Easy DIY cat toys | Upcycling

Easy DIY cat toys | Upcycling

 In the last post I showed you a few ideas for DIY toys for a dog and in today's post I will share with you 7 ideas for cat toys. All of them are easy to make and you can easily find materials, wich you will need in the paper shop. Let's get started! 

Easy DIY cat toys | Upcycling

1. The wand with ribbons 

To make this wand I used mainly ribbons, which were given to me with Christmas presents. I used the stick wich was an element of a cat wand that broke down. 

What you will need: 

• ribbons 

• Twine 

• Ribbon with pompoms (optional) 

• stick 

• Hot glue 

• Scissors 

Preparation: 

1. At the beginning I measured ribbons and twine to be the same length. (I used 2 ribbons, 2 ribbons with pompoms and 2 strings around 100 cm long) 

2. Then I cut the string about 30 cm long. 

3. I folded the ribbons in half and tightly bound them with the end of the string and cut off its excess. 

4. I attached the other end of the string to the stick. 

5. And finally, to hide the knot, I wrapped a twine with a string, sticking its beginning, middle and end. 

6. When the glue cools down, you can start playing with the cat. ;) 

2. Wand with pompons 

I made this wand from a string, pompoms and feathers and as a stick I used a wooden stick to support flowers. 

What you will need: 

• Wooden stick 

• Twine 

• Pompoms 

• Feathers 

• Bells 

• Hot glue 

• Scissors 

Preparation: 

1. First, I took a string for 3 different lengths (these strings determine the length of our toy, my longest string is about 100 cm long and the others are shorter by a few cm;)) 

2. I put all the strings next to each other on a stick (in case of a problem to cut them) and then I tried to put pompoms, feathers and bells to the test. 

3. When I liked the composition, I tied the feathers and bells with string and then I glued them and pompons with hot glue. 

4. Then I tied the strings to the stick. 

5. And as in the first project, I wrapped a twine with a stick, sticking it in the same places. 

6. That's all, the wand is ready! 

Easy DIY cat toys | Upcycling

3. Toy with fringes 

It's one of the simplest toys and my cat loves it. I used 3 items to make it. 

What you will need: 

• Felt 

• Hair tie (you can also use the wheel left over the screw cap) 

• Scissors 

Preparation: 

1. From the felt sheet, I cut the strips about 1 cm thick (I used a4 sheet and cut the strips from the shorter side). 

2. I've tied each strip on the elastic band next to each other. 

3. And that's all! ;) 

Easy DIY cat toys | Upcycling

4. Felt mouse 

The mouse is a toy that probably everyone associates with cats, so it couldn’t be missed in today's post. 

What you will need: 

• Felt 

• Cotton wool 

• Catnip 

• Twine 

• Scissors 

• Thread and a needles 

• Non-toxic marker 

Preparation: 

1. I started making my mouses by cutting short pieces of string and tying them at the ends. 

2. Then I drew circles on felt, for which I used a mug. 

3. In the next step I cut them out. 

4. I bent it halfway and stitched it, but leaving a small hole. 

5. I turned the felt over to the other side. 

6. And I filled it with cotton wool and catnip. 

7. Then I sewed a string to the hole. 

8. On the other side I sew a pompon that looks like a nose. 

9. And on the sides I added pompons as an ear. 

10. My final step was to draw the eyeballs on the white mice. 

Easy DIY cat toys | Upcycling 

5. Plush kong toy 

Kong toys are quite expensive and easy to prepare at home. To my plush toy I used an old pillowcase made of thick material, feathers and cotton wool. 

What you will need: 

• Thick material (ex: Pillowcase) 

• Cotton wool 

• Catnip 

• Feathers 

• Ribbon 

• Scissors 

• Thread and needle 

Preparation: 

1. I cut a rectangle from the pillowcase and stapled its sides, leaving one shorter side unsewed. 

2. I turned the material over and filled it with cotton wool and catnip. 

3. I started stitching the last side halfway. 

4. Then I sewed a feather and ribbon in the middle. 

5. And I sewed side to side. 

Easy DIY cat toys | Upcycling 

6. Fishes from felt

Felt fish is made similar to mice. Instead of tails made of string, I used feathers and ribbons. 

What you will need: 

• Felt 

• Cotton wool 

• Catnip 

• Feathers 

• Ribbon 

• Scissors 

• Needle and thread 

• Non-toxic marker 

Preparation: 

1. I start making fish from drawing circles on a felt sheet. 

2. I cut out circles, fold them in half and cut their ends into a teardrop shape. 

3. I sew up the fish leaving the open end. 

4. I roll the material to the other side. 

5. And I filled it with cotton wool and catnip. 

6. Then sewed the fish and sew on the ribbons or feathers to the petioles. 

7. At the end I added an eye to the sides of fish. 

Easy DIY cat toys | Upcycling 

7. Plush jellyfish

Jellyfish is also made quite similar to fish and mice, but they are a little bit bigger. 

What you will need: 

• Felt 

• Cotton wool 

• Catnip 

• Twine 

• Ribbon 

• Scissors 

• Needle and thread 

• Non-toxic marker 

Preparation: 

1. I fold the felt in half and draws on it the shape of a triangle with rounded corners. 

2. I cut it out. 

3. I sew on, leaving space for stuffing with cotton. 

4. I push the cloth with cotton wool and catnip. 

5. Then I sew up the jellyfish. 

6. I made the knot in the middle of the ribbons. 

7. And I sew them on the bottom edge of the jellyfish. 

8. Jellyfish is ready! ;) 

These were all ideas. My cat liked the wands the most, but he often runs around the house with mice and fishes. ;) 

And what are your cat's favorite toys? 

xoxo, 

Dorota