Cats are born hunters and love to play cat ‘n mouse games with small objects. Most of us, me included, rush out to buy bags of balls and mice toys, instead of looking around the house for something equally enticing and definitely cheaper. In this economy, it is still easy to indulge your pets with homemade toys.

Paper bags are always fun, as they add a noise factor to playtime. Be sure to remove any handles to avoid a cat sticking its head through and getting caught. It is one terrified cat that goes tearing through the house with a bag “chasing” him. While we may collapse in laughter, it is very traumatic for the cat.

My cat loved a heavy plastic blanket bag. He would dive into the bag, sliding across the carpet. He often took toys into it to play with. He also loved to be spun and dragged around while inside.

Put some catnip in an old tube sock and tie a knot in it.

The plastic rings from the top of juice and milk jugs are great. If you place the ring on a carpet and flick it with a pencil, it will shoot across the room. This is irresistible to a cat.

Pipe cleaners are fun. Crimp the sharp ends and wrap them around a finger.

Make a playhouse by cutting doors and windows in a box. Cats enjoy new things, so this temporary toy is great. By the time you are sick of looking at it your cats will be tired of playing with it.

Make balls of wadded paper or aluminum foil. Toss one into a dry bathtub or laundry basket for contained play.

To have an endless supply, grow your own catnip. It dries well and is good for gifting to your cat-loving friends. Since it spreads easily in the garden, grow it in a large pot. Your cats will keep it nicely pruned, if given access to it.

Rub fresh catnip on an old tennis ball; your cat will grab it with all four paws and kick.

Think of making an interactive toy with feathers or strips of material and string. Your children will enjoy running around dragging it behind them, followed closely by your cat. Be sure to securely hide these toys when playtime is over, as string can be deadly to cats if ingested.

For more suggestions, search the web for “homemade cat toys.” All cats like variety, so rotating toys is always a good idea.