- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.4 × 3.3 in (6.0 × 8.5 cm)
Turn breakfast into craft time with this cute cereal paper squishy! Styled as a bright box of Squish O’s, it features a smiling bowl, rainbow rings, and even a tiny maze on the back panel. Grab the free printable PDF in US Letter and A4 with 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank box to design your own brand. Pair it with our milk carton squishy for the cutest morning duo.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your cereal box template at 100% scale on plain printer paper—make sure “fit to page” is turned off. Check the scale bar at the top right; it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page or blank version, grab your markers and color the cereal rings, bowl, and back maze now before taping.
2Tape the motif
Lay wide clear packing tape across the entire printed cereal box net, making sure to cover all the yellow and blue tabs too. Smooth each strip outward from the center so the glossy front panel and back maze stay bubble-free, and avoid stretching the tape as you lay it down.
3Cut it out
Use your scissors to cut neatly along the solid black outer border of the cereal box net, keeping every yellow and blue tab attached. Take your time around the angled tab corners, and be careful not to cut into any of the interior dashed fold lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Line up your ruler along every dashed line and trace over it firmly with an empty pen to score the paper. Fold all the box panels and little tabs inward toward the blank white side once, then unfold them flat again—pre-creasing now gives your cereal box crisp corners even through the thick tape.
5Make the walls
Fold the main panels—front bowl, yellow side panels, and back maze—into a rectangular ring with the artwork facing out. Dab a little glue on the long yellow side tab, press it inside the opposite wall to hold the shape, and seal that vertical seam from the outside with regular clear tape along its whole length.
6Close the bottom
Apply glue to the 3 yellow bottom tabs, fold the yellow heart-patterned bottom flap shut, and reach inside the box to press the tabs snugly against the walls. Leave the blue-tabbed top lid wide open so you have plenty of room to add the stuffing.
7Tape the bottom
Because craft glue won’t stick permanently to slick packing tape, reinforce the base right away. Run strips of regular clear tape along the outside of every bottom edge, covering the full length of each seam so no stuffing can poke out.
8Stuff it
Push small, loose scrunches of plastic bag or fluffy fiberfill down through the open top of the cereal box. Fill the bottom corners first and keep the stuffing light and airy so the tall, narrow box keeps its flat front and back without bulging into a cylinder.
9Close it
Tuck the 3 blue top tabs inward and fold the “Good Mornings Ahead” top lid down over the stuffing. Hold the lid flush with the walls and seal every top edge from the outside with regular clear tape, running the tape all the way across each seam.
10Squish!
Your 3D Squish O’s box is ready! Give the front panel a gentle squeeze and watch the cereal box puff right back into shape. If you want a slower, smoother rise, prick one tiny pinhole along a seam so air can escape gradually.
Free Cereal Box Squishy Template
- Color
- Coloring page
- Blank, design your own
- Step-by-step guide
One free PDF: the template in three versions (pages 1–3) and the step-by-step guide (pages 4–6). Print the template at 100% on plain printer paper.
Tips for the perfect squish
- Box corners look rounded. Score every dashed line firmly with an empty pen and a ruler before folding so the tall cereal box gets sharp, boxy edges.
- A side seam pops open. Glue alone slips right off taped paper, so press a fresh strip of clear tape along the entire outside length of the seam.
- Front and back panels bulge. Tall, slim boxes puff out easily when overpacked; pull out a little stuffing so the Squish O’s front and maze back stay flat.
- Wrinkles over the cereal bowl. Cut shorter pieces of packing tape and lay them down gently from the middle outward without pulling or stretching.
Questions
How do you make a 3D paper squishy cereal box stay together?
You cannot rely on glue alone because it does not bond to slick tape for long. Use glue only to tack the yellow tabs in place while you assemble the box, then seal every single seam from the outside with clear tape.
What paper works best for a cereal paper squishy template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) gives the best squish. Heavy cardstock becomes way too stiff once covered in packing tape and is difficult to fold cleanly along the narrow side panels.
What can I stuff my paper squishy cereal box with?
Scrunched plastic grocery bags give a fun, crinkly feel, while polyester fiberfill makes it super soft and plushy. Whichever you choose, stuff the box lightly so the rectangular sides stay neat and flat.
What are some easy cereal paper squishy ideas for a set?
You can color the blank template to invent your own cereal flavors, or print a larger box on bigger paper since the single-piece net scales up easily. For a full breakfast tray, craft our fruit rings cereal squishy right alongside this one!
Can I make these cereal boxes with a class or party group?
Yes! Print a template sheet for each kid and pre-cut strips of clear tape before you start. Let everyone color their cereal boxes while you help with scoring the lines and taping the seams—plan for about 45 minutes total.
More paper squishies to make
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