How to Make an Entertaining Upcycled Dog Toy from an Old T-Shirt

Your pup will love playing with this easy-to-make upcycled dog toy! This fun toy is made using old t-shirts you no longer need and a tennis ball. Why not surprise your pooch today?!

Why not put those old t-shirts to good use by recycling them into a fun dog toy?

Dogs love fun toys to enrich their lives. With this entertaining toy, they will love playing with it by swinging it around and watching the ball bounce.

I do want to point out, this toy is not for aggressive chewers!

And, as a precaution, always supervise your 4-legged friend even if they don’t normally chew their toys up. You just never know.

On the flip side, this easy-to-make dog toy will provide loads of fun and entertainment.

You can surprise your pup ‘just because’ or make them as a stocking stuffer or birthday gift.

And, speaking of tennis balls, have you seen our adorable Dollar Store DIY Tennis Ball Dog Ornament?

If not, you just have to check it out and make it for your tree!

Now, let me show you just how easy it is to make this fun homemade dog toy!

DIY Upcycled Dog Toy

Supplies needed:

3 upcycled T-shirts in different colors and patterns
Tennis ball
Scissors
Screwdriver
Fabric marker
Cutting mat and ruler, measuring tape or ruler
1 rubber band

How to make this fun Upcycled Dog Toy:

Cut the back (mine had a graphic on the front) off each T-shirt.

Using either a ruler, marker & scissors, or a cutting mat, ruler & rotary cutter, cut 24 (8 of each color) -1nches wide strips from your T-shirts.

Divide the cloth into strips into two groups of 12 and lay them out as evenly as you can so the ends line up.

Tie a knot in one end, leaving about 3” of “fringe” of the first set, and then braid them into braided strips.

Knot the end and leave 3” of “fringe”. Repeat on the other set.

Using a screwdriver or other appropriate tool, make a hole in one end of the tennis ball and another in the opposite end, making them link up on each side as close as you can.

Use your rubber band to hold the two braids together at one end.

Push through the hole in the tennis ball and pull it out the other end, placing the ball in the middle of the braids.

Now let the fun playtime begin!

Print the instructions for this easy Upcycled Dog Toy!

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