Your Cat Will Be Endlessly Entertained by This DIY Cardboard Playhouse!

To make the cat house, you’ll need an 18x18x16 inch cardboard box (you can use a smalleror larger one, if you’d prefer), scissors, a box cutter, a hot glue gun, wooden popsicle sticks, thick string (I used parachute cord), feathers, small cat toys, and a small amount of fabric to decorate the roof. The fabric is optional, though I do highly recommend it to give your house a cute touch. (Plus, you can match it to your decor!)

Using your box cutter or scissors, remove all four bottom box flaps. On the top, remove the front and back flap, leaving the two side flaps in tact. As you’re cutting be sure to save all your cardboard scraps! You’ll need them later.

In the front of the box, cut out a door. The size and shape is optional, just make sure it’s big enough for your cat to fit through comfortably.

Cut a couple of smaller rectangles on the two sides of your box for windows. You can also do square or circle windows. I recommend tracing your shape with a marker first and then using a box cutter to cut the shape out.

Using a hot glue gun, carefully glue two popsicle sticks together to form a cross shape. On the inside of your house, glue the cross onto your window so it forms a frame. Then, using some of your cardboard scraps, cut four strips and glue them onto the outside of your window to add siding. (The siding is optional, but it does makes the window look a little more polished).

Using a small piece of extra cardboard from the bottom flaps, glue it in between the two flaps that were not cut off of your house, as the picture shows. You can adjust the middle piece to your desired size – the narrower you cut it, the shorter your roof will be.

Now, take a larger piece of scrap cardboard and hold it up against the opening in your roof. Using a marker, trace the size you’ll need and cut the shape out. Then, using your hot glue gun, attach the front of the roof to the sides. Do the same for the back of the house.

I went with this cute heart patterned-fabric for decoration on my roof – simply hold the fabric up to the side of your roof and use a marker to outline the shape. Use scissors to cut the fabric and then use a hot glue gun to adhere the fabric to the cardboard. Repeat on the other side and top.

Using the same fabric and technique as the last step, hold a piece of fabric up to the front part of the roof and mark the measurements with a marker. Cut the shape out and glue it onto the cardboard. Then, glue a line of feathers onto the area where your roof meets the house to create a more seamless and clean look.

Using your string, cut a piece long enough to hang from the top of the door to about halfway down. Taking a small cat toy (I went with a toy mouse), glue one end of the string to the toy and the other end to the top of the door. Be sure to use a thick string that a cat won’t easily chew through or swallow. Yarn and sewing string can be dangerous to cats, so avoid those.

Using your box cutter, make a small slit on the side of your house, by the door. Tuck the stems of the feathers into the slit, so they are firmly held in place but the feather part sticks out. You can also use hot glue to ensure they remain secure. Feel free to add more toys inside, if you’d like!

Glue some feathers in a line around your door to create a frame.

Once you’re done decorating, put a soft blanket or cat bed into the house so your cat has a cozy spot to curl up for a nap.

Once the glue is thoroughly dried, you can let your cat(s) explore their new home! The feathers, dangly toy, and private little nook are sure to be huge hits with your pet and will keep them endlessly entertained.