If your cat loves climbing shelves, jumping onto furniture, or exploring every corner of the house, a wall-mounted playground can give them a space of their own. Better yet, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a store-bought cat wall playground. With some basic tools, a free weekend, and a little creativity, you can build a custom playground according to your home and your cat.
Before getting started, gather the following materials:
- Scrap wood or plywood
- Screws and wall anchors
- Drill and screwdriver
- Saw
- Sandpaper
- Measuring tape
- Carpet remnants or sisal rope
- Staple gun
- Stud finder
- Wood finish or pet-safe paint (optional)
The exact amount of wood depends on the size of your design and the available wall space.
Step 1 – Plan the Layout
Before cutting anything, decide where the playground will hang. Measure the wall and sketch a simple layout that includes platforms, climbing sections, and resting spots.
Leave enough space between platforms so your cat can comfortably jump from one to the next. If you have multiple cats, consider adding a few larger platforms for them to sit or nap on.
Step 2 – Build the Platforms
Cut your wood into shelves, steps, and climbing pieces. Sand every edge until it’s smooth to prevent splinters and sharp corners.
If you’re using reclaimed lumber, inspect each piece carefully and remove any nails, screws, or damaged sections before building.
Step 3 – Make It Easy to Climb
The smooth wood made it difficult for the cat to climb. To fix this, warp carpet remnants around the climbing tower and secure them with staples. The added texture gave the cat the grip it needed to climb confidently.
You can also use sisal rope, cork, or textured mats to create claw-friendly climbing surfaces.
Step 4 – Mount Everything Securely
Safety comes first. Always attach the playground to wall studs whenever possible. You can use a French cleat system, which is made by cutting matching wooden strips at a 45-degree angle. One cleat is attached to the wall, while the matching piece is attached to each playground component. This allows platforms to lock securely into place while remaining easy to remove or rearrange later.
If your layout changes or your cat prefers a different route, you can adjust the setup without rebuilding the entire playground.
Step 5 – Let Your Cat Test It
Once everything is installed, encourage your cat to explore at its own pace. Place treats or toys on different platforms to help build confidence.
Watch how your cat moves through the playground. You may discover that a platform needs to be higher, a jump is too wide, or another scratching surface would make climbing easier.
Want to see the entire build in action? Watch the video below before you get started. It shows how the playground comes together, including the clever wall-mounting system and a simple upgrade that makes the climbing tower much easier for cats to use.
