Cereal Costume
The most important look of the day, served up fresh.
Whether you want to go as a giant bowl of colorful loops, a classic cardboard cereal box, or a legendary breakfast mascot, a cereal costume is a fun, nostalgic choice for all ages. It is a highly customizable look that relies on bright colors, playful props, and simple crafting materials. This guide focuses on the crowd-pleasing DIY giant cereal bowl costume, which uses colorful pool noodles as cereal pieces.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~120 min
- Budget
- $15–45
Try it on
See yourself as Cereal
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Cereal costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Cereal costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Giant plastic tub or round laundry basket
A wide, shallow plastic tub or round laundry basket with the bottom cut out to serve as the structural bowl.
DIY: Cut a large circular collar out of sturdy cardboard and paint it white to resemble a bowl rim.
Colorful pool noodles
Three to four pool noodles in vibrant colors like pink, blue, yellow, and green, sliced into 2-inch rounds to look like Froot Loops.
DIY: Use painted foam discs or crumpled colorful tissue paper balls.
White balloons
Small white balloons inflated and tucked between the foam loops to represent milk bubbles.
DIY: Use white polyester fiberfill stuffing or white crumpled paper.
Giant spoon prop
A large toy spoon, or a DIY spoon crafted from cardboard and covered in silver foil.
DIY: Cut a spoon shape out of cardboard, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil, and tape a wooden dowel to the back for support.
Suspender straps
Two thick white ribbons or elastic straps attached to the inside of the bowl to hang it comfortably from your shoulders.
DIY: Use duct tape and strong white rope or braided yarn.
Solid color base clothing
A plain white t-shirt and white pants or leggings to blend in with the 'milk' inside the bowl.
DIY: Use any solid light-colored clothing you already own.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Cereal costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Cut out the bottom of the plastic laundry basket or tub using utility shears, ensuring the opening is wide enough to slip over your hips.
- 2
Drill or punch four small holes near the top rim of the basket—two in the front and two in the back—to attach your shoulder straps.
- 3
Thread the white ribbon or elastic straps through the holes, adjusting the length so the basket hangs comfortably around your waist like a skirt.
- 4
Slice the colorful pool noodles into 2-inch thick rounds using a serrated bread knife to create dozens of colorful cereal loops.
- 5
Hot glue the foam loops around the inside rim of the basket, layering them so they spill over the top edge.
- 6
Inflate several small white balloons and nestle them among the foam loops, securing them with low-temp hot glue or double-sided tape to look like milk foam.
- 7
Put on your solid white base clothes, slip the suspender straps over your shoulders, and carry your giant foil-wrapped spoon.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup clean and bright with a splash of colorful face paint on your cheeks, or style your hair in fun, bouncy pigtails with colorful ties matching the cereal loops.
Cereal for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as the cereal bowl, and the other dresses as a giant carton of milk.
- group
- Dress up as a lineup of classic cereal mascots like a tiger, a leprechaun, a captain, and a toucan.
- kids
- A simple cardboard box painted like a mini cereal box with shoulder straps is lightweight and easy for kids to wear.
- Plus size
- Use a flexible, extra-wide pop-up laundry hamper as the bowl base for a lightweight, comfortable, and adjustable fit.
- pet
- A small cardboard box painted like a cereal box attached to a dog harness.
Tips
- Use a low-temperature hot glue gun when securing the pool noodles, as high-temperature glue will melt the foam.
- Keep the bowl lightweight so you can easily walk, sit, and navigate through doorways at a party.
- If you are using real balloons for the milk, carry a few spares in case any pop during your event.
Cereal costume FAQ
- How do you make a cereal killer costume?
- Attach mini cereal boxes to a plain t-shirt and stick plastic knives through them, adding fake blood splatters for a classic pun costume.
- What is the easiest way to make a cereal box costume?
- Take a large cardboard box, cut out arm and head holes, paint the front to match your favorite cereal brand, and wear it over your shoulders.
- How do you attach the pool noodles to the bowl?
- Low-temperature hot glue or heavy-duty double-sided mounting tape works best to secure the foam slices to the plastic basket without melting them.
Did you know? The word 'cereal' comes from Ceres, the ancient Roman goddess of agriculture, grain crops, and fertility.