My curb-side recycling service doesn’t pick up cereal boxes. I know, right?

Anyway, I usually have a small collection of them hanging around, waiting for their trip to the local recycling center. (Yes, we eat a lot of cereal, just like Jerry Seinfeld.)

I keep some set aside for my niece and nephew, too. I like to cut the boxes up and let the kids use the backs for art projects.

But one gloomy day last week, with bored kids and plenty of time, I decided to do something new. So I went looking for a few ideas for using those cereal boxes for more creative projects.

Lucky for you, I like to share. So you can benefit from the wisdom of my long, hard, grueling, 10-minute internet search. I really don’t mind doing all that work, because your kids will love these projects just as much as Tori and James did.  

Caution: These projects may require the use of a shape knife or scissors. Always supervise children when making these projects.

Project #1 — Cereal Box Bookmark (from PlumPudding)

Flatten cereal box and cut into 1.5 x 6 inch strips

Use scissors to round corners of strips.

Make a hole in the top of the “bookmark” using a hole punch, and thread a piece of string through the hole. Tie in a knot. TaaDaa! A neat book mark that will keep your book corners from getting bent. And when this bookmark is starting to look worn, you can simply send it to the recycling center and make a new one.








Project #2 — Cereal Box Mosaic (from Associated Content)



Glue dry macaroni, beans, buttons or just about anything else onto a cereal box, creating the design of your choice. Continue until the box is covered. When dry, paint if desired.


Project #3 — Make A School Folder (from Instructables) You can find illustrations for this project here.



Slide fingers under flaps, then cut or tear the box along the vertical line to carefully open box on all sides. You should have one continuous, flat piece.

Make a mark on the top and bottom open flaps, 3/4 of an inch from the edge. Remove excess material above/below the line. Make similar lines 3/4 of an inch in from the left and right edges. Turn your knife blade over and carefully score this line so it folds easily.  

Make a score about 4 and 3/8 inches tall and 1/4 inch narrower than the width between the left and right scored folds in the jacket. This makes gluing and folding a lot easier. Align the center fold with the jacket center fold. All other folds should not be aligned with any of the jacket folds. Using your hole punch, knife and straight edge a center slot and notch.

Set the panel on top of the jacket aligned at the center fold with the top edge aligned with the horizontal cut in the side flaps.

Fold and glue the top flap down. You might want to put some heavy books on top until it’s completely dry. Repeat with bottom flap. Then, carefully flip the bottom panel toward you, face down on the table. Let dry. Next, repeat the process on the left and right flaps. Let dry completely, and your done.

Want more ideas? Read A Dozen Crafty Ways To Recycle Cereal Boxes at Craft Stew.com or Cereal Box Crafts For Kids at AHC.org