DIY Cat Toys: 15 Free Ideas Made From Toilet Paper Rolls, Socks and Boxes

DIY cat toys cost nothing, and most cats love them more than anything from the pet store. You know the story: you buy a fancy toy, and your cat plays with the box it came in. So why not lean into it? Toilet paper rolls, old socks, egg cartons, paper bags and shipping boxes are already sitting in your recycling bin. With a pair of scissors and ten spare minutes, they become puzzles, kickers, tunnels and treat hunts that keep an indoor cat busy on long winter days. These ideas are also perfect little stocking stuffers for the cat in your life before Christmas. We kept every project simple, safe and made from things you already own. Grab a cup of coffee, call the cat, and let the fun begin. Here are 15 free ideas your kitty will want to try first..

DIY Cat Toys Start With a Woven Toilet Paper Roll Ball

DIY cat toys do not get easier than this woven ball. Cut one or two empty toilet paper rolls into thin rings, then slide the rings inside each other at different angles until they form a round cage. Drop a treat or a pinch of dried catnip inside and roll it across the floor. One maker shared a toilet paper roll cat toy on Instagram and it collected well over 100,000 likes, so you are in good company. Your cat will bat, chase and toss it for ages. How many empty rolls are in your bathroom right now..

You will need: two empty toilet paper rolls, scissors, a few cat treats or a pinch of dried catnip.

How to make it: 1. Flatten each roll and cut it into rings about half an inch wide. 2. Slide the rings inside each other at different angles to make a ball. 3. Tuck a treat inside and roll it across the floor.

Sock Catnip Kicker

Every sock that loses its partner deserves a second life. A long wool or cotton sock stuffed with an old t shirt makes a kicker that a cat can hug with its front paws while kicking with its back legs, just like it would play with another cat. Add a spoon of dried catnip in the middle if your cat enjoys it. Tie the open end in a tight double knot so nothing can be pulled out. It is soft, quiet and fully washable. Do you have a lonely sock in the drawer?

You will need: one long clean sock, an old t shirt or fabric scraps for stuffing, dried catnip (optional).

How to make it: 1. Roll the t shirt tightly and push it into the sock. 2. Add a spoon of dried catnip in the middle if you like. 3. Tie the open end in a tight double knot and trim the extra fabric.

Shoebox Paw Puzzle

Cats love to fish for things they cannot quite see. Cut five or six round holes, a little bigger than a paw, into the lid of an old shoebox. Drop in a few crumpled paper balls or a couple of treats and tape the lid on. Your cat will sit there for ages, reaching in, scooping and peeking. It gives an indoor cat a real hunting job while you cook dinner. Swap the treats and paper balls every few days so it stays new. Which box in your closet could you use?

You will need: an empty shoebox with its lid, scissors or a craft knife (adult only), tape, paper balls or treats.

How to make it: 1. Trace a small glass on the lid five or six times. 2. Cut out the circles (adults only for the craft knife). 3. Add paper balls or treats inside and tape the lid closed.

DIY Cat Toys for Hiding: The Paper Bag Crinkle Tunnel

DIY cat toys can be as simple as a paper bag on its side. Cats feel safe in small spaces, and the crinkly sound is half the fun. Cut off any handles first so no one gets a head stuck. For a longer tunnel, tape the bottoms out of two or three bags and join them end to end. Toss a small paper ball through the tunnel and watch your cat dive in after it. When the bag tears, recycle it and make a new one. Will your cat hide in it or pounce on it?

You will need: two or three brown paper grocery bags, scissors, tape, a crumpled paper ball.

How to make it: 1. Cut off all the handles. 2. Cut out the bottoms of two bags and tape them end to end. 3. Lay the tunnel on its side and toss a paper ball through.

DIY Cat Toys That Cost Nothing: Egg Carton Treat Hunt

DIY cat toys like this treat hunt turn snack time into a game. Open an empty cardboard egg carton, drop a single treat into a few of the cups and fill the rest with crumpled paper. Your cat has to sniff, dig and flip the paper to find the prize. It slows down fast eaters and gives bored cats something to think about. Start easy with treats in plain view, then hide them better as your cat learns. Always use cardboard cartons, not foam ones. How fast do you think your cat will solve it?

You will need: one empty cardboard egg carton, a few small cat treats, scrap paper.

How to make it: 1. Remove the lid if your cat is new to puzzles. 2. Put treats in a few cups and crumpled paper in the others. 3. Set it on the floor and let your cat sniff them out.

Yarn Pom Pom Balls

Leftover yarn from a knitting project becomes the softest little balls. Wrap yarn around a fork about 60 times, tie the middle very tightly with a double knot, cut the loops and trim it into a firm, round puff. Red, green and cream look so festive that you can tuck a few into a stocking. Make them dense and trim long strands so nothing can be pulled loose. Kittens love how light they are. Keep an eye on chewers and put the balls away after play. What colors would you choose?

You will need: leftover acrylic or wool yarn, a fork or a pom pom maker, sharp scissors.

How to make it: 1. Wrap yarn around a fork about 60 times. 2. Tie the middle very tightly with a double knot. 3. Cut the loops and trim into a firm, round ball.

DIY Cat Toys From Old T Shirts: The Braided Kicker

DIY cat toys from old t shirts are tough enough for cats who love to bite and wrestle. Cut an old shirt into three long strips about two inches wide. Knot them together at one end, braid them tightly and finish with another big knot. Trim the ends short so there are no loose strings. The thick braid is great for hugging, kicking and carrying around the house. Toss it in the washing machine when it gets grubby. Which old shirt could you turn into a toy today?

You will need: one old cotton t shirt, sharp scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut the shirt into three strips about two inches wide. 2. Knot the strips at one end and braid them tightly. 3. Finish with a big knot and trim the ends short.

Water Bottle Treat Roller

An empty plastic bottle turns into a treat roller that keeps a cat busy for twenty minutes. Peel off the label, wash and dry the bottle, and ask an adult to cut three or four holes in the side, a little bigger than a piece of kibble. Sand or tape the cut edges so they are smooth. Pour in a small handful of dry food and screw the cap on tight. As your cat pushes it around, kibble drops out a piece at a time. It is great for cats who gulp their food. Will yours figure it out quickly?

You will need: one empty plastic water bottle with its cap, a craft knife (adult only), tape, a small handful of dry kibble.

How to make it: 1. Remove the label and wash and dry the bottle. 2. Have an adult cut three or four small holes and smooth the edges with tape. 3. Add kibble, screw the cap on tight and roll it on the floor.

Pizza Box Ball Track

This homemade track looks like the store bought ones, but it costs nothing. Use the round base of a clean pizza box, or trace a dinner plate on a big piece of cardboard. Cut a long strip of cardboard about two inches tall and glue it around the edge, then glue a second ring a few inches inside to make a lane. Drop in a ping pong ball and give it a spin. Hot glue needs an adult. Your cat will chase that ball around and around. Where would you set it up?

You will need: a clean pizza box or large piece of cardboard, cardboard strips, glue (hot glue with adult help), one ping pong ball.

How to make it: 1. Cut a large circle for the base. 2. Glue a tall cardboard strip around the edge and a second ring inside to form a lane. 3. Add a ping pong ball and spin it around the track.

DIY Cat Toys for Christmas: Wrapping Paper Crinkle Balls

DIY cat toys for Christmas morning are already in your gift wrap pile. Save the scraps of paper after the gifts are open and squeeze them into tight balls about the size of a walnut. The crinkle sound drives most cats wild, and shiny red and green paper looks so cheerful under the tree. Skip any ribbon, tape or bows, which are not safe for cats. If you want more holiday ideas for the cat crowd, see our cat lover Christmas gifts. Will your cat be more excited about the gifts or the paper?

You will need: leftover plain wrapping paper or tissue paper (no ribbon, tape or bows).

How to make it: 1. Remove any tape, ribbon or bows from the paper. 2. Squeeze each piece into a tight ball about the size of a walnut. 3. Toss them across the floor or hide a few under the tree skirt.

Cardboard Whack a Mole Box

This one is as fun for you as it is for your cat. Turn a medium cardboard box upside down and cut four or five round holes in the top. Cut a small door in the side so your hand fits in. Push a small fabric mouse or a sock ball up through one hole, then quickly pull it back and pop it up through another. Your cat will crouch, wiggle and pounce like a little hunter. It is a great way to tire out a cat before bedtime. Who in your family will play first?

You will need: a medium cardboard box, scissors or a craft knife (adult only), a small fabric mouse or sock ball.

How to make it: 1. Turn the box upside down and cut four or five round holes in the top. 2. Cut a hand sized opening in one side. 3. Pop the toy up through different holes and let your cat chase it.

Fleece Snuffle Mat

Snuffle mats are usually sold for dogs, but cats love them too. Cut soft fleece into strips about one inch wide and six inches long. Push each strip through the holes of a rubber sink mat and tie it in a tight knot, row after row, until the mat looks like a shaggy rug. Sprinkle a few treats between the strips and let your cat sniff them out. It is a cozy project to make in front of the TV. Shake it out and wash it often. Which fleece colors would you pick?

You will need: a rubber sink mat with holes, about one yard of fleece in two or three colors, sharp scissors, cat treats.

How to make it: 1. Cut fleece into strips about one inch by six inches. 2. Push each strip through two holes and tie a tight knot. 3. Fill every row, then hide treats between the strips.

Ping Pong Balls in an Empty Bathtub

Here is a free idea that sounds silly but works every time. Put two ping pong balls into a dry, empty bathtub and let your cat jump in. The curved sides keep the balls rolling back, so the chase never ends. It is loud, fast and very funny to watch. Make sure the tub is completely dry, the drain is closed and there are no razors or bottles on the edge. When play is over, take the balls out so they do not end up under the sofa. Have you ever tried this one?

You will need: an empty, dry bathtub, two ping pong balls.

How to make it: 1. Dry the tub and clear the edges. 2. Close the drain and drop in two ping pong balls. 3. Let your cat hop in and chase them around.

Laundry Basket Paper Ball Pit

Kids love a ball pit, and so do cats. Fill a round laundry basket halfway with crumpled paper balls made from scrap printer paper or old packing paper. Hide a few treats or a favorite toy between the balls. Your cat will dig, dive and nap in it. Some cats just sit in the middle looking very pleased with themselves. If your cat loves a cozy basket, our DIY cat beds gallery has more easy ideas. It costs nothing and cleans up in a minute. Would your cat play in it or sleep in it?

You will need: a round laundry basket, plain scrap paper or packing paper, a few treats.

How to make it: 1. Crumple paper into loose balls. 2. Fill the basket about halfway. 3. Hide a few treats among the balls and let your cat explore.

DIY Cat Toys Safety: A Toy Basket and Simple Rules

DIY cat toys are only fun when they are safe, so end with a tidy toy basket and a few simple rules. Never leave strings, yarn, ribbon or elastic out when you are not watching, because cats can swallow them. Check toys every week and throw away anything torn, chewed or coming apart. Skip tiny parts like bells, buttons and googly eyes. Rotate toys every few days so they feel new again. Keep the basket up on a shelf between play times. Which toy will you make first this weekend?

You will need: a basket or box with a lid, your finished homemade toys.

How to make it: 1. Collect every toy after play and check it for damage. 2. Throw away anything torn or chewed. 3. Store the basket on a shelf and rotate toys every few days.