DIY Cheerios Treat Bracelets

Thanks to Cheerios for sponsoring this post. 

Summer is all about making memories and this summer Cheerios is helping my family out with that. Sometimes the simplest activities are the best for toddlers and these DIY Cheerios treat bracelets are perfect for practicing small motor skills and kept my toddlers busy all day!

I grew up with Cheerios, and I’m guessing you did too.

I spent many summers stringing Cheerios to make bird feeders or practicing my subtraction by counting out Cheerios and then slowly eating them. My kids are so immersed in technology that sometimes I forget to go back to the basics, but when I do they absolutely love it.

This activity is so simple. It’s probably one you’ve done before. I know I’ve threaded thousands of Cheerios on pipe cleaners before. But my kids hadn’t. To them, this was a brand new experience and they spent hours and hours on this.

I was shocked to see them so invested in a project that didn’t involve electronics or flashy toys. Something as simple as Cheerios and pipe cleaners made them happy. My daughter told me it was the best day ever.

I’m going to remember that the next time I’m tempted to pull out a battery operated toy or download a new app. Going back to my own childhood filled with simple projects using stuff we have around the house is often better and really gives me a chance to interact with my kids.

These DIY Cheerios treat bracelets reminded us of the candy necklaces you can buy at the store. Because we made these ourselves they were so much better and my girls had so much fun snacking on their bracelets long after they were done.

Want someone else to join in on the fun? Cheerios loves to give back. Right now, when you buy select boxes of Cheerios at Walmart you can give a box to a friend. Check out this fun video of Cheerios sharing the love.

Find your code inside specially marked packages in stores and enter it on http://wm6.walmart.com/Gluten-Free-Cheerios to send a coupon for a free box of Cheerios to someone that matters.

DIY Cheerios Treat Bracelets Supplies

• Cheerios (regular or fruity flavored)
• Pipe cleaners
• a bit of imagination

DIY Cheerios Treat Bracelets Instructions

On the surface, this project is super simple.

String Cheerios on a pipe cleaner. Bend into a bracelet. Enjoy.

You know HOW to make this.

Here are the real instructions:

• Put away your cell phone. Put it out of reach. Don’t be tempted to pull it out . . . even if it beeps.
• Make eye contact with your kids. Smile at them. Let them know you are there.
• Ask your kids questions about what they are doing. Listen.
• Make this with your kids. Participation counts. Your kids will remember that you didn’t just stand and watch them or take pictures. You did it with them.
• Laugh. Be silly. Enjoy the small moments.
• Don’t worry about what the end result looks like. These are pretty hard to mess up but don’t try and make them perfect. Don’t correct your child because she didn’t create a pattern. Don’t try and make your bracelets into perfect circles. Focus on the process.
• Relax. This project was oddly relaxing, not just for my kids but for me too. Stringing Cheerios can help you shut down that part of your brain that is mentally running through your to-do list.

My girls and I enjoyed a lazy afternoon making these and we all had so much fun. They gave me lots of hugs and kisses afterwards (which is a great perk) and told me how much fun they’d have.

See our day in action in the video below: