Safe things for bird toys?

I would like to start making bird toys for my birds again (I stopped for a couple weeks). I would like to know what things I can use to make toys, I use to use scraps of paper, cardboard, scraps of yarn, but I'm no longer sure if these things are safe for them. I always used scraps of plain printer paper, paper towels, and newspapers. I let them destroy all the cardboard things I had (and that was a mess that took weeks to clean up).
But while looking around to see if I could use construction paper, I read that cardboard was bad for them. Because of that I'm now unsure about what I can and can't give them to chew.
I can't use construction paper because of the dyes, I don't want to use cardboard because of the website said, I am lost again.
I can't work with wood so that is out of the question.
What can I make safe bird toys out of?
Just because I'm fostering them out doesn't mean I can't make them toys.



"No one is 'the boss' in true companionship"


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I suggest you do away with yarn for bird toys. Soft to hard wood is good depending on the size of the beak. I love little plastic buckets for little birds. You can hang them with treats and tiny tings inside. I did this quiet often. Drinking straws are also great. Some packages now get delivered with packing that can be used. Popsicle sticks can be used. There is a type of twisted paper rope out there now that birds love!

Scrap the yarn. Most yarn is made of plastic and can be harmful if ingested. Use twine instead. If you go to the craft store you can find a lot. Like large wooden beads that they could gnaw on or something. You can use popsicle sticks too. Pretty much any wood related products are safe. As long as the tree the wood comes from is safe for birds and it hasn't been treated other than heat treated.

Raffia is always a safe choice.
Coconut husks, I think the insides of a coconut are safe for parrots to consume but double check that.

All of this you can likely find at a craft store. Even coconut husks.

Owlet said:

Scrap the yarn. Most yarn is made of plastic and can be harmful if ingested. Use twine instead. If you go to the craft store you can find a lot. Like large wooden beads that they could gnaw on or something. You can use popsicle sticks too. Pretty much any wood related products are safe. As long as the tree the wood comes from is safe for birds and it hasn't been treated other than heat treated.

Raffia is always a safe choice.
Coconut husks, I think the insides of a coconut are safe for parrots to consume but double check that.

All of this you can likely find at a craft store. Even coconut husks.

Click to expand...

Sounds like a trip to the craft store. Good thing I planned for hobby lobby tomorrow anyway.

I figured I'd scrap the yarn, that's why I haven't been using it.

I know for a fact that all of my birds love Popsicle sticks, I don't know why I didn't think about that.

Thanks, both.



"No one is 'the boss' in true companionship"


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My bird loves colorful plastic drinking straws! I tie them in a simple knot to... basically anything. Cage bars, other toys, etc.

I read in one or two places that shower curtain rings (simple uncoated plastic) are also safe - and they make a really good chain to hang/tie other things to. I'd like to hear what the other users here have to say about them though?

Anything stainless steel with a safe shape - old/spare silverware, nuts, bolts, etc.

Popsicle sticks - try to get ones marked for actual popsicle making, imo? Not sure if the ones meant for crafts have to adhere to food-quality standards. They won't be dyed, but they'll probably be cheaper, and you can dye them with food coloring.

Working with wood is a pain if you don't have the right tools. But you can find pre-shaped pieces that will be great! Apart from hardware stores, a lot of toys meant for teething-age babies will have brightly colored wood pieces (often rings or beads) that will be good for hanging, and should be safe, if they're from a reputable company. Also this is the kind of thing that should pop up on Craigslist for cheap, since kids outgrow them.

Remember, Hobby Lobby, get the 40%coupon from their website! Can be used over and over, image on a phone is fine!

Most uncolored cardboard is ok. Egg cartons, boxes. Paper grocery bags are almost always made with virgin, not recycled, paper and are safe. Paper should be uncoated - not shiny - and not printed in color. There is a thread on safe toys in the DIY and toy threads, do a search. Natural fiber rope, be sure to trim any loose or long strands. I put plain paper on a metal fruit spike for Gus and he loves it, he also goes to town on a paper bag.