18 Unique Toy Ideas for Pet Rabbits (cheap and free!) - Rabbit Care for Your Bunnies

Do you want to keep your pet rabbit entertained, stimulated, and happy? Rabbits are inquisitive, intelligent animals that thrive when provided with ample playtime and enrichment. But with so many potential rabbit toys out there, how do you choose which are safest and most likely to engage your bunny? This comprehensive guide will explore 18 unique toy ideas perfect for pet rabbits, from homemade cardboard creations to treat-dispensing puzzles. You'll learn top toy recommendations based on rabbit's natural behaviors like chewing, tossing, digging and hiding, as well as where to find exciting new toys and how to keep your rabbit interested with regular rotation. Get ready to discover tons of cheap, fun DIY rabbit toys and shop smartly for interactive playthings your bunny will love!

What toys do rabbits play with

Rabbits are intelligent, social animals that thrive when given opportunities for playtime and mental stimulation. While they do sleep quite a bit, rabbits also need sufficient active time out of their enclosures to stay happy and healthy. Providing fun rabbit toys allows them to engage in natural foraging and chewing behaviors. Rabbits like to interact with a variety of toys that tap into their instincts to dig, burrow, chew, toss, and play.

Some common types of rabbit toys include:

Chew toys – Rabbits have constantly growing teeth so they need access to chew toys to help wear them down. Good chew toys include untreated wood blocks, cardboard boxes, sea grass mats, and woven twig balls.
Digging toys – Rabbits love to dig so you can give them cardboard boxes or tunnels filled with shredded paper or hay to satisfy this instinct. Some even enjoy digging at blankets or small rugs.
Foraging toys – Puzzles and treat dispensing toys allow rabbits to forage for their food. These tap into their natural instincts to seek out tasty morsels.
Tossing toys – Simple toys like plastic balls or keys can be tossed for rabbits to chase after and return to you for more play.
Hideouts – Tunnels, cardboard boxes with holes cut into them, and willow bridges allow rabbits to pop in and out and feel safe.

The best rabbit toys are interactive and encourage the rabbit to move around and engage their minds. Monitor playtime to ensure toys are safe, as rabbits will chew and possible ingest parts of toys. Rotate toys frequently to keep them novel and interesting.

Types of toys to give your rabbit

There are many types of safe, enriching toys that rabbits tend to enjoy. Here are some top picks:

Untreated wood blocks, sticks, or loofahs – These make great chew toys to file down constantly growing teeth. Look for organic woods like apple or willow.
Cardboard boxes – Plain cardboard boxes of all sizes make for endless fun as rabbits love to go inside them to hide, dig and chew at them. Replace when worn.
Tunnels – Find tunnels made of cardboard, plastic or fabric for rabbits to scamper through. You can add holes in the sides for added play.
Grass mats or hay Twists – Mat made from natural grasses or hand-woven hay twists satisfy chewing urges.
Children's wooden building blocks – Plain non-toxic blocks in various shapes allow for chewing and tossing.
Untreated wicker baskets – Rabbits enjoy digging at, hiding in and chewing these natural baskets. Supervise to prevent eating wicker.
Hard plastic baby toys – Simple plastic keys, rattles, stacking cups or balls make for tossing and pushing toys. Ensure they are BPA-free.
Treat dispensing toys – Put pellets or hay inside a ball or cube with holes so rabbits nudge and roll it to dispense treats as mental stimulation.
Digging boxes – Fill a box with shredded paper, hay, shredded newspaper or even sand for digging fun. Hide treats inside.
Paper bags – Open paper bags filled with hay or paper shreds are instantly entertaining. Supervise use.

The most important thing is to provide a variety of toys and rotate them frequently to keep your rabbit active and engaged. Monitor playtime for safety and check that all toys are rabbit-proof.

What types of toys to avoid

While there are many great rabbit toy options out there, some types of toys are not recommended and can even be hazardous. Here are some to avoid:

Any toy with loose parts that could be chewed off and ingested – Ribbons, bells, beads and other decorations may look cute but can be harmful if swallowed.
Toys with toxic paints or stains – Ensure all wood toys have non-toxic finishes and steer clear of any painted toys that could be chewed to ingest paint.
Cotton rope toys – Cotton strands from rope can get wrapped around the intestines if ingested. Use natural sisal rope instead.
Toys with sharp edges – Rabbits chew vigorously so any sharp corners or splinters could hurt their mouths or guts.
Feather or fiber-filled plush toys – Rabbits will tear these up and ingest the filling which can cause intestinal blockages.
Yarn or string toys – Like cotton ropes, loose strands get trapped in the digestive tract if swallowed.
Towels or cloth toys – Loose threads and fibers are hazardous if ingested during chewing play. Opt for fleece which does not fray.
Wire toys – Rabbits can chew off and ingest sharp pieces of wire with toxicity risks.
Paper with inks – Printed paper has toxic inks. Stick to plain, unprinted cardboard and paper.
Soft rubber or plastic – Rabbits teeth can chew bits of these off and choke on them. Hard plastic and wood are safer.

When shopping for new rabbit toys or making your own, check carefully that they have no loose parts, sharp edges, or materials that can fray into pieces. This will ensure your rabbit stays safe while having enriching playtime.

How to find toys your rabbit will want to play with

Rabbits have unique personalities so figuring out which toys your rabbit prefers takes some experimenting. Here are some tips for finding toys they will actually interact with:

Offer a variety of toy types – Have chew toys, tossing toys, hideouts and digging options available to see what appeals most. Rotate frequently.
Try out DIY toys first – Simple cardboard boxes, paper bags, toilet paper tubes, or plastic bottles with contents are free toy options to start with.
Watch their behavior – Notice what surfaces, textures, and play styles interest them such as shredding paper or carrying toys around.
Look for signs of enjoyment – Toys they nudge, toss in the air, dig at, hide in or excitedly chew show they are having fun!
Ensure the size suits them – Rabbits prefer to play with toys they can easily pick up and manipulate in their mouths or paws.
Incorporate food motivation – Hiding pellets or hay inside toys sparks instant interest. Start by putting treats in, then gradually remove them.
Offer variety – Even for chewing, provide different textures from wood to grass to cardboard.
Try interactive feeding toys – Puzzles and mazes requiring rolling, lifting or sliding to release treats are very mentally stimulating.
Allow playtime freedom – Open playpens allow rabbits to interact with toys freely. Monitor for safety and chewing supervision.
Watch for safety – Ensure your rabbit is not ingesting pieces or over-chewing toys into choking hazards.

With some experimenting, you'll discover which rabbit toys yours loves best. The most rewarding toys are those that spark natural behaviors like chewing, digging, tossing and foraging. Rotate frequently for novelty!

Where to get new toys

The good news is there are many places, both online and in-stores, where you can find fun and safe rabbit toys. Here are some top options:

Pet supply stores – Chains like PetSmart, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus and local pet stores have a rabbit section with suitable toys. Look for chews, tunnels, treat toys and more.
Online specialty shops – Websites like Binkybunny.com, Busybunny.com and Tails.com have a huge selection of unique, interactive rabbit toys. Great for hard-to-find items.
DIY toy materials – Craft and dollar stores sell cardboard, grass mats, seagrass, sisal, and other materials for making homemade toys.
Children's toy sections – Look for safe, sturdy plastic baby toys like stacking cups, keys, balls and more in the baby aisle or kid's sections.
Home goods and hardware stores – Untreated wood blocks, seagrass mats, untreated wicker baskets and sisal rope can be found at stores like Home Depot, Target or Walmart.
Online auctions/resellers – Search eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and similar sites for used rabbit tunnels, chews, toys and accessories at discounted prices.
Other rabbit owners – Connecting with fellow bunny owners can allow you to swap toys your rabbits are done with to get new-to-you items.
Subscription toy boxes – Some monthly subscription services will send a package of 2-3 new, rotating rabbit toys to your door to save you time shopping.

Don't limit yourself to the pet store. Think outside the box for materials and toys to repurpose into mentally stimulating playthings your rabbit will love interacting with! Rotate new toys in frequently.

How to keep your rabbit interested in their toys

Since rabbits get bored easily, it's important to refresh and replenish your rabbit's toy supply frequently to keep them engaged with playtime. Here are some great tips:

Frequently rotate toys – Swap out some toys each week so there are always new and intriguing items to explore. Store rotated toys to reintroduce later.
Offer toy variety – Provide different types like chews, treat puzzles, cardboard to dig at, and plastic keys for tossing so they stay occupied.
DIY new toys often – Simple homemade toys made from cardboard tubes, paper, or wood blocks take little time to make and feel new.
Stuff toys with hay or treats – Adding fallen timothy hay or herbs into cardboard boxes or tunnels motivates play. Hide pellets too.
Make toilet paper roll puzzles – Stuff rolls with hay and fold or flatten ends to make rabbits work for the treats inside.
Add new elements to toys – Stuff a cardboard box with paper to shred one day, then balls to nudge around the next to give it a new purpose.
Supervise playtime- Watching your rabbit play allows you to switch toys when interest wanes during a session to re-engage them.
Give access to toy storage – Letting rabbits choose from their box of toys helps novelty, rather than you hand-picking a few daily.
Pair toys with bonding time – Sitting with your rabbit while they play with toys builds a positive association with playtime.
Clean toys regularly – Rabbits are drawn to new clean items so wipe down hard toys and replace soiled cardboard.
Buy or make toys in bulk – Having a large, rotating toy supply means you always have "new" toys on hand to swap in.

With a little creativity and dedication to actively rotating toys, you can keep your rabbit eager to play! Try to introduce 1-2 "new" toys or activities weekly. This stimulates their minds and bodies for a happier bunny.

Reference:
https://rabbitbreeders.us/articles/toys-for-rabbits/