Create Your Original Cereal Box Character
Design and build an original cereal box character using a recycled cereal box, drawing supplies, and craft materials; create a name and short character backstory.
Step-by-step guide to Create Your Original Cereal Box Character
Cereal Box Designer
Step 1
Gather all your materials in one place so they are ready to use.
Step 2
Think of a fun character idea and decide what makes them special.
Step 3
Choose a name for your character that matches their personality.
Step 4
Write the name and a short 2 to 3 sentence backstory on a small piece of paper.
Step 5
Cut open the cereal box along one side and flatten it into a big panel.
Step 6
Use your pencil to draw the body shape you want on the flat panel.
Step 7
Cut out the body shape carefully with scissors.
Step 8
Fold up a small tab at the bottom of your cutout to make a base so it can stand.
Step 9
Secure the base tab with tape or glue so the character stands up straight.
Step 10
Glue on googly eyes buttons or stickers to give your character eyes.
Step 11
Use colouring materials to draw a mouth nose hair and clothes on your character.
Step 12
Glue on scraps of fabric ribbon or yarn to add hair or extra clothing details.
Step 13
Let all glue and marker areas dry completely before moving your character.
Step 14
Share your finished cereal box character and its backstory on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
I can't find googly eyes or small buttonsâwhat can I use instead?
If you don't have googly eyes, buttons, or stickers, draw eyes with your colouring materials or cut eye shapes from white paper and glue them on during the 'Glue on googly eyes buttons or stickers' step.
My character won't stand upâwhat should I do?
If the character won't stand after you 'Fold up a small tab at the bottom' and 'Secure the base tab with tape or glue', widen and double-layer the tab with extra cereal box cardboard and tape it securely to stabilize the base.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger children, pre-cut the body shapes and let them stick on simple eyes and colour in clothes, while older kids can follow the 'Use your pencil to draw' and 'Cut out the body shape' steps and add articulated limbs with brads or painted textures.
How can we extend or personalize the cereal box character?
Use the leftover flattened cereal box as a decorated background diorama, attach the 2â3 sentence backstory on a small paper to the base, and add extra scraps of fabric, ribbon, or cutouts to create a scene or a whole cast for sharing on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to Create Your Original Cereal Box Character
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Facts about crafting with recycled materials
âťď¸ Cardboard is one of the most recycled materialsâmany countries recover over 70% of paper and cardboard for recycling.
âď¸ You can unfold a cereal box to get a flat canvas and extra cardstock for costumes, props, or layered details.
đ¨ Character designers often begin with simple shapes: circles feel friendly, squares feel stable, and triangles feel energeticâuse those to shape your cereal buddy!
đŹ Famous mascots usually have a short backstory or catchphraseâgiving your character one sentence about their favorite snack makes them memorable.
đŻ Tony the Tiger first roared onto cereal boxes in 1952 and helped make advertising mascots household stars.
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