Birds are smart, curious, and easily bored — which can lead to feather plucking, screaming, or destructive behaviour. But you don’t have to spend a fortune on store-bought toys to keep them happy.

With a little creativity, you can make DIY bird toys that are safe, stimulating, and tailored to your feathered friend’s personality.

Here are five easy bird toy ideas you can make at home.

1. Foraging Cups

What you need:

  • Paper cupcake cases or small paper cups
  • Bird-safe treats or pellets

How to make it:

  • Place a small treat in each cup.
  • Twist or fold the top so your bird has to rip it open.
  • Hang them in the cage or scatter them for floor play.

Why it works: Birds love tearing paper and “working” for their food, mimicking natural foraging.

2. Shreddable Paper Chains

What you need:

  • Bird-safe paper or untreated cardboard strips
  • Non-toxic paper glue or just fold them through

How to make it:

  • Loop strips together like a paper chain.
  • Hang it at different cage levels for your bird to shred.

Why it works: Great for beak exercise and boredom-busting.

3. Wooden Block Danglers

What you need:

  • Untreated wooden blocks (or natural wood chunks)
  • Bird-safe rope or sisal
  • Beads (plastic or wood)

How to make it:

  • Drill small holes in the blocks (if needed).
  • Thread onto rope, adding beads or knots for variety.
  • Hang from the top of the cage.

Why it works: Encourages climbing, chewing, and problem-solving.

4. Cardboard Foraging Box

What you need:

  • A small cardboard box (like a tissue box)
  • Scrunched-up paper
  • Treats

How to make it:

  • Fill the box with paper and hide treats inside.
  • Cut small holes to make it trickier.

Why it works: A fun digging and searching activity for your bird.

5. Vegetable Skewer

What you need:

  • Stainless steel bird-safe skewer
  • Chunks of fresh vegetables (like bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli)

How to make it:

  • Thread the vegetables onto the skewer.
  • Hang it in the cage at perch level.

Why it works: Turns feeding into an interactive, engaging experience.

Safety First

  • Always use bird-safe materials (no treated wood, toxic metals, or adhesives).
  • Supervise new toys to ensure your bird interacts with them safely.
  • Rotate toys regularly to keep things fresh and interesting.

Affordable Fun for Happy Birds

DIY toys are a cost-effective way to keep your bird mentally and physically stimulated. Plus, making them can be a fun project for you!

Want more ideas? Check out our upcoming guides on training games for parrots, homemade foraging puzzles, and best enrichment activities for budgies.