Guinea pigs are fascinating little creatures, and that’s due in no small part to their playful nature. They love to explore and investigate, and they need plenty of toys to keep them happy. Of course, pet care companies are well aware of this fact, and any pet store will have racks of overpriced toys designed to entertain your furry friend. Rather than waste your hard-earned money on a cheap piece of plastic, though, wouldn’t you rather make your own toys? It’s surprisingly easy (and cheap) to learn how to make guinea pig toys — and in the guide below, we’ll show you some of our favorites.
The 15 DIY Guinea Pig Toy Plans
- Hidey House by Weaver
Check Instructions HereThis fun little house, from guinealynx.info user Weaver, is made of thin boards with holes cut out of them. You can even add a little cover to it if you like. While it’s incredibly simple, it gives your guinea pig plenty of places to hide, and she’ll go crazy popping her head in and out of each chamber. Project Details Difficulty Level: Moderate Skills Needed: Moderate woodworking skills
Tools
Wood Wood glue Jigsaw Clamps
- Cardboard Mobile by Alexandria
Check Instructions HerePinterest user Alexandria came up with this brilliant idea to use old cardboard. Simply roll it up and dangle it from the top of the cage, giving your pet something fun to gnaw on when boredom strikes. You can make it even more interesting by tucking bits of food in between each roll. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Basic crafts skills
Tools
Cardboard String Tape or glue
- Toilet Roll House by SqueaksandNibbles.com
Check Instructions HereIt doesn’t get any easier than this toilet roll house from squeaksandnibbles.com. All you need is an empty toilet paper roll (you can also use a paper towel roll or even an old oats canister if you want something bigger). Your guinea pig will likely find the roll fascinating on its own, but if you add some hay or newspaper inside, you’ll give her an endless chamber of fascination. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: None
Tools
Toilet paper holder Hay or newspaper (if desired)
- Stick Log Cabin by SqueaksandNibbles.com
Check Instructions HereAnother option from squeaksandnibbles.com is this log cabin made of sticks. All you have to do is find a few sticks of similar length and tie the all together with some string. It makes a snug, open-ended shelter that your little piggie will absolutely adore. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Basic knot-tying skills
Tools
Sticks Twine
- Soda Can House by TheFactoryCreative.com
Check Instructions HereYou can finally find a use for all those old Coke boxes (besides recycling them, of course) with this nifty idea from thefactorycreative.com. All you need to do is open up one end wide enough for your little buddy to crawl inside. That’s it — you’re done. However, while your guinea pig is sure to love it, you might not enjoy this one as much, simply because you can’t see her while she’s in there. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: None
Tools
Empty soda can box
- String Buffet by ViralNova.com Image: ViralNova.com While nominally designed for bunnies, guinea pigs should love this string buffet from viralnova.com just as much. All you have to do is run some string from one location to another, being sure it’s low enough that your pet can reach it. Then, using clothespins, clip some of her favorite foods to the string. She’ll have a grand old time munching her way down the line. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: None
Tools
Clothespins String Tape Treats
- Toilet Paper Roll Nest by Alexandria
Check Instructions HereAnother entry from Pinterest user Alexandria, this clever idea involves cutting a toilet paper roll into rings and layering them over one another. If you fill the inside with hay, newspaper, or treats, your guinea pig will have a toy she’ll enjoy for hours at a time. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Basic crafts skills
Tools
Toilet paper roll Scissors Hay
- Dangling Toy by WikiHow.com
Check Instructions HereWikihow.com suggests this simple yarn toy that’s sure to intrigue your fuzzy buddy. Simply wrap layers of yarn around a base (like a small cardboard box), then hang the whole thing from the top of the cage. Your guinea pig will find the swaying motion captivating, and it will keep her entertained all day long. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Basic crafts skills
Tools
Yarn Scissors Cardboard box
- Toilet Paper Roll Tree by Bailing Out Benji
Check Instructions HereThis clever tree from Pinterest user Bailing Out Benji is a great place to stash chew sticks. All you have to do is poke holes in a toilet paper roll and shove the sticks in — your guinea pig will do the rest. In addition to being entertaining, this will satisfy her natural drive to chew (as well as her equally-strong drive to be adorable). Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: None
Tools
Toilet paper roll Chew sticks Knife
- Stuffed Pepper Treat by PetDIYs.com
Check Instructions Herepetdiys.com This toy from gives you a way to get rid of old produce while also keeping your guinea pig entertained. Just take a bell pepper, cut a hole in it, stuff some other food inside it, and hang the whole thing from the top of the cage. It’s nutritious, delicious, and absolutely fascinating. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: None
Tools
Bell pepper Food String Knife
- Box Toy by Cali Cavy Collective Check Instructions HereGuinea pigs love to lounge around in the hay, and this box from Cali Cavy Collective lets them do just that. All you need is a small cardboard box (produce boxes work great) and some hay to stuff inside it. It’s easy to make, and you can replace it every time you come home from the store. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: None
Tools
Cardboard box Hay
- Wiffle Treat Ball by Amy Arenson
Check Instructions HereIf you have small kids, you can put some of their old toys to use with this Wiffle treat ball from Amy Arenson on Pinterest. You just stuff some delicious treats in the ball and let your guinea pig do the rest. Baby carrots are a natural choice, but hay and dried corn work great, too. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: None
Tools
Wiffle ball Treats
- Hanging Soda Bottle by African-Grey.se Image: African-Grey.se This idea from african-grey.se gives you a great use for any spare soda bottles you have laying around. Simply cut a hole in the bottom, fill it with hay, and hang it from the top of the cage. Your pet can spend hours trying to figure out a way to finagle the hay out of the little hole, and you can get a little extra value out of that Sprite you had last week. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: None
Tools
Soda bottle Scissors Twine
- Slinky Tunnel by GuineaPigCages.com
Check Instructions HereSlinkies are fun — until they break. Thanks to this ingenious idea from guineapigcages.com, your guinea pigs’ fun can start when yours ends. You don’t have to do anything, just throw the slinky in their cage. They’ll quickly figure out fun ways to maximize their enjoyment of this iconic toy. Related Read: How to Exercise a Guinea Pig (8 Ideas & Proven Methods)
- Bunk Bed from GuineaPigCages.com
Check Instructions HereGuineapigcages.com comes through with yet another use for broken junk. Take an old plastic container of some sort — cups and bowls work nicely — and stuff a small bed in them. This gives your guinea pig an elevated place to rest, as well as a nice cubby underneath to hide in. Pretty soon, you’ll be looking at every bit of junk in your house and trying to figure out how to make a guinea pig toy out of it. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: None
Tools
Plastic container Bed
Fun Times for Everyone We hope you have enjoyed learning how to make guinea pig toys. All of the ideas above can be made in just a few minutes or less, using materials you almost certainly have on hand. Your guinea pig won’t have any idea how much money you saved on toys, though — all she’ll be thinking about is how much fun she’s having with her new gear. For more DIY projects check out these posts:
8 DIY Hamster Cages You Can Build Today 9 DIY Reptile Enclosures You Can Build Today 5 DIY Chinchilla Cage Plans You Can Build Today 10 DIY Chinchilla Toys You Can Build Today
Featured Image Credit: Pezibear, Pixabay
Guinea pigs are fascinating little creatures, and that’s due in no small part to their playful nature. They love to explore and investigate, and they need plenty of toys to keep them happy.
Of course, pet care companies are well aware of this fact, and any pet store will have racks of overpriced toys designed to entertain your furry friend. Rather than waste your hard-earned money on a cheap piece of plastic, though, wouldn’t you rather make your own toys?
It’s surprisingly easy (and cheap) to learn how to make guinea pig toys — and in the guide below, we’ll show you some of our favorites.
The 15 DIY Guinea Pig Toy Plans
- Hidey House by Weaver
Check Instructions HereThis fun little house, from guinealynx.info user Weaver, is made of thin boards with holes cut out of them. You can even add a little cover to it if you like.
While it’s incredibly simple, it gives your guinea pig plenty of places to hide, and she’ll go crazy popping her head in and out of each chamber.
Check Instructions Here
This fun little house, from guinealynx.info user Weaver, is made of thin boards with holes cut out of them. You can even add a little cover to it if you like.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skills Needed: Moderate woodworking skills
- Wood
- Wood glue
- Jigsaw
- Clamps
- Cardboard Mobile by Alexandria
Check Instructions HerePinterest user Alexandria came up with this brilliant idea to use old cardboard. Simply roll it up and dangle it from the top of the cage, giving your pet something fun to gnaw on when boredom strikes.
You can make it even more interesting by tucking bits of food in between each roll.
Pinterest user Alexandria came up with this brilliant idea to use old cardboard. Simply roll it up and dangle it from the top of the cage, giving your pet something fun to gnaw on when boredom strikes.
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Skills Needed: Basic crafts skills
- Cardboard
- String
- Tape or glue
- Toilet Roll House by SqueaksandNibbles.com
Check Instructions HereIt doesn’t get any easier than this toilet roll house from squeaksandnibbles.com. All you need is an empty toilet paper roll (you can also use a paper towel roll or even an old oats canister if you want something bigger).
Your guinea pig will likely find the roll fascinating on its own, but if you add some hay or newspaper inside, you’ll give her an endless chamber of fascination.
It doesn’t get any easier than this toilet roll house from squeaksandnibbles.com. All you need is an empty toilet paper roll (you can also use a paper towel roll or even an old oats canister if you want something bigger).
Skills Needed: None
- Toilet paper holder
- Hay or newspaper (if desired)
- Stick Log Cabin by SqueaksandNibbles.com
Check Instructions HereAnother option from squeaksandnibbles.com is this log cabin made of sticks. All you have to do is find a few sticks of similar length and tie the all together with some string.
It makes a snug, open-ended shelter that your little piggie will absolutely adore.
Another option from squeaksandnibbles.com is this log cabin made of sticks. All you have to do is find a few sticks of similar length and tie the all together with some string.
Skills Needed: Basic knot-tying skills
- Sticks
- Twine
- Soda Can House by TheFactoryCreative.com
Check Instructions HereYou can finally find a use for all those old Coke boxes (besides recycling them, of course) with this nifty idea from thefactorycreative.com.
All you need to do is open up one end wide enough for your little buddy to crawl inside. That’s it — you’re done. However, while your guinea pig is sure to love it, you might not enjoy this one as much, simply because you can’t see her while she’s in there.
You can finally find a use for all those old Coke boxes (besides recycling them, of course) with this nifty idea from thefactorycreative.com.
- Empty soda can box
6. String Buffet by ViralNova.com
While nominally designed for bunnies, guinea pigs should love this string buffet from viralnova.com just as much.
All you have to do is run some string from one location to another, being sure it’s low enough that your pet can reach it. Then, using clothespins, clip some of her favorite foods to the string. She’ll have a grand old time munching her way down the line.
- Clothespins
- String
- Tape
- Treats
- Toilet Paper Roll Nest by Alexandria
Check Instructions HereAnother entry from Pinterest user Alexandria, this clever idea involves cutting a toilet paper roll into rings and layering them over one another.
If you fill the inside with hay, newspaper, or treats, your guinea pig will have a toy she’ll enjoy for hours at a time.
Another entry from Pinterest user Alexandria, this clever idea involves cutting a toilet paper roll into rings and layering them over one another.
- Toilet paper roll
- Scissors
- Hay
- Dangling Toy by WikiHow.com
Check Instructions HereWikihow.com suggests this simple yarn toy that’s sure to intrigue your fuzzy buddy. Simply wrap layers of yarn around a base (like a small cardboard box), then hang the whole thing from the top of the cage.
Your guinea pig will find the swaying motion captivating, and it will keep her entertained all day long.
Wikihow.com suggests this simple yarn toy that’s sure to intrigue your fuzzy buddy. Simply wrap layers of yarn around a base (like a small cardboard box), then hang the whole thing from the top of the cage.
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Cardboard box
- Toilet Paper Roll Tree by Bailing Out Benji
Check Instructions HereThis clever tree from Pinterest user Bailing Out Benji is a great place to stash chew sticks. All you have to do is poke holes in a toilet paper roll and shove the sticks in — your guinea pig will do the rest.
In addition to being entertaining, this will satisfy her natural drive to chew (as well as her equally-strong drive to be adorable).
This clever tree from Pinterest user Bailing Out Benji is a great place to stash chew sticks. All you have to do is poke holes in a toilet paper roll and shove the sticks in — your guinea pig will do the rest.
- Toilet paper roll
- Chew sticks
- Knife
- Stuffed Pepper Treat by PetDIYs.com
Check Instructions Herepetdiys.com
It’s nutritious, delicious, and absolutely fascinating.
- Bell pepper
- Food
- String
- Knife
- Box Toy by Cali Cavy Collective Check Instructions HereGuinea pigs love to lounge around in the hay, and this box from Cali Cavy Collective lets them do just that. All you need is a small cardboard box (produce boxes work great) and some hay to stuff inside it.
It’s easy to make, and you can replace it every time you come home from the store.
Guinea pigs love to lounge around in the hay, and this box from Cali Cavy Collective lets them do just that. All you need is a small cardboard box (produce boxes work great) and some hay to stuff inside it.
- Cardboard box
- Hay
- Wiffle Treat Ball by Amy Arenson
Check Instructions HereIf you have small kids, you can put some of their old toys to use with this Wiffle treat ball from Amy Arenson on Pinterest. You just stuff some delicious treats in the ball and let your guinea pig do the rest.
Baby carrots are a natural choice, but hay and dried corn work great, too.
If you have small kids, you can put some of their old toys to use with this Wiffle treat ball from Amy Arenson on Pinterest. You just stuff some delicious treats in the ball and let your guinea pig do the rest.
- Wiffle ball
- Treats
13. Hanging Soda Bottle by African-Grey.se
This idea from african-grey.se gives you a great use for any spare soda bottles you have laying around. Simply cut a hole in the bottom, fill it with hay, and hang it from the top of the cage.
Your pet can spend hours trying to figure out a way to finagle the hay out of the little hole, and you can get a little extra value out of that Sprite you had last week.
- Soda bottle
- Scissors
- Twine
- Slinky Tunnel by GuineaPigCages.com
Check Instructions HereSlinkies are fun — until they break. Thanks to this ingenious idea from guineapigcages.com, your guinea pigs’ fun can start when yours ends.
You don’t have to do anything, just throw the slinky in their cage. They’ll quickly figure out fun ways to maximize their enjoyment of this iconic toy.
Slinkies are fun — until they break. Thanks to this ingenious idea from guineapigcages.com, your guinea pigs’ fun can start when yours ends.
Related Read: How to Exercise a Guinea Pig (8 Ideas & Proven Methods)
- Bunk Bed from GuineaPigCages.com
Check Instructions HereGuineapigcages.com comes through with yet another use for broken junk. Take an old plastic container of some sort — cups and bowls work nicely — and stuff a small bed in them.
This gives your guinea pig an elevated place to rest, as well as a nice cubby underneath to hide in. Pretty soon, you’ll be looking at every bit of junk in your house and trying to figure out how to make a guinea pig toy out of it.
Guineapigcages.com comes through with yet another use for broken junk. Take an old plastic container of some sort — cups and bowls work nicely — and stuff a small bed in them.
- Plastic container
- Bed
Fun Times for Everyone
We hope you have enjoyed learning how to make guinea pig toys. All of the ideas above can be made in just a few minutes or less, using materials you almost certainly have on hand.
Your guinea pig won’t have any idea how much money you saved on toys, though — all she’ll be thinking about is how much fun she’s having with her new gear.
For more DIY projects check out these posts:
- 8 DIY Hamster Cages You Can Build Today
- 9 DIY Reptile Enclosures You Can Build Today
- 5 DIY Chinchilla Cage Plans You Can Build Today
- 10 DIY Chinchilla Toys You Can Build Today
Featured Image Credit: Pezibear, Pixabay
