DIY toy guide
Felt-Ball Track Tray
A baking tray with a felt ball trapped inside becomes a contained batting rink
A raised-edge baking tray with one or two soft felt balls dropped in becomes a self-contained rink where your cat can bat and skitter the balls around without them vanishing under the sofa.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 5 minutes
- Cost
- Free
🧺 You will need
- A baking tray or roasting tin with a raised rim
- One or two soft felt or wool balls (or scrunched-felt balls you make)
- An optional pinch of catnip rubbed on the balls
🔧 How to make it
- Choose a tray with a lip high enough to keep the balls from flying out on every swat.
- Rub a little catnip onto the felt balls if you would like to spark extra interest.
- Drop the balls into the tray and place it on the floor where your cat likes to play.
- Encourage the first bat with a gentle nudge of a ball, then let your cat take over.
- Store the tray upright when not in use so it is ready for the next session.
💡 Tips
The rim keeps the action contained, which is perfect for older or less mobile cats who tire of chasing toys across the room. Felt balls roll quietly, making this a good late-evening game that will not clatter around the house.
Safety: Use densely made felt or wool balls too large to swallow, and check regularly that no strands are coming loose. Supervise a cat that tends to chew and eat fabric, and swap to a solid ball if yours picks at the felt.
📝 Notes
Nearly every kitchen has a suitable tray, so this costs nothing and sets up in seconds. Add a second ball to raise the excitement, or use a deeper tin so batted balls rebound off the sides for a livelier game.