The Best DIY easy Cat Toys for Feline Fun

Check out the best DIY easy Cat Toys in our purrfectly simple 2025 guide! You’ll learn how to make fun homemade toys using items you probably have lying around your home that will keep your kitty busy, active, and mentally stimulated without costing you a fortune!  

Did you know the average cat owner pays more than $75 a year for store bought cat toys? And did you know that most of that money is wasted on items that Cats tend to ignore in favor of bottle caps or paper bags? I learned that the hard way-one of my cats has shown that something as simple as an old toilet paper roll was a far better toy than an expensive electronic mouse toy! You should also know that Cats don’t care what the cost is, they just want fun, and some of the best fun comes from DIY easy cat toys you can make yourself. 

For one, homemade toys often don’t cost you anything, and you can incorporate whatever your cat likes into a toy of your making. If you have a kitten who is always on the go and needs stimulation enrichment, or a senior cat that sometimes plays with a toy, it can be fun for you both to make your toys! 

Why DIY Easy Cat Toys Are a Win for You and Your Cat

Cats treasure playtime, and it’s a snap to give your kitty an opportunity to engage their instincts with easy DIY cat toys by hunting, stalking and batting. All of these options give you the opportunity to provide your kitty with some activities to explore and avoid boredom while increasing their daily movement.

Also, DIY means you can create custom toys that appeal to your cat’s tastes or interests. Many cats seek stimulation from crinkly things, feathers, or the satisfaction of chasing something. 

And the cherry on top? These are easy to come by, since you can use materials you likely have in your own home. Let’s make your own eco-friendly, budget-friendly cat toys. Here are some great options! 

1. Cardboard Box Hideout – The Classic Retreat

As every cat owner knows, a cardboard box has more magic than a cat can conjure. Making a cardboard cat toy is so easy that you don’t have to do much at all. Take an old shipping box, cut a couple holes in the sides for an entrance and an exit, and let your cat build their castle.

You can add some structure by putting crumpled paper or scraps of fabric in there, or threading a piece of thick string through one of the holes.

This cardboard cat toy is great for hiding and sneaking, and the possibilities are endless! Put some catnip inside to lure them in! 

2. Toilet Paper Roll DIY Treat Puzzle – easy Cat Toys, Brain Games on a Budget

Don’t throw those toilet paper rolls in the trash; they are the basis for one of the best DIY, easy cat toys. To fabricate this puzzle, you will need some toilet paper rolls, a small box or tray and some treats.

Use glue to secure the rolls vertically in the box. Make sure your cat has enough space to reach in.

Drop a treat into all of the rolls and then let your kitty figure out how to get the treats using their paws! This toy also serves as a source of mental stimulation that will keep your clever cat engaged. It takes no time to set up and costs almost nothing. 

3. Sock Catnip Kicker – A Cozy Wrestling Buddy

If your cat likes to kick and wrestle, a sock catnip kicker is one of the homemade cat toys you should try. What you need: an old sock (clean, of course!), cotton wool or scraps of fabric, a pinch of dried catnip (or your favourite). 

Take a sock and fill with cotton wool and/or scraps of fabric. Add a dash of catnip! Tie the end off with a string or sew the end up. Your cat will love this soft fragrant toy and will be bouncing all over the place. You can also attach a feather or bell to the end of the toy, just for fun!

4. Feather Wand Teaser – Interactive Playtime

A wand toy is a must-have toy. This is one of the easiest homemade kitten toys, as you only need a stick (like an old chopstick or dowel), string, and some feathers (picked up feathers from an old pillow or bought from your local hobby/craft store). Tie the feathers to the string, then the string to the stick. Then wave it around and watch your cat leap and pounce, as they will chase their prey.

This type of kitten toy is great if you are looking to bond with your cat and work off energy while playing with it! Be sure to check on the feathers occasionally; you want to make sure they stay attached; some won’t hang around long without close monitoring.  

5. Crinkle Ball – Simple and Noisy Fun

Cats love crinkly sounds, so this crinkly ball, is one of the best homemade, easy cat toys. All you have to do is grab a piece of aluminum foil, or an old candy wrapper. Crinkle it into a tight ball, and then wrap it around with a piece of fabric (or yarn would be more durable).

Just throw it across the room, and your cat will be right/wrong there, batting it around, it will be wonderful. The crinkly sound will be enough to keep them engaged, and it’s so simple to make that you can make a whole army of them in minutes. You can switch up the wrappers for variations (differently patterned stickers, wrappers, tissues, etc.) and your cat will never get tired of the hunt anymore! 

6. Bottle Cap Rattle – A Tiny Treasure

If you want to add another unique, quick toy to your collection of homemade kitten toys, try a bottle cap rattle! Pull together a few plastic bottle caps and put dry beans or bells inside, and glue or tape two bottle caps together. 

Give it a shake to make sure you like the sound, and then just roll it across the floor. Cats enjoy the change in movement and rattling sound, and this is about as low-effort and high-yield as you can get for a toy. Very light and easy for them to kick on their own when you are not there, too. 

7. T-Shirt Yarn Pom-Poms – Soft and Bouncy

Make a fun pom pom using an old t-shirt with this simple DIY cat toy project. Cut the shirt into strips of material, and wrap them around your hand or a piece of cardboard to form a loop. Use another strip to tie it around the middle, and snip the loops to make it into a fluffy ball. 

These pom poms are soft, bouncy, and won’t hurt your cat when they bat them across the room. If you want to increase interest, put a small sprinkling of catnip or a jingle bell inside it. This type of upcycling fabric is a great sustainable activity while also entertaining your kitty!  

8. Paper Bag Tunnel – Rustling Adventure

One of my favorite homemade kitten toys is a paper grocery sack, which requires practically no effort at all. Simply, lay the bag on its side, cut a few small holes for peaking, and let your cat go nuts with it. The rustling will entertain your cat for ages, and if you’re ambitious, you can throw a toy or treat in.

It’s only temporary, though (replace it when they poke holes), but the instant happiness will be worth it!

Just keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t get stuck, and make sure you avoid plastic bags! 

9. Cork and String Chaser – Wine Lover’s Special

If you have an abundance of wine corks at home, make a DIY cat toy out of them. Take a piece of yarn or string and tie one end to a cork, letting plenty of string hang loose. You can then drag the cork across the floor, or you can hang it from a doorknob, and let your cat bat at it.

The cork will work well because it is light and has a good texture to satisfy that swatting action, plus the string gives them the chasing element. You can even spice it up by soaking the cork in catnip tea (boil water and catnip together and let it cool) before attaching a piece of string. 

10. Ice Cube Surprise – Cool and Curious

Looking for an easy, cool cat toy that your kitty will love on a hot day? Give this little trick a try: make ice cubes with a surprise! Freeze some cubes of water and drop a tiny cat treat or piece of dry kibble into them before they set. Once they are frozen, simply slide one across the floor and enjoy. 

Your cat will be fascinated by your ice cube sliding and melting, but your pet will be extremely intrigued once they can smell the treat inside. This is a great way to keep them physically and mentally active, even more so in warmer weather. Want to make yours above average? Freezing cat-friendly broth instead of water makes this treat even more delicious!

Tips for Success with DIY Easy Cat Toys

When we talk about DIY cat toys that are simple to make, it is all about safety. You want to avoid a lot of small pieces they are going to swallow, and always supervise when it has string, feathers, or anything they could get tangled up in. Switching out toys periodically is a good idea to keep them new for your cat; don’t be afraid to change things as well as necessary since every cat has their own likes and dislikes!

It’s also a good idea to have some extra toys on hand for when one gets worn out, or when you receive a flash of inspiration, the last time you made a cat toy! But mostly, have fun! Your cat knows you made these toys with love-in the little details-and you’ll get so much joy out of watching your kitty discover your new creations and enjoy every minute of exploring and creating! 

Final Thoughts on DIY Easy Cat Toys

Crafting DIY kitten toys is a great way to bond with your cat while providing them with entertainment. Homemade kitten toys can be made from all sorts of things that you have lying around your home, including cardboard hideaways to crinkle balls, which shows you don’t need fancy materials to create something for your furry friend to enjoy.