DIY toy guide
Denim Jeans-Leg Crinkle Tunnel
Turn an old pair of jeans into a rustly hide-and-pounce tunnel
The leg of a worn-out pair of jeans, stiffened with a plastic bag inside, becomes a short crinkly tunnel a cat can dive through, ambush from and nap in.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 15 min
- Cost
- £0 (upcycled)
🧺 You will need
- One leg cut from a pair of old jeans (adult size gives the roomiest tunnel)
- A clean, dry plastic carrier bag for crinkle (optional)
- A wire coat hanger or a length of stiff cardboard rolled into a hoop, to hold the mouth open (optional)
- Needle and thread or fabric glue if you want to fix the shape
🔧 How to make it
- Cut one full leg off a pair of old jeans, from the top of the thigh to the ankle, and turn it inside out to shake off any loose threads.
- If you want that irresistible rustle, slide a clean carrier bag loosely inside the fabric tube, leaving both ends open so it crinkles when trodden on.
- To stop the tunnel collapsing, bend a coat hanger into a rough hoop and tuck it just inside the wider (thigh) opening, or slot in a cardboard ring, so the mouth stays propped open.
- Lay the tunnel on its side in a spot your cat already likes and pop a toy or a couple of treats at the far end to invite the first exploration.
- Let your cat investigate in its own time — most will soon be charging through, lying in wait inside, or simply curling up in the warm denim.
💡 Tips
- Drag a wand toy past one opening to spark an ambush game.
- Two legs joined end to end make a longer tunnel for a confident cat.
- Wash the denim first with unscented detergent so it smells neutral.
Safety: Remove the plastic bag if your cat tries to chew or lick it, and make sure any coat-hanger ends are tucked well inside and cannot poke out. Supervise the first few sessions, and skip the wire hoop entirely for a determined chewer.
📝 Notes
Cats love tunnels because they satisfy the instinct to hide, ambush and retreat to a snug, enclosed space, and soft worn denim carries a comforting, familiar household scent. Upcycling a jeans leg gives you that appeal for nothing and takes only minutes.