DIY toy guide
Yarn Pom-Pom Swat Toy
A soft, lightweight batting ball made from leftover yarn
A hand-wound pom-pom is light enough to skitter across the floor when batted, satisfying a cat's urge to chase and pounce. Made from yarn scraps, it costs almost nothing.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Under £1
🧺 You will need
- A ball of leftover yarn (wool or acrylic)
- Scissors
- A fork or a small piece of cardboard
- A short length of strong cord (optional, for a wand version)
🔧 How to make it
- Wind yarn thickly around the tines of a fork (or around a 5cm strip of cardboard) about 60–80 times.
- Slide the bundle off carefully, keeping its shape.
- Tie a separate length of yarn very tightly around the middle of the bundle with a double knot.
- Snip through all the outer loops on both sides to release the strands.
- Fluff and trim the ball into an even, round pom-pom.
- Roll it for your cat to bat and chase, or tie it to a cord for a dangling wand version.
💡 Tips
Wind the yarn as densely as you can — a fuller pom-pom holds together far better under enthusiastic paws. A pinch of dried catnip worked into the centre adds extra appeal. Keep a couple spare so you can rotate them and keep the novelty fresh.
Safety: Loose yarn and string are a serious swallowing hazard that can cause intestinal blockages, so make the central knot very secure and always supervise play. Never leave a yarn toy out unattended, and bin it once it starts shedding strands.
📝 Notes
Uses up leftover yarn scraps. Retire and replace the pom-pom as soon as it begins to come apart.
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