Looking for a fun way to spoil your favourite feline? These DIY cat toys are purr-fect for keeping your kitty entertained — and they’re surprisingly easy to make! Whether your cat loves to chase, kick, or cuddle, this adorable homemade toy is a great way to get them moving and playing.
We’re showing you how to make your own cat kicker toy using soft fabric and simple supplies you might already have at home. It’s ideal for cat lovers of all ages, a fun sewing craft for beginners, and a thoughtful handmade gift for your furry friend. Plus, you can customize the fabric for holidays or to match your cat’s personality!
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DIY Cat Toys
Materials:
- Cat print fabric (cotton; or fabric pattern of choice)
- Catnip
- Polyester fiber fill
Equipment:
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Sew the tube
- Cut a rectangle of fabric to be 11 by 4 inches.
- Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, with the pattern inside. Line up the edges nicely and secure the fold with 2 to 3 pins.
- Sew along the long edge, removing the pins as you go.
- Then turn the fabric and sew along one side edge.
- Remove from the sewing machine and turn the tube right side out.(You can cut the bottom corner off the sewn edge first to make a cleaner corner, if you’d like. Make sure you cut outside the stitches.)
- Sew a line near the closed end of the tube. This is so both sides will match at the end.
Step 3: Fill the cat toy
- Add a spoonful of catnip into the fabric pouch.
- Let the catnip fall to the bottom and then add a handful of fiber fill stuffing.
- Repeat this process (catnip, stuffing, catnip, etc) until the kicker toy is nicely full.
Step 4: Finish off the tube
- Fold the edges of the open side down and in. Add a pin to keep the folds secure.
- Sew this edge closed.
- Your DIY cat toy is complete!
- Have fun making more in all kinds of cute patterned fabrics.
- Then give the toys to your favourite cats. They’ll love playing with them!
Helpful Tips:
- If your cat doesn’t react to catnip you can also try silvervine. Silvervine is an all-natural, more potent alternative to catnip.
- For a fun crinkle effect, tuck in a piece of mylar or cellophane before sewing the toy shut. The crackly sound adds extra excitement and keeps curious cats engaged.
- Always trim loose threads and avoid adding thin ribbons or cords to the toy. These can become tangled during play and pose a choking hazard.
What’s the best fabric for DIY cat toys?
The best fabric for homemade cat toys is something durable yet soft, like fleece, denim, canvas, or cotton.
Fleece is especially popular because it doesn’t fray, is easy to sew, and feels cozy for your cat to snuggle or kick.
What kind of stuffing is safe for a DIY cat toy?
Safe stuffing options include polyester fiberfill and cotton batting. Scraps of fabric can also work.
Avoid anything with small parts (like beads or foam pellets) that could become a choking hazard if the toy gets torn open.
What’s the best size for a cat kicker toy?
A good size for a kicker toy is around 10 to 12 inches long — big enough for your cat to grip with their front paws and “bunny kick” with their back legs.
You can adjust the length depending on the size of your cat or their favourite play style. For example, kittens and smaller cats may require a shorter toy.
How do I wash a homemade cat toy?
We recommend spot cleaning the toy with mild soap and warm water. If a deeper clean is needed, hand wash gently, wring it out carefully, and allow to air dry completely before giving it back to your cat.
Keep in mind that catnip can lose its potency when wet and may become moldy if it doesn’t dry properly. For an extra refresh, you can open one end of the toy, remove the old stuffing, and wash just the fabric. Once it’s clean and dry, simply refill it with fresh stuffing and a new sprinkle of catnip before sewing it closed!
There’s something extra special about crafting for your pets — especially when they get so much joy out of the final result! Whether your cat goes wild or just gives it a curious sniff, this handmade toy is sure to earn you a few purrs of approval.
And the best part? You can personalize each toy with fun fabrics, refill them with fresh catnip when needed, and even make matching sets for multiple cats!
Here’s even more cat themed craft ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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