This DIY Cat Toy Uses a Cardboard Box and Some String to Keep Pets Playing for Hours
If you've got a smart, playful kitten or cat at home that loves a challenge and needs to be entertained for a few hours, you probably want a toy that can keep them engaged. And according to one DIYer on YouTube, you likely already have everything you need at home to make your own DIY cat feeder.
The project comes courtesy of cat Mia Lucina and her human, who shares lots of cute videos of this beautiful kitten on YouTube. This craft for your cat is a toy, a puzzle and a treat holder all in one, and all you need to make it is a cardboard box and some safe-for-cats string or yarn.
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"How to keep your cat busy," the video caption reads, and little Mia was busy the whole time her mom made this gift. She just can't help being curious.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/32645wj0gyA
It starts with a shallow cardboard box, perhaps from a package you got in the mail or a shoebox. Just make sure the top has been removed so that it's completely open at the top.
Next, we watch Mia's mom poke holes throughout the sides of the box with a screwdriver. It's best to create a row of holes along the top and bottom, as this will give the puzzle feeder extra layers of fun when it's complete.
Once all the holes have been punched, Mia's mom sews the yarn through the holes in a zig-zag pattern, moving the yarn up and down through the holes to create a kind of jungle gym effect. At this point in the video, Mia is already pawing at the puzzle. She's helping, right?
Once it's all finished being strung up and the yarn has been tied into a knot at the final hole to keep from being pulled out, Mia's mom shakes some treats into the bottom of the box and the real fun begins.
Mia spends lots of time poking around in the box and trying to get the treats through the strings. Your pet will have just as much fun with this DIY, and it doesn't cost much (if anything) to make.
Related: Doggy DIY: Golden Retriever Insists on Helping Dad With House Construction
Why Are Puzzle Feeders Good for Cats?
Cats are highly intelligent animals, and it's important for them to be challenged. What better time to bring a bit of challenging play into their lives than treat time?
Puzzle feeders, whether store-bought or homemade, are a great way to enrich your cat's playtime and keep them entertained. It activates the hunting instincts each cat is born with, allowing them to "chase their prey," corner the treats and swat them out of their hiding places.
This activity is also a form of exercise for your cat, and it can help strengthen their muscles as well as hone their intellectual problem-solving skills.
If you're looking for a way to treat your cat to a bit of extra play without breaking the bank, this is one of the easiest DIYs out there.
Related: Cat Parents Are Raving About This Easy, Nutritious and Money-Saving DIY Cat Food Recipe
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This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 3:05 PM.