How Do I Make Raisin Bran Sunglasses At Home?

This started as a weekend craft experiment and turned into a neat way to upcycle old sunglasses. I wanted the look of cereal-embedded lenses but knew better than to sacrifice proper UV protection, so I reused certified lenses and customized the frames. If you’re more into practicality than edible aesthetics, this route is friendly and looks clever.

Tools and materials: an old cardboard cereal box (for the pattern), craft scissors, craft glue, clear epoxy or resin (for sealing decoration), small brush, thin clear acetate for any decorative insets, and a pair of sunglasses with removable lenses or trusted replacement UV400 lenses. First, carefully remove the lenses from the donor sunglasses—work on a soft towel, use tiny screwdrivers if the frames have screws, and label everything. Design your Raisin Bran motif on paper first; I cut tiny cereal-shaped cardboard pieces, painted them a toasted-brown, and layered a few miniature faux-raisins (polymer clay works great) for texture. Arrange the decorations on the frame edges, fix with strong glue, and pour a thin layer of epoxy to lock them in place. If you insist on a translucent, cereal-filled look, make that on a separate acetate panel and mount it as an outer visor over the real lenses rather than replacing them.

The biggest lesson I learned: aesthetics are easy, eye safety isn’t. Keep anything you add off the optical plane unless the material is certified for UV filtration. The finished pair looks like a silly breakfast homage and draws compliments—especially from people who love weird accessories.

I ended up making a goofy pair that’s half art project, half public-service reminder: don’t use food or craft plastics as actual sun lenses. For a quick, purely decorative version you can cut lens shapes from clear craft acetate, sandwich a few Raisin Bran flakes and a raisin, and seal the edges with clear silicone. Mount those into a frame made from a cereal box or old sunglass frame for a totally Instagram-ready prop. If you want to wear them outdoors, reuse lenses from a verified UV-blocking pair and decorate only the frames: press tiny cereal bits into clear epoxy on the temples or sculpt faux-raisins from polymer clay and glue them on. I also experimented with applying a self-adhesive UV film over acetate to add some protection, but honestly it’s safer to keep homemade lensed pieces indoors. Bottom line: the craft is delightful and absurd, great for photos or costume parties—just don’t substitute craft materials for certified optical lenses, and enjoy the ridiculousness of breakfast-themed eyewear.

Sunshine and cereal collided in my head the minute I heard 'raisin bran sunglasses' and I had to try a safe, wearable version that looks fun without frying my eyes. If you're imagining lenses filled with crunchy flakes and raisins, here’s a two-track approach: a novelty pair for cosplay/photo props, and a safer, everyday wearable that keeps real UV protection.

For the novelty prop: cut lens shapes from a clear acetate sheet (the kind used for overhead transparencies or craft acetate). sandwich a thin layer of Raisin Bran flakes plus a few tiny raisins between two acetate pieces, trim to shape, and seal the edges with clear-drying craft glue or a thin bead of silicone so nothing falls out. For a cleaner look, glue a narrow frame made from cereal-box cardboard around the acetate sandwich and paint or decoupage it for texture. Don’t use these outside in bright sun—acetate-plus-food won’t block UV and the raisins will degrade over time.

For a wearable, safe pair: start with an old pair of sunglasses that you know block UV or buy inexpensive replacement lenses that are rated UV400. Remove the original lenses if possible and reuse them; if you want the Raisin Bran motif, decorate only the frames. I like to press tiny cereal pieces into a thin layer of clear epoxy or resin on the frame (not the lenses) so they’re sealed and washable. Alternatively, print a high-resolution photo of Raisin Bran and decoupage a glossy layer onto the temples. The key reminder: never rely on homemade lens materials for sun protection. I made a goofy breakfast-themed pair for an indoor photo shoot and they were a riot—fun to wear around the house, not to stare at noon sun in, and I still chuckle when I see them on display.