This Family-Size $1.25 Dollar Tree Find Won’t Last Long

If you're a parent, you know the magic of Cheerios. They've become ubiquitous with first foods as snacks and entertainment when infants start solids and carry into toddlerhood and childhood as a reliable favorite.

So imagine my surprise when I found family-size boxes of Cheerios at the Dollar Tree. The Swiss Army knife of cereals, Cheerios are a safe food for babies, a lifesaver during hangry toddler meltdowns, and a quick breakfast for sleepy kids when everyone is short on time.

For $1.25, this isn't just a good deal; it's a fantastic deal.

Why This Deal Is Too Good To Pass Up

Let's talk numbers. A family-size box of Cheerios usually costs over $5 at other discount grocery stores. At $1.25, you're saving enough to buy a gallon of milk—and you'll still have change left over! It's not just about the savings. Cheerios are one of the unsung heroes of my pantry, and I always keep a box or two in my cupboard for many reasons.

Why I Always Keep Cheerios in My Cupboard

• Breakfast on autopilot. We tend to opt for nutrient-rich breakfasts like baked oatmeal, scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast, and store-bought options like these high-protein waffles. Cereal can be a lifesaver, though, and Cheerios have enough fiber that they're a breakfast I can feel good about. On hectic mornings, this breakfast is a time-saver my kids relish. As for toppings, the rule in our house is that cereal (plus milk) has to be paired with protein, fat, and fruit. My kids add a generous handful of chopped nuts to their bowls along with fruit of their choice, then sprinkle on hemp seeds like confetti.  
• It's a snack-time hero. A handful of Cheerios in a small container has saved many car rides and shopping trips from toddler tantrums. I love using snack containers like these for my toddler to promote independence and help contain messes.
• A creative baking ingredient. I've crushed Cheerios in a pinch to make an impromptu crust for mini cheesecakes, mixed them with peanut butter, honey, nuts, dried fruit, and oats to create snack balls, and used them as a topping for yogurt parfaits that my kids find fun and exciting.
• A DIY trail mix addition. Tossed into a bag with raw nuts and seeds, dried fruit, and a few chocolate chips, they make a quick, customizable snack that's handy for on-the-go, at the park, or on the trails when we go hiking.
• A safe sensory play partner. Who says Cheerios are just for eating? If you're afraid your infant or toddler will want to taste-test sensory bin items, foods like Cheerios are an accessible and safe option. I've pulverized them and turned them into "sand" for a beach-themed sensory bin, poured a bag of them into a bin with scoops, cups, and funnels for a fun learning activity, and what parent hasn't used them as beads for threading onto string or pipe cleaners for fine motor skills practice?

So, make a beeline for the cereal aisle next time you're at Dollar Tree. They won't be a regular item, and at $1.25 for a family-size box, they won't last long.