10 Creative DIY Cat Toys You Can Make From Cardboard

Making a cardboard scratching pad is probably the most popular idea on our list. To get started, you’ll need to cut your cardboard into long, even strips. Each should be about 2 to 4 inches wide, depending on how thick you want the pad to be. Make sure that the "corrugated" side is facing up. It's those little wavy ridges inside the cardboard. That’s what cats love to dig their claws into! Once you have enough strips, you’ll need to start gluing them and pressing firmly. The tricky part is actually letting it dry. If you leave the stripes as they are, they won’t be pressed properly. Place the glued cardboard strips into a shallow box, or wrap them in paper to keep the glue from spilling out. Then dry them under pressure. Use heavy, flat objects like books or magazines to press everything while the glue sets. After it dries, you will have a DIY scratching pad for your cat. 

Never throw away an old shipping box if you have a cat! You can turn it into a cozy little hideaway. It’s honestly the easiest DIY project ever, and you only need like 15 minutes tops! Just pick a sturdy box and tape up the bottom to secure the house. Then cut out a door big enough to fix your cat, but don’t make it too wide. Cats like to watch you from their hideout, but if they feel too exposed, they won’t stay inside. After you’ve made an opening, place an old blanket or towel on the floor of the box for coziness. Done! Now wait until your kitty gets curious and gets inside. 

Now let’s create something that dangles. For this one, you’ll need to take a sturdy cardboard box and cut out a few big windows on the sides. This is for your kitty to reach in. Then get creative with the dangly bits. You can thread pipe cleaners, attach feathers to strings, or even add some soft pom-poms. To attach your strings to a box, you’ll need to poke small holes on top of it. Push pipe cleaners or ropes through the holes and tie knots to prevent them from falling out. Or use a glue gun to attach them to a box. Now your cat can enjoy hunting colorful strings indoors. 

Next on the list is an ultimate DIY project - the cardboard fort. It’s a bit more time-consuming, but the result is worth it! Start by cutting out simple round holes in boxes, so your cat can crawl from one "room" to another. Make sure that the openings are big enough for a quick getaway. Use some sturdy packing tape to secure everything together. Or you can also use a glue gun as well. And don't worry about it looking a little rough around the edges. It’s not about perfection; it’s about fun for your pet. The more boxes you stack, the more joy you will give to your cat. a

For this one, you don’t even need a whole box; you can use simple chunks of cardboard. To get that round shape, you’ll need to cut the cardboard in a specific manner. The middle piece should be round and have the widest diameter. All other pieces should be round as well, but they should have a pair of the same size. Every two next pieces should get smaller and smaller. You need to glue them together in the shape of a ball. PVA can do the trick, but honestly, a hot glue gun sets way faster. As a result, you’ll get a cardboard ball for your cat to play with. 

Cats are known for their curiosity, and we know a perfect game to encourage that! It’s a simple DIY cardboard game box with balls in it. All you need to do is take a plain cardboard box and cut several round openings across the top and sides. It should be big enough for a paw to reach through. As bait, you can use fluffy textile balls or ping pong balls. You can also use treats, but it might be a bit hard for them to fish it out. But we’ll leave it up to you! It’s super easy to make, but your cat will spend hours playing with this game, promise! 

This DIY toilet paper roll maze is pure genius for keeping your cat occupied! For starters, take an old shoe box lid or any shallow cardboard box. The height of the box shouldn’t be higher than an empty toilet paper roll. Start arranging your empty rolls upright inside the box. Glue them down for extra stability, and then add a few treats on the bottom of some of the rolls. Your cat will dive in and try to grab those treats, and you can watch this amazing hunt from your couch. 

Now let’s try to make a DIY "Whack-a-Mole" style box! To start, you’ll need a shipping box and a box cutter. First, make a large entrance on one side for your kitty to go in and out. Then scatter some smaller circular holes across the front panel. The next step is a bit time-consuming, but so worth it. Attach bright ping pong balls to cotton cords and hang them from the top so they dangle. Try to fit them inside those little windows. You can use a glue gun or good-quality tape to attach the cord to the top of the box — it’s your choice. Once all these steps are done, you will have a custom-made playground for your pet. 

This maze might look complicated at first, but it’s actually one of the easiest projects on our list. It’s basically a homemade "laser grid" for cats, but with a small twist — yummy treats. To make this maze, you’ll need to poke holes along the sides of a cardboard box. Then weave your rope in a crisscross pattern. The goal is to create a web that’s dense enough to be a challenge, but loose enough for your cat to safely reach through. Add tasty treats to the bottom of the maze, and your cat won’t resist this game. 

And the last DIY project on our list is a cardboard dangle toy in the box. It's a fantastic way to keep your cat occupied for a very long time, in case you can’t play with him at the moment. To make it, take an empty cardboard box that fits your cat, and carefully poke several holes along the top edges. Then, cut some string or thin rope and thread it through the holes. At the end of each string, tie on a plastic bottle cap (make sure it's clean!). Your cat will love batting at the dangling caps! It's a simple, eco-friendly way to provide endless joy for your pet.