Get

In Your Inbox

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.

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

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

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

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.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

150+ Cat Names That Start with W: Wonderful & Wondrous Options

A cat’s name is not simply a label; it’s something that will follow your cat throughout their lifetime. A cat’s name is an...

National Cat Lady Day 2025: Is It a Real Holiday?

Cat lovers have traditionally found themselves struggling to help others understand the connection that can be made with a cat. Cats are amazing...

Working at Home With a Cat: Olga’s Pressure for an Early Dinner

Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga. Happy holidays, everyone! We are...

250 Cat Names That Start With M for Beautiful & Intrepid Felines

Coming up with a name for a new pet is sometimes easy, but usually, it can be quite challenging. Baby name lists are...

More related

Littermate Syndrome in Cats: Vet-Reviewed Signs, Causes & Care

If you want to add a new cat to your family, you might wonder whether two kitties are better than one. When adopting...

Is It True That All Cats Chirp? 5 Reasons Why They Do It

Cats use various vocalizations to communicate with us, and one of these vocalizations is the cute chirping sound you become accustomed to hearing...

Can Cats Eat Vegemite? Vet Reviewed Facts & Advice

Some cats are finicky eaters, while others seem to want to try anything that they can get their paws on! Felines like “meaty”...

Ask Dr. Paola – Socks, Pain & Jealousy (May 26, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

Keep reading

8 Products for Senior Cats to Make Your House Easier for Them

It seems that one minute, you have a sprightly little kitten jumping around, ripping down your curtains, and the next, you have a lazy old senior who prefers taking window naps. Our animals’ lives certainly go far too quickly for...

Long hair tabby cat with beautiful green eyes and long whiskers stretched out and relaxed senior cat

Sheba Cat Food Review of 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Sheba Cat Food Review Summary Mars Inc. manufactures Sheba cat food, along with more than 40 other pet food brands. Sheba products are produced in the United States, except the Meaty Tender Stick Sheba cat treats, which are produced in...

Sheba Cat Food Review

Can Cats Smell Other Cats on You? Does This Make Them Jealous?

Last weekend, when you went to that house party, and your friend’s cat curled up in your lap, did your cat give you one sniff when you got home and then shun you for the rest of the night? Are...

cat smelling woman's chin

How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids to a Cat? 9 Vet-Approved Steps to Follow

Keeping our pets healthy is of vital importance, and sometimes, we need to step outside our comfort zones to provide our pets with the treatment that they need. One example of this is giving subcutaneous, or Sub-Q, fluids. These are...

close up IV saline drip

Why Does My Cat Knock Over the Water Bowl? 5 Reasons & What to Do

You’ve heard that cats don’t like water, so you might wonder why your cat likes to dip their paws in their water or dump over their water bowl continually. Some cats are actually curious about the water, especially as kittens....

bengal cat playing water in the bowl

Will a Cat Eat Rat Poison? How to Use It Safely Around Them

Everyone has heard the old adage that curiosity killed the cat, but anyone who’s spent time around cats knows just how dangerously curious they can be. Cats lack the same type of self-preservation that humans have, which often leads them...

Poison for mice in a cardboard box

My Cat Ate a Fly: Vet-Verified Dangers & Tips

Cats will chase after and pounce on anything that moves, including small insects. Grasshoppers and flies are popular targets, and they flutter and glide with unpredictable grace full of starts and stops that are the definition of perfect feline entertainment....

My Cat Ate a Fly

When Can Kittens Eat Solid Food? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Adopting a kitten is a wholesome moment, but it comes with many responsibilities. While their sleeping requirements are usually easier to manage, their nutritional needs require extra effort and care. Considering how fast felines grow, you must act fast to...

When Can Kittens Eat Solid Food