Toys on a Budget: Creative Enrichment for Your Budgie

Budgies may be small, but don't be fooled—they're just as intelligent and curious as their larger parrot cousins. Like any other parrot, they need a lot of mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. But what if you’re on a budget and can’t keep swapping out toys every month? No worries! You can make your own toys or find affordable options in some unexpected places.

DIY Budgie Toys from Household Items

Before you rush to the store, take a look around your home. You might already have materials that can be transformed into fun, engaging toys for your budgie. Common items like cereal boxes, cardboard boxes, and cardboard drink holders are fantastic starting points.

Here’s how you can create a simple toy:

1. Gather materials: Grab a clean, empty cereal box or drink holder.
2. Add some fun: Fill the box with bird-safe crinkle paper, which can be found at craft stores or online for a few dollars.
3. Make it interesting: Tuck in a small treat, like a piece of millet, inside the crinkle paper. This creates a fun, foraging activity where your budgie will chew through the cardboard to reach the treat. Not only does this keep them entertained, but it also satisfies their natural instinct to forage.

Budget-Friendly Buys at Dollar Stores

If you don’t have extra materials lying around, a trip to your local dollar store might be just what you need. Stores like Dollar Tree have craft sections dedicated to wood, craft sticks, and yarn. When selecting wood, be sure to choose natural, untreated wood like pine or balsa, which are safe for budgies to chew on.

Paper Materials: You can also find paper materials such as coffee filters, finger traps, lunch bags, and paper plates/cups. Be cautious with dyed products; it’s best to go for food-grade or baby-safe items to avoid toxic materials that could potentially harm your budgie.

Baby Toys for Budgies?

Looking for variety? Head over to the baby section in your local department store. I recently found a set of squeezable toys for just $4. These toys, designed for babies, are perfect for budgies because they don’t contain harmful chemicals, dyes, or choking hazards. My budgies absolutely loved them, and they provided hours of entertainment.

Safe Play and Common Sense

While making or buying budget-friendly toys is great, it’s essential to understand the potential risks involved, especially when using materials not specifically designed for birds. According to a Chewy.com article on the subject, birds are naturally inquisitive and explore everything with their beaks. In the wild, they learn what’s safe to eat by watching other birds, but in captivity, we must ensure that everything in their environment is safe.

Paper and Cardboard: Many budgies enjoy chewing on paper and cardboard, and in most cases, this is perfectly safe. Birds rarely ingest these materials, and if they do, it usually doesn’t cause issues. However, always avoid letting your budgie play with items that have adhesive, like toilet paper rolls, as the glue can contain harmful chemicals like zinc, which is toxic to birds.

Observation is Key: It’s vital to observe your bird’s behavior when introducing new toys. If you notice your budgie is ingesting paper or any other material, remove it from their environment immediately. The key is to balance fun with safety, ensuring your budgie has plenty of enrichment while minimizing any risks.