First though a little warning, keep these homemade cat toys safe for your cats! It is best that the toys are kept in a secure box and ones like string or wool only played with under supervision. You don't want your cat chewing or eating the string or wool behind your back.
Tying a feather or bit of paper to the string is a favourite toy that my cats love. Let your cat actually catch it sometimes and also getting them to jump after the toy adds to their fun. Make sure the string is long enough so they don't pounce on your hands! Never use parts of yourself as a cat toy, a kitten playing with a hand mimicking a mouse is funny at first, but can result in a visit to accident and emergency if your adult cat still sees your hand as a convenient toy!
Another great cat toy is the ping pong ball or rolled up ball of paper. Again don't use a ball that the cat or kitten could try and swallow and choke on. They love chasing this toy and even hurling it into the air. Some cats might be frightened of the noise of the ball on a hard surface so use it on the carpet if this is the case!
Another cheap homemade cat toy that cats love is the large paper bag. Very important that it is paper not plastic and also remove the carrying handles first. Cats can and do get caught up in the handles. This will scare them and put them off your paper bag toy for life. The idea is to throw toys into the bag or dangle the string toy inside. Another variation are some empty cardboard boxes piled up, this forms a natural den and place for 'loosing' the toys when they play with them.
A final idea is getting them chasing torch beams, make sure that you don't get them to chase the light beams off high surfaces though! or into other dangerous places.
I hope this has given you ideas for the best cat toys and they don't cost much. It is good for your cats wellbeing to play games together especially if your cat is an indoor cat who does not get a chance to play with the real thing.
