Dog Toys

DIY Dog Toys Kids Can Make With an Adult: T-Shirt Rope, Sock and Bottle Ideas

Child's hands braiding three strips of an old t-shirt into a rope toy on a kitchen table

A braided old t-shirt costs nothing, and a child can do most of it. These four DIY dog toys split the work the way a family would: the adult handles scissors and plastic, the child braids, ties and stuffs. The safety rules come from Humane World for Animals and the ASPCA, and they matter more than the crafts, because every homemade toy has the same weak point: if a dog can chew it into pieces, it can swallow the pieces.

a puppy playing with a pile of shredded paper

What you need

  • Old t-shirts and socks with no holes or elastic left in the cuff
  • A clean, empty plastic water bottle
  • One tennis ball that is the right size for your dog
  • Kitchen scissors (adult only) and a tape measure
  • A handful of your dog's regular kibble

1. No-sew t-shirt rope toy

This is the classic tug toy, and it needs no sewing. An adult cuts the shirt into three long strips of the same width, about two inches wide. Your child lines the strips up, ties a tight knot at one end, braids all three together, and ties a second knot at the other end. Pull both knots hard to test them. This tutorial works with any soft old shirt or fabric scraps, and a longer rope is easier for a child to hold at one end during a tug game.

2. Tennis ball sock toy

Wrap a tennis ball in the toe of a clean sock by sliding it in, then tie a knot right above it. Pick a ball big enough that your dog cannot swallow it, since shelter guidance warns that toys that are too small can lodge in the throat. Once a dog chews through the sock or the ball, the toy is finished.

two dogs playing with a red toy on the floor

3. Water bottle crinkle toy

An adult removes the cap, the plastic ring under it and the label. The child slides the empty bottle into a sock, and the adult ties the end shut. Some dogs like the crinkle, and others ignore it. Because a dog can tear plastic, this one is for play while you are watching, and it goes in the trash when it cracks.

4. Bottle treat feeder (a simple puzzle)

This puzzle feeder turns part of a regular meal into a game. An adult takes off the cap and ring and cuts a few holes just large enough for kibble to fall out. The child drops in a handful of kibble, and the dog rolls the bottle to make pieces drop. Use your dog's regular food. If you want to add dog treats, check the ingredients first, because the ASPCA lists xylitol, chocolate, raisins, grapes, onion, garlic, chives and macadamia nuts as foods to keep away from dogs.

Safety rules for homemade toys

  • An adult supervises every play session with a new toy, especially a chew toy or one made from fabric.
  • Check the toy after each use. Shelter guidance says to throw a toy away once it breaks into pieces or tears, and a tennis ball that has been chewed through is a choking hazard.
  • Keep string, ribbon and rubber bands away from the dog. Humane World for Animals advises removing them from the home and cutting ribbons, strings and loose parts off toys.
  • Skip stuffing and small decorations. Stuffing is not fully digestible, and buttons or beads can come off.
  • Call a vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 if your dog swallows a piece of a toy or one of the foods above.

Where to go next

These projects are for dogs, and the supplies and rules differ for cats. For the full guide to why enrichment matters and more ways to keep a pet busy, see our post on easy DIY enrichment activities.

Sources: Humane World for Animals (formerly HSUS), Safe Dog Toys; ASPCA, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.

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