- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.4 × 3.3 in (6.0 × 8.5 cm)
This Sugar Flakes cereal paper squishy looks like a tiny grocery store treasure, featuring a sky-blue box, a smiling bowl of frosted golden flakes on the front, and cute Squish Facts on the back. You get the free printable template in 3 versions—full color, a coloring page, and a blank box to design your own—formatted for both US Letter and A4 paper. Pair it with our Milk Carton paper squishy for the sweetest breakfast desk set.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your Sugar Flakes sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) and turn off “fit to page”. Check that the scale bar measures 2 inches (50 mm on A4) so the box finishes at 2.4 × 3.3 in (6.0 × 8.5 cm). If you chose the coloring page, color the golden flakes, blue background, and pink heart icons before taping.
2Tape the motif
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape across the entire printed cereal box net, making sure to cover the yellow glue tabs and blue tape tabs too. Smooth each strip from the center outward without stretching it, so the glossy finish over the “SUGAR FLAKES” lettering and the back “SQUISH FACTS” panel stays completely bubble-free.
3Cut it out
Cut carefully along the solid outer black line around the whole cereal box net, keeping all the angled yellow and blue tabs attached. Take your time around the corners where the top lid and bottom yellow heart panel meet the main body, and never cut into the interior dashed fold lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Place your ruler along every dashed line—between the front, side milk-splash panels, and back panel, plus every tab—and score firmly with an empty pen. Fold each line and tab inward toward the blank white side once, then unfold it again so the taped paper creases cleanly into a crisp rectangular box later.
5Make the walls
Fold the main wall panels into a rectangular ring with the artwork facing out. Put a dab of glue on the long yellow side tab, press it inside behind the front Sugar Flakes panel to hold the ring closed, and then run a strip of regular clear tape along the outside of that vertical seam from top to bottom.
6Close the bottom
Apply glue to the three yellow bottom tabs surrounding the golden heart-patterned base flap. Fold the bottom flap inward and press the tabs securely against the inside of the box walls so the smiling cereal bowl sits right at the bottom edge. Leave the top lid with the blue tabs open for filling.
7Tape the bottom
Because craft glue will not stay stuck to slick packing tape on its own, reinforce the base right away. Place strips of regular clear tape along every bottom edge from the outside, sealing the entire perimeter where the golden heart bottom meets the blue walls.
8Stuff it
Push small, loose scrunches of plastic bag or fluffy fiberfill down through the open top of the cereal box. Reach into the bottom corners first and stuff lightly so the tall front and back panels stay flat like a real carton instead of puffing out into a round pillow.
9Close it
Fold the three light-blue top tabs inward and bring the top cereal-flake lid down over them to shut the box. Hold the lid flush with the walls and seal every top edge from the outside with regular clear tape, covering the full length of each seam.
10Squish!
Your Sugar Flakes box is ready—give the middle a gentle squeeze and watch the glossy walls bounce right back into shape! If you want a slower, calmer rise after each squish, prick one tiny pinhole into a seam so trapped air can escape gradually.
Free Sugar Flakes Cereal 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
- Keep the side panels crisp. A cereal box looks best with sharp vertical edges along the narrow milk-splash sides. Score the long dashed lines firmly with your ruler and empty pen before folding so the walls don’t curve.
- Don’t overstuff the flat front. Too much filling makes the wide Sugar Flakes front and Squish Facts back bulge outward like a balloon. Pull a pinch of stuffing out if the tall sides stop looking flat and boxy.
- Seal the tall side seam. The long vertical side seam takes the most pressure when you squeeze the box. If it starts to gap, lay a fresh strip of clear tape down the entire length from top to bottom.
- Smooth tape over big letters. Wrinkles show up easily over the bold blue and yellow logo on the front. Lay shorter strips of packing tape across the graphic without pulling or stretching the tape as you press it down.
Questions
How do you make a 3D paper squishy cereal box stay rectangular?
Score every dashed line with a ruler and an empty pen before folding, and use plain 80–100 gsm (20–24 lb) printer paper instead of stiff cardstock. Stuff the box lightly with loose pieces of plastic bag or fiberfill so the front and back panels stay flat.
What are some fun cereal paper squishy ideas for a set?
You can print the coloring or blank version of this Sugar Flakes template to invent your own flavors with markers, or build a whole breakfast shelf by adding our Fruit Rings Cereal squishy. Because all parts of the box are on one sheet, you can even print on a larger sheet to make a family-size box.
Can I assemble the cereal box with glue only?
No, glue only holds the yellow tabs in place for a moment while you fold the walls and bottom together. Glue does not bond permanently to tape-covered paper, so every seam must be sealed from the outside with clear tape.
What stuffing gives the best cereal box squish?
Plastic grocery bags give a light, crinkly feel that sounds like a real cereal liner, while fiberfill gives a soft, plush bounce. Either way, add the filling in small, loose scrunches so the corners fill evenly.
Can I make this printable paper squishy template with a group?
Yes, this box is a great group craft that takes about 45 minutes. Print one sheet per person and pre-cut strips of clear tape ahead of time so kids can color the flakes while an adult helps with scoring and taping the seams.
More paper squishies to make
Pin this tutorial
Save it to your craft board so you can find the free template again.