🎄Festive Foraging Fun: Turn Wrapping Rolls Into Bird Toys

Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year—the festive activities, wrapping gifts for our loved ones, decorations, and twinkling lights all around. Honestly, it always feels so warm, comforting, and the perfect mix of contentment and fun.

But with all the wrapping paper we go through, I’m sure I’m not the only one who just ends up tossing it out. What if I told you there’s another way? Those leftover rolls can be turned into festive fun for your flock! Plus, it’s a fantastic, eco-friendly way to use up leftover toy parts, half-chewed sola balls, or bits from favourite toys and foraging boxes that you’ve stored away for later. Your birds get to explore, shred, and forage, and you get the satisfaction of recycling and creating something truly playful.

Well, today I’m sharing a simple, safe, and fun way to turn wrapping paper rolls into DIY bird toys your flock will absolutely love.

Why Foraging Toys Are So Important 🦜

Birds love to explore, problem-solve, and forage—it’s in their nature! In the wild, they spend hours searching for food, and giving them a chance to do the same at home keeps them mentally sharp, physically active, and happy. Even something as simple as a stuffed cardboard roll can give your flock a mini brain workout while keeping playtime exciting.

How to Make Your Festive Foraging Toy 🎄

What you’ll need:

• Empty cardboard rolls (like wrapping paper tubes)
• Shreddable paper, tasty treats or nuts
• Leftover toy parts, half-chewed sola balls, or other safe items from their toy box

Step 1: Decide how you’ll use your roll
Before you start, think about how your birds might enjoy this little festive treat! Maybe it’s a foraging foot toy they can hold and explore, tossing and chewing to find hidden goodies. Or a hanging toy that swings and bounces in the cage, giving them a new way to play. You could even pop it into a foraging box for a mini treasure hunt, or thread it onto a skewer toy to make a fun climbing challenge. There’s really no wrong way to do it, and watching your flock discover and explore their new toy is half the fun!

Once you’ve decided, cut the roll to the right length for your desired toy.

Step 2: Stuff the roll
Now comes the fun part! Fill your roll with safe, bird-friendly goodies—things like shredded paper, little treats, half-chewed sola balls, or leftover bits from favourite toys and foraging boxes that you’ve stored away. This is a wonderful way to reuse items your birds have already enjoyed, giving them a fresh new challenge and keeping their playtime exciting.

Step 3: Let the fun begin
Your roll is ready, and now it’s playtime! Birds will enjoy tossing, chewing, and foraging for the treasures you’ve tucked inside. Every nibble, shake, and peek is a little victory for their natural curiosity—and it’s endlessly entertaining to watch them explore their new festive toy.

Bonus Tips & Ideas ✨

• ♻️ Upcycle leftover toy parts: wicker, wooden blocks, sola logs, coconut husk chunks… anything safe for your birds can make a perfect filler.
• 🎄Make it festive: Bright cardboard or a few colourful, bird-safe toys can add a cheerful holiday touch.
• 🦜 Extra fun for your flock: Adding a few safe toy parts—whether from your existing stash or from our range of colourful, bird-safe toy parts—can make the roll even more engaging. 

Who knew a simple cardboard roll could bring so much festive fun? Fill it with treats or leftover toy parts, let your birds explore, and watch their excitement unfold. It’s a small way to recycle, a little way to play, and a big way to make your flock’s Christmas even more special!