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Kittens love to play, but it’s not just for fun! Play is actually an important part of their development, helping them develop social, predatory, and locomotion skills. So you can feel good buying your kitten toys knowing that you’re helping them live their life to the fullest.
These are our picks for the 12 best kitten toys. From furry mice to puzzle feeders, these toys will keep your kitten busy and help them grow up strong.
Bergan Turbo Scratcher Toy
The “turbo” part is the ping pong ball in a track that your kitten will love to chase in circles at warp speed. The inner cardboard scratching circle is replaceable, so this affordable kitten toy will keep your fuzzball busy as they grow up.
Helpful review: ‘I foster cats and litters, so I can say from experience that very few cats can resist this toy, especially if you sprinkle the catnip on it. Even tiny kittens love it.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $10.49Sparkle Pom Pom Balls
These soft, lightweight balls are perfect for batting and chasing around the kitchen floor. Kittens love the soft texture, and you’ll appreciate the low cost of just $8.65 for a 20-pack!
Helpful review: My kitten plays with these everyday. She actually plays fetch with them! I’m always finding them around the house…They are soft so they won’t hurt your cats teeth, and small enough for their mouths.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $8.65Collapsible Cat Tunnel
Whether you’re entertaining one kitten or a litter, collapsible tunnels provide endless fun. This model has three tunnels to explore, making it ideal for multi-cat homes with kitties who love to play together. It even comes with an attached ball to swat that makes a fun crinkle sound. And when it’s not in use, it collapses into a ring that can be easily stored.
Helpful review: “INSTANT kitten approval (from Tilly and Piper). The little ninjas love it! They chase each other through it, jump on it, hide and scare each other, etc.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $12.99KONG Active Feather Teaser
A classic wand toy with a twist, this KONG teaser comes with bright feathers, a crinkle sound, and enticing catnip. It’s a fun addition to your kitten-play repertoire.
Helpful review: “We got this teaser while preparing to get a kitten, and it has been his favorite since we brought him home. He’s 9 months now, and it’s still his staple.”
Buy Now on Chewy for $3.99Cat Activity Center
Kittens can be exhausting. If you need a break from operating a wand toy for your cat, check out this activity center. The hanging toys let your kitten entertain themselves, while the soft ladybug mat provides a comfy spot to nap.
Helpful review: “I have two kittens who are now 4 months old. They absolutely love this and play on it more than any other toys they have. It’s extremely durable and can take whatever these guys dish out!”
Buy Now on Amazon for $16.99LED Laser Pointer
It’s hard to beat a laser pointer as a top-notch kitten toy! This USB rechargeable model has three settings. Your kitten will love chasing the red LED light around, and you’ll love the white LED flashlight function. Plus, a UV light setting helps you locate kitten “surprises” (i.e. pee stains) in the dark.
Helpful review: “This laser has been exactly what we wanted—a safe laser pointer that’s easy to use to play with our two kittens. They both have loved it so far. They also enjoy the bonus squeaky mouse toy that comes with it (has a floppy little tail!)”
Buy Now on Amazon for $9.98Petstages Tower of Tracks Interactive Toy
This colorful stack of racetracks with bright moving balls will keep your kitten busy all day! With sturdy construction and non skid pads, it can stand up to a beating.
Helpful review: “Our kitten absolutely loves playing with bell balls and ping pong balls, but he also has a habit of getting them stuck behind the couch, which means his play time is short-lived. Then, we end up spending time trying to track down where he’s hidden all of his toys. This tower is his new favorite thing in the world.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $9.57Colorful Springs
Speaking of chasing, some kittens go absolutely wild for bouncy springs. The unpredictable bounce pattern and soft, colorful coating are irresistable to kittens learning to chase and hunt.
Helpful review: “Our kittens ABSOLUTELY LOVE playing with these bouncy little springs! It didn’t take long before they were actually RETRIEVING the springs and dropping them at our feet so we were able to throw them again!”
Buy Now on Chewy for $1.79Rainbow Cat Charmer
Another take on the interactive wand toy, this colorful fleece “charmer” provides excellent exercise. Just be sure to stow it out of reach when not in use, as some kitties may try to eat the colorful ribbon.
Helpful review: “This is a must-have toy for you cat. My 2 kittens love it, and it is actually fun for the human to play with (pretend you’re a rhythmic gymnast!). The “ribbon” is soft fleece-like fabric that is stretchy and soft, and it is very durable. My cats go crazy when I bring this toy down to play with.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $4.79Yeowww! Catnip Toy, Yellow Banana
Full disclosure: this kitten toy is “top banana” in my household. My three cats have gone through several over the years! It’s a durable cotton banana stuffed with organic catnip, perfect for grabbing, nuzzling, and bunnykicking.
Helpful review: “My kitten absolutely loves this thing. We’ve had the kitten (and the banana) for a month now and this is her favorite toy by far. She is super rough with it but it’s still holding on. Something about the shape of it makes it extra fun for her.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $5.99SmartyCat Chirping Bird Toy
Bring out the hunter in your kitten with this chirping bird toy. It mimics the unpredictable sights, sounds, and movement of a cat’s natural prey. Plus, it’s stuffed with catnip for extra fun!
Helpful review: “My kittens and older cats love playing with this chirping bird. But, after 15 minutes it drives me nuts. I put it on the floor for them to play with when I’m leaving the house. That way they can play all they want and I don’t have to listen to the chirping.”
Buy Now on Chewy for $4.99Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy
The original Cat Dancer toy doesn’t look like much; it’s just some pieces of rolled cardboard at the end of a wire. But once you start waving it around, your kitten will go nuts trying to catch it! Pretty soon, you’ll understand why the Cat Dancer is one of the most popular toys around.
Helpful review: “My kitten loves this toy! Incredible fun and exercise for her, it requires little space and effort for me—she does all the “work” and loves every minute of it. It makes her a VERY happy cat.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $1.99PetSafe Egg-Cercizer
Does your kitten love to hunt? This puzzle feeder toy will let them run, chase, pounce, and eat their prey. It’s designed to randomly dispense treats and dry food and is adjustable to three levels of difficulty depending on how clever your kitten is.
Helprul review: “We’ve got two kittens who are ravenous and were getting in the chunky 7-8lb. range. We decided to get this to encourage playing and slow(er) eating. It was easy to have them learn it released food and it’s been a great occupier to keep them fed while we’re away.”
Buy Now on Chewy for $5.99Friends Forever Kitten Toys Variety Pack
If you just got your kitten and don’t know what kind of toys they like yet, try a variety pack! For under ten bucks, you can test out all kinds of toys, from crinkle balls to catnip pillows and everything in between.
Helpful review: “I have two 4-month old kittens who are rambunctious, to say the least. These toys are a godsend. My kittens love all of them…and even if one toy does fall apart that’s not the end of the world because it’s seriously just so much.”
Buy Now on Amazon for $9.99As a loving kitten owner, you’re doing your feline friend a favor by giving them toys that help them hone essential developmental skills. You can also join in the fun using these toys to play with your kitten and help strengthen your bond. Have fun!
