20 DIY Cat Toy Ideas for 2026

Cats enjoy playing, exploring, and chasing anything that grabs their attention. Making your own homemade cat toys is an entertaining, economical, and inventive method.

With just a few home materials, you can construct toys that inspire curiosity, encourage exercise, and deepen the link between you and your cat.

Whether it’s a puzzle toy, a feather wand, or a crinkly ball, do-it-yourself crafts allow you to tailor the fun to your cat’s play style and personality.

In this article, I am going to share 20 DIY cat toy ideas you can try yourself at home in 2026.

Let’s jump in!

How to Make a Fluffy Cat Toy?

Consider softness, movement and aroma when creating a fluffy cat toy that your cat will actually play with. Start with a light cloth.

Your cat can bite and tote, such as felt, fleece, or an old sock. Fill it with something that holds its shape, like polyester filling or scrap cloth.

Add a pinch of catnip or silvervine if you want your cat to stay engaged longer. Tightly seal the filling once it’s inside to prevent spills during hard play.

A fluffy toy is most effective when it moves, so tie it to a string or wand or add a tiny tail made of a piece of cloth.

If you accomplish this correctly, your cat will be able to toss, kick, and pursue the toy without becoming disinterested after just one play session.

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Cardboard Play Zone

Cut simple peek-holes for your cat to investigate, use cardboard tubes and tiny boxes to create an entertaining setting.

Place everything on a plush mat so your cat may confidently squat. Keep the play session lively and engaging.

Flat Scratcher Board

Simple flat scratcher works nicely for cats. You can duplicate this by placing layered cardboard into a shallow wooden frame.

Your cat will have an easy location to scratch and unwind with this arrangement, which is perfect close to resting areas.

Doorway Batting String

You want hands-free play that keeps your cat occupied while you’re working, door-mounted toys are fantastic.

Cut felt half-moons or circles, put them onto a strong string and loop it over the doorknob to replicate this.

Keep them light enough to bounce. This arrangement is most effective in peaceful nooks where your cat enjoys exploring.

Ribbon Walk-Through

Shy or lively cats who enjoy weaving through soft textures. Place it on a hard floor so the ribbons glide smoothly.

A simple wooden A-frame and a dowel, then tie on ribbons, yarn, or pom-pom trim in varied lengths.

The layered colors and textures produce moderate movement that keeps your cat inquisitive.

Wool Pom-Pom Balls

These felted wool balls are wonderful for quiet play, especially for cats who appreciate delicate batting.

Tightly hand-felting little wool roving into hard spheres. Encourage your cat to roll them around.

Their neutral hues keep the space serene while giving a basic, safe toy your cat can utilize anytime.

Peek-Hole Box Game

This box toy is great for adventurous cats who adore reaching into secret spaces. Make a robust box roll erratically.

Simply cut a few circular holes in it and drop in a lightweight ball. Put the box on a smooth floor, cat will be interested.

Your cat may play a straightforward “hunt and grab” game with this setup without the need for any additional materials.

Bottle Spinner Puzzle

This DIY puzzle is perfect for food-motivated cats. Place a bottle between two upright poles to allow it to spin freely.

Fill it with some goodies. When your cat strikes at the bottle, the treats slowly fall out. Facilitate easy bottle rotation.

Place this on a smooth floor. It’s an easy approach to increase cerebral activity, particularly in homes.

Fluffy Kick Ball

A soft, fluffy ball works well for cats who love grasping. Construct one that can withstand vigorous play.

Wrap filling in fleece or faux fur and secure it firmly. Usesoft surface where the toy won’t roll away too quickly.

Your cats can share the toy and wrestle in a secure, comfortable area with this setup.

DIY Foraging Board

This DIY foraging board is great for cats who love looking for treats. Pasting egg cartons, jars, and small cardboard.

Forms onto a flat cardboard foundation, with each compartment providing a unique challenge.

This configuration works well on wooden floors where everything stays firm while your cat investigates.

Giant Whack-a-Mole Box

The ideal “whack-a-mole” game for active cats is a large box with sporadic holes. Simply cut holes

Varying sizes around the top and sides, insert a wand or tiny toy to have it emerge in an unexpected way.

This setup gives your cat tons of chasing, pouncing, and surprise-attack excitement with practically.

Sock Toy Trio

You need something quick and cozy for everyday play, these tiny sock toys are ideal. Just fill little socks with stuffing.

Tie the end tight and attach a light rope for chase. They work well on hardwood where they move readily.

The multiple colors give a fascinating visual element and make it easy to change toys so your cat stays interested.

Mixed Fabric Toy Set

Waste fabric wrap filling into candy shapes, knot little bundles for tossing, connect leather strips to yarn for a simple teaser toy.

Ensure that every toy travels differently when batted, arrange everything on a smooth surface, this collection is perfect.

Your cat’s curiosity is piqued by the variety of textures, knots, and feathers, which also makes toy rotation simple.

Yarn & Tassel Play Set

Cats that chase anything that moves quickly and lightly will love this vibrant combination. Make it with pom-poms.

Yarn-wrapped balls and feather tassels tied to short wands. Use colorful ribbons, cats respond quickly to the flick.

This is most effective on smooth surfaces where the tassels slide with each swipe and the pom-poms roll effortlessly.

Feather Teaser Wand

Tying bright feathers to a light thread and attaching it to any stick. Use it in open areas to encourage your cat’s hunting instincts

Dragging, flicking, and lifting the feathers. Your cat stays attentive and prepared to strike thanks to the combination of colors and gentle movement.

Twine Chase Ball

A basic twine-wrapped ball is excellent for relaxing floor play when your cat wants something easy to bat about.

You can replicate it by securely knotting cotton or jute twine around a tiny core. Use it near sunny locations.

Where your cat likes to lounge the gently rolling motion keeps things interesting without overstimulating them.

Fabric Mouse Toys

Cats who enjoy chasing and jumping on little toys that resemble prey will love these handcrafted fabric mice.

Replicated by stitching leftover fabric into basic mouse shapes, stuffing them, and adding a sturdy rope tail.

Keep each mouse feeling different, utilize a variety of materials, such as wool, corduroy, or flannel.

Toilet Roll Treat Box

This food puzzle is great for curious kitties who love digging with their paws. Place empty toilet rolls upright.

Inside a tiny box, fill various tubes with toys. Place it on a carpet, the box stays firm as, cat works through each hole.

Your cat will have an enjoyable little “search and find” game without the need for any further equipment.

Cardboard Tube Set

When you’re looking for quick toys made completely of toilet paper, this small selection is fantastic.

Add texture glue pom-poms on one, cut fringe on the ends for swatting, or collapse tubes flat for crinkle toys.

These are most effective on floors or countertops where the tubes wobble, roll, and pique, cat’s interest with each tap.

Hanging String Stick

Cats who enjoy hitting at objects without you holding a wand would love this straightforward hanging toy.

Tie a length of twine to a stout stick and fasten the stick upright. Place it near a perch where your cat already rests.

With each swipe, the rough twine offers just the right amount of texture to keep your cat interested.

Feather Catch Toy

Cats who enjoy grabbing and holding their “prey” will love this small feather-on-a-string toy.

You can make it by tying a small feather bunch to a lightweight string and connecting it to any wand.

Your cat will sit up straight and swipe with both paws. Use it on elevated surfaces like window ledges.

What toys do cats never get bored with?

Cats keep interested in toys that move erratically and excite their innate hunting instincts. They are most likely to stay interested in things allow them to stalk, chase, and pounce.

Such as rolling balls, feather teasers, and wand toys. Changing up toys every few days even basic do-it-yourself toys can feel brand-new again.

Are DIY cat toys cheaper to make?

Yes, because you’re using materials you already have, such as cardboard, socks, ribbons, old fabric, or twine.

DIY cat toys are nearly always less expensive. Most projects cost nothing and still keep your cat entertained.

Compared to continuously purchasing new toys from the store, you can save even more money by effortlessly repairing or remaking them.

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Faisal Younas

Fasial is the founder of the Fizzy Flare. He has been a passionate blogger since 2021. He ran three different websites in the past few years. Now he is focusing on Fizzy Flare to build an audience and help them organize their life.