few tools you likely already have in your craft cupboard and an empty cereal box, you can encourage your child's love for music through this delightful home project. 

 

What you need: Your favourite cereal box, cardboard tube, elastic bands, glue, Sellotape, scissors, a pencil, colour paper. 

 

 Steps: 

  • Cut out round holes in the sides of the box 

  • Decorate the tube with colour paper 

  • Stretch elastic bands over the box 

 

Now that the kids have their very own custom-made guitar, get ready for their big solo! 

Check out our easy DIY Guitar tips.

CEREAL BOX AQUARIUM

Create a colourful aquarium with this simple cereal box craft idea. You can even get the little ones to join in and decorate the inside of the box using shells, stones or pieces of string. This homemade little project is bound to be a hit with the kids. 

What you need: Your favourite cereal box, coloured paper, scissors, glue, strings, googly eyes, pegs. 

  

 Steps: 

  • Cut out the front of the box 

  • Cut out fish shapes using the coloured paper (and glue on googly eyes) 

  • Glue on a piece of string inside the box 

  • Add the fish using the pegs 

  

Job done! The family aquarium is ready to be put on display and admired. 

Who knew than an old cereal box can be the start of so many fun family projects? As long as you’ve got a bit of inspiration, some spare time and a cereal box nearby, anything is possible! 

Looking for more fun ideas? How about a breakfast that even picky eaters won’t be able to resist? Check out our fun breakfast ideas for kids, next.

RELATED ARTICLES

KID
Reading time: 5 min.
Kids Activities

How to Grow Wheat – A Step-by-Step Guide

View more
cheerios
Reading time: 5 min.
Kids Activities

Bee Craft Ideas and Resources for Kids

View more
KID
Reading time: 5 min.
Kids Activities

Fun Outdoor Activities for Kids

View more
CORN
Reading time: 5 min.
Kids Activities

Easy Corn Crafts for Kids to Make

View more
VIEW MORE