National Cereal Day (March 7)

National Cereal Day on March 7 is all about celebrating one of the easiest, and most nostalgic, breakfasts around.

From early grain-based cereals created for health purposes to today’s wide variety of flavors and brands, cereal has become a daily staple in many households.

It’s one of the food-focused weird holidays in March that celebrates both breakfast traditions and creative ways to enjoy cereal.

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?

Early forms of breakfast cereal were developed in the late 1800s, with James Caleb Jackson creating one of the first grain-based cereals in 1863.

Later, the Kellogg brothers helped popularize cornflakes, transforming cereal into a convenient breakfast option for the public.

The History of the Day

Cereal actually started as a health food in the 1800s, long before it became the colorful, sugary breakfast most kids recognize today.

As manufacturing methods improved, cereals became widely available and affordable, leading to rapid growth in the breakfast food industry.

Throughout the 20th century, companies introduced sweeter flavors, colorful branding, and kid-friendly varieties, helping cereal become a household staple across the United States and beyond.

Top 5 Facts

• Battle Creek, Michigan is known as the “Cereal Capital of the World” because many major cereal brands were founded there.
• Americans alone go through more than 2.7 billion boxes of cereal every year – which explains why nearly every grocery aisle is packed with options.
• Cornflakes were originally created as a health food at a wellness sanitarium in the late 1800s.
• The first sweetened breakfast cereal appeared in 1939, changing cereal from a health product into a kid-friendly treat.
• Lucky Charms became the first cereal to include marshmallows when it launched in 1964.

Coloring Page

To add a fun activity to the celebration, here’s a cereal-themed coloring page that kids can enjoy while learning about breakfast foods.

Activities to Celebrate

National Cereal Day is a great excuse to slow down breakfast and make it a little more fun than usual. You might start by pulling a few boxes from the pantry and letting everyone sample different cereals, including ones you haven’t tried in years.

Turning the table into a casual cereal buffet with fruit, yogurt, and milk alternatives makes breakfast feel like an event instead of a routine.

Kids often enjoy using cereal for quick crafts or snack projects, especially anything they can eat afterward. Later in the day, cereal can double as an ingredient in easy treats like bars or dessert mixes, giving the holiday a playful finish.

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) – celebrates breaking traditional breakfast rules by enjoying sweet treats first thing in the morning – often paired with cereal toppings and crunchy mixes.
• National Crepe Day (February 2) – highlights a classic breakfast dish that’s frequently filled with fruit, chocolate, and crunchy cereal for added texture.
• International Waffle Day (March 25) – focuses on another popular breakfast favorite that many people top with cereal, yogurt, and fresh fruit.
• Brunch for Lunch Day (Saturday before Mother’s Day) – encourages relaxed, late-morning meals where cereal bars and breakfast spreads are common.

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