Kibble Pockets: DIY Treat Dispensers for Your Dog

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Looking for an easy, creative way to keep your dog busy while involving your kids? Kibble pockets are a quick DIY project that turns empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls into homemade treat dispensers. They’re fun for kids to make and exciting for dogs to solve. 

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WHAT YOU NEED

• Empty paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls

• Kibble, Cheerios, or treats

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HOW TO PLAY

‍Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Collect your empty rolls and pour kibble or treats into a small bowl so your kids can scoop from it.

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Step 2: Flatten the Tube

Have your child gently flatten the tube - stomp it with a foot or press it down with their hands. This makes it easier to fold and keeps it from rolling away. 

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Bonus: Draw silly faces before filling them for extra fun.

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‍Step 3: Fill It Up

Fold one end closed, then scoop or pour in kibble/treats. Kids usually like to be “generous,” so remind them less is more - you want a pocket, not a piñata. Leave enough space on the ends to fold over. Show your child how to press down so the treats don’t fall out.

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Insights from Emme: Give your child a number of treats to put in each tube. Keeps them from getting overstuffed and is a sneaky way to practice those counting skills (very applicable for my household of preschoolers right now!).

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Step 4: Time to Play

Hand over the kibble pocket to your pup and watch the fun begin. Some dogs rip them apart like confetti, others delicately problem-solve. Either way, it’s enrichment in action.

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Make It More Challenging

To add an extra layer of fun and challenge, try these variations:

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Hide the Kibble Pocket: Place the kibble pocket somewhere in your house for your dog to find. This encourages them to use their sense of smell and adds an element of excitement to the game.

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Digging Challenge: Put the kibble pockets into a box filled with safe materials (like shredded paper, pieces of fabric, or even dog toys) and let your dog dig for them. This not only stimulates their mind but also satisfies their natural digging instincts.

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 Insights from Emme: We love prepping a big batch of the kibble & treat pockets, all at once, and storing them in a sealed container for later use when inspiration strikes! Convenient to have on hand, ready to go, when the kids want to play a nosework game with the dog or when Izzy is extra interested in barking at every noise outside.

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PRO TIPS

• Not every dog is suited for this - heavy chewers or cardboard-eaters should stick to sturdier puzzle toys.
  
  
• Not every parent loves the cleanup, but you can make a game of it: who can pick up the most cardboard pieces in 30 seconds? (Yes, that counts as enrichment for kids, too.)
  
  

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More Fun Ideas

This game is part of our Kids & Dogs Activity Series.

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