| Homemade Toys continued |
| Egg Cartons: These provide endless enjoyment with a natural maze-like design. |
| you'll need: 1 cardboard egg carton ( not styrofoam) |
| Just place the egg carton at the bottom of the cage. They will love running through each small hole. For more enjoyment, place little treats in a few of the egg holders. |
| Sticks: When placed at an angle they will give your mice entertainment and exercise. |
| you'll need: at least two stick about 1/4 inch in diameter. (fruit tree preferably) Length can vary. |
| Shave the bark from each stick. Soak the sticks in hot soapy water to remove any potential mites. Tie the two stick together in a cross position, but only leave about 3/4 inch at the top of the cross. I tie mine using a cotton based yarn and then pull tight. After you have the cross made (similar to the rough diagram to the right), you can secure the top ends to your cage by taping them to the sides of the cage. |
| __________________/_______________<--- / <--tied stick # 1 / / / <---- stick # 2 / / / |
| Oatmeal Containers: These make great jungle gyms similar to the block of cheese that I described on the first toys section. |
| you'll need: one empty oatmeal container cylinder and a knife. |
| Cut the bottom out of the container and remove the lid. Cut the container in half. Now cut shapes in the sides of the cylinders about 1 1/2- 2 inches in diameter (enough for your mouse to climb through). Now set the cylinders in the cage. Its a mouse jungle gym. |
| Yarn taped or tied to the side of the cage: You wouldn't think that this would be much of a toy, but when I did this my mice really loved pulling on the yarn and then later using it for nesting material. |
| you'll need: a few pieces of yarn cut in various lengths and scissors. |
| Cut a few pieces of yarn of various lengths and tape or tie them to the sides of he cage at various heights. They will enjoy pulling them and using it for nesting material. |
| Breeding/Nesting Box: This is mostly used when a female mouse has a litter of babies. It makes it easier to check on the litter and the mommy. |
| you'll need: a small cardboard box with a lid and scissors. |
| A cardboard box about 4"x5" or bigger with a lid will be perfect for this. You can cut the bottom out of the box and place nesting material inside for the mother to build her nest. Then cut a door on the front about 2 inches by 2 inches. Use the lid to peak at your mom and her babies without disturbing them. You can loosen the lid by cutting the side flaps from the lid. The darker inside the box, the better. |
| _______________________ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I /______________________ I_ / /I / / I / / I / / I /__________________________ / I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I / I ________ I / I I I I / I I I I / I______I_______I___________ I / |
| should look similar to diagram --------> |
 |
| click the mouse to go home |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |