13 DIY Cat Puzzles

Cats are hardwired to hunt, stalk, and solve problems. They can spend hours on end playing mentally intensive games and figuring out puzzles for fun.

If you have an indoor cat who spends most of their time indoors without doing much, they’re likely to have a mental energy build-up which needs to be redirected.

Some of the best ways to keep your cat healthy include giving them plenty of toys, and these DIY cat toys for bored cats are a great place to start.

Puzzle toys, for example, give your cat a focused outlet for all that brainpower, and you don’t need to spend money to get a new one. You can build it yourself!

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a cat toy at home, this guide has you covered. We’ve put together 13 DIY cat puzzles that you can make for your cat today.  

We love these projects because most of them make use of materials and tools you may already have at home to create effective cat enrichment toys.

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How To Make a Cat Puzzle

1. Hanging Toy Homemade Cat Puzzles

What You Need:

• 1 medium-sized cardboard box
• Tape
• Craft knife or scissors
• String or ribbon
• 4 – 6 small lightweight toys
• A bowl or plate for tracing large circles
• A glass or lid for tracing smaller circles
• Markers, stickers, or scrap wrapping paper

Instructions:

1. Fold all the flaps of the box down and tape the box securely shut on every side so the structure is solid enough to flip and cut into.
2. Pick one side of the box and trace a large circle using a bowl or plate as a stencil, then cut it out with a craft knife to create the main entrance.
3. On the opposite side or the top surface, trace and cut several smaller circular holes using a glass or lid as a template, spacing them out evenly.
4. Cut pieces of string or ribbon in different lengths and tie a lightweight toy to the end of each one.
5. Thread each string through one of the small holes from the outside and tape it firmly to the inside ceiling of the box so the toy dangles down.
6. Set the box upright as one of the simplest DIY cat toy box ideas in a spot your cat already likes and give it a gentle shake to get the toys swinging.

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2. Toilet Paper Roll Treat Ball

What You Need:

• 1 empty toilet paper roll
• Scissors
• Bite-sized cat treats

Instructions:

1. Cut the toilet paper roll into 4 rings, each about half an inch wide, for one of the most easy to make cat toys around. Slide the first ring inside the second ring to form an X shape.
2. Slide the third ring around the outside, tucking it between the first two so the ball starts holding its shape. Add the fourth ring in the remaining gap to complete the ball.
3. Poke a few small treats through the openings, leaving enough space for them to fall out as your cat bats the ball around.

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3. Sealed Tube DIY Cat Puzzle Ideas

What You Need:

• 1 clean toilet paper roll or paper towel roll
• Scissors
• Non-toxic glue
• Cat treats

Instructions:

1. Snip 1-inch-long cuts along one end of the cardboard tube, spacing them about half an inch apart all the way around.
2. Fold each flap inward toward the center of the tube, then release it. Fold the first flap down, add a small dot of glue to its center, and press the next flap on top of it.
3. Repeat around the entire end until all flaps overlap and the last flap tucks under without glue, forming a sealed base.
4. Press the flaps together from both the inside and outside until the glue holds. Use the pointed tip of your scissors to punch holes into the sides of the tube, leaving at least 1 inch of clearance from the open end.
5. Enlarge each hole with the scissors until it’s slightly bigger than a single treat (test-fit a treat to check the size).
6. Cut 1-inch slats along the open end of the tube, just like you did on the first end, being careful not to cut into any of your holes.
7. Drop treats inside the tube to complete your cat treat puzzle DIY, then fold and glue the second end shut the same way you sealed the first.

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4. Cardboard Puzzle Box

What You Need:

• 1 shallow cardboard box
• Box cutter and/or scissors
• Cutting surface
• Cardboard scraps
• Packing paper or tissue paper
• Non-toxic glue
• Tape measure
• Pencil or pen
• Round objects for tracing holes

Instructions:

1. Pick a shallow box and place it open on the ground with the top flaps facing up.
2. Check the bottom of the box for gaps between the flaps, and if the surface isn’t flat, cut a piece of scrap cardboard to size and glue it over the gap to create a level floor.
3. Glue down any loose interior flaps on the bottom so everything sits flush. Cut at least 2 holes on the sides of the box, each one at least twice the width of your cat’s paw, using a box cutter or scissors.
4. If you want dividers, cut strips of scrap cardboard to the height of the box, fold the ends flat against the walls, and glue them in place to create separate puzzle zones.
5. For extra challenge, add obstacles like raised cardboard bumps (stacked shapes glued together) or crumpled packing paper glued to the floor of the box.
6. Close the top flaps by folding them in an over-under-over-under pattern (this creates a convertible top you can open and reclose without tape), then trace and cut holes in the top large enough for your cat’s paws.
7. Run your finger around every cut edge to check for sharpness, and cover any rough spots with non-toxic tape.
8. Make sure your cat can reach every section of the box interior through at least one hole, accounting for dividers and your cat’s leg length.
9. Drop a few treats near the easiest holes in this DIY cat puzzle activity to get your cat started, and supervise the first few sessions.

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5. DIY Treat Dispensing Cat Toy

What You Need:

• 1 empty oatmeal canister
• Pen or marker
• X-acto knife or sharp box cutter
• A handful of dry cat treats
• 1 small noisy cat toy (optional)
• A pinch of catnip (optional)

Instructions:

1. Peel off the outer paper wrapping from the empty oatmeal container so the bare cardboard is easier to cut through. Use your pen to draw several small circles around the outside of the cylinder, spacing them evenly around the cylinder.
2. Keep the circles smaller than a dime so treats don’t fall out too easily when the canister rolls.
3. Carefully carve out each drawn circle using your X-acto knife. Drop a small noisy toy inside the canister to give it some rattle when your cat bats it around.
4. Toss a handful of your cat’s favorite dry treats into the container. Sprinkle a pinch of catnip inside for an extra layer of motivation.
5. Pop the plastic lid securely back on top and set these DIY cat puzzle toys on the floor for your cat to push, roll, and chase.

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6. Two-in-One Foraging Box

What You Need:

• 1 shallow cardboard box
• 2 small plastic cups
• Pen or marker
• X-acto knife or sharp box cutter
• 1 piece of scrap cardboard
• A handful of small cat toys
• A handful of dry cat food or treats
• A pinch of catnip

Instructions:

1. Open the box and trace the rim of both plastic cups onto the inside of the top lid. Tracing on the inside keeps the messy pen lines hidden from the outside of your DIY cat puzzle craft.
2. Slide a piece of scrap cardboard under the flap to protect your work surface while you cut.
3. Carve out both traced circles carefully using your X-acto knife. Pop the cardboard cutouts loose and fold the top of the box closed.
4. Drop the plastic cups down into the open holes so they sit snugly. Toss a few dry treats directly into the cups for a quick foraging game.
5. Once your cat masters fishing treats out of the cups, pull the cups out entirely. Toss a handful of small toy mice and extra treats directly into the empty box.
6. Let your cat reach through the open holes to fish out the hidden prizes.

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7. Plastic Container Puzzle Feeder

What You Need:

• 1 clear plastic food container
• Utility knife or X-acto knife
• A sharp scissors
• Black marker
• Rubbing alcohol
• Lighter
• 4 small rubber adhesive casters
• A few small cat toys or balls
• Wooden cutting board or cutting surface
• Shot glass or small circular object for tracing
• Cat kibble or treats

Instructions:

1. Flip the plastic container upside down and stick 4 small rubber adhesive casters to the bottom to keep it from sliding around on hard floors.
2. Place the lid on a flat surface and use a shot glass to trace 3 to 4 circles onto it with a black marker.
3. Set the lid onto a wooden cutting board and score an X shape inside each traced circle using your utility knife.
4. Insert your scissors into the scored cuts and carefully cut out each circle. Wipe off any leftover marker lines with rubbing alcohol.
5. Carefully run a lighter flame along the cut edges to smooth them out so there are no jagged spots that could catch your cat’s paws.
6. Drop a few small toys into the container, making sure at least one has a bell for extra sound when the cat food puzzle DIY gets batted around.
7. Scatter some kibble or treats in with the toys. Snap the lid on tightly and set it on the floor for your cat to investigate.
8. If your cat seems frustrated at first, cut an additional corner opening in the lid to make it a bit easier to reach inside.

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8. Activity Board Feeder

What You Need:

• 4 empty toilet paper rolls
• 1 cardboard sheet
• 2 – 3 empty plastic containers
• 1 empty egg carton
• Scissors or craft knife
• Super glue

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of cardboard to roughly 40 x 40 cm to form the base of your cat toys you can make at home activity board.
2. Take one toilet paper roll and cut it in half horizontally so you have two short mini tubes.
3. Arrange the remaining three full-length rolls in a pyramid, two on the bottom and one resting across the top, then glue them together. Remove the lid from your egg carton and set both pieces aside.
4. Glue the toilet roll pyramid into one corner of the base and the egg carton pieces into another corner.
5. In the remaining gaps, glue the two mini tubes and your empty plastic containers upright so each one can hold treats inside to create a DIY cat treat puzzle.
6. Let everything dry for at least one hour before using it. Scatter treats across the different compartments and let your cat work through each section to find them.

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9. Cardboard Box Treat Maze

What You Need:

• 1 sturdy cardboard box
• Sharp knife or box cutter
• A few small cat toys
• A handful of dry cat treats or kibble

Instructions:

1. Set the box on a flat surface and tape it shut so it holds its shape.
2. Use a sharp knife to carve out random shapes on the sides and top of the box, making them large enough for your cat’s paw but too small for their head.
3. Vary the shapes and sizes so some openings are trickier to reach through than others.
4. Drop a few small toys like balls and toy mice into the box to add movement and sound when your cat paws around inside.
5. Scatter a handful of dry treats or kibble across the bottom of the box so your cat has to fish through the toys to find them.
6. Place the DIY cat puzzle box somewhere your cat already spends time and let them figure out which holes give the best access.

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10. Soda Box Whack-a-Mole

What You Need:

• 1 empty 12-pack cardboard soda carton
• Scissors
• X-acto knife
• Glue or hot glue gun
• 2 bamboo skewers
• Crafting feathers
• Decorative or duct tape
• 2 pipe cleaners
• 1 empty paper towel tube

Instructions:

1. Open the shorter side panel of the soda carton to remove any remaining cans, then re-glue that panel back together.
2. Use an X-acto knife or scissors to cut out one of the longer side panels entirely, creating an open front.
3. Cut the paper towel tube down to the height of the box and glue both ends in place as a support post in the center.
4. Cut several circles out of the top of the box using your X-acto knife, spacing them around the support post.
5. Tape both ends of each bamboo skewer so there are no sharp points exposed.
6. Take each pipe cleaner, fold it in half, and bend about an inch of the tip upward so it sticks out perpendicular to the skewer.
7. Wrap each pipe cleaner around a skewer and secure the loose ends with tape. Glue crafting feathers to the upward-pointing tips of the pipe cleaners.
8. Slide the skewers up through the holes from underneath the DIY whack a mole for cats and move them around to entice your cat into swatting at the feathers popping through the top.

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11. DIY Cat Whack-a-Mole Board

What You Need:

• 2 large sheets of sturdy corrugated cardboard
• Pencil and ruler
• Sharp box cutter
• 6 thick craft wires
• Wire cutters and pliers
• 1 threaded metal rod
• Hot glue gun with extra glue sticks
• A few small wooden blocks
• 6 ping pong balls
• Assorted craft supplies
• 1 short piece of PVC pipe
• 6 small wooden dowels
• 6 small squares of black felt or cloth

Instructions:

1. Draw a layout on your bottom piece of cardboard to map out where the buttons and popping toys will sit.
2. Cut and bend your thick craft wire using pliers to create six long see-saw lever arms. Glue your small wooden blocks to the center of the cardboard base to support the threaded metal rod axle.
3. Slide your wire levers onto the metal rod, spacing them out evenly using the metal nuts. Decorate your ping pong balls with markers and pipe cleaners to look like small bugs or mice.
4. Hot glue your decorated balls securely onto the far ends of the wire levers. Attach the small wooden dowels to the front ends of your levers to act as push buttons.
5. Cut out your top piece of cardboard and carve circular holes where the buttons and toys need to pass through. Slice your PVC pipe into small rings and glue them around the holes on the underside to act as guide tubes.
6. Cut an X into each square of black felt and glue them over the toy holes to keep the targets hidden until pressed. 
7. Secure the top cardboard piece over the mechanism and test each dowel to make sure the toys pop up smoothly.

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12. Stuffed toilet paper roll cat toys DIY

What You Need:

• 1 – 2 empty toilet paper rolls
• Scissors
• Tissue paper
• Cat treats

Instructions:

1. Take a toilet paper roll and cut several vertical strips into each end, about 1 inch deep, creating small tabs all the way around.
2. Fold the tabs inward on one end to partially close it off. Drop a few treats inside the tube. Tuck a small piece of tissue paper lightly into both ends so the treats are hidden but your cat can still smell them.
3. Set the stuffed tubes down in your cat’s favorite spot and let them tear into the tissue paper to dig out the rewards.

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13. DIY Cat Toys Out of Toilet Paper Rolls

What You Need:

• 2 – 3 empty toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls
• Utility knife, X-acto knife, or scissors
• Cat treats, kibble, or catnip
• 3 pipe cleaners (for Variation 3)

Instructions:

Variation 1 (Catnip):

1. Poke several small holes into a toilet paper roll using the tip of your scissors or a knife.
2. Fold one end of the roll inward to seal it shut.
3. Sprinkle catnip through the open end, then fold that end closed too.

Variation 2 (Treats):

1. Cut small squares, diamonds, or circles into a second toilet paper roll, making each hole slightly larger than a single treat.
2. Fold one end closed, drop treats or kibble inside, and fold the other end shut.

Variation 3 (Pipe Cleaner Play Toy):

1. Poke 3 pairs of holes into a third roll, with each pair sitting directly opposite each other.
2. Thread a pipe cleaner from one hole straight through to the matching hole on the other side. Repeat with the remaining two pipe cleaners, so you have three poking out from both sides of the roll.

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Conclusion

That covers all 13 DIY Cat Puzzles builds we had for today. If you’re just getting started, we recommend picking one or two of the easiest builds before investing time in bigger projects.

One thing we like about DIY cat toys to keep them busy is that you can always adjust, rebuild, or scrap a puzzle that doesn’t land and try something new.

You may decide to stick to simple builds or try some DIY unique cat-themed puzzles. Keep in mind that every cat is different, and half the fun in building DIY toys is figuring out what clicks for yours.

For more cat puzzle ideas and other projects on how to make interactive cat toys, check out our collection of DIY cat stuff and our tips on how to entertain a cat indoors.

If you’d rather skip the crafting and grab something ready-made, our guide to the best cat toys covers 20 tried-and-tested picks.

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Read Also:

21 Easy & Fun DIY Cardboard Furniture Ideas for Cats