National Cereal Day (March 7)
Cereal has been a breakfast staple for generations, offering quick, easy, and delicious options to start the day.
From the early creations of granola and cornflakes to today’s colorful, sugar-filled varieties, cereal has played a big role in American food culture.
Whether you prefer a classic bowl with milk or enjoy it in creative recipes, National Cereal Day is a fun way to celebrate this beloved breakfast choice.
Plus, it’s just one of many weird holidays in March!
When is the Holiday?
This fun holiday is celebrated annually on March 7, and it honors the history, invention, and cultural impact of cereal.
Who Invented Cereal?
The first known cereal was created by James Caleb Jackson in 1863.
His cereal, called Granula, was made of heavy bran nuggets that required overnight soaking before they could be eaten.
Later, John Harvey Kellogg and his brother William K. Kellogg developed cornflakes, leading to the widespread popularity of breakfast cereal.
The History of the Day
The cereal industry dates back to 1854, when German immigrant Ferdinand Schumacher used a hand oats grinder to start the first commercial oatmeal production.
Over the decades, cereal evolved with the introduction of brands like Quaker Oats (1877), Grape Nuts (1898), and Lucky Charms (1964).
Today, cereal is enjoyed in a variety of ways beyond just breakfast, making it one of the most versatile foods in American kitchens.
Top 5 Facts
- Battle Creek, Michigan, is known as the ‘Cereal Capital of the World’ due to its long history of cereal production.
- Cornflakes were originally developed as a health food for patients at a sanitarium.
- The first sweetened cereal was Ranger Joe Popped Wheat Honnie, introduced in 1939.
- Lucky Charms was the first cereal to combine marshmallows with grain.
- More than 2.7 billion boxes of cereal are sold in the U.S. every year!
Activities to Celebrate
- Try a new cereal. Opt for a classic favorite or a new, trendy variety you’ve never had before.
- Create a cereal bar. Set up a buffet with different cereals, toppings like fresh fruit, nuts, yogurt, and a variety of milk options for a fun, customizable breakfast experience.
- Make DIY cereal crafts. Use colorful cereal pieces to make edible jewelry, glue them onto paper for fun mosaic art, or string them together to make garlands.
- Host a cereal taste test. Gather friends or family and rank different cereals based on taste, crunchiness, and sweetness.
- Cook with cereal. Use it in creative recipes for desserts, snacks, or even savory dishes.
- Lower Sugar Cereals for Kids. A list of healthier options with cereals that contain six grams of added sugar or less while maintaining high fiber and protein content.
- Marshmallow Playdough Recipe. A fun activity using cereal and marshmallows to create a soft and pliable playdough for kids to enjoy.
Related Recipes for National Cereal Day
- No Bake Trix Cheesecake. A colorful, fruity, and creamy dessert that blends the nostalgic taste of Trix cereal with a rich cheesecake filling.
- Golden Graham S’mores. A quick and easy no-bake treat made with Golden Grahams cereal, marshmallows, and chocolate for a twist on the classic campfire treat.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies. A fun twist on a favorite cereal, these cookies are packed with crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch, adding a deliciously sweet and crunchy texture.
- Healthy Coco Pops Cereal Recipe. A homemade take on a childhood classic, using simple and healthier ingredients for a guilt-free version of chocolatey breakfast cereal.
- Homemade Cereal Bars. A perfect grab-and-go snack made with a mix of crunchy cereals, nut butter, and a touch of honey for natural sweetness.
- Cornflake Tart with Fresh Strawberries. A nostalgic British dessert made with a buttery shortcrust pastry, sweet jam, and crunchy cornflake topping.
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Links to Resources
- Kellogg’s Printable Activities. Explore a variety of fun and educational printables, including coloring pages, mazes, and puzzles provided by Kellogg’s.
- Classic Cereal Commercials. Take a nostalgic trip with this 1952 Kellogg’s cereal commercial.
- The Boxcar Children: The Cereal Box Mystery. A fun and engaging mystery story where the Alden children uncover a puzzling cereal box clue that leads to an exciting adventure.
- The Cheerios Play Book. An interactive and engaging book designed for toddlers, incorporating real Cheerios pieces into learning activities that make snack time educational and fun.
Related Holidays
- National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (First Saturday in February)
- National Crepe Day (February 2)
- International Waffle Day (March 25)
- Brunch for Lunch Day (Saturday before Mother’s Day)
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