How can I make playtime more interesting?

[ChinsForLife]

Hey guys! Brainstorming ideas for making playtime interesting for my chinnies! I am trying to get back in the habit of letting them out to play in my chin-proofed room every day instead of every few days when they have their dust baths...(Lately I've been kinda lazy about that too and have just given it in their cage. Sometimes I'm just too tired.) Anyway, I always put out a few toys in a safe basket as well as some hay, a treat for Chico,(a rose hip, oats,[very few] crushed hibiscus, chamomile or jasmine) and sometimes an alfalfa cube for my (almost) 3 month old chin. (Of course, her playtime is only 10 minutes or so) I've seen people put out cardboard boxes and wooden bird ladders since they are under supervision but I need more ideas. I even thought about getting a stand-up 15"-16" plastic wheel just for playtime while I'm watching to make sure they don't chew it but I'm worried that would be a waste since they already have room to run when they're out and It's technically a hazard. What do all of you do to make playtime more interesting??

 

[ChinsForLife]

Any ideas @tunes @Amethyst @Binki @Chinmin @3CsMommyAgain ?

 

[Amethyst]

I'm not even sure you would beable to find a 15-16" plastic wheel anyway (normally the biggest they go is 12"), let alone a stand alone one, but playtime is for running around so I wouldn't bother with a wheel. You can get tunnels, even those cheap cat tunnels sold at dollar stores can work well. Depending on how much space you have and how compact it needs to be when not in use, you can also get or make small cat trees, just cover in fleece if needed. I realize these are expensive but to give you an idea of what I am talking about if you scroll down to the climbing toy WebShop--Cage Stuff | nolachinchillarescue.org. Hard plastic balls can also be fun for them to push around, with or without bells inside. That's about all I can think of off hand right now.

 

[ChinsForLife]

I'm not even sure you would beable to find a 15-16" plastic wheel anyway (normally the biggest they go is 12"), let alone a stand alone one, but playtime is for running around so I wouldn't bother with a wheel. You can get tunnels, even those cheap cat tunnels sold at dollar stores can work well. Depending on how much space you have and how compact it needs to be when not in use, you can also get or make small cat trees, just cover in fleece if needed. I realize these are expensive but to give you an idea of what I am talking about if you scroll down to the climbing toy WebShop--Cage Stuff | nolachinchillarescue.org. Hard plastic balls can also be fun for them to push around, with or without bells inside. That's about all I can think of off hand right now.

Thank you!!