12 DIY Cat Toys: Easy Felt, Yarn and Cardboard Box Ideas

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The most played with toy in my house cost nothing. It was a toilet paper roll.

I had bought a basket of fancy toys. My cat ignored every one. Then she found a paper roll in the recycling and carried it around for a week.

That taught me something. Cats don’t need expensive toys. They need things that move, crinkle and hide a surprise. You can make all of that at home in minutes.

Here are 12 easy DIY cat toys, from felt mice and yarn balls to puzzles from your recycling bin. Three of them have full step by step build cards.

1. Felt Catnip Mouse

This one is the cutest and also the most loved. A little felt mouse stuffed with catnip is just the right size to grab, kick and carry around the house.

Sew it with small, tight stitches, so the stuffing stays inside. And skip the button eyes. Stitch the eyes with a bit of thread or leave them off, because buttons can come loose.

⏱ 30 minutes💲 Low🛠 Easy

2. Toilet Paper Roll Treat Puzzle

The best cat toy in my house cost nothing. It was a toilet paper roll, folded closed and filled with a few treats.

Your cat has to roll it, bat it and tip it to get the snacks out. It’s a mini puzzle that keeps them busy, and when it’s torn up you just make another one.

⏱ 10 minutes💲 Free🛠 Easy

3. Egg Carton Foraging Toy

Cats love to hunt for food, and an egg carton lets them do it indoors. Hide treats in the cups and watch your cat dig and sniff around.

Use a plain cardboard carton, not foam. Put a few treats in different cups and crumple a little paper into others, so your cat has to search to find the reward.

⏱ 5 minutes💲 Free🛠 Easy

4. Easy Cardboard Box Maze

Every cat owner knows the box rule. Give a cat a box and it’s instantly happy. So give them six.

Cut round holes in a few boxes and line them up so your cat can dash from one to the next. Open the flaps and lay the boxes on their sides, so each one is a little cave.

You’ll need: plain cardboard shipping boxes, assorted sizes

Best for: bored cats and cardboard lovers

5. Yarn Pom Pom Balls

A fluffy pom pom is light, quiet and perfect for batting across the floor. It never makes noise on the tiles, so it’s great for late night play.

Wrap the yarn tightly, tie it with a double knot and trim neatly. Keep all strands short, and play with your cat. Don’t let it chew on the yarn alone.

You’ll need: cotton yarn, thick and a pom pom maker

Best for: easy ideas and quiet play

6. Crochet Catnip Ball

If you crochet, this is a lovely first toy. A simple round ball worked in single crochet is quick, and your cat will carry it everywhere.

Use tight stitches so the stuffing can’t poke out. Fill it with a pinch of catnip and a bit of stuffing, then close it with a firm knot. Keep the tail ends tucked inside.

You’ll need: crochet hook set

Best for: crocheters and catnip fans

7. Feather Wand From a Stick

A wand is the toy that brings you and your cat together. You play, they pounce, and both of you get some exercise.

Tie a bundle of feathers to a length of cord, then tie the cord to the end of a thin wooden stick. Wrap the knot tightly with cord so nothing slips. Always put the wand away after playing.

You’ll need: natural craft feathers and a wooden dowel, 3/8 inch

Best for: playing together and cute gifts

8. Sock Kicker Toy

An old clean sock can turn into the perfect kicker. Kittens love to grab it with their paws and bunny kick it with their back legs.

Stuff a clean sock firmly, add a little silvervine or catnip and tie a strong knot at the end. No loose bits, and no stuffing that can poke out. Wash it now and then.

You’ll need: silvervine sticks for cats and a clean cotton sock

Best for: kittens and kicking lovers

9. Kitten Safe Ball Pit Box

A shallow box full of crinkly paper and light balls is a little playground. Kittens dive in, pounce on the balls and make a happy mess.

Pick balls bigger than a ping pong ball so they can’t be swallowed. Use plain paper with no ink or glitter. Tidy it up after play, and stay close while your kitten plays.

You’ll need: lightweight plastic cat balls, 1.5 inch and plain crinkle paper

Best for: kittens and playful messes

10. Felt Fish Kicker

A little felt fish is easy, sweet and fun to kick. Cut two fish shapes, stitch simple stripes and add a pinch of catnip before you close it.

Cut the edges with zigzag scissors for a pretty, fringed fin. Sew the stripes on, don’t glue them, so nothing peels off in your cat’s mouth.

Shop it: pinking shears

Best for: sewing beginners and cute gifts

11. Toy Rotation Basket

Cats get bored of the same toy fast. A simple trick is to keep a basket of toys and only put out two or three at a time.

Swap them every few days. The old toys feel new again, and your cat stays interested for much longer. It’s the easiest way to keep a cat busy.

You’ll need: woven storage basket with handles, small

Best for: keeping them busy all week

12. Handmade Cat Toys to Sell

Handmade cat toys sell well at craft fairs and online. People love gifts for their pets, and a cute felt mouse costs very little to make.

Safety comes first when you sell. Use no small parts, sew every seam tightly and add a tag that says to play only with supervision. Keep the toys clean and make a few samples before you list them.

You’ll need: kraft hang tags with twine and pet safe toy stuffing

Best for: crafters and small shops

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on DIY Cat Toys

The best cat toy is often the simplest one. Start with a toilet paper roll or a felt mouse, watch which one your cat loves and make more like it. Keep every toy safe and play together whenever you can.

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