Transform a Cardboard Box into a Custom Cat Play Center

Kitties love to play with boxes, yes? But a box tricked out with all of their favorite toys AND a scratching post AND cat treats? Well, their wildest dreams have just come true.

Things You'll Need:

• Large heavy-duty cardboard box
  
• Marker
  
• Box cutter
  
• Scrap board
  
• Painter's tape
• Paint and paintbrush (optional)
  
• Sisal rope or cotton rope
  
• Twine
• Hand glue
  
• Hole punch
  
• Cat toys, catnip, and cat treats
  

Step 1

Lay the box flat. Draw a large square on the front of the box. I used scrap cardboard as my ruler.

Step 2

Insert a scrap piece of cardboard or wood board inside to protect from cutting through the other side. Use a box cutter to cut out the square.

Step 3

Repeat on the other three sides of the box, so that you have matching squares on all four sides.

Step 4

Assemble the box, and then tape the top and bottom shut.

Step 5

Paint the box with your desired color. This step is optional, but darn, it sure makes it cuter. Let the paint dry fully.

Step 6

Wrap rope around the posts, hot gluing it down as you wrap. Push down on the rows as you wrap. This will create irresistible scratching posts.

Step 7

Use a hole punch to punch holes around the top of the box, and then use twine to hang all of your kitty's favorite toys. I used catnip mice, jingle balls, feathers and pom-poms.

Spray the scratching posts with catnip spray and set a kitty treat dispenser inside. Step aside because kitty is gonna come running!