How to Make Toys for Kittens Out of Cardboard

Instead of purchasing toys in a pet store, save money by making custom kitten toys out of cardboard. Spare cardboard is available from a number of household items, including paper rolls and shipping boxes. In addition to saving money, making your own cardboard kitten toys allows you to recycle unused scrap materials. Furthermore, kittens love the texture and softness of cardboard toys. Providing your kittens with cardboard toys also helps prevent them from sharpening their claws on expensive home items, such as rugs and sofas.

Things You'll Need

  • Cardboard boxes
  • Cardboard scraps
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Yarn
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove all of the tape from a cardboard box. Unfold the box and flatten it so that it can be used as a cardboard mat. Place the cardboard mat flat on the floor of the play area set aside for your kittens. Alternatively, use the box as a cardboard mat at the foot of your kittens' litter box. Your kittens will use the box to sharpen the claws periodically. Not only is this fun and healthy for the kittens, it also keeps them from tearing up furniture and other soft items around the house.

    • 2

      Cut one of the top flaps off of a cardboard box. Then, cut an archway into the side section of the box such that your kittens can use it as an entrance. Place the box upside down on the floor. Your kittens adopt the box as a playhouse, and also use it as a dark place to hide and sleep. This is a free alternative to the cat houses sold in pet stores.

    • 3

      Cut out several star and spider shapes from a flat cardboard sheet. Use the tip of your scissors to poke a small hole in the pieces of cardboard near the edge of each shape. Thread a strand of yarn through each hole and secure it to the cardboard with a double knot. Play with your kittens by dangling the shapes and dragging them across the floor. Your kittens will wear themselves out chasing the cardboard pieces and tearing them apart. When the cardboard gets tattered, untie the yarn and attach it to one of your spare cardboard shapes.

    • 4

      Use a cardboard toilet paper roll as a fetch toy for your kittens. Since paper towel rolls are light and cylindrical, your kittens are able to bat it around by themselves. Simply throw the cardboard roll to your kittens and watch them chase it across the floor.

    • 5

      Cut out a large circular piece of cardboard. Cut a spiral shape into the circle by cutting toward the center of the circle in a concentric pattern. Tape the center of the spiral to an elevated object, such as a table edge or door knob. Let the cardboard spiral unravel and dangle toward the floor, and shake it around for your kittens to see. Your kittens will bat the tail end of the spiral back and forth as if playing tetherball.