Birds are often very playful and curious creatures, with a constant need to check out their surroundings. They can often get bored easily, and thus need to have their toys rotated to prevent destructive habits from forming (mine will chew up their cage litter if they get bored). Bird toys don't have to be complicated, and often the simplest ones are the best. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Toy Hangers: Some great ideas for hanging your toys up in the cage include:
  • All natural rope
  • Carabiners
  • Plastic shower curtain rings
  • Plastic chain link baby toys
  • Key chain rings
Baby toys: if it's non-toxic, hard plastic, and safe for a baby, it's probably safe for a bird. What's great about these is that you can often pick them up for under a time each at garage and thrift stores. Just make sure to boil them or run through the dishwasher before using! Some toys which my cockatiels enjoy include:
  • Small plastic rattles with holes cut in the middle
  • Plastic teething rings (I don't recommend the rubber or latex ones, the bird might puncture and consume bits of it)
  • Large beads
  • Plastic chain links, linking letters, and other linking toys
  • Wood blocks
  • Hanging crib toys
  • Stacking rings
  • Plastic keys
Stainless steel wind chimes: small and sturdy stainless steel wind chimes are great fun, just make sure that they're stainless steel - other metals and paint can be dangerous!

Paper Plate Shredders: my cockatiels love this Bird Kabob toy, but an easy way to make one yourself is to grab a thick stack of unbleached paper plates, cut them into quarters, drill a hole through the middle of each stack, and hang from a string!

Finger Trap Shredders: Another great shredder idea comes from those Chinese finger traps for kids (make sure the dye is non-toxic!). Just grab a bunch and hang them up however you like. Remember, you don't necessarily have to use the pre-provided hole up the middle, you can make your own straight through the toy too! Another option is to bundle the finger traps together and tightly tie a knot around the middle. Then, you can hang up the bundles, or even tie the bundles crisscrossed to form a sort of pointy ball or star.

Waffle Ball Shredders: Cut some thick fabric into strips and knot it onto a waffle ball and hang.

Cardboard Tubes: Perhaps the easiest shredder to make: Just grab a toliet paper or paper towel cardboard tube and watch them at it!

Edible Goodies: Edible treats are easy to make, simply string up some of your pets favorite treats and hang them in their cage. Treat ideas include fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and unsalted no butter popcorn.

Treat Hide-a-Ways: Grab a waffle ball, stuff with treats such as lettuce, dandelion greens (unsprayed!), millet, or alfalfa, and hang it up in their cage for a great interactive treat!

Mix-n-Match: Hanging toys are easy to make, just grab some non-toxic rope and use your imagination! Some stringing ideas include large beads, wood blocks with holes drilled in them, bells, finger traps, Popsicle sticks, cardboard, empty plastic tape reels, hard plastic lids with holes drilled in them, and wooden spools.

Swings: Just grab a short and thin cylindrical item such as a branch from a non-toxic tree, a dowel rod, or a PVC pipe from your local hardware store (just make sure to wash it well). Then, simply tie a non-toxic rope to each end of your "perch," and there you have it!

Mirrors: Small mirrors are great fun for birds, but be forewarned, they may get aggressive in defending their new found love, and they may get loud talking to it!