Fun ways to play with your rabbit
From snack-driven games to enrichment ideas, discover the best activities to do with your bunny to help them bust some boredom.
Playing with your rabbit is one of the best activities to do with your bunny, as it will help establish a strong bond and sense of security. Spending time with your fur friend can also help your rabbit steer clear of boredom-driven behavior, like chewing cables or cabinet corners.
Of course, there are many breeds of rabbits so the best activities to do with your bunny will depend on the type you have. For example, a Holland lop has bundles of energy so it might be wise to invest in one of the best rabbit runs, to help them stretch their legs. Any activities you do with a Jersey Wooly rabbit should be done indoors, as they prefer to call one of the best indoor rabbit hutches their home.
That said, bunnies are crepuscular creatures so will be ready and raring to play at dusk and dawn. To help you bust some boredom, we've compiled a list of the best activities to do with your bunny.
32 activities to do with your bunny
1. Free roam
Bunnies are happiest exploring and if your fur friend isn’t already free roaming, then, depending on the breed you have, it's worth dedicating a space inside or outside for them to do just that.
Remember, if you've got an indoor rabbit, discover how to bunny-proof a room first, to keep your little hopper safe.
2. Chew toys
The best food for rabbits will ensure you're rabbit is getting the right nutrients it needs to be happy and healthy.
But introducing a chew toy is just as important as it can help them perform natural behaviors, like chewing and chin rubbing. These toys can also help rabbits wear their teeth down, as they grow continuously.
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Plus, it's a great way of initiating play in the very early stages of establishing a bond with your bunny. It can be relatively hands-off, leaving both you and your rabbit to enjoy being in each other's company.
3. Make tunnels
It's time to get creative. Depending on the size and nature of your bunny you can decide which materials and/or household objects are best fit to entertain your four-legged friend.
Whether you make your own tunnel or invest in one of the best bunny toys, like a hand-woven seagrass option, there's much fun to be had here!
4. Encourage foraging
Foraging is a natural behavior for a rabbit and is the perfect instinct to draw on in play. You can use bunny-friendly sand boxes and cardboard boxes filled with shredded paper or buy a purpose-made snuffle mat for them to explore.
5. Facilitate digging
Digging often occurs whether you like it or not and we are firm believers of, if you can’t beat them, join them. Lean into the digging fun and create a safe and dedicated space in your garden or home for your rabbit to enjoy.
6. Branches
A family (and furry favorite). If you are tight on time and tools then place some apple tree logs and branches into their hutch and let them chew and strip the bark off within a matter of days.
As long as the wood hasn't been treated with pesticides, this is safe (and fun) for them to do.
7. Reverse Fetch
This next activity tasks the human with all of the fetching and the bunny with all of the fun.
Play with toys your rabbit can grasp in their mouth – you’ll know when you’ve got this right because toys will be swiftly thrown all over the place in response. Then fetch them and start the game all over again.
8. Share a treat
Playing with your bunny can be as straightforward as sharing a snack in each other's company. This is the perfect bonding opportunity and after a long day allows you to get the best of both worlds.
And, if you're wondering what to feed a rabbit, check out our expert-backed guide on what you can and can't treat your bunny to.
9. Training
Rabbits love to learn, so work with your brainy bunny to unlock some new skills.
Why not learn how to litter box train a rabbit and teach them how to put the best rabbit litter boxes to good use? Or teach them how to respond to their name or give you a kiss? Training is a great form of enrichment and highly rewarding for both of you.
10. Blanket Escape
It's simple, easy, and super sweet. Use a blanket your four paws are familiar with and gently place it over your rabbit and use sound, treats, and speech to encourage your bunny to find its way out.
Most bunnies will find their way out unprompted and head straight back for more!
11. Bunny Maze
Simple, but super fun. You can buy or create a maze for your bunny to explore from something as simple as rearranging furniture and hiding treats. If you intend to make your own maze, always research rabbit-safe material to use.
12. View
Rabbits have an almost 360° vision, which, in the wild, allows them to see predators coming. So why not consider installing bunny-friendly ledges at various heights and angles to help them make the most of their sight?
Leaning into their wide field of sight enables your rabbit to experience more of the world from their point of view.
13. Magic Cups
We all know this one well, and believe it or not so can your bunny! Mastering the art of picking the right cup to reveal a sweet treat is well within the reach of those four adorable paws.
Start off simple, with clear cups, allowing your rabbit to use more of its senses to seek out the reward. Before long, their nose alone will lead the way!
14. Follow the leader
This game requires highly-scented snacks and fast feet! Familiarize your bunny with the treat of choice, take a few steps away, place it on the floor, and when ready call your bunny over to enjoy their reward.
Repeat, changing direction and pace to see if your bunny will run after you (and your snacks!)
15. Bunny bowling
Set up plastic bowling pins either indoors or outside and sit back as your bunny explores the new toys and finds great enjoyment in knocking them down with their nose.
16. Bunny Thief
A mischievous rabbit will love nothing more than engaging in this game, centered entirely around them taking something from you and not looking back.
Lie on the floor and leave a treat or toy resting in your palm. Be patient and wait for your curious companion to engage.
17. Cat Ball
Rabbits enjoy playing with small balls and cat balls with bells or those made with crinkly fabric are always a hit.
Take turns to roll the ball to one another. It might take a few attempts, but it’s a game worth being patient for.
18. Obstacle Course
There is little a bunny loves more than discovering a new space. But if you find yourself short of rabbit-proof play spaces you can elevate the ones you already have with obstacle courses.
Experiment with different bunny-friendly textures and heights as you create a whole new world for your big-eared pet to explore.
19. Petting
Don’t overlook the power of petting. It can be easy to feel the pressure of going above and beyond for your bunny, but sometimes there is nothing better than a cuddle or two!
20. Hide and seek
If your rabbit comes running when you call then hide and seek is a great option for you to try. Start slowly, hide in their space, somewhere they know well and call their name. The more you play, the further you can go and the faster they will hopefully hop to find you!
21. Let them binky
Heard of bunny binkies? Binkies are known best for demonstrating a bunny's happiness and excitement. Whilst these jumps and twists are a cute display of joy, they are also the perfect opportunity for play.
The more you know your rabbit, the easier it will be to help build up their binkies.
22. Once-over
We're never one to shy away from a bunny cuddle. But keeping your rabbit close to you will also offer up the perfect opportunity to give them the once over. For example, carefully check that your rabbit's nose is moist, their ears are clean and the corners of their eyes are free of discharge.
Approach this however works best for your bunny but the aim of the game is to give your rabbit a ‘once-over’ whilst they are calm and happy! This will make health checks and trips to the vet much easier.
23. Puzzle toys
Looking for a quick fix? If you are heading out the door and don’t have time to put an activity together, puzzle toys are fantastic boredom-busters and will keep your bunny engaged while you’re away.
24. Cardboard Castles
A cardboard box is the gift that keeps on giving. Experiment with cardboard for free, rabbit-friendly fun. Whether you craft your bunny a castle fit for a queen or you cut out holes so they can have another spot to feel safe and secure in, there’s endless fun to be had.
25. Hopping Challenge
Put your pet's hop to the test. Use various household and bunny-safe items to set up a hop-tastic trail for your rabbit to explore. Footstools, upturned buckets, and boxes are all great options to get you started.
26. Gift-giving
Take an old box, some shredded paper, hay, or other bunny-safe material, and hide treats, toys, and rewards for your bunny to find. This activity draws on your rabbit's foraging instinct and provides great mental stimulation.
27. Washing line
For the bunnies led by their tummies, this activity is ideal. Hang some string from one end of their hutch (or play space) to another, carefully pegging veggies along the line (peppers and lettuce work best!), and let them enjoy the healthy, hanging treats.
28. A whole new world
Have you ever decided to rearrange your entire room on a whim? The same can be done for your rabbit, with even bigger rewards. Updating their play or living space reignites their curiosity and breathes new life into an old space.
29. Furry Destroyers
If you have a bunny who loves to make a mess, why not lean into the chaos? Fill a shoebox with shredded paper and let them at it! Straw mats, bunny-friendly newspapers, or an old magazine are also fantastic options.
30. Baby Bunnies
Rabbits who enjoy throwing will have great fun with baby toys. The rattle of plastic keys, wooden blocks, or plastic cat toys will elevate this level of play and is a great opportunity for you to play together.
31. Bunny Fishing
This is a fantastic option for families with young children who are looking to bond with their bunny.
On your next walk pick up a long stick (this will become your fishing rod) and attach a piece of string to one end. Carefully tie a knot around a piece of lettuce and dangle it for your rabbit. The entire family will have great fun watching the bunny nibble away at each piece, whilst keeping little hands at a safe distance!
32. Switch up their space
Engaging with your bunny and adding excitement to their day does not have to cost a lot of money or take a lot of time.
Try adding an old rug or scrap piece of carpet to their habitat and enjoy watching them explore it. So pause before discarding household items like cardboard tubes and let your rabbit put them to greater use.
Wondering how to keep your bunny warm and happy? Discover the expert-approved rabbit winter care tips or check out the best heated pet beds.
Becks is a freelance lifestyle journalist who has more than 9 years of experience in the world of digital and print journalism. She covers health, wellness and family interests for a range of titles. When she's not putting pen-to-paper (or finger-to-keyboard) she's reading, in the gym, or taking her Dog Aunt title very seriously looking after the handful of four-legged creatures in her life.