DIY Hair Tie Cat Toys: Easy & Adorable Felt Toy Tutorial

Updated at: 17/03/2025

Does your feline friend love batting around anything and everything? Then get ready to unleash their inner hunter with these irresistibly cute and incredibly easy-to-make DIY cat toys! We're transforming humble hair ties into adorable felt creatures, perfect for playful pouncing and satisfying batting instincts. Forget expensive store-bought toys; this project uses readily available materials and minimal crafting skills, making it the purrfect activity for a cozy afternoon. You can even customize them with your cat's favourite colors and patterns, creating unique treasures they’ll adore.

These charming little toys are not only fun to make, but also a fantastic way to recycle old hair ties and give them a new lease on life. From playful kittens to seasoned senior cats, every feline will be captivated by these delightful felt creations. Ready to get started and create your own adorable army of catnip-stuffed companions? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions and bring these delightful DIY toys to life!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Felt
  • Scissors
  • Hair ties
Safety Guidelines
  • Always supervise your cat during playtime with any homemade toy. Ingested felt can cause intestinal blockages.
  • Use only high-quality, non-toxic felt. Avoid felt with small, loose pieces that could be a choking hazard.
  • Ensure the hair tie is securely fastened within the felt to prevent your cat from accessing and ingesting it.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Felt

    • Fold a large piece of felt four times and cut it into smaller pieces.
    • Cut the felt into strips.
    Cut the felt into strips.Cut the felt into strips.
    Prepare the Felt

  2. Assemble the Toy

    • Take a hair tie and a piece of felt.
    • Tie a knot with the felt strip and the hair tie.
    • Cross the hair tie over itself, then tuck the top strand under and pull it through to create a knot.
    • Repeat step 5 until the hair tie is full.
    Repeat step 5 until the hair tie is full.Repeat step 5 until the hair tie is full.Repeat step 5 until the hair tie is full.Repeat step 5 until the hair tie is full.
    Assemble the Toy

Read more: No-Sew Sock Cat Tutorial: Adorable DIY Project

Tips

  • You can create patterns with the felt strips.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using too much felt stuffing

Reason: Over-stuffing makes the toy too bulky and difficult for the cat to play with, potentially leading to frustration and less engagement.
Solution: Use just enough felt to give the toy a slight firmness without making it too dense.

2. Making the hair tie knot too tight or loose

Reason: A knot that's too tight can be difficult to manipulate, while a loose knot might unravel easily and become a choking hazard.
Solution: Tie a secure, but not overly tight, knot that allows for some give and flexibility.

3. Using unsafe felt materials

Reason: Some felts might contain dyes or materials that are toxic to cats if ingested.
Solution: Choose high-quality, non-toxic felt specifically designed for crafting pet toys.

FAQs

What kind of felt should I use for these cat toys?
Use felt that's specifically designed for crafting. It's usually thicker and more durable than other types of felt, and less likely to fray or fall apart with playtime. Avoid felt that's too thin or delicate.
Can I use regular thread or do I need special thread?
Regular sewing thread works perfectly fine! Just make sure to choose a color that blends well with your felt or contrasts nicely, depending on your aesthetic preference. Strong thread is recommended to withstand the rigors of cat play.
My cat is a chewer. Are these toys safe?
While these toys are designed to be durable, always supervise your cat during playtime. If your cat is an aggressive chewer, closely monitor them and replace the toy if any damage occurs. Consider using non-toxic felt and avoiding small embellishments that could pose a choking hazard.