The Best DIY easy Cat Toys for Feline Fun

Check out the best DIY easy cat toys in our purr-fectly simple 2025 guide! You’ll learn how to make fun homemade toys using items you probably have laying 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 own toys! 

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

Cats love playtime, and easy DIY cat toys allow them to engage their instincts by hunting, stalking, and batting. These behaviors help provide your kitty with some activities where they can explore, avoiding boredom and increasing 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. Grab an old shipping box, cut a few holes in the sides for the entrance and exit, and let your cat build his own fortress. 

Add some structure by sticking crumpled paper or fabric scraps inside 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 create this treat puzzle, gather some toilet paper rolls, a small box or tray, and some treats. 

Glue the rolls vertically in the box, allowing enough room for your cat 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). 

Fill the sock with the cotton wool and/or fabric scraps and add the catnip. Tie the end with a string or sew it closed. Your cat will love this soft, fragrant toy and will hop all over the room. 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 (picking 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, which is why this crinkle ball is one of the best homemade, easy cat toys to make! Simply grab some 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 for durability). 

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 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 it 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 string or yarn and tie it to a cork, making sure you leave enough loose string to hang out. You can drag the cork across the floor or hang it from a doorknob and let your cat swat 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 absolutely 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 intrigued by your ice cube sliding and melting, but they will be especially intrigued once they smell the treat inside. It is a great way to keep them physically and mentally engaged, especially during warm weather. Want to make it even better? Freezing cat-safe broth instead of water makes this special treat even more tasty! 

Tips for Success with DIY Easy Cat Toys

When we talk about making simple DIY cat toys, the most important thing is to think about safety. You should try not to include small pieces that they may potentially ingest, and always supervise them if it has string, feathers, or anything they might get tangled up in. Changing out toys now and then helps keep things fresh, and don’t be afraid to change as needed based on what your cat is into-they all have very different preferences and quirks! 

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 laying 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.