DIY hamster house & toys: easy ideas for happy hamsters

In a world that never stops moving, where even ‘free time’ gets swallowed by life admin, finding a moment just for yourself feels rare. The trick is making what needs doing feel like fun for you too. Learning how to make hamster toys isn’t just a way to save money while making your pet happy – it’s a chance to slow down, get hands-on, and enjoy a crafty project that brings you joy without adding to your to-do list.

So, get stuck in with your scissors and glue. Light a candle if you want. This is your moment of calm and creativity. Get inspired by our hamster cage ideas, including DIY hamster houses, and enjoy the satisfaction of taking a little time for yourself while making your small pets happy with your own crafting skills. 

tissue box maze | toilet roll playground | DIY hamster house

How to make a tissue box maze DIY hamster toy

Hamsters might not say thank you, but every scurry through a DIY hamster toy maze proves they love the care you put in. And while you’re busy making sure their world is fun, and full of surprises, don’t forget you deserve that kind of treatment too. It’s why you choose only the best supplies for crafting, like Cushelle toilet paper which just so happens to double as the softest luxury for your behind as well! 

Takes about 1.5 hours

1. Neatly cut away the fronts of two of the tissue boxes with scissors. Then glue them side-by-side and leave them to dry.
2. Ask the kids to paint the outside of the boxes. Get the kids to wipe up any spillages with some moistened kitchen paper while you wait for them to dry.
3. Now plan out your maze by drawing the position of the walls inside the bottom of the joined tissue boxes with a pencil.
4. Cut open and flatten the third tissue box. Cut rectangular strips of card for the maze walls and bend them into shape.
5. Position the walls in the bottom of the tissue boxes and stick them in place with glue. Leave them to dry.
6. Carefully cut an entry and exit hole in the sides of the joined tissue boxes, and also in the inner wall if required. Then add bright spots of paint with a straw around the maze, and leave to dry.

Homemade hamster toys: toilet roll playground

You’ve had a full day of ticking off errands – dropping off packages, picking up the dry cleaning, even finding a recipe that’s actually healthy and doable (and yes, treating yourself to the premium toilet paper was totally justified). Now, with a stack of Cushelle toilet roll tubes left over, you’ve got the perfect excuse to get a little creative. Turn them into a colourful adventure playground for your small pets with this fun, easy DIY. 

Takes 45 minutes

1. First, measure the empty toilet roll tubes and cut rectangular pieces of paper to cover them.
2. Next, add a little glue to the ends of the pieces of paper, and then neatly wrap them around the toilet roll tubes.
3. Rest the end of one roll in the middle of another, and stick in place with a hot glue gun. Repeat this to glue a second pair together.
4. Place the last toilet roll across the middle of the two pairs, and stick in place with the hot glue gun.

How to make a DIY hamster house

Make our Swiss-style chalet for your small pets to cosy up in – and gnaw – using empty Cushelle toilet rolls, paper towel tubes and an empty Cushelle tissue box.

Takes: As long as you like – it’s the perfect craft for those quiet moments once the kids are in bed or the inbox is finally empty. A little time to unwind and get creative (while your hamster stays up to watch, they do have nocturnal perks after all).

1. First take the toilet roll tubes and carefully glue together in pairs with a hot glue gun. You will need a pair for each of the side walls, and two pairs for the front of the house.
2. Next, glue two of the kitchen roll tubes together to make the back wall of the house. Now, place the walls together, leaving an opening at the front, and glue in place.
3. Glue a toilet roll tube across the doorway, and one in the middle of the back wall.
4. Cut open and flatten the empty tissue box. Draw a rectangular shaped roof with scalloped sides, and cut out.
5. To make a chimney, draw a diagonal line on the front and back of the last toilet roll tube, and carefully cut it out with a craft knife.
6. Fold the roof in half and glue to the top of the house. Stick the chimney on one side, and fill with scrunched up soft tissue.

There you have it – now you know how to craft two homemade hamster toys. And whether you craft solo or rope in a helper, you’ll still win something rare: a few minutes of peace (now that’s true luxury).