11 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.

Your cat's ideal hangout? This scratching post doubles as a perch for your feline co-inhabitant. At home, outfit an oversized cardboard tube with sisal, and top it off with a sheepskin-lined tray. The textured surface is great for scratching while the indoor/outdoor nooks are a prime spot for napping.

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.

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.

For most cats, all the toys in the world can't compare to a simple basket. Give their cozy hiding nook an upgrade—and an elevated rise off the floor—by mounting it to the wall with hardware. A blanket keeps Kitty warm and content.

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.

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.

Treat a kitty to a game of cat and mouse with a few dapper toys. There's no mistaking these critters for the real thing—they're constructed from brightly colored suiting and shirting fabric.

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!

Any kitten would be smitten over this sweet catnip-filled pillow. The toys are also packed with wool stuffing and a jingle bell, keeping it plush and soft for play.

This adorable collar is perfect for Halloween. With just two steps, and our printable templates, you can transform a bit of velcro, ribbon, and wool felt in your favorite floral colors into a beautiful, wearable blossom. Pet-unias, anyone?