The 16 Best Kitten Toys for a Fun, Safe Playtime

#1 Best for Batting: Frisco Moppy Ball

• Made In: China
• Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 3 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Catnip
• Material: Polyester, Synthetic Fabric

Designed for batting, tossing, and chasing, this moppy ball cat toy is a hit with cats of all ages. It comes in two bright colors and is made from a soft, snuggly material. When they’re worn out from play, your kitten may enjoy snuggling with this toy.

This product has over 1,000 ratings on Chewy, and 85% of reviewers recommend it. Both my cats loved it, but Munchkin was particularly enthralled. Her favorite way to play was batting the ball around inside an empty box.

I was a little skeptical about this toy at first, but it exceeded my expectations. It’s about the size of my palm, so it’s big enough that it didn’t get stuck under furniture. The soft mop-like fronds were securely attached so they didn’t fall off during play.

What We Liked

• Ideal for batting, tossing, and chasing
• Made from soft, fuzzy material
• Well-made, doesn’t fall apart during play
• Filled with catnip for extra appeal

What We Didn’t Like

• Catnip is not refillable, may eventually fade
• May not be appropriate for committed chewers

#2 Best for Bunny Kicking: KONG Kickeroo Cuddler Cat Toy

• Made In: China
• Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 2 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Senior, Adult, Kitten
• Toy Feature: Catnip
• Material: Polyester, Synthetic Fabric

Indulge your kitten’s natural hunting instincts with this toy. The fluffy tail gives it a prey-like appeal, while the elongated shape is perfect for grabbing. Once they’ve got a good hold with their front legs, your kitten can start kicking away with their back legs.

This toy features multiple different materials. The top half is plush and snuggle-worthy, while the bottom half is covered in durable burlap and filled with a crinkle material to engage your kitten’s senses.

I tested the standard Kickeroo Cuddler. There is a smaller kitten version that is covered in a soft, fuzzy material that might also appeal to cuddlers. Kittens who like to bunny kick and scratch may prefer the standard version.

What We Liked

• Good for scratching and bunny-kicking
• Filled with crinkle material and catnip
• Plush top half may appeal to snugglers

What We Didn’t Like

• Some kittens may not be interested in it
• Enthusiastic chewers should be supervised during play

#3 Best Catnip Toy: Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy

• Made In: USA
• Dimensions: 7 x 1 x 3 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Catnip
• Material: Cotton, Natural Fabric

With nearly 3,500 ratings on Chewy alone, this catnip-stuffed banana is one of the most popular cat toys on the market. Between its huggable and kickable elongated shape to its potent catnip filling, cats of all ages find this toy irresistible.

Made from durable cotton twill, each Yeowww! banana toy is stuffed and sewn by hand in the USA. It’s filled with 100% organic catnip—no synthetic stuffing or plastic pieces to worry about. I found the material was sturdy enough not to snag my cat’s claws, though I can see how an enthusiastic kitten might be able to do some damage with sharp teeth.

The downside of this toy is that the catnip isn’t refillable. It’s very pungent, however, so I found it lasted longer than other catnip toys. It’s also priced under $10, so buying a new one once in a while won’t break the bank.

What We Liked

• Long shape ideal for hugging and kicking
• Filled only with 100% organic catnip
• Made from durable cotton twill
• Stuffed and sewn in the USA

What We Didn’t Like

• Catnip isn’t refillable
• Enthusiastic chewers should be supervised during play

#4 Best for Hunting: Hexbug Nano Robotic Cat Toy

• Made In: USA
• Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 0.5 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Electronic
• Material: Plastic, Rubber

Some cats go crazy for bugs. They scurry around erratically and they’re just the right size to catch under a paw. If your kitten is a natural-born bug hunter, the Hexbug Nano might be the perfect toy for them.

This electronic critter has a rubber exterior and a vibrating mechanism inside. It has six little legs on each side, so when the mechanism vibrates, the Hexbug scuttles across the floor. If that’s not enough to capture your kitten’s attention, it drags a fluffy tail behind it.

Both of my cats loved this toy and it’s incredibly entertaining to watch them chase it around. It really only works on hard flooring and it can get stuck under things. That said, it can bounce off objects, turn corners, and even flip itself back over on its own.

What We Liked

• Moves erratically to encourage hunting
• Ready to play right out of the box
• Bounces off objects and rights itself

What We Didn’t Like

• Small enough to get stuck under furniture
• Battery isn’t rechargeable

#5 Best for Calming: Catstages Purr Pillow Cat Plush Toy

• Made In: China
• Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Senior, Adult, Puppy, Kitten
• Toy Feature: N/A
• Material: Polyester, Synthetic Fabric

Getting used to a new home away from their littermates can be stressful for young kittens. This plush toy from Catstages is specifically designed for kittens who could use a little comfort. It’s made from a cozy plush material and is equipped with a press-activated purring mechanism.

When you’re settling your kitten into their bed at night, press the button to activate the purring sound. It automatically ends after two minutes, or you can deactivate it by pressing the button again. The sound box can be removed to wash the toy as needed.

Customers on Chewy comment that the battery life is limited, and some kittens don’t like the purring sound. However, this toy is popular with kittens under 6 weeks old.

What We Liked

• Comforting toy for very young kittens
• Made from cozy plush materials
• Lack of padding makes it good for snuggling
• Press-activated purring sound

What We Didn’t Like

• Older kittens may not care for it
• Battery life is limited and not rechargeable

#6 Best Bird Toy: Potaroma Sandpiper Interactive Cat Toy

• Made In: China
• Dimensions: 4 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Lifestage: All Breed Sizes
• Toy Feature: Catnip
• Material: Plush

Made by the same company responsible for the viral flopping fish toy, this kitten toy is shaped like a fluffy little sandpiper. It’s a rechargeable electronic toy that chirps like a bird and flaps its wings. Kittens who love to pounce may enjoy this toy.

This electronic bird toy features a built-in motion sensor. When your kitten touches it, it starts chirping and flapping. If you’re looking for an interactive toy for solo play, this could be a good option for your kitten.

While my cats were thrilled by this toy, my ears quickly grew tired of the chirping noise. If your kitten is active overnight, it may be wise to turn off the sound feature at bedtime.

What We Liked

• Chirps and flaps like a real bird
• Battery is rechargeable by USB
• Great interactive toy for solo play

What We Didn’t Like

• Chirping noise can get annoying
• Some cats aren’t interested in the toy

#7 Best Wand Toy: Cat Dancer Cat Charmer Wand Toy

• Made In: USA
• Dimensions: 18 x 1 x 1 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Exercise
• Material: Fleece, Synthetic Fabric

Wand toys are great for interactive play sessions with kittens. With wand in hand, you can send your kitten chasing, diving, and jumping until they’re completely worn out. While many wand toys have small chewable toys or feathers on the end, the Cat Charmer features a long felt ribbon that is kitten-safe.

The Cat Charmer was a hit with both of my cats. I could flick it back and forth, keeping the movement erratic so my cats couldn’t just grab a dangling toy and hold on. The polycarbonate wand is lightweight and flexible enough to bend instead of snap if the ribbon is caught.

What most surprised me was the toy’s potential for multi-cat play. I was able to keep the ribbon moving quickly and it was long enough that Munchkin and Biscuit could both play without having to get too close to each other (they don’t usually play together).

What We Liked

• Flexible polycarbonate wand with long felt ribbon
• Great for active kittens and multi-cat play
• Encourages chasing, pouncing, and jumping

What We Didn’t Like

• Not designed for replacement toys
• Enthusiastic chewers should be supervised during play

#8 Budget Pick: SmartyKat Skitter Critters 10-Pack

• Made In: China
• Dimensions: 2 x 1 x 1 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Catnip
• Material: Polyester, Synthetic Fabric

A true classic, small plush mice are a hit with many cats—especially kittens who love to bat and chase. The trouble with mouse toys is that they tend to get lost under furniture, so you don’t necessarily want to pay a lot for them. This 10-pack of Skitter Critters is a budget-friendly choice. They also come in a 5-pack of brightly colored mice.

I like Skitter Critters because they’re the perfect size to toss around. Munchkin loves them and will even carry them around the house. My recommendation is to take out one or two at a time so you’ll have some in reserve when they eventually disappear.

One thing to keep in mind with Skitter Critters is that they have small felt ears and knotted string tails. They’re great for older kittens and adult cats, but young kittens need supervision during play in case they chew on the small parts.

What We Liked

• Great size for tossing and batting
• Affordably priced as a 10-pack
• Lightweight and stuffed with catnip

What We Didn’t Like

• Kittens who chew should be supervised during play
• Small enough to get lost under furniture

#9 Best Mouse Toy: Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak MouseHunter Cat Toy

• Made In: USA
• Dimensions: 2.5 x 4.75 x 4.25 inches
• Lifestage: Kitten
• Toy Feature: Catnip, Exercise
• Material: Polyester, Synthetic Fabric

When the toy shipments arrived, I unpackaged them and put them all in a big cardboard box to see what my cats would go for first. This MouseHunter was a hit with Biscuit. She even carried it upstairs to my home office so I’d throw it for her to chase.

Like Skitter Critters, this MouseHunter toy features a mouse-like shape complete with little ears and a tail. The body is covered in a fuzzy furlike material while the ears and tail are felt. Compared to Skitter Critters, this toy is about twice as big but I think that’s why it appealed more to Biscuit. She also loved the electronic squeaking noises it makes.

This toy may be a good fit for older kittens to hone their hunting skills. Very young kittens might find it a little too large and unwieldy to carry around.

What We Liked

• Realistic size, shape, and feel
• Makes electronic squeaking noises
• Stuffed with potent catnip

What We Didn’t Like

• Battery is not rechargeable
• May be too large for very young kittens

#10 Best Plush Toy: KONG CuteSeas Octopus Cat Toy

• Made In: USA
• Dimensions: 7.75 x 3.25 x 1.5 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Catnip, Squeaky
• Material: Polyester, Synthetic Fabric

Some cats are born cuddlers and kittens who like to snuggle may enjoy this plush octopus toy. Typical of KONG toys, this toy is durably made with snug stitching and high-quality material. It’s soft and a little bit fuzzy, which some kittens might find comforting.

Unlike the typical plush toy, the CuteSeas KONG toy isn’t just something for your kittle to grab onto at nap time. With numerous legs and multiple textures, this toy encourages batting, hugging, and even chewing. The good news is that if your kitten is a chewer, there are no small parts—the eyes are embroidered, not sewn on.

What We Liked

• Great for snuggling or play
• Multiple textures and engaging shapes
• Soft corduroy materials with crinkle filling
• No small parts for kittens to chew off

What We Didn’t Like

• May be too small for older kittens

#11 Best Interactive Toy: Catstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy

• Made In: China
• Dimensions: 10 x 5.5 x 10 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Exercise
• Material: Plastic, Polypropylene

If your kitten has endless energy and you’re tired of digging their toys out from under the couch, this multi-tiered captive ball track might be an ideal option. It’s great for active solo play but, if you want to get in on the game, you can help your cat out by sending the balls flying around the track with a flick of your hand.

The multi-tiered design means there’s room for six balls instead of one or two. This toy may even be a good fit for shared play in multi-cat households. The balls remain firmly in the track and the toy has anti-slip pads on the bottom to keep it in place during play.

I made the mistake of placing this toy on the table near my cats’ food bowls. Now, when I hear them playing with it, I can’t help but go watch (which inevitably leads to me filling the food bowl while I’m there).

What We Liked

• Ideal for active solo play
• No removable parts to get lost
• Sturdy construction with anti-slip bottom

What We Didn’t Like

• Some kittens lose interest quickly

#12 Best Food-Dispensing Toy: SPOT Doc & Phoebe’s Hunting Snacker for Cats

• Made In: China
• Dimensions: 8.7 x 4.8 x 1.85 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Exercise
• Material: Plastic

Some kittens need a little extra encouragement to exercise—that’s where food-dispensing toys come in. The Hunting Snacker is a mouse-shaped treat dispenser. It consists of a hollow plastic body and a plush mouse-like cover. Simply fill the toy with kibble or treats and move the slide to adjust the size of the opening.

I like to leave these mice hidden around the house when I go out of town for the weekend. It gives my cats something to do besides drive each other crazy. The challenge for me is finding where they’ve ended up when I get home.

One thing to keep in mind with this toy is that some mice have knotted thread tails which could be tempting for kittens to chew on. There appear to be different designs in circulation, however, so whether the tails are string or felt may depend on where you buy the toy.

What We Liked

• Fill with food to encourage engagement
• Develop your kitten’s hunting skills
• Great activity for solo play, overnight, or absences

What We Didn’t Like

• Some versions may have knotted string tails
• May be too large for very small kittens

#13 Best Electronic Toy: KONG Purrsuit Whirlwind Cat Toy

• Made In: USA
• Dimensions: 10 x 3.25 x 3.25 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Battery Operated, Feather
• Material: Polypropylene, Plastic

If you’re willing to spend a little more on an electronic toy, my cats and I enjoyed the Purrsuit Whirlwind from KONG. Unlike the Hexbug Nano, it runs on replaceable batteries and it’s too big to get stuck under furniture. It still offers unpredictable movement to trigger your kitten’s hunting instincts and is a great option for supervised solo play.

The Purrsuit Whirlwind consists of a battery-powered ball that rocks and rolls when activated. What makes it appealing to cats is the wiggly worm attached to the ball. As the ball rolls, the worm wriggles and few cats can resist giving chase.

My cats weren’t as interested in this toy as I hoped they’d be but it’s a unique option that may be ideal for some kittens. Keep in mind that it works best on hard, flat flooring.

What We Liked

• Battery-powered ball rocks and rolls erratically
• Wiggle worm attachment encourages chase
• Good option for supervised solo play

What We Didn’t Like

• May not work well on carpet
• Can be noisy when it’s rolling around

#14 Best Scratcher: FurHaven Busy Box Corrugated Hexagon Scratcher Toy

• Made In: N/A
• Dimensions: 14 x 12.5 x 2.8 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: N/A
• Material: N/A

Built from layers of stacked cardboard with a hollow center, the Busy Box is more than a scratch pad. It’s an all-in-one activity center. Whether your cat feels like scratching or chasing down a group of jingling balls, this toy is up to the task.

Munchkin was a particular fan of this toy. She’s the smaller of my two cats, so she was able to sit right on top of the box and alternate between scratching and sticking her paws through the holes to get at the toys inside. Even once the cardboard has been scratched through, I like that she’ll still be able to play with the ball toys.

What We Liked

• Made from layers of cardboard with toys inside
• Eco-friendly and recyclable
• Jingle balls encourage your cat to reach in
• Comes with a packet of dried catnip

What We Didn’t Like

• Single-use, may not last long with enthusiastic scratchers
• Some kittens may not be interested in the toys inside

#15 Best Tunnel Toy: SmartyKat Crackle Chute Collapsible Tunnel Toy

• Made In: China
• Dimensions: 35 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Exercise, Crinkle, Squeaky
• Material: Plastic

Tunnel toys are great for active kittens who love to explore. It’s made from a sturdy plasticized fabric that makes an enticing crackle sound when touched, and it’s lightweight enough to move anywhere in the house. The tunnel also collapses down for storage with three ties to keep it flat.

My cats have always enjoyed tunnel toys and I’ve found SmartyKat products to be very well made. The Crackle Chute is one of my favorites because it’s a modest size and has an opening in the middle. Munchkin likes it when I toss Skitter Critters in or dangle the Cat Charmer through the opening for her to swat at from the inside.

What We Liked

• Springlike design folds flat for easy storage
• Lightweight fabric material makes an enticing crackle noise
• Perfect for solo play, interactive play, or hiding

What We Didn’t Like

• May only be comfortable for kittens and small cats

#16 Best Teething Toy: Catstages Crunchy Pickle Kicker Toy

• Made In: China
• Dimensions: 2.2 x 1.5 x 6.5 inches
• Lifestage: All Lifestages, Adult
• Toy Feature: Catnip
• Material: Polyester, Synthetic Fabric

Like human babies, kittens tend to explore things with their mouths. Chewing has a soothing effect, especially during teething. This Catstages Crunchy Pickle features multiple textures to encourage your cat to chew safely. One of those textures is a soft mesh that gently massages the gums and cleans your kitten’s teeth as they chew.

Even though my cats are well beyond the teething stage, Biscuit enjoyed chewing on this toy. It was the first toy she grabbed from the box and even my dog, Archie, was interested. My cats are bigger than the target audience but were still able to hug and kick to their hearts’ content.

What We Liked

• Mix of textures to encourage safe chewing
• Filled with potent catnip
• Elongated shape encourages kicking
• Good for both solo and interactive play

What We Didn’t Like

• Catnip isn’t refillable, may fade eventually
• May be too short for some kittens