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Kittens love to play—but it’s not just for fun. Play is a critical aspect of their development, helping them develop social, hunting, and movement skills. You can feel good buying your kitten a wide variety of toys to explore—after all, you’re preparing them to live their best life.
As the owner of five adult cats, putting together this list was a trip down memory lane. It reminded me that the toys my kittens loved the most weren’t the sparkly ones that initially appealed to me. They preferred the toys they could interact with, especially the scratchers. Remember: You’re teaching them to use the scratcher instead of your couch! And they’re learning to chew on their toys instead of your ankles.
The Best Kitten Toys for Active Kittens
From furry mice to puzzle feeders you can fill with treats, these toys will keep your kitten busy and help them grow up strong. (If you have multiple kittens, expect to see a few tugs-of-war as they learn how to share their playthings.)
Bergan Star Chaser Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy
The “turbo” part is the ball in a track that your kitten will love to swat around in circles at high speed. The inner cardboard scratching circle is replaceable, so this affordable kitten toy will keep your fuzzball busy as they grow up. This 16-by-16-inch plastic frame is easy to wipe clean, and the scratcher toy comes with a packet of grown-in-the-USA catnip.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonKong Stuffed Mice
These fluffy little mice from Kong will hold up to those sharp kitten teeth and claws. It will tantalize your bitty kitty with crinkling sounds and Kong’s own North American catnip. Some purchasers report that their kittens developed an affection for the mouse and insisted on carrying it around with them!
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonSmartyKat Crackle Chute Collapsible Tunnel
Whether you’re entertaining one kitten or a whole litter, a tunnel provides endless fun. Crackling nylon interior material adds to their sensory interest. When it’s not in use, the tunnel collapses and folds flat into a ring for easy storage. There are many tunnels on the market, but the SmartyKat gets high ratings for durability.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonKong Active Feather Teaser
A classic wand toy with a twist, this hardworking Kong teaser comes with bright feathers, a crinkle sound, and catnip. It’s a fun addition to your kitten’s toy box.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonEthical Pet Laser Exerciser Original 2-in-1 Toy
It’s hard to beat a laser pointer as a top-notch kitten toy! This has a red LED light as well as a laser pointer for kittens to chase across floors and furniture. (We know that you know that adult supervision is required. Never point at human or kitten eyes!)
For more kitten and cat laser toy ideas, see our article The 11 Best Cat Laser Toys: Your Kitty’s Favorite Workout.
Shop on ChewyPetstages Tower of Tracks Toy
This colorful stack of racetracks with bright moving balls on each level will keep your kitten busy! With sturdy construction and non-skid pads, it can stand up to some serious roughhousing.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonEthical Pet Colorful Springs Kitten Toys
These durable, heavy-gauge springs drive kittens wild with their unpredictable bounce patterns. Soft coatings are safe for kittens and bright colors make these easy for humans in the household to keep track of underfoot.
Find on AmazonPet Fit For Life Five-Piece Squiggly Worm Wand
This interactive wand on a durable fiberglass pole comes with a whole set of neon-bright wiggly tips. Be sure to stow it out of reach when not in use, as some kitties may try to eat the wiggly worms. (Running out of clip-on worms? You can get replacements.)
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonYeowww! Yellow Catnip Banana Toy
This durable cotton kitten toy is “top banana” in many households. It’s stuffed with organic catnip, perfect for grabbing, nuzzling, and bunny kicking.
Fun fact: This cute little toy is a personal favorite of the cats of The Oatmeal creator Matthew Inman, who we interviewed.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonSmartyCat Chirping Bird Kitten Toy
This SmartyKat chickadee toy will bring out the hunter in your kitten. It mimics the unpredictable sights, sounds, and movement of a cat’s natural prey. Plus, it’s stuffed with catnip for extra fun! (One reviewer said the chirping was annoying, so she only turned it on for the cats when she went out.)
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonCat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy
The original Cat Dancer is one of those toys that 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 this is one of the most popular toys around.
Find on AmazonPetSafe Egg-Cercizer Kitten Treat Toy
Does your kitten love to hunt? This puzzle feeder toy will let them run, chase, pounce—and then devour their prey. It’s designed to randomly dispense treats and dry food and is adjustable to three levels of difficulty. Best of all, it’s easy to keep clean—you can put it in the dishwasher.
Fun fact: You can also use this toy as a slow feeder for kittens and cats who eat their meals too quickly.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonAll Kind Kitten Toy Variety Pack
Place these in a small box or basket and watch as your kitten has hours of fun taking each toy out and chasing it all over the house. Some kittens even come up with clever hiding places to stash their favorites. This variety pack has 25 bouncy, crinkly toys to keep your kitty busy—plus the lightweight play tunnel to race through.
Shop on ChewyFurther Reading About Cats and Kittens
- The Best Cat Toys of the Year, According to a Few Hyperactive Cats
- 7 Clever Cat Puzzle Toys to Challenge Your Crafty Kitty
- How to Survive the First 24 Hours With Your Kitten
- The 13 Best Healthy Kitten Treats for a Growing Cat
- The Best Mouse Cat Toys
- 6 Questions You’re Asking Yourself About Your Six-Month-Old Kitten
- The Interactive Cat Toy Soon to Be Your Cat’s New Obsession
