12 DIY Goat Toys You Can Build Cheaply with Logs, Pallets, and Scrap Wood

Goats are not lawn ornaments. They're smart, pushy, wildly curious, and yes – incredibly entertaining when they’ve got something to do.

But when they don’t? That’s when the fence panels get tested, the feeders get flipped, and your patience thins out fast.

That’s where goat toys come in. Not the kind you find at a pet store – we’re talking simple, durable things you can build from logs, rocks, pallets, and whatever’s sitting behind your shed.

These DIY setups aren’t just distractions. They give goats exercise, mental stimulation, and a way to burn off the endless energy they seem to produce from thin air.

Even better: you don’t need to be a carpenter. Some of these ideas are as basic as dropping a stump in the pen. Others take a bit of work, but they’re worth it especially if you’ve got the kind of goats that treat boredom like a personal enemy.

Let’s get into 12 solid, goat-tested toy ideas you can make yourself – most of them with what you already have. If you're just starting out, check out our goat farming guide.

1. Log Play Pyramid

This one’s basically goat jungle gym 101. All you need are logs – different sizes if you have them.

Start with a wide, heavy base and stack upward like a kid’s block tower (but sturdier). The wider and lower you go at the bottom, the higher you can build it without tipping worries.

Use logs from downed trees on your land, or ask around – someone always has extra firewood they’re not using.

You can notch the logs a bit if you want them to sit more securely, but honestly, just a solid stack with a flat top log is enough to turn into a goat magnet.

Bigger goats like to scale it. Kids will jump, tumble, and chase each other up and down it. And if the pyramid gets too boring? Rearrange it. New setup, new challenge.

2. Climbing Stump or Log Run

If there’s an old tree you’ve been meaning to cut down, stop halfway.

Leaving a solid stump in the goat pen – especially one with a few thick, stubby branches – creates a natural climbing post that goats treat like their own personal lookout.

No tree? No problem. Slice a trunk into segments and lay out a “log run.” Think of it like a balance course – some logs lined up flat, others raised slightly on cinder blocks or rocks. You can also lash a few together with rope to create a wide platform.

It’s not fancy, and that’s the point. Goats aren’t picky – they just want something new to climb and conquer.

3. Large Rock Pile

Free, rugged, and goat-proof. If you’ve got access to large rocks or boulders, you’re halfway done.

Just make sure they’re heavy enough to stay put – and ideally, bury them halfway into the ground. This keeps them from shifting or tipping when the heavier goats start showing off.

Rocks are especially good for a few reasons: they’re low-maintenance, weatherproof, and they naturally help file hooves down. That last part? Big win if you're tired of trimming hooves every few weeks.

You can often find people giving away landscaping rocks online – they just want you to haul them. So bring a trailer and save yourself the gym day.

4. Sun Deck or Raised Platform

You don’t need a fancy setup. Even a one-foot-tall platform built from leftover fence boards or deck scraps can turn into the go-to hangout spot in the pen.

Goats love elevation – not because they need to see anything in particular, but because being up high makes them feel like royalty.

Simple setup: 4x4s for legs, 2x4s for framing, then deck boards or plywood on top. Want bonus points? Make the size big enough to double as a bench for you. Just… don’t expect to sit on it alone.

Over time, it becomes the preferred nap spot, sunning platform, and jumping-off point for chaotic goat games. And since it’s off the ground, it also stays cleaner than whatever they’ve been laying in lately.

5. Pallet Playground

If you've got pallets, you've got options. They’re like goat LEGO blocks – just dirtier and way more satisfying to repurpose.

Stack them into platforms, lean them into ramps, or nail a few together into a little clubhouse. Goats don’t care about polish – they want levels, edges, and weird little nooks to stand in.

Just a heads-up: you need to strip any leftover staples or nails before putting pallets in the pen. Some are rough-cut or splintery, so sand if needed or pick cleaner ones to start with.

You can make this as basic or elaborate as you want. One stack with a ramp and a flat top? That’ll do.

Add a couple bridges between stacks, and now you’ve got yourself a goat village. Don’t be surprised if it turns into the hangout zone within a day.

6. Goat Swing

Sounds ridiculous, works surprisingly well. The goat swing is a flat wooden platform (plywood or deck boards), suspended with chains or heavy-duty rope from a frame or beam.

Think porch swing – but without the backrest, and with goats wobbling around like tiny pirates on a moving ship.

It takes some effort to build. You'll need 4x4s or posts to hang it from, plus bolts and strong connectors. But once it's up? The goats test it, jump off, climb back, and eventually master the sway.

It’s not for the faint of heart or the clumsiest goat in the group. But the confident ones? They love it. You’ll probably want to watch the first few times just to be sure nobody faceplants off the edge.

7. Cleated Ramp

This one’s almost too simple to call a “toy,” but it’s useful, so it makes the list. Start with any spare plank – a wide one works better – and add a few narrow boards across it like ladder rungs.

That’s your cleated ramp. The cleats give their hooves something to grab on, especially going uphill.

You can rest the ramp against a platform, a deck, a boulder – whatever’s already in your pen. Or build a small hill with cinder blocks and attach it there.

Want a quick upgrade? Add a second ramp going the other way and you’ve got a goat-friendly A-frame. They’ll run up, pause at the top like they’re posing for a magazine, then trot down the other side.

8. Teeter-Totter

Somehow, this works. It shouldn’t – it moves, it shifts – but goats love it. The simplest version is just a thick board laid over a log or stump. It doesn’t even need to be perfectly balanced – in fact, it’s better when it’s not.

For something sturdier, use a 2×6 secured to a concrete pier with metal strapping. A little more stable, but still wobbly enough to be interesting. They’ll climb up, feel it tilt, then hang out in the middle like they own the place.

Bonus: kids love it too. Add handles if you’ve got human kids running around, and it becomes a shared toy.

9. Wooden Slip & Slide

No water needed here – this isn’t about getting wet. It’s about zooming downhill like a four-legged lunatic.

The wooden goat slip & slide is just a narrow ramp with a gentle slope, some shallow steps nailed in for grip, and maybe a block or two to help the goats reach the top.

It works best when the surface has just enough give to let them launch but not slip. Think scrap plywood reinforced underneath. If you’ve got an old sawhorse or wide step ladder, use it as a base and attach the slide to that.

You’ll know it’s a hit when the younger ones take turns charging up the back and hopping down with zero hesitation. Somehow this becomes the afternoon workout session.

10. Tree House Platform

This one’s for those with trees in or near the goat pen. Build a small, sturdy deck onto the side of a thick trunk – nothing sky-high, just enough to satisfy their “I must be higher than you” instincts.

Attach it using lag bolts directly into the tree or wrap brackets around the trunk if you don’t want to drill into it. Add a ramp or even a short climbing wall to make it more interesting. Make sure there’s a solid rail or edge, especially if it’s more than two feet off the ground.

Goats don’t really need a reason to get up there. They just will. It’s one of those things they seem to know is theirs the second you finish building it.

11. DIY Scratcher

If you’ve ever seen a goat destroy a fence post just to itch their shoulder, you already know why this matters. A scratcher gives them relief and saves your structures.

Take a chunk of wood and bolt or screw stiff nylon-bristle brushes onto it – old push brooms or floor scrubbers work great. Mount it at about chest-height (for the goats, not you) against a fence post, barn wall, or even a free-standing post sunk in the ground.

They’ll use it. A lot. Make more than one if you have a bigger herd – goats aren’t the most patient when it comes to waiting their turn.

12. Multi-Level Feeder Platform

This one pulls double duty. It’s a hay feeder on the bottom, and a hangout platform on top. Use 4x4s or 2x4s for the frame, welded wire panels for the feeder section, and plywood for a slanted or flat roof.

That roof? That’s where they’re going. As soon as the hay’s loaded, a few will be down below eating, while the rest climb on top like they’re claiming territory. Add a ramp or leave the side open so they can jump up.

It saves space and keeps hay dry, and the goats treat it like a little clubhouse with snacks underneath.

Build It Once, Let the Goats Take Over

Goat toys don’t have to be complicated.

Most of what they love – climbing, jumping, scratching, wobbling – can be built with materials you already have or can get for cheap. And the beauty of it? Once you put the effort in, they’ll use these things every single day.

You don’t need perfection. Just stable structures, safe edges, and a little creativity. Whether it’s a few buried rocks or a full-blown goat playground, each toy gives your herd something to explore, climb, and claim as their own.

They’ll stay busier. Healthier. Calmer. And a lot less interested in busting through the gate again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Got playful goats? These quick answers cover the basics of building safe, fun, and budget-friendly toys your herd will actually use.

1. Are these toys safe for baby goats?

Yes – with a few adjustments. Start with lower platforms, gentle ramps, and nothing that could tip over. Baby goats will still climb anything, but it’s best to minimize risks until they get their footing.

2. What’s the cheapest toy to build?

A teeter-totter made from a scrap board and a log is about as basic and budget-friendly as it gets. Even just a big stump left in the pen turns into entertainment.

3. Where can I find free building materials?

Pallets are often free at hardware or farm supply stores. Cable spools come from electrical companies. Rocks? Check online listings – people are always looking to get rid of them. Ask around before buying.

4. How often should I change the toys?

You don’t have to rebuild every month, but changing the layout or adding a new piece every few weeks helps keep their interest. Goats get bored when things don’t change.

5. What if my goats ignore the toys?

Sometimes they just need a nudge. Sprinkle a bit of grain or hay on top of new toys to get their attention. Once one goat explores it, the rest usually follow.