Top 10 Fun Ways to Play with Your Cat
As a cat owner, you’ve probably noticed that your furry friend can make a toy out of literally anything—whether it’s a rubber band or a random piece of string, your cat turns it into an adventure! And let’s be real, being a cat owner comes with its quirks too. Did you know that studies show cat owners meow at their cats more than the cats themselves do? So, if you catch yourself chatting with your cat all day, don’t worry—you’re in good company!
Being a cat owner by myself, and having more than 10 years of experience in this field (!), I will tell you how to play with your cat in some exciting ways. You don’t need any expensive toys, sometimes, even a crinkled-up plastic bag will do the trick, can keep your cat entertained all day. All your cat needs is your time and attention to build that special bond.
So, let’s dive into some fun (and maybe a little quirky) ways you can play with your cat!
1. Playing with a Cat with Literally Anything
As I mentioned before, your cat is the weirdest yet most entertaining buddy you’ll ever have. Seriously, you can turn anything into a game with them! Got a Wine bottle cap or a chocolate wrapper lying around? Perfect! Just tie it to a piece of string, and bam—you’ve made an instant cat toy.
Now here comes the fun part. Start swinging that bottle cap in front of your cat and watch the magic happen. Your cat will leap, pounce, and do its little dance trying to catch it. Your job? Just keep it out of reach! And voilà, you’re officially a pro at entertaining your kitty. Bonus tip: keep this “chase the cap” game going for at least 10 minutes, and you’ll have one tired, happy cat.
Now let’s explore what else you can turn into simple cat toys to play with your cat:
smell tester, hide & seek, blow bubbles, nap together, with your mosquito curtain, DIY Cat Toys, Chase a insect together, Help him to chase the insect, brushing your cat, watch tv together, keep him up
- Woolen Ball: Woolen balls are the ultimate adventure for cats, especially kittens! Hand your cat a woolen ball and get ready for the show of a lifetime. It’s like your very own episode of Jeopardy, with your cat as the star contestant! They’ll wrap themselves up in the string, battling the wool like it’s their archenemy. Trust me, it’s absolutely hilarious and totally worth watching!
- Paper Ball: Who says fetch is just for dogs? Grab a paper ball, toss it, and let the fun begin! Sure, dogs love this game, but guess what? Cats can totally get in on the action too! With a little patience (and maybe some bribery—cats love treats), you can train your feline friend to fetch that ball right back to you. It’s like playing fetch with attitude! 😸
- Toilet Paper Roll: I have no idea why cats are obsessed with toilet paper, but they sure are! Hand your cat a roll, and you’re in for some magical chaos. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you! Your little fluffball will go full-on shred mode, unraveling that roll like it’s the ultimate enemy. And the mess? Yeah, that’s just the bonus feature! 😹
- A Balloon: Playing with a cat with a balloon? Now that’s a comedy show waiting to happen! Blow up a balloon, stick it gently to your cat’s belly or back with some tape (don’t worry, you can remove it later), and then sit back and watch the chaos unfold. Your cat will zoom around like they’re in the race of a lifetime, trying to figure out what on earth just happened! Trust me, it’s pure entertainment! 😹🎈
- Your Shoes: The ultimate cat toy you never knew you had! Ever notice your cat going crazy over your shoes when you get home? Yep, they’re obsessed with those weird smells. I have no idea why, but shoes seem to be their jam. Just toss them one of your sneakers, and they’ll have a full-on sniffing, pawing, and playing session that could last all day. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving—at least for your cat! 🐾👟
- A Shopping Bag: Grab a shopping bag, open it up in front of your cat, and I guarantee they’ll dive right in! Cats just can’t resist a good bag. Once they’re inside, take them on a little home tour—room to room, and watch them enjoy the ride like royalty in their personal cat chariot. Trust me, they’re going to love it! 🛍️🐱
- A Box: And now, we arrive at the ultimate cat obsession: the box—also known as their personal mystery cave! Whether it’s a shoe box, a cardboard box, or even an empty plastic basket, your cat will attempt the impossible and squeeze right in. It doesn’t matter if it looks way too small; nothing can stop their flexible body from making it work. Watching them try to fit in is pure entertainment, and it’s hands down one of the best ways for fun things to do with your cat! 📦🐾
2. DIY Cat Toys: Craft Together with Your Cat
Did you know you can easily make cat toys at home with almost no effort? As I’ve mentioned before, cats can turn anything into a fabulous toy, but adding a little DIY flair makes it even more fun! Here’s a tip: bring your furry friend along as a “supervisor” while you’re crafting these DIY cat toys. Trust me, they’ll give you all the hints you need to make the toys more interesting! You’ll quickly figure out which ones get their paws of approval. 😸🎨
Let’s discover some DIY cat toys you can make together with your cat
Catnip Fish Toy using Socks
Catnip is an absolute must when making any DIY cat toys! If you don’t have any on hand, make a quick trip to your nearest pet shop and grab some. Now, let’s get creative and make a one-of-a-kind fish toy for your cat using just an old sock and some crumpled-up paper. Trust me, your cat is going to love this homemade masterpiece! 🧦
- Take an old sock and place it over the mouth of a glass, leaving the opening of the sock accessible. This way, you can easily fill it with other goodies for your DIY cat toy!
- Now, stuff some crumpled paper into the sock. Add a bit of catnip, then throw in some more crumpled paper for extra fun.
- Once it’s filled, tie the sock at the end and cut it into a fish shape. If you’re feeling artsy, draw some eyes on it to make it look like a fish (don’t worry if it’s not perfect—your cat won’t mind!). And voilà, your DIY cat toy is ready to entertain your kitty! 🐟🎉
Fish Hook DIY Cat Toy with Wool
You can create super engaging DIY cat toys using just some wool! Here’s a quick and easy Fish Hook Toy you can make in no time. Your cat will be hooked, literally! 🧶🎣
- Take a U-shaped piece of hard paper and wrap a colorful wool string horizontally around it. Once it’s nicely wrapped, tie the middle gap of the U-shaped paper with another piece of wool string (don’t worry, I’ll share the video below)
- Now, cut the woolen strings on both sides of the U-shaped paper. And voilà! You’ve got yourself a fun and attractive fish bait (or should I say, cat bait!).
- Next, attach the other end of the wool string to a sturdy fishing rod—any wooden stick will do the trick
- trick. Now you’re ready to go “fishing” for some playful cats with your instant-made DIY Cat Toys! 🎣🐾
Ring of Mistry DIY Cat Toy
What’s the “Ring of Mystery”? It’s a super simple DIY cat toy you can whip up in no time! All you need is a circular wooden frame, like a ring, and some colorful old clothes. Let the fun begin! 🐾🎨
- Grab a circular wooden ring frame and tie small pieces of cloth all around it. That’s it! You’ve just created a fantastic toy for your curious cat to enjoy. Simple, but super fun for your furry friend! is not it fun to make DIY cat toys within no time? 🐾🎉
DIY Cat Scratcher
A scratcher post is a must-have to play with cats and the best part? It’s super easy to make! All you need are some leftover cardboard boxes, like a pizza delivery box, and some glue. It’s a simple and fun project your cat will love! 🐾📦
- Grab some leftover pizza boxes, cut those into pieces
- Now, place the pieces into one pizza delivery box and attach them with some glue. Place the pieces vertically, so the cut edge will be vertically aligned with the sidebar.
- And just like that, you’ve made a cat scratcher! Now, attach the post to a wall or the floor, and watch your cat go to town, sharpening their claws on it. They’ll be thrilled, and your furniture will thank you! 🐾✨
Hide & Seek DIY Cat Toy (Whack-A-Mole) from Cardboard
The Hide & Seek Toy isn’t the easiest to make, especially if you want a professional, automated version. It takes time and effort, but trust me, it’s totally worth it. Once it’s done, your cat will be entertained for hours, playing with it all day long! 🐾🎮
I will guide you in making both versions of the Hide & Seek toy for your cat.
1. The Easy Hide & Seek DIY Cat Toy
For this simple hide & seek toy, you need some ingredients like a leftover 12-pack cardboard soda carton, scissors, glue, duck tapes, a knife, some feathers or pieces of cloth, and bamboo skewers
- Take a leftover cardboard soda carton and cut out a panel from the longer side.
- Then, make 2 or 3 holes on the top—big enough for your cat to reach inside with their paws.
- Next, grab some bamboo skewers and attach feathers or cloth to the tips with glue.
- Now, call over your furry friend and show them the bamboo skewers through the holes in the carton. As they try to catch them, switch the holes for extra fun!
- Trying it out already? Amazing! You’ve just created a fantastic DIY cat toy. Now, enjoy and play with your cat! 🐾🎉
2. The Automated Hide & Seek DIY Cat Toy
Making this version of the Hide & Seek toy is a bit tricky and requires some technical skills. Instead of going through the steps, let’s watch the video below for the full process. It’ll guide you through everything! 🎥🐾
More DIY Cat Toys
There are so many options for making DIY cat toys to keep your cat entertained! They’re cheap and super easy to put together. You can create all kinds of fun toys like a magic wand, a cat puzzle box, a sock kicker, and more. Give these simple and fun DIY cat toys a try at home—they’re a great way to bond with your cat while having a blast! 🐾🎨
3. Appoint your cat as a Smell Tester
It sounds weird, right? But trust me, this is one of the best ways to bond with your cat! I really believe that by doing this, your connection with your cat will grow stronger. Cats are naturally curious, and when you satisfy that curiosity, they become even more friendly and attached to you.
I do this all the time with my cat! Whenever I’m working in the kitchen or at my desk, I let my cat sit nearby and hand them items one by one to sniff. They absolutely love it, and we end up spending a lot of quality time together. When I come home, my cat rushes to greet me and sits in front of me, eager to see if I brought anything new. After grocery shopping, I’ll give them my items one by one, and it’s hilarious watching their reactions to different smells!
Now my cat is the official “smell tester” of the house, and she absolutely loves her job! Try this with your cat, and you’ll find it’s one of the most fun things to do with your cat. You’ll both enjoy it! 😸
4. Chase an insect together
Playing with a cat can be an absolute blast! Have you ever seen your cat standing in front of the wall, meowing and staring up at a lizard stuck to the wall? Or maybe they’re eyeing a butterfly or some other insect. They’re trying to catch it, and they love the chase! If you help them in their hunt, they’ll remember it.
Whenever I spot a cockroach in my house, I just bring my cat over, and she takes care of the rest! No, she doesn’t eat it, but watching her play with it is hilarious. Anytime I see my cat fixated on a bug up on the wall, I lift her so she can get closer. She loves it! Her full focus is on that bug, and the chase is on.
If you do this regularly, your cat will start coming to you for help whenever they spot an unreachable bug. It’s one of the funniest and most entertaining things to watch! Play with your cat in this way and later thank me!
5. Play Hide & Seek with your Cat
Cats absolutely love playing Hide & Seek! It’s one of the best and most fun things to do with your cat. Playing with them is pretty easy—just give them a spot to hide, whether it’s an empty basket or some barely noticeable corner of your room. Cats love sneaky hiding places!
Whenever I play Hide & Seek with my cat, she always hides behind the window curtain, thinking no one can see her. It’s hilarious to watch! Cats are like little kids when it comes to this game, and they know exactly how to keep you entertained. Try playing with your cat and let me know how it goes—it’s a blast!
6. Blow Bubbles to your Cat
Blowing bubbles is another fun activity you can play with your cat—but a word of caution, not all cats are fans! Some might actually get scared. I tried this with both of my cats, and they were terrified of the floating bubbles! So, it’s important to get to know your cat first and see if they enjoy it or not. Otherwise, this game could backfire for both of you.
On the flip side, some cats, especially kittens, absolutely love chasing bubbles! So, if you’ve got a playful kitten, give this game a try—it might be a hit!
7. Brushing your Cat
Now, we’ve arrived at something your cat absolutely loves—grooming! Specifically, brushing. Your cat will adore brushing time. Playing with a cat isn’t always easy, especially when they’re on high alert. But trust me, brushing is the ultimate way to win their heart. Make it a habit to brush your cat regularly, at least twice a day. It’s exciting for them and beneficial for you.
As a cat owner, you’ve probably noticed cat hair everywhere—on your clothes, pillows, and even in your food! Regular brushing helps reduce shedding, which means a cleaner home for you. My cats love it when I brush them. The moment they see me holding the brush, they get super excited and rush over, competing for who gets brushed first. It’s a fun and rewarding way to bond with your cat!
8. Give your Cat an Upper-Class Spot!
Here’s a fun fact: cats love sitting and watching everything around them for long periods. Have you ever noticed your cat perched up high on top of your wardrobe, closet, or even the door? Cats love these high vantage points because they enjoy watching their surroundings from above.
I built a special resting spot for my cat at the top of my closet. Every day, I lift her there so she can sit and observe us from her “throne.” It’s hilarious because it seems like she’s playing the role of the boss, keeping an eye on her “employees” to make sure we’re all working properly!
This is such a fun way to play with your cat. If you want to keep your feline happy, build them a treehouse or at least give them a high-up spot where they can sit, watch, and “supervise.” They’ll love it!
9. Watch CAT TV Together
Not all cats are into watching TV unless it’s something that grabs their attention. But guess what? My cat absolutely loves it! I usually play cat videos—like birds or other animals—and then cuddle her on my lap while we watch together. She’s totally fascinated by it! This is such a fun way to bond with your cat. Who knows, your cat might love it too! So why not give it a try? Grab your kitty, play something interesting, and let her curiosity run wild in front of the TV.
10. Simply Take a Nap Together
So, you’ve probably figured out by now that playing with a cat isn’t always as easy as it sounds, right? Well, instead of trying to tire them out, why not just nap together to strengthen that bond? Cats are naturally lazy and love their sleep—like, a lot! Sharing nap time is actually a great way to win their hearts. Plus, you’ll get to witness all the weird and funny positions they sleep in. It’s absolutely entertaining! So, next time your cat dozes off, just scoop them up, hop into bed, and enjoy a cozy nap together. It’s pure, effortless fun!
So, I’ve shared everything I know about how to have fun and play with your cat. Now, it’s your turn to explore your furry friend and discover even more fun ways to bond. Remember, cats are a gift from GOD, so don’t take this gift for granted. To me, cats aren’t just adorable pets—they are family members. Treat your cat like your child, with love and care, and play with them in every possible way to make that bond stronger.
Let me know how this guide has helped you connect with your cat, and feel free to leave a comment if you need any more suggestions. I’d be more than happy to share all of my knowledge about those cute little paws!