DIY Moving Mouse Tunnel for Cats: A Cardboard Hunting Game

Your cat hears a tiny rustle. Then a mouse appears in one window, vanishes, and pops up a little farther down the tunnel. There is no motor and no battery: you control the chase by moving a line from the ends of a handmade cardboard toy.

This DIY moving-mouse tunnel turns one cardboard sheet into a miniature hunting course for a short, interactive play session. The satisfying part is watching your cat predict where the next mouse will appear.

What you need

• One sturdy cardboard sheet, roughly 35 × 20 in (90 × 50 cm)
• A sheet of matte black paper or fabric for the inside
• 2–3 large, securely stitched fabric mice, without beads, buttons, bells or detachable tails
• Strong, smooth pull cord, long enough to be handled outside both ends of the tunnel
• A ruler, pencil, cutting mat and craft knife (adult use only)
• Paper-safe glue; optional plain paper to reinforce the edges

This size makes an approximately 4 in (10 cm) square tunnel. It is a low cardboard track, not a tunnel for a cat to crawl through. Keep the plush mice larger than anything your cat could swallow.

Step 1: Line the inside

Glue matte black paper to what will become the inside of the tunnel. Dark lining makes the toys easier for a cat to spot when they pass a window. Let the glue dry fully before assembly. Keep it flat, with no flaps to chew off.

Step 2: Fold a long, square tunnel

Mark four long panels about 4 in (10 cm) wide, plus a narrow overlap tab. Score the fold lines lightly, bend into a long rectangular tube and secure the overlap on the outside. Do not leave exposed staples. A smaller cardboard offcut can strengthen the ends if the walls feel floppy.

Step 3: Draw the peekaboo windows

Draw three or four generously rounded windows along the top, leaving at least a couple of inches of sturdy cardboard between them. Add a few side windows at staggered positions if your box stays strong enough. A starting size is about 3 × 2 in (8 × 5 cm), adjusted for the toy and your cat's paws. Avoid thin slits that could pinch a claw.

Step 4: Cut and smooth the openings

Move the cardboard away from your cat before cutting. Use a cutting mat and a sharp craft knife, then collect all scraps. Feel each edge for sharp corners or rough corrugation. Round off anything that could catch a paw.

Press gently around every opening. If the structure bends or a strip comes loose, reinforce it with an extra cardboard layer and let the adhesive cure.

Step 5: Set up the moving mice

Securely fasten the plush mice to a continuous pull line, spaced so only one or two are visible at once. Feed them into the track from an end. Both free ends must remain in your hands, well clear of the cat's reach; they must not loop around a neck, limb or furniture. Check every attachment with a firm tug first.

If your cat grabs or chews string, skip the pull-cord version: push one large, securely stitched mouse through the windows by hand instead.

Step 6: Make it a game

Place the track on a nonslip floor, sit beside it and move the mice slowly. Pause near a window, let your cat tap or catch a mouse, then start again. A few unpredictable stops feel more interesting than racing the toys from end to end.

Try this simple three-round routine:

1. Easy: show the mouse in the nearest window and let your cat touch it.
2. Hide and reveal: move it behind one opening and bring it back through the next.
3. The final catch: stop moving and let your cat win before ending the session.

Before the next round

Check for loose cord, torn fabric, missing toy parts and chewed cardboard before every play. This is a supervised wand-style game, not an unattended toy. Put the line and mice away after playing. Replace damaged parts; never leave string available for your cat to play with alone.

Quick questions

Can I make it without black paper?

Yes. Plain cardboard works too. The dark lining is a visual choice, not a requirement.

What if my cat just watches?

Start with one slow moving mouse at the nearest opening. Let your cat watch and choose whether to join in; forcing the toy closer rarely makes the game more fun.

Can two cats play together?

Yes, if both are relaxed and can approach different windows without guarding or crowding each other. Separate the session if either cat seems uncomfortable.

Keep the hunt going

To compare currently available options, see Browse available interactive cat toys. Check individual listings for exact materials, features, fit and availability.

Further reading and safety guidance

• Cats Protection — play and enrichment for cats

These references describe general play and safety principles; they do not certify this specific DIY build.