How to Reuse Cereal Box Bags

Maybe you already know the ways to reuse your sandwich bags and plastic bags from the store, but one other reusable and very handy bag lurks in your kitchen pantry. Here's a hint: You probably have more than one variety in your cupboard. And, if you have chil­dren, the boxes probably have fruity little circles bouncing from a hearty bowl of milk. That's right: cereal box bags.

Not only are these bags handy for keeping cereal fresh, but they also have more versatility than any other bag in your kitchen. Unfortunately, this bag is rarely accepted at recycling centers, so it is often kicked to the curb with the rest of the trash. Well, not anymore. 

Here are a few ways to reuse that fantastic and function­al bag:

• Take it along with you when you walk your dog. Fold it up, put it in your back pocket, and when your dog does his thing, you have a poop bag all ready to go.
• Fold it up and carry it in your purse or wallet to use as a handy trash bag. You never know when you might need it— especially if your kids have a tendency to hand you sticky lollipop sticks.
• Take it with you to the park, and use it to pick up the lit­ter that is bound to be there.
• Use it instead of a sandwich bag. Pack a sandwich, chips, granola, or crackers for a picnic.
• Stick it in your suitcase the next time you head out of town. You never know when you might need a divider between wet clothes and your business suit.
• Pack trail mix in it and take it hiking with you. When you are finished with it, use it for a carry-out-of-the-woods trash bag. Make sure to always carry out any and all trash. Even if you weren't the one that took it in.
• Stick it under your seat for carsick emergencies with queasy travelers.
• Use it for a protective table covering during craft time with your kids.
• Use it to crush nuts, to shake and bake, or to keep your good­ies separated while cooling in the fridge.
• Stick it between meat patties before you freeze them to avoid a frozen mess.
• Use it when scooping out your cat's litter box.
• Create a fun stained-glass project with the kids.

In order to create your stained glass, you will need:

• Broken crayons
• Old kitchen cheese grater or sharp knife
• Cereal bag
• Scissors
• Old towels
• Iron
• Yarn

1. Collect all broken and unused crayons from your house.
2. Use the cheese grater (or a knife if you prefer) to create shavings from your crayons.
3. Cut open the seams of the cereal bag and help your children cut out two mirror images of their desired design. You can leave the bag attached on one side if creating mirror images seems difficult. But cutting completely will allow more ver­satility in creating shapes. Just place one cutout on top of the other portion of the bag to create a mirror image.
4. Sprinkle or place the shavings on one piece of the cutout. Allow your children to create whatever designs they want. Just make sure that the shavings spread all the way to the edges of the bag to ensure that the ends stick together when you melt the shavings.
5. Place the mirror image cutout over the shavings and other cutout.
6. Cover the cereal bag with a towel.
7. Set your iron to a low temperature and gently press it into the towel, moving evenly over the entire surface. Take care not to overheat the towel or the plastic bag. Only heat it enough to make the crayon shavings melt and to seal the two pieces of cereal bag together.
8. Once the two sides are stuck together, allow it to cool. Cut a hole in the top and use the yarn to hang it from your child's window.

There are so many easy and green ways to reuse what, is often an overlooked item in your kitchen. The only limit you have is your imagination. These are only a few ways to use a cereal bag, and there are hundreds of other ways you can cater to your indi­vidual lifestyle. So, before you finish that box of cereal, start think­ing of new and useful ways you can reuse that bag!

When the time comes to make meals, do you often find your­self struggling to entertain your children while you chop, wash, and prepare your healthy dinner? We have the green answer to your dinnertime woes. The next time you cut that cucum­ber, squash, or apple, try handing a slice over to your fidget­ing kids. Give them an ink pad and some paper, and cut out an image in the vegetable or fruit section. Watch them use fruit and vegetables to create stamping masterpieces while you peacefully cut, wash, and slice your way to dinner. When you are ready to eat-and they have stamped to their heart's content-throw those "stamps" into the compost container and give your trash can a break.