Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Lifestyle

7 DIY Cat Toys for Kids They Can Make Today (With Pictures)

By Ashley Bates
Share
Kid playing with a cat

If you have kitties at home, you know how they are always tearing up their toys. If you have kiddos at home who love kitties, you might have someone hanging out who'd love nothing more than to make a few cat toys for their furry friends.

So, if your kid would like to get their hands on some projects, we found some cheap, easy-to-make DIYs from around the web for them to try out. Here's what we found for DIY cat toys for kids.

divider 3 paws

The 7 DIY Cat Toys for Kids

1. Purina Friskies Cat Tent

Materials:T-shirt, cardboard, tape
Tools:2 wire hangers, safety pins
Difficulty Level:Easy

If you want a quick design for kids to make, your kitties will certainly appreciate this cat tent from Purina Friskies. It is so simple that virtually any child can make it! You can guide them along, but soon, with a few whoops, swoops, and pulls, they can turn their old T-shirt into a hideout for their furry pal.

You can easily use supplies you already have laying around your house. You don’t need scissors, either! But do be aware that the safety pins might require a little help from the parent to avoid pokes.


2. Hepper Official Easy DIY Cat Toy

Materials:Toilet paper roll
Tools:Pencil, scissors
Difficulty Level:Easy

There’s one thing for sure, there are really no toilet paper shortages in a home—unless we’re talking 2020. Thanks to Hepper, the trusty cat brand—we have an easy little DIY that any kid can do, with the supervision of their parents, of course.

All you do is take a single toilet paper roll leftover and cut it into a few rings. Once you have the rings, you can crisscross them inside of one another, creating a little ball your cat can bat around.


3. Cat Lessons Puzzle Tube Toy

Materials:Pringles can, paper
Tools:Glue, scissors, pencil, box cutter
Difficulty Level:Easy

Cat Lessons Puzzle Tube Toy is an excellent little project for the kiddos. All you need is an empty Pringles can, which shouldn’t be too hard with hungry tiny tots running around your house. It’s a great way to turn trash into treasure—for your cat!

Your child will likely need some help with the boxer cutter—those can be pretty treacherous! But otherwise, you should be able to guide them—and they can even decorate the outside with whatever cat-safe art items they like.

You can stuff the kitty’s favorite treats in at the end and let them bat it around. You should have all these supplies right at home. Let your kid be creative!


4. Purina Friskies Puzzle Box

Materials:Tupperware, glass
Tools:Razor blade, marker
Difficulty Level:Easy

Does your cat enjoy a good challenge? You can get your kiddo on board to make this fun craft by Purina Friskies. All you need is a plastic container that you don’t use, because it will officially be unusable for its intended purpose.

All your little one has to do is cut out two holes in the top and fill the container with the cat’s favorite toys—it’s a win! It’s quick, easy, and you don’t need anything in particular to make it happen. You and your kids can get creative.


5. Jess Caticles DIY Toilet Paper Roll Cat Toy

Materials:Toilet paper roll, strings
Tools:Scissors
Difficulty Level:Easy

Here’s another use for your toilet paper rolls! Yet one more child-friendly design to add to the mix. All you need are three simple supplies to get started—a toilet paper roll, string, and pair of scissors.

Naturally, since scissors are involved, supervision is required, so make sure to keep an eye on your kiddo. But for most school-age children, this will be a simple task. You can make this in combination with others on the list too for the sake of variety.


6. Mark Montano Easy NO-SEW Pet Bed DIY

Materials:Old sofa cushion, polyfill, cushion foam, project fleece
Tools:Cutting tool, glue, gluesticks
Difficulty Level:Moderate

Mark Montano walks you through a nice little DIY cat bed. While it’s not a toy, per se, it is a nice little treat for your kitty if your kid has the time to make it. This is certainly a project that will require adult direction, so make sure you stand by your youngling as they make this craft—it’s a bit more complicated than the others.

You take an old couch cushion and essentially revamp it to create a snazzy new pet bed. So, if you love repurposing old things, it can be a fun craft—permitting you’re willing to put the money into it. In the example, they use the bed for a dog, but it’s just as versatile for a cat!


7. AmyFamily DIY Sock Toy

Materials:Socks, beads, thread
Tools:Needle
Difficulty Level:Moderate

If you have a child that wants to learn some basic sewing skills, it might be the right time. This AmyFamily DIY is an easy-to-follow tutorial that your child can whip up in a jiff. It’s a fun way to repurpose some old socks around the home that had their mate eaten in the dryer.

Plus, it can be a terrific way for your kiddo to gain a new skill. The DIY is super easy to follow. You might have to help your little one learn to thread a needle and oversee the project, but they should have a blast making these adorable kitty plushies for their pal.

divider 1 paws

Conclusion

So, which one of these seven DIYs caught your attention most? You could always save this post and make several items on the list. Having a crafty kid can be a really fun way to be frugal and spend some time with them. Just let them have fun with it!

See also: 


Featured Image Credit: Alena A, Shutterstock

The Catster Newsletter

Expert cat care, straight to your inbox

News, insights, and useful advice, delivered to you.

No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

Click a star to rate. You can leave written feedback afterwards. (We read all feedback.)

Ashley Bates
Authored by

Ashley Bates

Leave a Reply

You're very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let's have a positive and constructive conversation.

Provirtec Pawtent Ultra Air Purifier Review 2026: Our Expert’s Opinion

Provirtec Pawtent Ultra Air Purifier Review 2026: Our Expert’s Opinion

When it comes to achieving high indoor air quality in a home with pets, the challenges are many. And getting the “best” purifier on the market may not actually…

Sara Seitz
By Sara Seitz ·
Automatic Litter Boxes Are Not a Luxury, They’re a Necessity

Automatic Litter Boxes Are Not a Luxury, They’re a Necessity

If there is one thing I regret about my automatic litter box, it’s that I didn’t get one sooner. For years, I dismissed this marvel of engineering as an overpr…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski ·
Dungeons & Kittens – The Roleplaying Game For Cat Lovers

Dungeons & Kittens – The Roleplaying Game For Cat Lovers

If you have a cat (or cats!) in your life, then you know the value of play; there’s no better way to spend time with a loved one, both human and furry. I’m a l…

Mike Mearls
By Mike Mearls ·
The Weirdly Wonderful Cat Litter Every Cat Parent Should Know About

The Weirdly Wonderful Cat Litter Every Cat Parent Should Know About

If there's one thing all cat owners can agree on, it's that cats can be, well, a little weird. But that's why we love them! As a cat parent, your acceptance of…

Sara Seitz
By Sara Seitz ·

The Original Space Invaders – Why Zero Respect for Personal Boundaries Is a Good Thing

Cats have a reputation for being independent, and in many ways they are. But anyone who has tried to work at a laptop with a cat on the keyboard, or woken up w…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The Original Space Invaders – Why Zero Respect for Personal Boundaries Is a Good Thing

We've Launched Veterinary-Jobs.co.uk: A New Home for Veterinary Careers in the UK

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Veterinary-Jobs.co.uk, a dedicated job board built specifically for the veterinary profession in the United Kingdom.…

Catster Editorial Team
By Catster Editorial Team ·
We've Launched Veterinary-Jobs.co.uk: A New Home for Veterinary Careers in the UK

The Catster Magazine is Officially Back!

The Catster Magazine relaunch is officially underway with a fresh new look and an all-new digital experience. We're thrilled to reintroduce our Digital Magazin…

Catster Editorial Team
By Catster Editorial Team ·
The Catster Magazine is Officially Back!

Level Up with the Self-Cleaning Litter Box From Oneisall – Our Expert’s 2026 Review

* Use code CATSTER25 for 25% at oneisall.com. Valid through December 31, 2026 Earlier this year, I made some awesome upgrades to my dedicated cat room, includi…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski ·
Level Up with the Self-Cleaning Litter Box From Oneisall – Our Expert’s 2026 Review

The Surprisingly Simple Ways to Help a Cat With Hairballs

Cats spend an astonishing amount of time grooming. It is part hygiene routine, part comfort ritual, and part instinct that traces back generations. But all tha…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The Surprisingly Simple Ways to Help a Cat With Hairballs

The Surprisingly Sweet Reason Behind Cats Chewing Human Hair (and Others)

Cats have a talent for turning the ordinary into something slightly bizarre. One minute, there’s a peaceful evening on the couch, and the next, a cat is chewin…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The Surprisingly Sweet Reason Behind Cats Chewing Human Hair (and Others)

The 5 Things Cats Are Communicating With a Paw to the Face

Cats have a reputation for being aloof, which makes it all the more puzzling when they reach out and deliberately place a paw on your face. It's oddly intimate…

Dan Seymour
By Dan Seymour ·
The 5 Things Cats Are Communicating With a Paw to the Face

The Refuresh Deshedding Tool - It’s No Ordinary Brush

Certain things seem to go hand-in-hand with sharing your life with a cat, with hairballs, vomiting, and hair on EVERYTHING often seen as unavoidable side effec…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski ·
The Refuresh Deshedding Tool - It’s No Ordinary Brush

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert cat care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on feline behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.

You may opt-out at any time. View our Privacy Policy for more information.

The Catster site on a phone