A simple tutorial the kids will love – cereal box totes!
The kids and I have made Cereal Box Totes a few times now. They are simple to create and they make the perfect totes for church – a coloring book, some crayons and a bag of fruit snacks fit very nicely! I like these bags because you can decorate and embellish them to your liking, cut them down or use a bigger or smaller box to adjust the size etc. We’ve used boxes from granola bars, frozen waffles and more. All the varying shapes can be a lot of fun! Here is a simple video tutorial so you can see exactly how to make your own:
And here is the step by step tutorial and materials list:
Cereal Box Totes
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- cereal box
- scissors
- scrapbook paper
- Mod Podge
- sponge brush
- ruler
- pencil
- X-Acto knife
- embellishments of your choice
DIRECTIONS:
- Cut the 4 top flaps off the cereal box.
- Measure the length and width of the 5 sides of the cereal box and cut your scrapbook paper to fit each side.
- Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the front of the box, then lay a piece of scrapbook paper on top of the Mod Podge and rub lightly to let all the air bubbles out.
- Using your ruler and pencil, measure and outline where you want your handle to be. Use your X-Acto knife to cut out the handle.
- Fold a crease down the sides of the cereal box.
- Embellish, if you’d like. (Sometimes my kids can go crazy with this part, adding rhinestones, stickers, flowers etc.)
- … and you’re done!!!
What do you think?
Here is Addie, all dressed up for church and carrying her tote!
Have fun making your own!
This post originally published on Somewhat Simple in November 2009. It was updated in January 2016.
Thanks for this idea.
I am using it for Valentine’s Day cards holders for my DD.
I’m not crafty or creative but this worked out well.
And i just threw away 5 cereal boxes…the big ones too :/
These are so cute! It kills 2 birds with one stone,,lol I needed to do something "green" and make a tote to give gifts in,,, your Awesome!
http://abbyshabbyb.blogspot.com
I wonder if it would work the same with light weight fabric– might be better for a church bag. Thanks for the tutorial.
I saw this on Someday Crafts & loved it! So Cute! Such a great idea! I made some today it was SO easy – thanks! I posted my totes & linked you.
They did a great job with their designs!! I love the simplicity of these!! It's awesome that you can have the kids help. Very clever!! You'll have to let us know how they hold up as church bags.
Thanks for the link!!
~Andy@ Poppies@Play
love it. My dd would love doing this she is 3… thanks
I really like this idea and yours turned out so cute!
pk @ Room Remix
Love this idea! I have file it away at thecraftersfilebox.blgospot.com.
Thanks so much for sharing!
So cute! What a cute idea for wrapping a small gift. I also wanted to send you a link for something. I posted my link to your blog a week or so ago about my trip to work in the OCC warehouse. I write for a local magazine and wrote my column this month about it (and other things). Here is the link to my column: http://www.jonesborooccasions.com/shailanov09.html
This is a great project to do with the kids to get their creative juices flowing. Thanks for sharing.
That is so cute and easy to do! Thanks for posting!
who woulda thunk? Great idea
I like it! I think they could make very neat ususable gift bags too! I think I shall have to try it!
Very creative!
Chelsea
I saw this on somedaycrafts.com and fell in love with this idea. 🙂 This will be cute for Christmas. Thanks for a great tutorial!
That is soooo cute! I love stuff like this! Thanks!
I love these simple, but very useful ideas. I featured this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
Just precious! Fun ideas and way to be green!
Stop by and enter my giveaway…set of 12 berry wreath napking rings…and see all the other ways you can use the napkin rings.
Karin
THis is the cutest idea and I could sooooo do this with my two girlies as a fun project. Thanks.
I saw this in Family Fun a couple of years back only they used a bunch of smaller pieces of ripped up paper. My daughter was totally bored with it before we even had one side done. Perhaps this version could have held her interest!