Homemade bird toys are cheap, easy to make, and just as effective as shop-bought ones. The key is using safe materials and matching the toy to your bird’s natural instincts - shredding, foraging, climbing, or chewing.
Safe vs Unsafe Materials
| Safe | Unsafe |
|---|---|
| Untreated wood | Treated or painted wood |
| Plain paper and cardboard | Glossy or printed paper (toxic inks) |
| 100% cotton rope | Synthetic rope or nylon |
| Sisal rope | Long loose threads (tangle risk) |
| Vegetable-tanned leather | Chrome-tanned leather |
| Stainless steel hardware | Zinc, lead, copper |
| Food-grade dyes | Toxic paints or glues |
10 DIY Bird Toys
1. Paper Shred Ball
Materials: Brown paper bags, cotton string
Cut paper bags into strips. Crumple and twist them into a ball. Tie with cotton string and hang in the cage. Birds that love shredding will destroy this in minutes - which is the point.
2. Foraging Box
Materials: Small cardboard box, shredded paper, treats
Fill a small cardboard box with shredded paper and hide seeds or treats inside. Poke holes big enough for your bird to reach in. Replace when destroyed.
3. Toilet Roll Treat Holder
Materials: Toilet paper roll, paper, treats
Stuff a toilet roll with crumpled paper and tuck treats inside. Fold the ends closed. Your bird has to figure out how to get the food out.
4. Wooden Bead Ladder
Materials: Natural wooden beads, cotton rope
String untreated wooden beads onto cotton rope with knots between each bead to create steps. Hang vertically in the cage for climbing.
5. Fruit Skewer
Materials: Stainless steel skewer, fresh fruit
Thread pieces of apple, melon, grape, or berries onto a stainless steel skewer. Hang inside the cage. Doubles as a toy and a healthy snack.
6. Cotton Rope Swing
Materials: Cotton rope, untreated wooden dowel
Tie a length of cotton rope to each end of a short wooden dowel. Hang from the cage top. Simple, effective, and loved by almost every bird.
7. Cardboard Maze
Materials: Small cardboard box, scissors
Cut holes in the sides and top of a box. Place treats inside. Your bird navigates the holes to reach the food. Increase difficulty by making holes smaller.
8. Paper Towel Roll Rattle
Materials: Paper towel roll, dried beans or beads, paper
Seal one end with crumpled paper. Drop a few dried beans inside. Seal the other end. The rattle sound encourages play and investigation.
9. Almond String
Materials: Whole almonds in shell, cotton string
Thread whole almonds (in their shells) onto cotton string and tie knots between each nut. Hang in the cage. Birds work to crack the shells - excellent beak exercise.
10. Straw Bundle
Materials: Paper straws, cotton string
Bundle 10-15 paper straws together and tie with cotton string. Birds pull individual straws out and shred them. Quick to make and infinitely replaceable.
Tips for Success
Match the toy to the bird - Shredders need paper and cardboard. Chewers need wood. Foragers need hidden treats. Climbers need ropes and ladders.
Rotate regularly - Swap toys every 1-2 weeks to prevent boredom.
Supervise at first - Watch your bird with any new toy to make sure it is safe and they are using it appropriately.
Replace when destroyed - A destroyed toy is a successful toy. Make more.
The best DIY bird toy is one your bird destroys completely. That means it did its job - it engaged the bird’s natural instincts and kept them mentally stimulated. The whole point is for the toy to be expendable.