Make foraging toys together

In the wild, parrots spend a big part of each day searching for food. At home, that instinct doesn’t go anywhere, and foraging toys are one of the easiest ways to give it somewhere to go. The good news is that you don’t need a craft store or a big budget to make them.

In this relaxed, hands-on session, we’ll build a few toys together from things you probably already have around the house. You can follow along step by step, ask questions as we go, and pick up ideas from other members about what their birds love to shred, unwrap, and dig through.

What we’ll make:

• A paper-wrapped treat bundle your bird can unroll to find the surprise inside
• A cardboard tube stuffed with shredded paper and a few hidden treats
• A muffin-tin puzzle with treats tucked under paper cups and crumpled paper
• A simple foraging box you can refill and change up all week

What to bring:

• Plain paper, like unprinted packing paper, paper lunch bags, or coffee filters
• A few empty cardboard tubes or small boxes, with any tape, staples, and glossy labels removed
• A muffin tin and some paper baking cups
• A handful of your bird’s favorite treats, like nuts, seeds, or bits of dried fruit
• Safety scissors and a little curiosity

If your bird is new to foraging, that’s perfectly okay. We’ll talk about how to start easy and make it a bit harder as they get the hang of it. Bring your bird along if they like company, and we’ll see you there.