DIY toy guide
Paper Bag Crinkle Hideaway
A handle-free paper grocery bag turned into an instant crinkly hideout
A plain paper grocery bag laid on its side becomes an irresistible cave to hide, ambush and rustle in. It costs nothing, the crinkle sound alone pulls most cats straight in, and it flattens away when playtime is over.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 5 minutes
- Cost
- Low
🧺 You will need
- A large plain paper grocery bag with no plastic coating
- Scissors
- A pinch of catnip or a favourite toy (optional)
🔧 How to make it
- Cut off and discard any handles completely so there are no loops a cat could get caught in.
- Open the bag out fully and stand it up so it holds its shape.
- Lay it on its side with the opening facing into the room to make a little cave.
- Toss a toy or a pinch of catnip inside to spark the first investigation.
- Let your cat climb in, rustle and pounce, and swap in a fresh bag once it gets crushed or torn.
💡 Tips
- Scrunch the mouth of the bag slightly so it makes an appealing entrance without collapsing.
- Set it near a wall so ambush pounces have a clear line to the rest of the room.
Safety: Always remove the handles so they cannot loop around your cat's neck, and only use paper — never plastic bags, which are a suffocation risk. Replace the bag once it is badly torn.
📝 Notes
Enclosed hideouts give cats the secure vantage point their ambush-predator instincts crave, and the crinkle and give of paper add satisfying sound and texture — enrichment for the price of a bag you already have.