Hello everyone! We all love our little pets, from gerbils to degus, but when I clean my hamster's cage I always put her in the exercise ball. However, I wanted the option of giving her a more fun and interesting environment. A place where she has the choice to exercise, rest or play. This is why I made the 'Fun box for small animals'.

Supplies

For this instructable, we don't need any special equipment, just things that should be lying around the house. For the structure (the inside and outside cardboard walls) we only need to use one cardboard box!

Pencil
Colourful Pens (or pencils)
Scissors or a pocket knife
PVA glue
Cardboard box- corrugated is best as it is strong wouldn't have sharp edges
Paint (optional)
Paper
Tissue
Hamster wheel
Dust bath sand (optional)
Double-sided tape

I'm going to go through each step with you to create your very own 'Fun box' for your adorable little pet!

Step 1: Cutting the Flaps of the Cardboard Box

To start your Fun box, you cut off the four top flaps of the box with scissors or a pocket knife. (Tip- I found it easy to cut large pieces with a pocket knife). We are using cardboard as it is safe for your pet, don't worry if they start to nibble the cardboard because they are just collecting it to put in their bed.

Step 2: Paint the Box

This step is optional but I find it makes the Fun box more attractive by painting the outside with a water-based paint. Do not paint the inside walls as your animal may start to nibble there and paint is not good for them.

Step 3: Plan Your Design

In my layout design, I included a maze and walls separating the bed from the dust bath and wheel. You can make your own design layout for a Fun box which may need more cardboard.

Step 4: Measure and Cut

Once you have planned your design you can measure out the dimensions needed onto each piece of your cardboard (the flaps you cut off). Then cut them out. Number each wall so you know which piece fits where. Make sure that the cardboard pieces are high enough so that your pet won't be able to climb over them!

Step 5: Making the Doors

You have cut all your pieces out, now you need to make the doors. Make sure they are the appropriate size for your animal and they find it comfortable to go through.

Step 6: Gluing

Now you can start gluing! Only glue the top third of the edge of your cardboard walls because glue (even though it is a small amount) is dangerous to animals, so make sure your pet is unable to reach the glued cardboard. Turn the box on its sides when appropriate to help the cardboard stick with the other pieces. As you are gluing your cardboard pieces to build your structure, you may need an item under (or on top) to support or hold the cardboard in place as it dries.

Step 7: Putting in the Wheel, Bed and Dust Bath In

Brilliant! You have made the structure for your Fun box now all you need to do is put in the wheel, dust bath sand and make their cosy bed. It is super easy to make the bed as all you need is paper and tissue. Shred the paper with a paper shredder or just cut into thin slices (make sure it's not got too much ink on it). How much you shred does depend on how big that compartment is, (I used 1 1/2 pieces). Then tear the tissue into strips (I used 3 tissues, remember our little pets want to be comfy and snug!). Bundle that into the corner and your bed is ready. Don't forget to check the wheel fits in the space provided. You may want to put tape at the bottom of the wheel to attach it to the cardboard ground. For the dust bath, I made a little barrier around it so the dust bath sand doesn't go everywhere when your animal rolls in it.

Step 8: Final Touch

This step is optional. I decided to make labels with colourful pens for each zone, for example, above the bed I wrote 'Bedtime' and at the start of the maze, I wrote 'Maze'. I stuck these on with double-sided tape. On the outside 'Fudge's FUN box' gives the final personal touch (Fudge is my hamster's name). I also made mini bunting. :)

Great work guys! You have now made your own Fun box for your pet!