17 Cat Crafts That Are Perfect for Your Feline Friend

Curling up on your lap to keep you warm, snuggling up by your side, simply being the "purrr-fect" listeners any time, any day—there are so many reasons to love our feline friends. As cat lovers ourselves, Martha and her editors have come up with the best projects to make fun toys that'll keep your furry friends busy for hours and cozy beds that they'll adore curling up in. After all, they deserve to know just how much you love them.

Playtime is important for cats. Luckily for you and your felines, we have plenty of great ideas: Have a few empty cardboard boxes lying around? See how you can turn them into an adventurous playhouse that's all your cat's own. You can even customize it by painting on their nickname and adding cute embellishments; the more toys to bat at, the better! Or, turn your knitting skills into this adorable miniature mouse they'll be carrying with them everywhere. If your four-legged friend loves lying in the grass, but doesn't have as much of it around, see how you can grow wheatgrass as a safe alternative (that'll also keep them away from digging into your houseplants). And we bet any cat would agree that there's no such thing as too many feather toys! Our version—made with colorful wool felt and little bells—is simple to create and easy to make a few of. Whichever DIY idea you decide on, we're paw-sitive that any cat will adore these handmade toys and surprise treats.

Felines of all kinds will be thankful to have this cozy, custom-built napping perch, ideal for long afternoons basking in the sun. Top it off with a soft cushion or sheepskin and we bet they'll love you even more than they already do. 

Cold weather can often mean irritated paws for your four-legged friend. To help keep them healthy and safe during the winter months, stash this homemade balm—made with all-natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax—nearby all season long. 

Super soft and simply darling, these felted catnip toys are both colorful additions to their library of playthings. They're also fun to make (we won't blame you for getting addicted!). The best part is that the felted material only gets better the more your cat plays with it as their claws act like a natural needle-felting tool. 

A cat can never have too many feather toys. These ones are made of wool felt (read: oh-so-soft!) and can be customized in an array of cute colors, dangled from a dowel, and tied to tiny, jingling bells for hours of fun. 

Your cat will love to meander through this DIY playhouse, which you can construct from three cardboard boxes in just a few simple steps. Our printable templates help you design and cut out windows and doors, while your creativity helps make the playhouse a space that's all your cat's own. 

A great way to upcycle an old t-shirt and keep your cat happy? This knotted ball toy, which is made by cutting up old fabric into strips and tying them together. Add a longer piece of fabric to the finished ball for easy hanging (a doorknob will do) and ta-da—playtime in a pinch!

Create a warm and cozy bed that's fit for your feline with this simple DIY. Start with a shallow basket of any kind, then sandwich an electric pet-bed warmer between two store-bought or handmade quilted cushions and nestle everything inside.