7 Tortoise Toys and Enrichment Ideas You Can Make at Home

Tortoises may look slow and steady, but they still need fun in their lives. Just like us, they can get bored if their environment never changes.

That’s where enrichment comes in. Giving your tortoise things to explore, climb, or nibble helps keep them active and happy.

You don’t need fancy store-bought toys either. With a few simple supplies, you can make plenty of engaging items right at home.

1. DIY Tortoise Playground Ideas

Your tortoise might not run marathons, but trust me—they love a good adventure. A little playground in their enclosure can turn an ordinary day into a fun one.

Use stuff you already have lying around. Got an old cardboard box? Cut doors in it and boom—instant tortoise fort. Leftover PVC pipes? Lay them on their sides, and you’ve got tunnels ready for exploring.

You can even make gentle ramps with scrap wood or thick books stacked low. Just make sure it’s all sturdy and safe. Nothing too steep, and no sharp edges. Watch your tortoise climb, hide, and poke around like it’s discovering a new planet.

2. Foraging & Food-Based Toys

Food isn’t just for eating—it’s for playing too. Tortoises love to hunt around for their snacks, so turning feeding time into a game keeps their brain busy.

Try stuffing leafy greens into a hollowed-out bell pepper or cabbage head. It turns into a tasty puzzle.

Got an empty egg carton? Fill the sections with tiny veggie bits and place it in the enclosure. Your tortoise will sniff, push, and munch through it like a pro.

You can even toss some food into a pile of hay or leaves. It becomes a slow treasure hunt, and they enjoy every bite more because they worked for it.

Trying to get a handle on Enclosure + Tortoise Inspirations? This page has all you need to know. 7 Tortoise Garden Ideas So Good, Your Pet Might Never Come Inside Again

3. Hideouts and Burrow Alternatives

Tortoises love having a little “me time.” A cozy hideout or burrow gives them a place to relax, feel safe, or just disappear from the world for a while.

If you’ve got a cardboard box, cut a hole in the side and flip it upside down—it’s a quick and easy cave. Old flower pots on their side work great too, especially for smaller tortoises. Just make sure they can’t roll or trap your tortoise.

Want something closer to digging? Fill a shallow bin with clean soil or coconut fiber. Your tortoise can dig, wiggle, and nap like it’s back in the wild. Cheap, easy, and makes them feel right at home.

4. Puzzle Toys for Exploration

Tortoises might not do crosswords, but they enjoy solving little challenges. Puzzle toys give them something to figure out—and yes, they’ll surprise you with how curious they are.

You can use a bottle cap and hide a treat under it. Place a few of them upside down and let your tortoise bump them around to find the prize. Or glue a few plastic plates on a spinner and tuck tiny snacks underneath. Watch your tortoise nudge and rotate like it’s solving a mystery.

Another fun one? Set up a mini maze with sticks or rocks and drop a piece of fruit at the end. They’ll slowly work their way through like a very determined explorer.

5. Toys Using Natural Materials

Nature already makes the best toys—you just have to gather them smartly. Safe leaves, bark, twigs, and pine cones can turn your tortoise’s space into a wild playground.

Bundle up some dandelion greens or clover with twine and hang it low. Your tortoise will stretch, bite, and pull like it’s foraging in the wild. Pine cones? Tuck tiny food bits in the gaps and let your tortoise sniff them out. It’s like a crunchy snack puzzle.

Flat bark pieces or thick branches can be used for climbing or scratching. Just be sure everything is clean and chemical-free. Bonus: these toys blend in and make the enclosure look more natural too.

Need the essentials on Enclosure + Tortoise Inspirations? Dive into this guide. How to Build the Ultimate Outdoor Tortoise Habitat with a Gorgeous Pond

6. Water Play and Exploration (for species that enjoy water)

Some tortoises, especially the semi-aquatic types, enjoy a little splash time. You don’t need a pool—just a shallow tray with clean water can do the trick.

Drop in a few floating greens like lettuce or hibiscus leaves. They’ll paddle around, gently bumping the leaves as they munch. It’s simple, but they love the motion.

You can also hide a few smooth pebbles or small treats under the water. It turns into a slow, soaking treasure hunt. Just don’t leave them unsupervised and always make sure the water is shallow enough to be safe.

7. Seasonal and Themed Enrichment

Why should humans have all the fun with holidays? Your tortoise can enjoy seasonal surprises too—and no, they don’t need costumes.

In fall, carve a mini pumpkin into a tunnel or hideout. It’s fun, chewable, and makes the whole setup feel festive. During winter, stack cardboard boxes like a little igloo fort. Toss in some hay and let your tortoise burrow in like it’s snowing outside.

You can also lay down a trail of basil or mint to guide your tortoise through a “scent path.” It’s a simple twist that adds fun and keeps them moving. Just make sure whatever you use is safe to chew, because they will take a bite.

Enrichment Rotation and Safety Tips

Tortoises get bored too if you keep the same toys around forever. Rotate them every week or two to keep things fresh and interesting.

You don’t need to make new ones all the time. Just switch the location, change the layout, or bring back an old favorite after a break. It feels new to them.

Always check toys for wear and tear. If anything’s sharp, moldy, or falling apart—toss it. And never use anything with glue, paint, or chemicals. Simple, safe, and fresh is the way to go.