Homemade Cat Toys – 7 Easy DIY Ideas Your Cat Will Love

Q: What are good homemade cat toys?

Great homemade cat toys include: a sock filled with catnip, an egg carton puzzle with treats hidden inside, a wand toy made from a stick and string, a crinkly paper bag, toilet paper roll treat dispensers, felt butterflies on a stick, and a cardboard box fort. All of these use everyday materials and appeal to a cat's natural hunting and exploring instincts.

Q: How do you make cat toys out of shirts?

Cut an old t-shirt into long strips, braid three strips together and knot the ends – instant rope toy. Or cut a strip about 50 cm long and tie it to a stick as a wand toy. For a stuffed mouse, cut two oval shapes from the fabric, sew or tie them together, stuff with catnip or cotton wool, and add a string tail.

Q: How do you make cat toys out of toilet paper rolls?

Fold one end of the toilet paper roll closed, put a few treats inside, then fold the other end closed. Your cat has to bat and roll it to get the treats out. You can also cut strips partway along the roll and fold them outward to make a star shape, or link several rolls together to make a treat maze.

Q: Are homemade cat toys safe?

Homemade cat toys are safe as long as you follow a few simple rules: avoid small parts that could be swallowed (buttons, beads, rubber bands), never use toxic glues or paints, always supervise play with string or ribbon toys, and check toys regularly for damage. Replace any toy that is falling apart or has sharp edges.

Q: How often should you change cat toys?

Rotate your cat's toys every few days to keep things interesting. Cats lose interest in toys they see constantly, but will rediscover enthusiasm for one that's been put away for a while. Replace any toy that is damaged, falling apart, or showing signs of wear that could make it unsafe.

Cats are curious, playful and wonderfully unpredictable – which is exactly what makes them so irresistible. If you’ve ever spent money on an expensive cat toy only to watch your cat ignore it completely in favour of the cardboard box it came in, you’re not alone. The good news? You can make brilliant homemade cat toys from things you already have around the house.

In this guide, we’ll show you 7 easy DIY cat toy ideas that are safe, cheap and genuinely fun for your cat – whatever your budget or crafting ability.

Why Make Homemade Cat Toys?

Making your own cat toys comes with some real advantages:

Cost – most are completely free using household materials
Tailored to your cat – you know what your cat loves best
Sustainable – giving old materials a new purpose
Fun for the whole family to make together

Safety first: always avoid small parts that could be swallowed (buttons, beads, rubber bands), toxic glues or paints, and never leave your cat unsupervised with string or ribbon toys.

7 Easy Homemade Cat Toy Ideas

1. The Classic Wand Toy

What you need:

1 stick or old pencil
About 50 cm of string or wool
A small attachment: a bundle of wool, a feather, or a scrap of fabric

Tie the string to the stick and attach your chosen toy at the other end – that’s it. Wave it around to trigger your cat’s hunting instinct. Always put wand toys away after play so your cat can’t chew the string unsupervised.

2. Egg Carton Puzzle Toy

What you need:

1 empty egg carton
Cat treats or a pinch of catnip
Optional: scraps of paper to cover the compartments

Place treats or catnip into the egg carton compartments and let your cat fish them out. This works both as a puzzle feeder and an enrichment toy – your cat has to sniff, paw and figure out how to get the reward. Cover the compartments with paper balls for an extra challenge. Simple, free, and most cats are obsessed with it.

Tip: an egg carton toy is one of the best homemade cat toys to keep them busy while you’re working from home or briefly out of the room.

3. The Sock Mouse

What you need:

1 old sock
Filling: scrunched newspaper, fabric scraps, or catnip
Optional: drawn-on eyes, a wool tail

Fill the sock, tie the end in a knot – done. Adding catnip as the filling makes this especially irresistible. Catnip is completely safe for most cats and gives them an extra burst of playful energy.

4. Felt Butterfly (or Mouse, or Fish)

What you need:

A piece of felt
Scissors
String and a stick

Cut a butterfly, mouse or fish shape out of felt and attach it to a string and stick. Felt is one of the best materials for homemade cat toys – it’s easy to cut, doesn’t fray, and holds up well to rough play. You can also stuff two felt pieces together with a little catnip for a standalone toy.

Can I make cat toys out of felt? Absolutely – felt is ideal. It’s safe, durable and easy to work with. Just check for loose pieces before giving the toy to your cat.

5. T-Shirt Rope Toy

What you need:

1 old t-shirt
Scissors

Cut the t-shirt into long strips about 2–3 cm wide. Braid three strips together and knot the ends – you’ve got a rope toy. Alternatively, cut a single strip about 50 cm long and tie it to a stick as a simple wand toy. For a stuffed mouse, cut two oval shapes from the fabric, tie or sew them together, and fill with catnip or cotton wool.

6. Toilet Paper Roll Treat Dispenser

What you need:

1 or more empty toilet paper rolls
Cat treats

Fold one end of the toilet paper roll closed, drop in a few treats, then fold the other end shut. Your cat has to bat it around to get the treats out. You can also cut strips partway along the roll, fold them outward to make a star shape, or link several rolls together into a treat maze. It’s endlessly customisable and completely free.

7. The Cardboard Box Fort

What you need:

Several cardboard boxes (moving boxes, delivery boxes)
A box cutter or scissors
Tape

Stack the boxes, tape them together and cut holes for tunnels and entrances. Cats love exploring, hiding and scratching the edges of boxes. A proper cardboard fort can keep a cat entertained for hours and works brilliantly as a homemade cat toy for self-directed play.

Are Homemade Cat Toys Safe?

Yes – as long as you follow a few simple rules. Before giving any DIY toy to your cat, check:

No loose small parts (button eyes, beads, rubber bands)
No toxic glues, paints or dyes
No unsupervised access to string, ribbon or elastic
Check regularly for wear and replace anything that’s falling apart

Homemade cat toys are not designed for unsupervised play. Wand toys and string-based toys should always be put away when you’re not actively playing with your cat.

Capture the Moment – and Make it Last

There’s nothing quite like watching your cat go wild over a toy you made yourself. These are the moments worth capturing – whether it’s mid-pounce, mid-tumble, or just your cat sitting smugly inside their new cardboard fort.

Turn your favourite photos into something special: a personalised cat photo calendar, a photo book of your cat’s first year, or a photo print to give as a gift to any cat lover you know.

Browse our photo products here: Photo calendars, photo gifts.

Final Thoughts

Homemade cat toys don’t need to be complicated or expensive. A toilet paper roll, an old sock, a cardboard box – the simplest things often bring the most joy. Try a few of these ideas, see what your cat goes mad for, and don’t forget to get the camera out when they do.

FAQ: Homemade Cat Toys

Are DIY cat toys cheaper to make?

Yes – significantly. Most homemade cat toys cost nothing at all, as they use household items like old socks, toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, or paper bags. Even if you buy a small amount of felt or catnip, the total cost is a fraction of shop-bought toys.

What are good homemade cat toys?

Great options include: a sock filled with catnip, an egg carton puzzle with treats inside, a wand toy made from a stick and string, a crinkly paper bag, toilet paper roll treat dispensers, felt butterflies on a stick, and a cardboard box fort. All use everyday materials and appeal to your cat’s natural instincts.

Can I make cat toys out of felt?

Yes! Felt is one of the best materials for homemade cat toys. It’s easy to cut into shapes like butterflies, mice or fish, it doesn’t fray, and it’s durable enough to handle rough play. You can stuff felt shapes with catnip for extra appeal. Always check for loose pieces before giving the toy to your cat.

How do you make cat toys out of shirts?

Cut an old t-shirt into long strips and braid three together for a rope toy, or tie a single strip to a stick as a wand. For a stuffed mouse, cut two oval shapes from fabric, tie or sew them together and fill with catnip or cotton wool.

How do you make cat toys out of toilet paper rolls?

Fold one end of the roll closed, put treats inside, fold the other end shut. Your cat has to bat it around to get the treats out. You can also cut strips partway along the roll and fold them outward to make a star shape, or link several rolls into a treat maze.

Are homemade cat toys safe?

Yes, as long as you avoid small swallowable parts, toxic materials and unsupervised access to string. Check toys regularly for damage and replace anything that’s falling apart.

How often should you change cat toys?

Rotate toys every few days – cats lose interest in toys they see all the time, but rediscover enthusiasm for one that’s been put away for a while. Replace any toy that is damaged or worn.