Make safe parrot toys from untreated, non-toxic household materials like cardboard tubes, paper cups, wooden sticks, and coffee filters by cutting, sanding edges smooth, and assembling with bird-safe twine or sisal rope.
Store-bought parrot toys add up fast — a few foraging toys can run $50 or more locally. The good news is your recycling bin holds everything you need to build engaging, safe toys your parrot will actually destroy. The trick is knowing which materials are safe and which are dangerous. Here is how to make parrot toys that match store quality at a fraction of the cost.
Which Materials Are Safe for DIY Parrot Toys?
Stick to untreated, non-toxic household items you already have. The PDS Parrot Shop’s DIY bird toy guide confirms that safe woods include pine, balsa, birch, maple, apple, beech, poplar, and willow. Avoid cedar, redwood, and walnut — their oils and tannins are toxic to birds.
Safe fibers include sisal, hemp, 100% cotton rope, and vegetable-tanned leather. Skip synthetic ropes, wax-coated materials, and any metal chain with gaps small enough to catch a beak. When adding metal parts, use only stainless steel or zinc-free hardware.
The 3-Minute Snippet: Totally Recycled Bird Toy
This Instructables design builds a freestanding bird toy from one toilet paper roll, tissue paper, and a dried pepper. Cut the cardboard roll into six rings about half an inch wide. Make a half-inch incision in one ring’s center, then insert a second ring perpendicular to the first. Apply a dot of white glue where the rings meet, both top and bottom. Add a third ring to form a ball shape, gluing at each contact point. Cut a 1.5-inch “duck foot” shape from cardboard for the base, glue the ball on top, and let the glue dry before adding tissue paper wings folded into leaf shapes. Tuck a dried pepper into the front slot.
What Different DIY Toy Types Can You Build?
The table below shows the most popular DIY parrot toy types, the core materials needed, and which parrots enjoy them most.
| Toy Type | Core Materials | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Roll Kabob | Cardboard tubes, sisal rope, wood blocks, treats | Medium to large parrots that love shredding |
| Coffee Filter Pom-Pom | Coffee filters, raffia, dried fruit or nuts | Foraging for all parrot sizes |
| Foraging Box | Egg carton, paper towels, pellets or nuts | Small to medium parrots |
| Wood Block Kabob | Untreated pine or balsa, sisal rope, food-grade dye | Aggressive chewers and large parrots |
| Cupcake Liner Ball | Cupcake liners, treats | Quick foraging toy for any bird |
| Pinecone Treat Toy | Clean pinecones, pet-safe foods | Foraging for all parrot sizes |
| Sisal Rope Climbing Net | Sisal rope, knots | Active, climbing parrots |
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Safe Wood Block Kabob
This is one of the easiest DIY parrot toys and a favorite among destructive chewers. Cut untreated pine or balsa into one-inch blocks. Drill a hole through each block’s center, then sand every edge until smooth — sharp wood splinters are a real injury risk. Optionally color the blocks with non-toxic, food-grade dye. String the blocks onto sisal rope or leather cord, knotting between each block. The BirdTricks blog suggests spacing them far enough apart that your parrot can grip the rope between its feet while chewing.
You can find a roundup of top-rated commercial options at our African grey parrot toys comparison guide for when DIY time runs short.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in DIY Parrot Toys
Even experienced owners make these errors, and they can hurt your bird. Using toxic woods — cedar, redwood, walnut — is the most dangerous mistake. Overcrowding the cage with toys leaves no space for movement. Leaving more than eight inches of rope or twine hanging creates a strangulation or entanglement hazard. Dog-clip attachments and split rings can trap a beak. Not sanding edges leaves sharp splinters. And ignoring toxic paints, dyes, or metals turns a fun toy into a health risk.
Safety Checks and Cleaning Schedule
Every new toy needs supervised introduction. Place it outside the cage first and watch how your parrot reacts. After the toy goes inside, check it daily for loose threads, chewed string, and sharp edges. Best Friends Animal Society recommends rotating toys weekly to keep birds engaged. Clean toys every week with mild soap and water or a bird-safe disinfectant. Remove any toy immediately if a part catches on a beak or toenail.
The table below lists the toxic materials to avoid and their safe alternatives.
| Material to Avoid | Why It’s Dangerous | Safe Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar, redwood, walnut wood | Toxic oils and tannins | Pine, balsa, birch, maple |
| Synthetic rope | Unravels and can cause gut blockage | Sisal, hemp, 100% cotton rope |
| Metal bells (copper, silver, zinc, iron) | Toxic metals cause heavy metal poisoning | Stainless steel bird-safe bells |
| Wax-coated materials | Ingested wax is not digestible | Uncoated paper or cardboard |
| Glossy paper | Inks and coatings may be toxic | Non-glossy paper and cardboard |
Checklist: Your First Three DIY Parrot Toys
Start with these three projects in order of difficulty. The Coffee Filter Pom-Pom takes under two minutes: accordion-fold a coffee filter, tie it in the middle with raffia, fluff both ends, and stuff dried fruit inside. The Paper Roll Kabob takes five minutes: cut cardboard tubes into rings, thread them onto sisal rope with wooden blocks, and tuck treats inside the rolls with the ends folded shut. The Wood Block Kabob takes ten minutes but lasts the longest: cut, drill, sand, and string untreated pine blocks — your parrot will spend hours demolishing them.
FAQs
Can I use glue to assemble parrot toys?
Only use white school glue — it is non-toxic once dry. Avoid super glue, wood glue, epoxy, or any solvent-based adhesive. Even non-toxic glue should be applied sparingly and allowed to cure fully before giving the toy to your bird.
How often should I replace homemade parrot toys?
Replace or repair a toy as soon as it shows damage — frayed ropes, splintered wood, or loose parts. Most cardboard toys last a few days with an enthusiastic chewer. Wooden block toys can last weeks. Inspect every toy daily and remove any piece small enough to swallow.
Is it safe to use pinecones from outside for toys?
Yes, with proper preparation. Clean pinecones with diluted bleach, then bake them at 200°F for 45–60 minutes to kill any insects or mold. Never use pinecones treated with pesticides or collected near roads. Decorate the cooled pinecone with pet-safe foods only.
Can I dye wood for parrot toys?
Only with non-toxic, food-grade dyes — the same ones used for coloring Easter eggs or cake frosting. Regular craft paints, even those labeled non-toxic, may contain heavy metals or solvents. A light coating of food coloring diluted in water is the only safe option.
Are metal bells ever safe for parrots?
Only stainless steel bird-safe bells with long tubes are acceptable. Cowbells, jingle bells, and any bell with a small gap between the clapper and the body can trap a beak or toenail. Check that no part of the bell contains copper, silver, zinc, or iron.
References & Sources
- Instructables. “Totally Recycled Bird Toy.” Provides the step-by-step for making a freestanding toy from a toilet paper roll.
- PDS Parrot Shop. “DIY Bird Toy: Master Guide.” Comprehensive material safety lists and wood block kabob instructions.
- Best Friends Animal Society. “How to Pick Safe Bird Toys.” Details safety checks, attachment risks, and metal toxicity guidelines.
- PetMate. “DIY Bird Toys: Creative and Affordable Ideas.” Instructions for pinecone treats, paper roll kabobs, and sisal climbing nets.
- BirdTricks Store. “Tips For Keeping Your Bird Busy.” Guidance on toy spacing and extending toy life.