Now might be a good time for me to look you straight in the face and tell you two things: I’m a full-blown crazy cat lady and… It’s about to get weird. If you think you should go, I totally understand. If you think you should stay and read about homemade cat toys…. ohmygodILOVEYOU!
I’ve had an image of little kittens playing with yarn balls running through my head ever since my grandmother bought me on of those cat-a-month calendars when I was a little girl. I’ll pretend I don’t still have one of those calendars, for sanity’s sake.
It turns out that making homemade cat yarn ball toys is totally easy! Cat calendar here we come!!!
All we’ll need are styrofoam balls, catnip, an excessive amount of yarn, and a good wrapping sense.
Just the making of these toys felt like heaven to my cat. He was certain I’d portioned out this bowl of catnip as his afternoon snack. He was also certain that all the strands of yarn being pulled and wrapped were for his pouncing pleasure. He was mostly right.
Ps. If you’re as cat crazy as I am, you’ll definitely want to check out the homemade Crunchy Tuna Cat Treats on Design Sponge. If you’re smitten with the cat treat jars above… they’re exactly what you think they are: mason jars, cat figurines, hot glue, and spray paint.
It all start with styrofoam balls. Golf ball size is great.
I also chose some larger balls because I thought that tempting my cat with giant balls would be funny. I find that he mostly plays with the golf ball size yarn balls.
Balls are lightly painted with Mod Podge and coated in dried catnip.
It’s best to allow the catnip and glue to dry slightly, just so your hands won’t be a sticky mess when wrapping the balls.
In the meantime, heat up the glue gun and organize yarn colors.
Press a bit of hot glue onto the catnip ball, press yarn into the glue and start wrapping!
It doesn’t have to be perfect, especially for the initial yarn wrapping. Work in one direction for a few turns, then have the yarn switch directions and angles to hit another space on the catnip ball.
After glueing the initial pieces of yarn, you won’t need much hot glue. The yarn can be wrapped and tucked inside of itself for securing.
I also think it’s satisfying for my cat to slowly unravel the yarn ball. He’s a destroyer of things.
These fur legs.
Just after this picture was taken, this cat flew into a yarn ball frenzy.
Yarn a-plenty. Yarn a-everywhere. He’s cute, but I actually live with a monster. It’s sometimes scary. Is that normal? (Don’t answer that…)
Note: keep an eye on your cat when they play with these yarn balls. Cats shouldn’t swallow string. Actually, no one should swallow string.
Immeasurable help on this post from Love and Cupcakes.
How to Make Yarn Ball Catnip Toys
What You’ll Need:
– golf ball size and larger styrofoam balls
– hot glue gun (helpful but not totally necessary)
– mod podge glue
– dried catnip
– yarn in various colors and thicknesses
– a disposable paintbrush (we’ll be dipping the brush in glue, so no need for your fancy brush)
– craft paper
Place catnip in a medium shallow bowl. Place Mod Podge in a small bowl. For easy clean up, work on top of a large sheet of craft paper.
Using the paintbrush, lightly brush a styrofoam ball with Mod Podge glue. Place the glue covered ball in the bowl of catnip and toss around, coating evenly. Set aside to dry while you glue and catnip the remaining balls.
Use a bit of hot glue to adhere the initial yarn pieces to the catnip covered ball. Wrap for several turns in one direction, then wrap in an alternating direction. You can cut the yarn and start fresh in a new direction to make sure to cover all sides. The initial yarn covering doesn’t have to be perfect. the second round of yarn covering can be more directionally intentional.
When ball is completely covered and layered twice in yarn, tuck the end piece into the yarn ball (and tie into a knot if you’d like) to adhere. Toss around the house. It’s kitty playtime!
Note: keep an eye on your cat when they play with these yarn balls. Cats shouldn’t swallow string. Actually, no one should swallow string.
Natasha Bhatt
God…such a cutie pie your cat is……even my cat loves to play with yarn balls and my mum needs to keep them in hiding when she is knitting a sweater…hehehe
Adriella
This is so so cool!! And that jar lid is just so creative, a Joy the baker thing!! I also found myself being a crazy cat lady after I rescued my litlle one…before that I only knew the love of dogs!!
Love you Joy!! :)
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Wonderful paintings! This is the kind of information that are supposed to be shared across the web. Shame on Google for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and talk over with my website . Thank you =)
spicycocoa
Your cat is so pretty!! :)
Tina
Awesome idea! I am totally going to make this for my cat.
Megan
Hey! So I may be a few weeks late, but it was great chatting with you the other night. Also, I love the cat toys. So stinkin fun. I may have to make these… although my cats don’t really care about catnip, so I can probably skip that step!
C.C
Very creative, I must give this a try for sure!!
Lindsay
This is hysterical! I’m sure my cat, Martha Washington, would just DIE over these. Thanks for the great inspiration!
M.A. Hairston
Our veternarian says that even one little “bite” of styrofoam can be very dangerous to cats if they nip it and it gets into their GI tracts — styrofoam can cause obstructions.
Love the photos but the underlying idea scares me, MAH
joythebaker
everything ever is the most dangerous thing ever.
Mary @ B&G JOURNALS
Ahh joy, I am freaking out at how precious your feline is, totally cat calendar material here :) I love cats but am allergic, so luckily my little pup G thinks he’s a cat so I get the best of both worlds…
Gen
More of this, please! I can never think of enough ways to entertain Crumpets.
Jenn
OMG. Joy. I think our cat (Hercules, aka Herc the Destroyer) would lose his mind over these. I’m definitely making him the treats… and I am definitely going to get made fun of.
xoxo
Jenn
Becca - Cookie Jar Treats
Oh my gosh Joy, I love you for this. I am not a cat person… well at least only for some cats. I’ve had some bad experiences with cats… some of them involve my face and their claws :/ But this is the cutest thing ever! :3
Li @ Words and Cake
1) Your cat is adorable. How do you get him to pose for photos?! My cat doesn’t do a thing I say.
2) I love the idea of making crunchy cat treats – this probably makes me a preemptive crazy cat lady. Actually, I probably already am.
3) Your cat is ADORABLE. (Have I said that already?)
4) This post made me smile so much. :)
Mikey F.
LOL – your cat is SOOO spoiled!
Jen
Cute =)
Marleena @ theflexfoodie
Love that you spoil your cat! Only crazy cat ladys truly understand. Cat paws always get me – they’re just so dainty (at least until the catnip takes effect!).
Samantha
I don’t know what it is (practice, study, etc.) but your photographs are looking REALLY most fabulous. They’ve always been good, like Tracy’s, but both of you seem to be hitting another level that’s just wonderful.
Thank you for the visual treats and your charming kitty. Great work!
tNt
Ohmy, I totally understand this living with a cat-monster thing :)
Laura
Please be careful with this. Make sure your cat is only playing with it under your supervision. A swallowed string = surgery for cat = not good.
Lady Jennie
my first reaction when i read the title was, “so – it has come to this.”
;-) heh heh
i’ll content myself to smearing peanut butter on the dog bones.
Sarah
Hahahaha, Awesome! I bet my cat would love these (but I have enough trouble keeping him away from my knitting without encouraging him :P). I’m pretty sure it’s normal to be slightly afraid of cats, they’re mad adorable beasts.
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
This is undoubtedly the best.thing.ever.
Paola Parsons//Love+Cupcakes
Thanks for the blog love Joy! I’m thinking cat parties should be a weekly thing from now on ;) I’m sure Jules agrees.
Geez Louise!
spoiled spoiled kitty cat… I bought a dog for my dog, now that is crazy!
Melissa
What a great idea! I’m not super crafty but this seems easy.
Briel K.
As usual both you and your cat are the cutest! My cats already get crazy enough without catnip so I probably won’t make these but they are really cute!
Got any outtakes of that first picture? How long did it take to get the perfect picture of him sitting there? haha :)
Anne
My cat, Truffle is sitting behind my computer, on my window sill shooting me possessive/jealous/accusing looks. I think he knows something is up. Perhaps I will have to appease my fuzzy monster by making a catnip toy or two…
Dinah
I would love to see video of that kitty!!
Celina @ NerdyBaker
He’s gotten SO handsome! I have only ever said that about my own boy, cause he’s super handsome too.
Joanne P
Joy, sign me up: Crazy Cat Ladies Club. I’m so there. I have to do this for my fur babies. You’re awesome.
sweetmaddy
amazing. MORE CAT POSTS!!!
Chessa
Yep, definitely making these for my Charles today!!
Matthew
What have we learned today? Cats and yarn don’t mix. Also, Joy as crazy cat lady confirmation.
addie | culicurious
what a cute idea :)
Anna
I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but it’s a really really bad idea to let your kitty play with yarn! If he gets it unwound he can get it stuck in the barbs on his tongue and end up swallowing it! If cats eat string or yarn (or even floss) it can get wrap around sections of their intestines and kill the tissue. Even if it doesn’t do any damage directly, the yarn ball would have to be surgically removed. Expensive for you and scary for the cat :(
joythebaker
meow meow.
Emily Reasor
This (joy’s reply above) is why I love you.
Kate
These posts are why I continue to believe that if I lived in LA, we’d surely be the best of friends.
Lola thanks you.
Kellybeth
I love your crazy cat lady posts! I want a kitty so badly, but I’m horribly allergic. My best to the furmonster <3
Kristan
I am strictly a dog person and am allergic to cats, but…..those fluffy legs, darn it! I love them!
veronica
Love this post and my husband is especially devoted to our cat Mae and he likes to make toys for her this looks like a fun one for us to do together. But I’m really jealous that your beautiful cat will sit still long enough for these great shots. Only good pics we can get are when she’s sleeping!
rachel
omg. belle and pig (my daughters, errr, cats) will love this. THANK YOU FOR BEING SO AWESOME.
sandra
That’s a fabulous idea. I need to get on that quick. This morning my knitted hat – a work in process, attached to the yarn ball it is being made form – was wound around a chair leg about seven times. How did that happen?? Only kitty will tell.
Ellen
My kitten and I are currently having a falling out (it’s complicated, but it might have to do with her newfound hobby of pouncing on my legs and nearly killing me every time I take a step, biting my ankles and knocking all the stuff off my desk. She’s a holy terror.) But maybe I’ll make her one of these as a peace offering. It could distract her for about five minutes, until she knocks it under the sofa. But in all seriousness, she’s lovely and adorable and really funny. So much love for Moomin.
robyn @ the freckled pie
i’m just still amazed you got your beautiful-monster cat to stay still for the first picture. let me just soak that up for a while, eh? xo
The Cuisinerd
If they end up publishing a 2013 edition of “6 packs, 9 lives” I’m getting it for you: http://www.rakuten.com/prod/6-packs-9-lives-2012-calendar/221238421.html?listingId=217476569&s_kwcid=
Just sayin ox
Maria
I was REALLY hoping for some cat-playing-with-yarn-balls video, so if you could make that happen, that would be major.
Your kitten is so gosh darn cute. I love cat posts. :) Meow.
kat
OMG, so cute! my kitty nowadays could care less about catnip, BUT my old kitty…geez, my grandma would make these cute little baby sock filled with catnip and sew ’em up at the tops…adorable! Especially if you get the little holiday-themed socks!
Pauline
The only thing that would make this post better would be more pictures of your cat. I heart the Jules Stevens.
fishgirl182
omg your cat is adorable. i love these pics of him. i don’t have a cat but love the idea of homemade cat toys.
Seanna Lea
I have a homemade knit mouse I freeformed a few years ago. I gave it a little pouch, so while it isn’t stuffed with catnip I can always add more catnip to it. All fresh like.
Teresa
WHY ARE CAT FEET THE CUTEST THINGS ON THE PLANET?! Just saying.
Rocky Mountain Woman
I am not especially into cats, but I totally understand the obsession with animals thingy. It has cost me a lot of money over the years and been worth every cent….
KMont
I absolutely love how much you love your cat. I enjoy his birthday posts so much! Totally normal…for sure! :D
Sophie {The Cake Hunter}
We got our kitten 2 months ago and I’ve been thinking about making your cat treats for her. She’s mad enough as it is though so maybe she’s not ready for catnip yet :)
Cheryl
Oh to be a cat! How simple it is! ;)
Erika
My favorite post ever!!! What a sweet kitty, and how sweet of you to make him such wonderful fun toys and treats!
Of course, you have to show us pictures of the destruction that ensued ;)
amanda blair
I’m sure you get this a lot but I want to be your friend. Seriously. You are the greatest ever and your posts just make me smile and laugh. And the world needs more smiling and laughing doesn’t it?? just amazing Joy…just amazing!
Kim@Soliloquy Of Food & Such
~Crazy Cat Ladies UNITE~
Great post…love the first pic of kitty & balloons & yarn balls.
nancy k.
I forgot to mention on my previous post that I noticed you are nominated on the About.com site for Best Food Blog. You haven’t mentioned it so I thought perhaps you are unaware? In any case, I used my vote for you. I love your writing, recipes and way of looking at life. It si refreshing and thoughtful, and appreciated.
nancy k.
Ivy and Grace will be eternally grateful . Gracie has one ” fuzzyball” that is her favorite toy. I have never been able to find something she likes to play with as much as that fuzzy but the yarn balls might o the trick. She is a throw and fetch cat. Both cats love catnip…catnip frenzies are a bast to watch…so I can’t wait to try out this craft idea. Thanks for sharing and I have to say…pictures are amazing and your cat is one very handsome guy.
Shanna
Just when I thought I couldn’t love your blog any more…you do this :) As a self proclaimed crazy cat lady, I will definitely be attempting this.
Heather
You’re making me cry. Your cat is SO CUTE. I’m in the process of convincing my husband to get a naked cat (he is severely allergic) to quell my inner cat lady. Meow.
Lindsay
I love this.
For years our oldest cat’s favorite toy was this little yarn ball we bought from a girl scout for $.25 at a craft fair. She would go nuts for that thing, sadly, I have no idea what happened to it.
I think I may have to make a few (read: dozen) of these for her.
Heather
That first picture is pretty darling.
Sarah
Joy please can we have a cat treat jar tutorial – I know it may seem self explanatory but what is hot glue ?? x
Alice
Not trying to be a killjoy here, but make sure you don’t leave your kitty unattended with loose yarn!
JamieK
what a magical idea!!!
Synne
I’m a fellow feline fanatic! I loved this post.
Happy Womens’ Day, by the way!
Hilary
he’s so darn cute! you make me want a cat :)
Chineka @ Savor the Baking
I am not a cat lover, but I will pass this on to my friends that are. ;-) Great DIY post.
lis
for some odd reason, my nutso cat isn’t all that impressed with catnip! he prefers red toy mice that rattle a little. it’s strange how if i give him a pile of toy mice, he goes and picks out the red ones. he does like to chase yarn and strings though, so perhaps i’ll give this a try without the catnip. as a fellow cat lady, i love your crazy cat lady posts!
Wilma
Oh my goodness! I can’t tell you how happy this post made me! I admit to being a crazy cat lady myself, & have my own lovable monster. My 3 kitties thank you for the fun treat they’re about to get. Also, I love the pic of your kittie’s face in the bowl of catnip – stunning!
Emily K. @ Leaf Parade
On behalf of cats everywhere: Thank you!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
Omg my cat would absolutely lose his mind. I can barely get dressed with anything containing a string on it without him attacking. Craft store here I come!
Molly
Love this post! Such a clever idea. My cat will love it. By the way, you have the cutest cat . . . ever!!
Nina Max
I love this so much. Do you know about catnip bubbles? Hours and hours of fun, plus hyperventilation!
joythebaker
i’ve heard of this. pretty brilliant!
Marie-Pier | 4 Seasons at Home
It was my cat’s birthday last week. I should have made her some balls! But the only “toy” Jasmine really likes is the dental floss…!
bakerkat
He’s one lucky cat
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen
Ah as a fellow crazy cat lady, I love all your homemade cat things! Your cat is ridiculously adorable too!
blburney
the close up of the kitty feet slays me!
Cheryl Coombes
beautiful pictures as always Joy, the kitty just makes them perfect.
I love cats having four ragdolls myself consider I am also crazy cat lady lol :)
Iris
This is soo adorable! I love the fur legs!
Fabienne
Superb!!! I’m the crazy cat lady of our street. If I walk outside to put the garbage out our little furry old grand lady strides behind me. Sometimes we just go for a little stroll together. So don’t be embarrassed there are more like you out there.
But the toy is great, i know what i’m going to make for her this weekend :) She already purrs “thank you”
Alison Borgas
So cute! We have a cute cat, too! I might even consider getting crafty…! ;)
Jeff @ Cheeseburger.net
Your cat is so cute. There are too many yarn balls that he can’t decide which one to play with first.
Kelli
Frank and Leonard thank you.
Wendy
Those are magically epic cat names.
Foodloveandhappiness
How cute!
Jayne
I’m more of a dog person than a cat person, really but your cat is sooooo cute!! I want a cat now. Maybe I just want your cat.
Crazy_Athens
Hm… Monster? I don’t believe you! You should have put an “after” shot as well..
Heather
Love, love, love this! I adore your cat posts and photos. Thank you xxx
Tara
I am a total cat lady too.. I have three and would happily take on more :) can I just say that your cat is gorgeous!!
Christine
I’m always so happy to see your beautiful cat. He must be lucky to live at your house. Great idea!
Sophie
Hi Joy, I’ve been a longtime reader of your blog, and today I thought it was finally time to tell you that I am a huge fan. Your pictures are always beautiful, your writing style is honest and entertaining and today … those fluffy cat legs just melted my heart!! Thank you for always putting a smile on my face xx
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Such a clever idea and fun. And that first opening pic…I seriously think you should make greeting cards out of that. It’s just too sweet and precious. You know those fancy kind that are in boutique shops for like $5 bucks a piece with either no message and blank or something clever. Just a totally random thought :) This post makes me miss my old cat!
joythebaker
i’m totally making this a card!!! best idea EVER! big love to you Averie!
Kezia
What a brilliant idea! I’ll definitely be making some of these in the near future as our cat has just had kittens! They are now three days old and so adorable!
Jennie
What an adorable cat! My cat stayed in England with my Mum when I moved to Hong Kong – i might make up a few of these and pop them in the post for her! Is that sad??
Sini
Oh those kitty paws! The first picture looks like cat heaven. I need to make these yarn balls – and then to go get a cat.
Holiday Baker Man
That is one stoned cat? Great idea!