4 Fun Activities for Kids Using a Box of Cereal
Cereal is one of the most popular breakfast items in the US, especially among kids. A single bowl of it with milk has enough nutrition to keep children going till noon.
To keep up with the demand, multiple brands have launched their own cereal. Some offer more nutritional value than others, but it comes down to the personal preference of what kids want to eat.
However, the impact of cereals goes beyond a simple bowl, as they can be used for various emotional or fun purposes. Some businesses even use custom cereal boxes that have built-in features or games to keep the little ones engaged.
They are not usually educational, as the main point of these is to make kids loyal to their brand of cereal. But that does not mean that there are not any fun activities to be had with cereal boxes that are also educational. With that in mind, we have curated a list of crafts that kids can make with a box of cereal and learn a thing or two from them while having fun.
Cereal Box Crafts for Kids to Learn While Having Fun
To craft something fun out of an ordinary cereal box requires some imagination. However, it is a very potent educational tool. We realize the children often run from the study; however, the activities we have listed here will help kids learn valuable skills and concepts without even realizing it.
But, before we start with the main topic, let us take a look at why such activities are useful and what their educational value is. The reason parents should encourage their kids to perform these tasks is that they develop motor skills, allow them to use their imagination and make it a reality, help them with basic math skills, and more.
Since the children will be working with small tools like scissors, glue, and pencils, it develops fine motor skills in them. These involve the movement of small muscles, which is very helpful in their daily tasks, like writing. On top of that, they also learn to be resourceful with these activities, as they will have to work with limited items, kicking their imagination and critical thinking into overdrive.
We think this is enough to give an idea about the educational value of cereal box crafts. The following are the different activities that kids can perform using a box of cereal to learn and have fun:
Art Creations
There is no better form of self-expression than art, especially for children. This allows them to make their imagination a reality, which also helps them to think critically and see things from a unique perspective. The best thing about creating art using cereal boxes is that it does not cost much. All you need to have is an empty package of cereal, paper, glue, scissors, and markers or crayons.
Once the tools are complete, explain to the kids that they are going to create art using a cereal box. It can be an animal mask, a book holder, or a monster jaw. This particular activity helps kids develop problem solving skills and makes them more creative.
Taste Test Challenge
While not an activity that requires a box per se, it does involve cereal. This particular activity allows the little ones to develop their sensory evaluation skills. All you require for it is to have different cereals, some bowls, and spoons. Make a scorecard on a piece of paper or cardboard for kids to record their ratings and observations.
Set up a tasting station with labeled cereals and explain that they will evaluate each one based on flavor, texture, and overall enjoyment. Encourage them to take small samples, chewing slowly to appreciate the flavors. After tasting, they can write down their thoughts and ratings.
After the children have recorded their observations, encourage them to discuss their findings. This activity helps develop or enhance sensory skills, communication, and critical thinking, all the while making breakfast exciting.
Math Games
Who says you can learn math while playing? If you can conceal the fact that the kids are learning addition and subtraction under the blanket of fun, they can learn anything. Cereal can be used to learn math problems. All parents need is a box or boxes of various cereals, like Cheerios, Fruit Loops, and Rice Krispies.
There are multiple activities that you can engage them with. Let us start with counting and sorting. In this task, children pick out a specific number of cereal pieces and then sort them by type, color, or shape.
Then there is addition and subtraction. Parents can use this one to solve problems, like if you have 10 Rice Krispies and you add 5 more, what do you get? In short, these math games are fun and interactive activities that encourage kids to think critically. On top of that, working together fosters teamwork. It’s a delightful way to blend learning and enjoyment!
Construction Challenge
While it does sound similar to the art creation activity we discussed before, this one is much more creative. All this task requires is a box of cereal and glue to create creative structures. First, get the kids excited about the different structures like bridges, the Eiffel Tower, or, everyone’s favorite, castles.
Show them pictures of different landmarks to spark their imagination. Encourage them to create a unique structure, whatever they think of. It could even be a combination of a castle and a tower. Let their creativity run wild.
Now, let the building begin! Kids can grab their cereal and glue, assembling their creations in all sorts of inventive ways. Maybe they’ll stack Cheerios for a tall tower or layer Rice Krispies to add height. If a structure wobbles or doesn’t look right, that’s okay! They can rethink their approach, adjusting the design as needed.
Once the structure is done, why stop there? Take it a step further and decorate them. Embellish the creations with edibles to make them pop. For example, colored sprinkles or small candies can be used to represent windows for a touch of fun.
After everyone’s finished, parents can start a “show and tell” session where kids can showcase their work, explaining their designs and the challenges they faced. However, do not try to eat these creations, as you will never hear the end of it from the little ones, and glue is involved. So, don’t eat it!
Final Thoughts
Cereal can be more than just breakfast food if the adults are willing to put in the time and effort. These activities don’t just happen magically after all. A simple box of cereal can be a source of learning and creativity, which can lead to future innovations.
The base has to be built at a young age, so why not do it while having some fun? The activities we have discussed in this article not only develop valuable skills in children but also are quite enjoyable.
