There are tons of toys on the market that seem like cats would love them, but many cat owners have probably experienced this: you head home all excited thinking, “This looks fun! My cat will love it!” only to be met with complete indifference and no play at all.
And then there’s the opposite: your cat ends up playing with some trash lying around the house or a scrap you were about to throw away, making you think, “You’re playing with that?”
So, how about making your own cat toys tailored to your cat’s preferences?
The toys introduced in this article are mainly simple to make using items you already have at home.
When your cat plays with your handmade toys, it’s so delightful that you’ll want to make even more!
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Handmade toys that make cats happy (1–10)
cardboard hole-punched toy
How about making a slightly elaborate cat toy using scrap materials and cardboard? Use a cardboard box that isn’t very tall and cut off the shorter flaps.
Punch holes in the pieces you cut off, fold them into mountain shapes, and attach them inside like a maze.
Tape the top and bottom of the box, then cut round or triangular holes on the top and both sides so your cat’s paws can reach in.
Drop a ball inside and you’re done! Try using a ball your cat already likes or a capsule from a gashapon machine.
You’ll be using a utility knife a lot, so be careful while making it and keep your cat at a safe distance.
Shaka-shaka cat teaser
This classic cat teaser is recommended even for those who think, “I’m clumsy, so handmade isn’t for me.” The materials you’ll need are grocery or convenience store bags, a straw, wire, and masking tape.
Cut off the handles of the grocery bag, open up the main body so it’s flat, then cut it into long, thin strips about 1 cm wide.
Gather the strips into a bundle, secure the center with wire, thread the wire through a straw, wrap any excess wire around the outside of the straw, and then wrap the entire straw with masking tape.
Cats love the crinkly sound it makes! Since wire can be dangerous, make sure it doesn’t stick out and wrap the masking tape securely.
cardboard scratching board
When it comes to must-have cat goods…
a scratching board, right? It may be a bit different from a toy, but as a grooming tool for a cat’s claws—and also for a change of pace and stress relief—a scratcher is essential.
There are various types like cardboard, wood, and sisal, but cardboard ones seem especially popular, probably because they feel good to scratch.
So why not make your own cardboard scratcher? If you use cardboard boxes you were going to throw away, you can make one for zero cost! It’s a patience-testing project, so try it when you’ve got plenty of free time on your hands!
felt ball
Let’s try making felt balls—popular in toy sections and loved by many kids—in your favorite colors and patterns! You’ll need wool roving (wool felt), a special felting needle, and a mat; you can find all of these at craft stores or even 100-yen shops.
It’s simple: just repeatedly poke the wool with the felting needle.
It’s easy, but if you get into the rhythm you might accidentally poke your finger—it hurts quite a bit, so be careful.
Once it’s formed into a ball, roll it in warm water with a little neutral detergent, then rinse well, and you’re done! If you make them with your child’s favorite patterns or put a small bell inside to create something original, you might find the process so fun that you get hooked!
cat house
Cats just love empty boxes and cardboard, don’t they? You go to the trouble of ordering a cat toy and when it arrives, they’re more obsessed with the cardboard box than the toy—classic cat behavior.
How about using that cardboard to make a cat house where your kitty can relax and have a little fun? Decide the size of the entrance hole based on the spare cardboard you have and the size of your cat.
After that, decorate it however you like! You can make small windows in the roof or sides and play with a teaser toy through them.
You could even put a scratching pad inside.
enrichment toy with treats
How about trying a simple, educational toy you can make with a toilet paper roll? Fold in the ends of the roll, poke a hole in one spot, and put dry food or treats inside.
Your cat will smell the treats, but they won’t come out unless the toy is rolled just right.
Adjust the size of the hole based on the size of the food or treats you put inside.
It’s perfect for cats that need more exercise, eat too fast, or seniors who don’t move much and no longer respond to toys.
Whac-A-Mole
Here’s a cute whack-a-mole-style toy idea that cats can play with.
You’ll need things like cardboard, wooden chopsticks, felt balls, and wire.
Hide felt balls attached to the ends of the chopsticks inside the cardboard, and when you push the chopsticks, the balls pop up out of the holes—adorable and fun to watch.
Cats will probably get really into it, thinking they can grab the ball only for it to disappear again—it’s hard to catch! You could also use jingly balls or repurpose empty capsule toy containers to make it.
Handmade Shaka-bun
It’s no exaggeration to say all cats love it—the hugely popular toy “Shaka-bun.” The crinkly plastic that mimics insect wings is a big hit, and some cats go wild just seeing the toy.
Often called “Shaka-bun” or “Kasha-bun,” it’s super popular but also notorious for getting destroyed quickly.
However, if you hand-make and stock extra wing parts, there’s nothing to worry about anymore! You can make the distinctive wings from food packaging like barley tea bags.
Punch a hole, thread an elastic cord through, and attach a pom-pom (sold at 100-yen shops) with glue, and you’re done.
Newspaper Tunnel
The cat tunnels you often see in pet stores are popular toys made mostly of vinyl, but you might worry whether your own cat will actually play with one… What if you buy it and they don’t use it? In that case, why not make one out of newspaper? It’s very easy: fold newspaper into triangles, align them, and secure with cellophane tape.
The support pieces that form the triangles are just long, tightly rolled newspaper tubes.
It’s safe because you only use newspaper and tape.
And if it gets destroyed, you can quickly make a new one!
T-shirt yarn ball with a cord
Let’s try making a cat teaser toy using T-shirt yarn! As the name suggests, T-shirt yarn is a stretchy knitting yarn made from T-shirt fabric, so you can knit it loosely.
You can make it from old T-shirts, which makes it eco-friendly, too.
Make a ball like you would a pom-pom, then tie on a four-strand braided cord, and you’re done.
The cord stretches and contracts, so your cats are sure to have fun! If you don’t have any old T-shirts at home, you can also buy T-shirt yarn at 100-yen shops.