16 DIY Cat Toys Made From Everyday Items

Our feline friends love to hunt, discover their surroundings, and play. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money to achieve their entertainment needs.

Some of the best play ideas for cats are available in your home. You can make them using items you already have with a pinch of creativity.

In addition to being budget-friendly, making cat toys at home is also a fun activity that you can do alongside your playful kitty.

In this guide, we rounded up 16 creative and easy-to-make DIY cat toys, with a collection including plain crafts, masterful upcycling hacks, and many more.

They’re all easy to do and each one invites your cat to use its mind, play energetically, and create a little more fun in your living space.

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Why DIY Cat Toys Are Worth It

Learning how to make cat toys DIY can be an interesting hobby and also an important way to promote your cat’s overall well-being.

Our modern household cats need this physical and mental enrichment because they no longer spend too much time outdoors like their ancestors.

Cats who spend a huge chunk of their time in an enclosed space don’t get enough stimulation, and this can cause boredom, behavioral issues, and even depression.

DIY toys can help fight this problem by stimulating natural instincts in cats such as hunting, pouncing, batting, and chewing.

The uptake of homemade cat toys extends far beyond cost. With everyday items such as toilet paper tubes and fabric, you can construct toys that are as stimulating as commercial ones.

The added benefits include being able to customize the toy’s size, texture, and sound to suit your cat’s personality.

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Safety Tips for DIY Cat Toys

Although DIY toys are fulfilling to construct and generally safer than some commercial toys, there are safety guidelines to which you must adhere to keep your cat secure.

Always use non-toxic, pet-friendly supplies when constructing the toys. Avoid sharp points, adhesives containing caustic chemicals, or supplies that splinter or crack upon vigorous use.

Items from around your home, such as bottle tops, feathers, or string, are also potentially dangerous if not securely attached or closely watched.

Size does count. Small items can be swallowed, so make sure to avoid things like bells, buttons, or loose yarn.

If you’re using such small items, make sure to reinforce them in such a way that they cannot come off.

Inspecting toys is also important. When a toy is worn or damaged, make sure to repair or replace it to help prevent accidental swallowing or harm.

We highly recommend supervised play for toys with strings or moving parts. When you are not present to supervise, put such toys out of your cat’s reach.

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1. Fluffy Fringe Teaser Toy

What’s Needed:

• Scissors
• Soft fabric
• String
• Optional: wooden or plastic stick for wand-style play

Procedure

1. Start by cutting a strip of the material, approximately 5 centimeters in width and 30 centimeters in length.
2. Next, cut a string of approximately 45 centimeters in length.
3. Fold the material lengthwise. On the folded side, clip in small cuts to produce fringelike strips–don’t cut through entirely.
4. Spread the fabric and roll it up tightly along the whole length, keeping the fringing on the outside.
5. Take your string and tie it securely around the center of the rolled-up fabric. Double-knot it so that it will not come undone.
6. Gently shape the rolled material into a ball by pulling the fringe out and molding the shape.
7. To give it a fun interactive element, tie the loose end of the string to a stick to create a wand toy your cat can chase and pounce on.

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2. DIY Cat Toys No Sew

What’s Needed:

• Three strips of fleece or cotton fabric
• Scissors

Procedure:

1. Begin by cutting three strips of material that are quite lengthy in size. Use worn-out T-shirts, fleece blankets, or similar soft and sturdy material available at home.
2. Align the three strips of leather together and secure a tight knot at one end. This will serve as the foundation of your braid.
3. Start to braid the material tightly, similar to the way you braid your hair: cross the right strip over the center, the left strip over the new center, and so on, until the end is reached.
4. After completing the braiding, tie a secure knot to keep the braid in place.
5. Pull the toy firmly to ensure it is securely in place. Your cat will be able to chew it, chase it, and claw at it in its excitement.

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3. Homemade Cat Toys DIY

What’s Needed:

• 1 clean sock (any size or color)
• A pinch of dried catnip
• Shredded paper, toilet roll tube, or soft stuffing

Procedure

1. Start by using a clean sock and fill it by pushing the shredded paper down to the toe of the sock. This will become the foundation of the toy.
2. Stuff it until the sock is half full. Ensure that it is fairly padded.
3. Add a sprinkle of catnip in the center for that irresistible aroma your cat will adore.
4. Add a little more shredded paper on top to secure the catnip in position.
5. Twist the sock a few turns above the stuffing and pinch it to create a seal.
6. Fold the open end of the sock back over the filled portion to keep it securely in place and create a neat shape.
7. Squash and mold the toy gently until it is a soft, kickable ball-like shape.

Optional variations:

• Alternatively, put a toilet roll tube in the sock and stuff it full of catnip for a tidier, more textured sensation.
• For a softer, fluffy version, substitute the paper with synthetic or cotton stuffing

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4. DIY Crochet Catnip Toy

What’s Needed:

• 3.5 mm crochet hook
• Worsted weight yarn
• Polyfill stuffing
• Dried catnip
• Embroidery needle

Procedure

1. Using a worsted weight yarn and a 3.5 mm crochet hook, crochet the shape of your choice (ball or fish) by beginning in a magic circle and increasing the stitches round by round.
2. After you have constructed the body of the toy, fill it up with a blend of polyfill and a good pinch of catnip.
3. For the fish, create a tail by folding it at the end of the piece and sewing it shut.
4. For the ball, just close it off using diminishing rounds and complete by weaving in the yarn ends.
5. Secure both ends so that your cat will safely bat, bite, and pounce.

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5. DIY Wine Corks Cat Toy

What’s Needed:

• Wine corks
• Craft feathers
• Pipe cleaners
• Raffia or hemp twine
• Non-toxic permanent glue
• Scissors
• Toothpick or skewer
• Optional: dried catnip or catnip spray

Procedure:

1. Steam the wine corks for 3–5 minutes, softening them slightly so they are more easily pierceable.
2. Using the blade tip of a scissor or a toothpick, gently poke a small, half-inch deep hole at one end of every cork.
3. For the feather toy: put the base of one or two feathers in glue, stick them through the hole, and press them firmly in place. Put glue around the opening to secure them in place.
4. For the tassel toy: use four pieces of twine or raffia, approximately 6 inches in length. At the center, twist the bundle together, fold it in half, glue the folded end, slip it into the cork, and secure using extra glue.
5. For the pipe cleaner toy: bend the pipe cleaner in a “V” shape, coil both ends, glue the center, and stick it in the cork. Make sure everything is completely dry before you give it to your cat.
6. Optional: spray the toys with catnip spray or put them in a bag of dried catnip to give them a boost of odor.

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6. Homemade Toilet Roll Cat Toy

What’s Needed:

• 1 empty toilet paper tube
• Scissors

Procedure:

1. Ensure the toilet paper tube is also clean and free of residual tissue.
2. Using scissors, cut 1-inch slits along one end of the tube, about 1/4 inch apart in each case.
3. Repeat the same operation on the other side of the tube—cut 1-inch slits spaced about 1/4 inch apart, all the way around.
4. Bend gently outwards each of the slits at both ends to produce a “spoke” or wheel-shaped effect.
5. Toss the completed toy onto the ground and allow your cat to play by chasing, batting, and pouncing on it.

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7. DIY Sew Cat Toys

What’s Needed:

• Wool felt (gray, white, or any preferred color)
• Embroidery thread
• Polyester fiberfill or stuffing
• Catnip
• Twine or string (for the tail)
• Scissors
• Embroidery needle
• Chalk or fabric marker
• Optional: printed mouse template

Procedure

1. Draw or print a simple mouse outline and use chalk or a fabric pen to trace it onto your felt.
2. Cut out two identical pieces for the mouse’s body, and small shapes for ears if you want them.
3. Sew along the outline of the mouse body in a simple running stitch and a thread of embroidery, leaving a tiny gap.
4. Stuff the mouse full of a blend of fiberfill and catnip using your fingers or a chopstick.
5. Put a short length of twine in the rear of the mouse to serve as the tail.
6. Securely stitch the opening shut, including the tail being sewn in its place.
7. Optional: Inclusion of small stitched eyes or a felt nose for added character.

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8. Cute Cat Toys Made from Yarn

What’s Needed:

• Yarn or thick string
• Fabric scraps (optional for added texture)
• Stuffing or soft filler material
• Pipe cleaners (optional for shaping or attaching)
• Scissors

Procedure:

1. Wrap the yarn or thick string around your hand a couple of times. The more you wrap, the thicker the pom pom will be.
2. Carefully slide the wrapped package from your hand, holding it in its shape.
3. Cut a new piece of yarn and tie it firmly at the center of the bundle to lock it in place.
4. Cut through the loops on both sides of the bundle using the scissors.
5. Trim and fluff the ends as necessary to create a soft, rounded pom-pom shape.
6. Add fabric pieces or pieces of stuffing for texture, or twist a pipe cleaner to create a bendable play component.

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9. Hanging Cat Toys DIY

What’s Needed:

• 1 wooden dowel
• 3 jingle bells
• Fabric scraps (ribbons, shoelaces, etc.)
• 1 roll of baker’s twine
• Scissors
• Fabric glue

Procedure:

1. Start by winding the baker’s twine snugly and consistently around the entire wooden dowel to create a tidy, textured grip.
2. As you come to the end of the dowel, leave approximately 10–12 inches of twine to hang down—that will be the string for attaching the fabric.
3. Add a small dot of fabric glue to the end of the wrapped twine to secure it and keep it from coming unraveled.
4. Take a few pieces of brightly colored fabric scraps and tie them firmly onto the free end of the twine. Vary the textures and lengths to create visual interest.
5. Choose three fabric strips and tie a jingle bell to each one, spacing them out to maximize sound and movement as the toy sways.
6. Let the glue completely dry before testing the wand out playfully with your cat.

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10. DIY Cat Toys Easy Poms

What’s Needed:

• Cotton or wool string
• Scissors

Procedure:

1. Take the end of the string in your hand and start wrapping it around your fingers.
2. Loop the string a minimum of 50 times to produce a dense, thick bundle.
3. Gently slide the wrapped string off your hand, preserving its shape.
4. Tie a separate piece of string tightly around the center of the bundle to secure it.
5. Cut through both sides of all the loops and then trim and fluff the edges to shape it into a round pom pom.

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11. DIY Cardboard Cat Toys

What’s Needed:

• 1 large cardboard box
• Packing tape
• Box cutter or scissors
• Ruler
• Craft supplies (string, pipe cleaners, pom poms, hot glue, etc.)

Procedure:

1. Tightly seal the cardboard box entirely using packing tape, creating a sealed cube.
2. Cut out windows on the four sides vertically using a ruler and a box cutter or scissors, leaving a border of 2 inches around every window to support the structure of the box.
3. Adorn the box using craft supplies of your choice. Affix pom poms, pipe cleaner figures, or string within the windows using hot glue to construct interactive pieces.
4. Once dried, put the box on the floor and have your cat discover, bat, and crawl around their new favorite hiding place.

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12. DIY Cat Toys Interactive

What’s Needed:

• Empty plastic or cardboard egg carton
• Cat grass seeds
• Grow mats (or cotton pads)
• Small stones or pebbles
• Water spray bottle
• Cat kibble
• Plastic bread ties, milk rings, or small toys
• Optional: non-toxic paint and brush

Procedure:

1. If you want to embellish the tray, paint the exterior of the egg carton and let it dry overnight.
2. Add 3–4 small rocks to every cup where you’ll start growing the lawn. This provides weight and drainage assistance.
3. Cut the grow mats to the size of the cups and soak them in water for approximately 30 seconds. Remove excess moisture by squeezing gently.
4. Put the mats on the stones and sprinkle cat grass seeds on them. Mist the seeds with water.
5. Close the lid on the carton and keep it in a dim place for 2–3 days, prodding a couple of holes in the lid to provide airflow. Keep the seeds moist while they germinate.
6. After the grass starts to grow, relocate the carton to a place under the sun and keep it watered every day until the lawn is lush and green (typically by day 5–6).
7. Add a couple of pieces of dry kibble into each compartment and top them up using small cat toys or household objects such as milk rings to create a bigger challenge.
8. Watch over your cat as they dig through the compartments, sniff the lawn, and scratch out their meals.

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13. Homemade Kitten Toys from T-shirt

What’s Needed:

• 2 or 3 old T-shirts
• Scissors
• Ruler (optional)
• Rotary cutter and mat (optional)

Procedure:

1. Cut the T-shirts along the seams into flat fabric panels and cut the fabric in strips of about 3 inches wide by 10 inches in length.
2. Collect six strips and stretch each of them a little so the edges turn inward.
3. Overlap the strips and tie a strong, tight knot in the center of them.
4. Pull the two ends tightly to tighten the knot, and, if necessary, cut the ends even.

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14. DIY Cat Toys Easy Cardboard Boxes

What’s Needed:

• 1 toilet or kitchen roll tube or 1 plastic water bottle
• Paper (for covering ends)
• Elastic bands or hair ties
• Scissors or craft knife
• Cat treats or dry kibble

Procedure:

1. Pierce treat-sized holes irregularly along the cardboard tube or plastic bottle using scissors or a craft knife. Be careful not to create too large of a hole, and remove any sharp edges using the scissors if using plastic material.
2. If using a cardboard tube, cut two paper squares that are a bit bigger than the tube’s ends.
3. Wrap a square piece of paper over one end of the tube and tie it down firmly using an elastic band.
4. Fill the tube or bottle with a treat or a small portion of kibble, and then cap the other end using paper and an elastic band, or put the lid back on the bottle if using a bottle.
5. Set the toy on the ground and have your cat swat at, roll with, and play to get the concealed treats out.

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15. Handmade Cat Toy

What’s Needed:

• 4 fleece squares (about 3 x 3 inches)
• 1 long, thin strip of fleece
• Scissors

Procedure:

1. Neatly stack the four fleece squares on top of each other.
2. Cut 3–4 parallel slits halfway along one edge of the stack and repeat along the other edge.
3. Wrap the wide fleece strip around the stack’s center, in the slits.
4. Pull the strip firmly and tit up tightly to keep the parts in place.
5. Fluff up and separate the fringe to produce a soft, puffed fleece toy.

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16. Handmade Cat Toys using Braided Fabric

What’s Needed:

• 12-inch wooden dowel or stick
• 3 strips of cotton fabric
• Washi or masking tape
• Scissors

Procedure:

1. Cut or rip the cotton fabric into three strips, approximately 1–2 inches in width. To rip, create a small snip at the edge and tug steadily—cotton will tear straight along the grain.
2. Make the three strips meet at one end and tie them loosely in a knot there.
3. Gently braid the strips up to the midpoint, and complete the braid by tying a second knot.
4. Undo the first knot, then securely tape the loose three ends to the top of the dowel, taping tightly around both fabric and stick.
5. To give it a shiny appearance, cover the base and top of the dowel with extra pieces of tape, about 1½ inches at both ends.

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When to Replace DIY Toys

Ultimately, even the best-designed cat toy is going to come to an end. Torn, fraying, or disassembling toys become instant dangers.

Cats will chew off tangled threads of fabric, swallow stuffing, or become entangled with the opened-up strings.

Therefore, you need to check your handcrafted toys frequently, particularly if your cat is rough with toys or tends to chew when playing.

Seek out obvious evidence of wear. They include seams that are exposed, missing components, sharp points, or any area under pressure that appears weak.

Toys with fragrance additives such as catnip also become ineffective over time and must be replaced to maintain your cat’s interests.

Renewing old DIY toys is not being wasteful. On the contrary, it presents another chance to generate something new and engaging for your feline.

Aim to repurpose toy components that are still usable such as feathers or bells and fit them in your new cat’s DIY projects.

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Conclusion

Keeping your cat entertained doesn’t need to break the bank or require frequent trips to the pet store in search of the next new toy.

By using a bit of creativity and some items that you probably already have at home, you can create safe, stimulating toys that provoke your cat’s innate sense of curiosity and playful nature.

These 16 homemade cat toys provide more than entertainment; they promote exercise, eliminate boredom, and foster a deeper bond between you and your cat.

If you enjoy working with yarn specifically, our collection of crochet cat toys has 25 free pattern ideas ranging from catnip mice to amigurumi fish that are perfect for crafters of all skill levels.

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