The Omlet Blog Category Archives: Crafting

DIY Pet Toys Using Cardboard Tubes

Does your cat get in the way when you’re wrapping presents at Christmas? Are you tired of hunching over badly wrapped socks with sellotape stuck to your fingers? Is your dog snoring in the corner with one eye on the food gift sets? 

It’s time to take a break and make some fun DIY pet toys! These four simple toys can easily be made with used wrapping paper cardboard tubes, so you can make great use of the tubes, and keep your pets entertained.

Opting out of wrapping this year? Don’t worry, you can make all these toys with toilet roll or kitchen towel tubes. 

Safety note: Always supervise children with scissors, and supervise your pets with these new toys. Give treats in moderation. 

Treat dispenser

You will need:

  • Toilet roll cardboard tubes or a longer wrapping paper tube cut shorter
  • Your dog or cat’s favourite treats/kibbles
  • A pencil
  • Scissors

How to:

  1. Cut into one end of the cardboard tubes, and repeat around the edge of the end of the tube, about 1cm between each cut, and up the tube by about 2cm
  2. Fold the cut pieces into each other and hook together so they hold their position, push your thumb through so the ends point inwards into the tube
  3. Repeat with the other end, but before closing up the tube and pushing inside, fill with your pets favourite treats or kibble
  4. Use the pencil to puncture holes into the tube, just about big enough for the kibble to fall out of
  5. Give to your pet and encourage them to kick the tube around to release the treats!

Slow release feeder

You will need:

  • Toilet roll cardboard tubes or a longer wrapping paper tube cut shorter
  • A small cardboard box
  • Your dog’s favourite kibble

How to:

  1. If using a cardboard box, cut down the top flaps so it’s a completely open box
  2. Stand up toilet roll cardboard tubes in the box. You can cut them into different heights to make it more interesting
  3. Fill the box with your dog’s food
  4. Place the box on the floor and watch as your dog sniffs out their kibble and nudges and removes the tubes to eat

Christmas tree chewer

You will need:

  • Toilet roll cardboard tubes or a longer wrapping paper tube cut shorter
  • Scissors

How to:

  1. Fold a toilet roll tube in half by length (end to end)
  2. Draw a Christmas tree shape on the toilet roll
  3. It’s very important to leave a folded edge uncut by about half a centimetre either side – this will hold the tree together
  4. Once the tree shape is cut, push in the sides so isn’t folded flat, and the tree should stand up
  5. Place in your hamster’s cage or playpen and enjoy!

Treat ball

You will need:

  • Toilet roll cardboard tubes or cut up a longer wrapping paper tube
  • Scissors
  • Treats or kibble

How to:

  1. Cut a toilet roll tube into 5 rings
  2. Place one ring through the other, and a third ring through these 2
  3. Place another ring through a gap, then pop some kibble into the centre
  4. Place the final ring through the tiny gap left so it holds its shape
  5. Roll the treat ball on the floor for your cat or dog to kick around to release the treats!

Watch the video to see the toy making in action!

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This entry was posted in Christmas


6 Steps to Starting Seeds in Your Girls’ Eggshells

Growing seeds in hen eggshells

Next time you’re about to throw away your empty egg shells, spare the food waste bin and keep hold of them. Many people use crushed up egg shells in gardening to add calcium to the soil, however we have another great way you can use egg shells to add to your garden. Many propagators or seed starter tubs are made out of plastic, which isn’t great for the environment. Why not use your empty egg shells to start your next batch of seeds?! It’s so quick and easy to do!


1. Firstly rinse out the shells, and then let them dry.

2. Once dry, fill the egg shells halfway with compost and sit them in the egg carton.

3. Sprinkle a little water on the compost and then add your chosen seeds to the compost.

4. Spread a thin layer of compost on top and drizzle a little bit more water.

5. Then place in a sunny spot indoors – a window ledge is a great place to start seeds.

6. Keep watering your eggshell seeds each night, and after a few days you should start to see them sprout!


Once they’re too big for the shell then transfer to a bigger spot to continue growing indoors or outdoors depending on the chosen seeds (see packet for details).

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This entry was posted in Crafting


Make Colourful Marbled Eggs This Easter

Make Easter more colourful with this super fun craft for the whole family – marbled eggs! Watch the video or follow the instructions below.

You will need:
Eggs
Food Colouring
Vinegar
Vegetable Oil

Instructions:

  1. Take an egg and gently poke a hole at one end. Poke a hole at the other end of the egg which is slightly larger than the first.
  2. Empty the egg by carefully blowing through the smaller of the holes, pushing the inside of the egg out into a bowl.
  3. Set aside the egg mixture.
  4. Add a tablespoon of food colouring to a bowl and mix with a splash of hot water and a tablespoon of vinegar.
  5. Put the empty eggs in the bowls and let them sit there for a while, regularly turning them to get an even coating.
  6. When the eggs has got some colour to them, drain and put on the side to dry.
  7. Add a few drops of a different food colouring to a plate and mix with some water and a drop of vegetable oil. Roll the eggs on the plate to cover them in the second colour. They don’t need to be fully covered.
  8. Repeat with a few different colours, adding more layers.
  9. Let the eggs dry on a piece of kitchen roll.

You will now have some beautiful and truly unique marbled Easter eggs! Wash your hands thoroughly and scramble the eggs you put aside earlier for a delicious lunch!

Colourful marbled eggs arts and crafts

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This entry was posted in Chickens