Quick answer: A cardboard tunnel system for cats makes a great kids-and-cats weekend project when adults do the cutting and children plan, decorate and test it. Join four to six clean boxes with slotted flaps or paper tape on the outside, cut 15 cm round openings, add peepholes and a resting box, and keep plastic tape, staples and markers away from the inside.
Cats love tunnels, and children love building them. A cardboard tunnel system turns a pile of delivery boxes into a weekend project the whole family can share, and the cat gets a new place to explore at the end of it.
This plan covers a Saturday build and a Sunday test, with jobs matched to each child's age. For other cardboard projects, see the cardboard castle and box enrichment hub and our earlier kids-and-cats cardboard castle weekend.
Gathering Boxes and Tools
Collect four to six sturdy boxes that a cat can walk through, roughly 30 to 40 cm wide. Long boxes from flat-pack furniture or shoe deliveries make good tunnel sections. Remove every label, staple and strip of plastic tape before you start.
- Clean cardboard boxes of similar width.
- A sharp craft knife and a cutting mat for adults only.
- Child-safe scissors for younger helpers.
- Paper tape or gummed kraft tape for the outside joins.
- Paper, pencils and a ruler for the plan.
Our guide to tape, ink and staples to avoid in cardboard DIY explains which materials are safest. Keep all tools on a high table when you are not using them.
Splitting the Work by Age Group
| Age | Good jobs | Adult handles |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | Choosing boxes, peeling labels, colouring the outside | All cutting |
| 6–8 | Drawing the plan, marking holes with a cup, taping outside joins | Knife work |
| 9–12 | Measuring openings, designing routes, leading the cat test | Final safety check |
| Teens | Cutting with supervision, building extra levels | Checking stability |
Giving each child a named job keeps everyone busy and gives them ownership when the cat explores their part of the tunnel.
Why Cats Enjoy Tunnels
Tunnels give cats two things they value: a hiding place and a route they can travel without being seen. International Cat Care on making your home cat-friendly explains that cats feel safer with places to hide and watch, and a tunnel with peepholes offers both.
Tunnels also suit play. Many cats like to dash through, pounce on a toy at the far end, or ambush a wand toy dangled over a peephole. This makes the project good fun for children to watch.
If you already have a pile of moving boxes, our moving-box cardboard castle can join the tunnel as an extra tower.
Saturday Morning: Plan the Route
Sit down together and sketch the layout. A good tunnel system has at least two entrances, a bend or two, peepholes along the top and one larger box in the middle as a resting room. Straight lines are fine for a first build; an L-shape or a T-shape adds interest.
Let the children decide where the resting room goes and how many peepholes to add. Ask them to think like a cat: where would they want to hide, and where would they want to peek out?
Saturday Afternoon: Build It
- Adults cut the end flaps off boxes that will join together, leaving short tabs.
- Children mark round openings by drawing around a side plate about 15 cm across.
- Adults cut the openings and peepholes about 5 cm across.
- Slot tabs into neighbouring boxes and secure joins on the outside with paper tape.
- Place the resting box in the middle, with a soft towel inside.
- Children decorate the outside with plain paper, cut-out shapes or crayons that do not rub off.
Keep all decoration on the outside. Cats chew cardboard, and ink, glitter and glue should stay away from the surfaces they touch.
Adult Safety Checks Before the Cat Goes In
Run your hand around every opening and peephole to check for sharp or rough edges. Make sure there is no loose tape, no staples and no small pieces of cardboard lying inside. Press down on the top of each box to check that it will not collapse if the cat jumps on it.
Ask the children to put away crayons, scissors and paper scraps. A tidy floor keeps small items out of the cat's mouth.
Sunday: Let the Cat Explore
Put the tunnel in a quiet part of the room. Ask the children to sit back and stay calm. Cats explore new things best when nobody is chasing them. Drop a few treats at an entrance and inside the first box.
Let the cat find its own way. Some cats go straight in; others sniff around for a while. Children can dangle a wand toy over a peephole to encourage curiosity, but the cat should never be pushed or pulled inside.
Our indoor cat enrichment ideas article has more games children can play with the cat once it is comfortable.
Teaching Children to Read the Cat
This is a good chance to talk about cat body language. A cat that walks in with its tail up is relaxed. A cat with flattened ears, a low tail or a swishing tail wants space. International Cat Care on playing with your cat has tips on calm, safe play.
Agree a simple rule: if the cat leaves the tunnel, it is finished for now. Let children watch quietly instead of following it.
Extending the Tunnel Over Time
Children often want to keep building. Add one new section a week, change a route or swap in a fresh box when one gets chewed. Our scratch and hide combo weekend adds a scratching pad to the mix.
Recycle sections that get soggy, torn or dirty. Cardboard is cheap, and fresh boxes keep the tunnel clean and interesting.
Shy Cats and Multi-Cat Homes
A shy cat may need more time. Leave the tunnel in place for a few days, with treats inside, and avoid crowding it. Children can take turns sitting quietly nearby, which teaches patience as well.
In a home with several cats, make sure the tunnel has at least two exits so one cat cannot trap another inside. If the cats squabble in the tunnel, add a third entrance or split it into two shorter sections.
Keeping the Project Fun for Everyone
Short sessions work best for younger children. Split the build across the morning and afternoon, with snacks and breaks in between. Take a photo of the plan and the finished tunnel so children can compare their drawing with the real thing.
Celebrate the cat's first trip through the tunnel, however long it takes. Some families make a small certificate or a chart of the cat's visits.
Where to Place the Finished Tunnel
Choose a spot away from doorways and busy walkways so people do not trip over it and the cat can use it in peace. Along a wall or behind the sofa works well. Avoid placing it right next to the litter box or the food bowls, as most cats prefer to keep play, eating and toileting areas apart.
If you have a dog, put the tunnel where the dog cannot reach the entrances, or add a high exit so the cat can leave without meeting it.
Kids, Cats and Cardboard Tunnels
Is cardboard safe for cats to play in?
Plain, clean cardboard is generally safe when you remove labels, staples and plastic tape. Keep ink, glitter, glue and markers on the outside only, and recycle sections once they become soggy or chewed. Supervise play, especially if your cat likes to eat cardboard.
How big should the openings in a cat tunnel be?
Openings of about 15 cm across suit most adult cats, and peepholes of about 5 cm let them look out without getting stuck. Large breeds may need 18 to 20 cm openings. Smooth every edge before the cat uses the tunnel.
What jobs can young children do in a cardboard build?
Children aged three to five can choose boxes, peel labels and colour the outside. Six to eight year olds can draw plans and mark holes with a cup or plate. Older children can measure and design routes. Adults should do all knife work.
How do I get my cat to use the new tunnel?
Place it in a quiet spot and ask everyone to sit back calmly. Drop a few treats at the entrance and inside the first box, and dangle a wand toy over a peephole. Never push or pull the cat inside; let it explore at its own pace, even if that takes several days.
How long does a cardboard cat tunnel last?
Most last several weeks, depending on how much the cat chews and scratches them. Replace any section that becomes soggy, torn or dirty. Adding one fresh box a week keeps the tunnel clean and interesting for the cat and the children.
