You have to respect an animal that can make a toy out of an empty cardboard box. Or a bag. Or a simple ball of yarn. And cat people constantly try to prove to their felines that they, too, can make something out of nothing. For those creative moments, we’ve gathered 20 DIY cat toys that will definitely entertain—not to mention save you a little money and perhaps reuse something you might have otherwise thrown away.
Give kitty one of these homemade cat toys, and we promise they’ll be wondering what other extraordinary things two-legged creatures like you are capable of!
1. Toilet paper roll toys
One of the easiest DIY cat toys out there, a plain old toilet paper roll can be hours of fun for a kitty, as demonstrated by Papaya Wonton. Or if you’re feeling crafty, jazz up a toilet paper roll by stuffing some treats inside and folding the sides, as suggested by Staying Close to Home.
2. Feather fascinator
You’ll need loose craft feathers, mesh braids, a needle and thread, elastic, and a small plastic ring to make this feathery toy from Dream a Little Bigger, which, as its name implies, will fully fascinate your feline friend… at least until they abruptly lose interest again (because: cats). First, sew the braids together into a bunch, then sew feathers to the end of each braid. Bind them all together with some elastic, leaving a long piece for it to hang from. Tie a ring at the end.
3. Ultimate DIY cat puzzle
It’s simple, really: Take two things cats love—toilet paper rolls and boxes—and fashion them into a toy. But this is not just any cat toy. Add pipe cleaners, a cardboard egg carton, and a few balls, and you have what looks like a kitty pinball machine. Arnica Jolene, whose parents came up with the idea, is quite the pinball wizard—with whiskers.
4. Cat scratch door hanger
Not only is this cat scratch door hanger from Pets Plus Us fairly simple to make, it’s the purr-fect toy for your cat. Hot glue some sisal rope—note: few cats can resist sisal rope—around a wooden board, detail it with your favourite colour string and pom-poms, hang it on a doorknob, and voilà! Kitty entertainment for days!
5. Tree stump scratch pad
Bring the outdoors in with this scratching post that would make Paul Bunyan proud. As this YouTube video shows, you can use clear tape to secure your rolled cardboard (10 centimetres thick) into a circle-like stump. Glue cork on the outside to look like bark or, as Sussie and Kich did, use real bark, wood glue, and rope. The result is a rustic-looking stump that kitty will totally cop a squat on—especially if you add catnip.
6. Cardboard catscraper
Styled like a skyscraper made for kitties, this “catscraper” from Shelterness is fashioned from stacked cardboard that your cat will definitely want to sharpen those claws on. The key to keeping it vertical is constructing a super-sturdy base with an equally sturdy dowel positioned in the centre. Stack the carefully cut cardboard pieces (one on top of the other) until you get the skyscraper shape you desire. The modus operandi here: The taller the better!
7. Wiggle wand toy
Take it from Pudge, the Insta-famous cat in this how-to video, this is the toy your feline wants right meow. To make it, you’ll need leather and cord thread, a wire cutter, pliers, a dowel, superglue, a bell, and felt (for the faux feathers). Pudge may or may not have fallen asleep while making this toy, but that is in no way a reflection of how fun it is to play with.
8. DIY cat puzzle toy
Cut holes in the top of a disposable food container with a utility knife to make this DIY cat puzzle toy. (The folks at The Glam Cat burnt the edges of the holes with a lighter to make it softer on kitty’s paws). Fill the container with items your cat will totally flip out over, such as catnip toys, balls, and treats. Close the container and let kitty’s noggin do the rest.
9. DIY cat tent
Dig through your closet for a medium-sized T-shirt, which is the key ingredient for this adorable little kitty abode, courtesy of Jenna How. A piece of cardboard, two wire hangers, and tape help you achieve a cool tent frame. Safety pins help you secure the shirt to the frame. Put a cozy blanket inside and your cat is ready for some shut-eye.
10. Cat dancer toy
One reason you won’t be making this flying feather and pom-pom homemade cat toy from Joy the Baker while your kitty is around: catnip. When kitty is napping, cut colourful felt into fun shapes, stuff each with catnip and sew both sides of the shapes together. Attach pieces of string to a rod and tie the shapes you made to the end of each. For added fun, put pom-poms and feathers on each catnip shape with hot glue.
11. Cardboard hide-and-seek toy
Got a cardboard box and a pair of scissors? Then you have everything you need to make one of the cheapest, most engaging DIY cat toys to keep them busy. As Mochi and Levi show on Instagram, this cardboard hide-and-seek toy will have your kitty entertained for a good chunk of time.
12. Junk food homemade cat toys
Give your Garfield all the junk food he dreams about! Cut some coloured felt into doughnut, burger, and hot dog shapes, stuff with catnip, and then sew with coloured embroidery thread. All the details for making these felt junk food cat toys are over at A Beautiful Mess.
13. DIY fork pom-poms
These DIY pom-poms from Ventuno Art are perfect for knitters with kitties (who constantly interrupt their knitting). Wrap yarn around a fork (like spaghetti) approximately 60 times, then tie some yarn down the middle. Carefully slip it off and trim the edges on both sides. Voilà, ready for a game of catch.
14. Cattail DIY catnip toy
Sew4Home has a downloadable pattern for this one-seam DIY catnip toy. You just need home-décor-weight fabric, matching all-purpose thread, yarn, catnip, and a chopstick to achieve the right shape. Plus one more very important tool: a funnel, to help you get the catnip inside!
15. Cat fishing pole
This toy is a must for any cat that’s licked its lips while gazing at the fish bowl. Making the fish might be the most complicated part of this wand-like fishing pole toy by Lia Griffith, but the adorable result is well worth the effort of gluing on gills. Cotton clothesline attaches the fish to the dowel, which they recommend painting blue for an aquatic aesthetic.
16. Pirate ship homemade scratch post for cats
Why make your cat an ordinary scratch post when you can make them a pirate ship homemade scratch post a là Jenny Rae Gibson?! Not only will your kitty be entertained for hours, you’ll have a cute show piece for your home to boot!
17. T-shirt homemade cat toys
If you can tie your shoes, you can make these easy DIY T-shirt cat toys! Cut up old tees, says Muslin and Merlot, into 7.5-centimetre by 25-centimetre rectangles (the more colourful the better). Simply tie them into knots—like we said: easy, peasy!
18. No-sew pom-poms
If we had you at “no-sew,” we appreciate your desire to keep things easy. These pom-pom toys from Sensibly Sara are made with scraps of fleece (at least 5 centimetres wide), inexpensive cotton string and a pair of scissors. Catnip optional.
19. Simple sisal rope cat scratcher
Want to keep your cat entertained and put an end to couch/general furniture-scratching? Kate Riley from Centsational Style has the solution—a simple sisal rope cat scratcher. It’s easy to make, easy on the eyes, and will keep your armchairs intact.
20. Wine cork cat toy
Drinking and crafting aren’t generally recommended, but using wine corks to make cat toys totally is! Per The Link Site’s instructions, make a hole in the cork with a nail and use a pair of pliers to pull it out again. Use a darning needle to pull yarn through the hole. Tie tassels at the bottom and make sure the yarn is at least 30 centimetres long so you have ample dangling distance (because: claws!)