DIY toy guide
Straw-and-Cup Batting Game
Bendy straws standing in a cup make a simple fishing-and-batting game
A few reusable straws standing up in a heavy cup invite your cat to bat, hook and pull them out one by one — a quiet, no-cost game of feline 'fishing'.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 3 minutes
- Cost
- Free
🧺 You will need
- A short, wide, heavy-based cup or tub that will not tip over easily
- A handful of reusable plastic or paper straws (bendy ones work well)
- A small treat to drop in the bottom (optional)
🔧 How to make it
- Choose a stable, heavy cup wide enough for a paw but not so tall that it topples.
- Stand four or five straws upright in the cup so they poke out invitingly.
- Drop a treat into the base of the cup to spark the first curious investigation.
- Set it on the floor and let your cat bat, hook and fish the straws out one at a time.
- Gather up the straws and reset the game whenever your cat scatters them.
💡 Tips
The wobbling straws move like reeds or grass stems, triggering a cat's urge to paw and hook. Bendy straws that wave slightly as they are touched are especially good at holding a cat's interest.
Safety: Use straws too large to swallow, supervise closely, and swap out any straw that gets chewed or split, as bitten-off pieces are a swallowing hazard. Put the game away after play.
📝 Notes
It costs nothing and packs flat for travel, making it a handy quick game for a rainy afternoon or a cat that needs a little gentle mental exercise indoors.