Have you ever heard a parent say that they bought their kid some new fancy toy, only for them to take it home and play with the box? Dogs, like kids, don’t always need fancy toys. Sometimes simple toys made at home from ordinary, everyday items work just fine. In this article we will show you 5 easy toys you can make for your dog using socks and other items that you may already have around your home.
Click here to learn how to make a DIY Monkey Fist Dog Toy
How to Make a Braided Sock Toy
This braided sock dog toy couldn’t be more simple. You only need a tube sock, and scissors. That’s it. No sewing and no gluing. Here is how you make this easy braided sock toy.
Materials:
- A Long Tube Sock
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Tie a knot in the toe end of the sock.
- Cut a straight line from the opening in the sock all the way up to the knot to open the sock into a flat piece of material.
- Starting at the opening end of the sock and cutting towards the knot, cut the sock into 3 even strips.
- Working from the knot end, braid the 3 strips of sock. Leave yourself enough room on the end to tie a knot.
- Tie a knot to hold together the braid.
How to Make a Water Bottle Sock Toy for Dogs
Materials:
- Water Bottle
- Sock
Instructions:
- Remove the cap from the water bottle.
- Insert the bottom end of the water bottle into the sock, working it all the way to the end of the sock.
- Pull the sock tight around the bottle.
- Tie a knot in the open end of the sock next to the bottle opening.
How to make a chew toy for a dog? Click here to find out.
How to Make a Sock Donut Dog Toy
This donut sock toy is so much fun, you will want to make them in a variety of colors. It does take a bit of sewing, but nothing too fancy. For this project, just a simple whip stitch will do to keep it all together.
Materials:
- 2 Tube Socks
- Thread
- Sewing Needle
- Scissors
If you want your donut to have Icing:
- Colorful Piece of Felt
- A piece of paper
- Pen or Marker
Want to learn how to make a stuffed dog toy? Click here to find out.
Instructions:
- Cut an opening across the toe end of your socks. (You can just cut off the toe end if it is easier.)
- Take one of the socks and start rolling it down on itself until you get to the end.
- Continuing where you left off with the first sock, roll the second sock over the first until you end up with a donut shape.
- When you get to the end of the second sock, shape your donut to make sure everything is in place.
- With needle and thread, sew down the edge of the sock. I used red thread to show you the stitches against the white sock. You can use whatever color works for you.
- You can stop here and have a very nice donut for your dog to play with, or you can continue to the next step to add “Icing” to the top.
- Take your sock donut and lay it on the piece of paper and trace around the donut.
- Draw a wavy line on the outside of the circle on the paper. Don’t make the waves too large or the “icing” will be too large for your donut. Try keeping your waves smaller than the width of your finger.
- Cut out your icing pattern from the paper and place it on your piece of felt.
- Using your scissors, cut around the pattern on the felt.
- Fold the felt icing in half and cut a small half circle from the center.
- Lay the felt over your donut, I covered the seam of the sock with mine, and then starting in the middle circle sew down the felt.
- Once the middle circle is sewn, sew down the outer edge.
How to Make a Stuffed Sock Toy for Dogs with a Squeaker
Did your dog chew up their favorite squeaker toy, but the squeaker still works? Wait! Don’t throw it away! Here is how you can recycle that little plastic squeaker.
Materials:
- Tube Sock
- Squeaker
- Stuffing (Pillow stuffing, old towels, old clothes cut into pieces, can all be used!)
Instructions:
- Push a handful of stuffing into the open end of the sock working it all the way to the toe.
- Place the squeaker into a hand full of stuffing and work it in the sock making sure the squeaker is in the middle of the stuffing.
- Place another handful of stuffing into the sock, then tie a knot in the open end.
Note: You can stuff this sock as full as you want as long as you save room to either tie a knot in the end or sew it shut. You can add multiple squeakers, too!
How to Make a Tennis Ball Sock Toy for Dogs
Tennis balls and socks for dogs goes together like peanut butter and jelly. This combination makes a great fetch toy, too.
Materials:
- Tennis Ball
- Tube Sock
Instructions:
- Place the tennis ball in the toe of the sock.
- Tie a knot in the sock against the tennis ball.
- Tie one or two more knots in the open end of the sock.-
Note: You don’t have to use just one tennis ball. You can add one tennis ball in between each knot until you run out of sock.
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