Stylish playpen

[WinnieTheHam]

So I came across a youtube video which had a really nice looking playpen than the person build but it didn't give a descriptive tutorial on how to put this playpen together so I thought I'd do a step-by-step guide for you all.

It is not my original idea, as I said I saw it on youtube. This is the video if you're interested :) (Please read on for the step-by-step guide)

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SKo0B_X8io

I haven't had this playpen for long, but it looks really nice and it's quite simple to put together. The hamsters can't escape from this, it's quite tall and made from plastic so they can't climb out.

It costs less than £20 to build, I already had some of the equipment you need, so it cost me £17.

What you need:

- 30 (estimate) small zip ties.
- Interlocking storage cubes - http://amzn.eu/0eTQ5Av or http://amzn.eu/eGgWHOe
- Tape (I used electrical black tape)
- Scissors
- 2 pegs
- A large space!

This is the box the cubes come in, it arrived within a day when ordering off of amazon so I really recommend it! I also got two packets of 20 small zip ties.(I tried rotating the image but it's not worked for some reason!)

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1363_zps82jwdill.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1363_zps82jwdill.jpg.html)

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1365_zpssty3mziq.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1365_zpssty3mziq.jpg.html)


You need to lay each panel by the side of each other like this;

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1364_zpslnzdrwjv.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1364_zpslnzdrwjv.jpg.html)


Make sure that they are facing the way the left one in this image is facing.

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1369_zpsf1xsibjh.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1369_zpsf1xsibjh.jpg.html)


Then you need to zip tie top and bottom together on each side, make sure you do it as tight as it goes. (Do it on all of the squares, when finished it should lay out in a very long line of squares that are tied together.)

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1367_zpsfjx0rtv8.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1367_zpsfjx0rtv8.jpg.html)

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1372_zpsavoghwvo.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1372_zpsavoghwvo.jpg.html)


Cut the excess off of the zip ties and turn it around so it is facing the floor.

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1370_zpsjcwdmgix.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1370_zpsjcwdmgix.jpg.html)

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1371_zpsm7qc7tcq.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1371_zpsm7qc7tcq.jpg.html)

[WinnieTheHam]

Cut the tape about 1-2 inch in length. Place it portrait against the gap with excess hanging off the bottom, this part folds underneath to the other side. (Do this for all of the holes on the bottom half, the hamster can't reach the top)

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1373_zpsyavurq1v.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1373_zpsyavurq1v.jpg.html)

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1374_zpsi1b1nnu6.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1374_zpsi1b1nnu6.jpg.html)


You should now be able to stand the structure up, it can be made into different shapes but make sure you overlap the end squares when setting up the playpen. Secure them with two pegs on each metal corner of the overlapped squares

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1379_zpshn5qny2g.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1379_zpshn5qny2g.jpg.html)

(This is one corner, the other is on the right but I didn't get a picture of that!)

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1376_zpsixk2djts.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1376_zpsixk2djts.jpg.html)



You should now have a fully functioning playpen! Very large too!

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1380_zpsmgconfaa.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1380_zpsmgconfaa.jpg.html)


One amazing thing I love about this is that it folds up into a neat, easily storable stack!

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1381_zpseaqjlw8f.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1381_zpseaqjlw8f.jpg.html)



Hope you all find this helpful. I'm awful at describing things so I hope the pictures explain a bit too! Let me know if you decide to do this, I think it's great :)

Myrcella having fun in the playpen for the first time (I need some more playpen toys, any ideas are appreciated) It takes up the whole floor space in my room!

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee416/autumnhamstery/IMG_1387_zpsmxnu1mn9.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/autumnhamstery/media/IMG_1387_zpsmxnu1mn9.jpg.html)

[Scarlett Empress]

This looks brilliant, thanks for sharing - just ordered a set of storage cubes!

[Vectis Hamstery]

That's a great idea and well-explained! Thanks for sharing :)

[SKB_Hamsters]

The playpen look amazing. It looks like a Syrian definitely can't climb out, might have to look into something similar myself, so thanks for sharing.

What is the measurements of playpen assembled? As it look really big

[WinnieTheHam]

Thank you all and no problem! Let me know how it goes Scarlett :D

I'm not at home at the moment so I can't give accurate measurements but visually (comparing it to Myrcella's cage) It's around 4ft x 2.5ft in the image with Myrcella in. :) You can change the shape of it, even into a circle! So it will fit in awkward spaces too.

[Scarlett Empress]

Wheee my order has been dispatched! I am really excited about this - I had ordered some sheets of Correx but I like the idea that this pen is all joined up but will fold flat.

I guess with the metal frames to the panels, it has got a little weight to it? When I was having my constant battles to build Smokey an escape-proof cardboard playpen, she found she could lift the damn things up! And when I weighted them, she just chewed through the cardboard...

[CMB]

For those who have carpets. If you buy 2 packs or make a smaller playpen. You could make a base with the extra pieces so there is less chance of the hamster chewing holes in the carpet. It is also possible with one pack.

[Pebbles82]

Wow that certainly is stylish - much better than my Correx one! As for playpen toys - I don't have many either but I spontaneously put all kinds of things in it - a large floor cushion, a smaller cushion, the odd cuddly toy (although I need to wash them sometimes). The carrot cottage always goes down well out of cage as well (half an hour of banging and scratching inside it ripping hay off).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Naturals-Carrot-Cottage-Hamster/dp/B00D42I1HU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466451106&sr=8-1&keywords=carrot+cottage+hamster

Cypher has some amazing playpen toys!

[WinnieTheHam]

How exciting Scarlett! Yes it does have a bit of weight to it, it's a little heavy when folded up, but still manageable :) I was going to buy a large sheet of plastic to cover the floor with, correx is a good idea. I think buying two of the storage cubes would be a bit costly just to cover the floor with. Abe tried to get under it but had no success! So it's definitely too heavy for them to lift.

I like the idea of a play pen being bigger than their usual cage so they can stretch their legs a bit more than usual, the size is great. :) My hamsters love running around in it and hopping on all of their toys and things.

[WinnieTheHam]

Thank you Serendipity! I will try those out. I've always wanted to get one of those houses so I'll definitely get one for playpen time :)

[Pebbles82]

I put them in the freezer for 2 or 3 days - I'm paranoid about things that might live in the hay lol

[Coco61]

I would think that any cardboard boxes can be used as cheap and renewable toys/hidey holes. So cereal boxes, tea bag boxes, biscuit/cracker boxes and so on. With doors cut in they can be used and replaced at no cost. Fab looking playpen!

[GreySyrian]

My hamsters love recycled boxes, Although they often like to expand and add doorways ...

Just ordered the storage cubes of eBay and zip-ties, Came to £9.98! (Boxes £8.99, Zip-ties 99p)
Thanks for posting this!

[WinnieTheHam]

Thanks all! :D

That's really good deal GreySyrian! If I hadn't bought the zip-ties from halfords it would have been much cheaper but I was impatient and wanted to do it as soon as my cubes arrived haha!

You're welcome! :)

[Lydia1981]

Wow that looks great

What height is it?

Tilly climbs over everthing, I have the castle maze thing(sorry not at home so unsure what it's called) which is made of cardboard and she climbs over it straight away,
I also have the metal playpen which she also climbs over

I maybe will order one if its a lot higher on pay day,

[WinnieTheHam]

Thank you! :) It is 35.5cm tall.

[Scarlett Empress]

My play pen arrived today! I had already got a pack of small cable ties (they are like an essential item in this house) and my Mum had some tape for the corners, so it's all ready for Marty to try out.

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7398/27737935322_1a6f834234_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Jg7aNb)

I've kind of wrapped it round itself to make it 2 x 3 panels, as for the moment I just want to have a safe area where I can sit and do a bit of hamster-taming. But I might get another pack later, so I can make a really big area...I want Marty to free range in my room when she's totally tame (and bigger!) but this will be perfect till then.

I just ordered another set for my sister, she barricades off part of the house for the rabbit to run round in the evenings and she usually uses odd boxes but this will be much easier and quicker to set up (yeah I know the bunny could jump over this height but my sister only makes the barricade out of low boxes and for some reason, the bunny respects that!)

[Nancy's Hamsters]

If your sister wanted she could double up the panels so the bunny can't jump out too. For your Hamster you could make a tube ramp that Marty could ascend into the pen and use to climb back into the cage when they wanted. Lovely set up for Marty you have.

[Scarlett Empress]

Thank you Nancy yes I think the panels would work well doubled up - we will see what Lady Jane makes of them first, but that would be an option if she decides to jump over!

I used to put a tube from the cage for my previous hamster, she loved coming and going as she pleased - I would scatter food and bedding in her digging boxes outside the cage, and she enjoyed collecting her 'shopping' and scurrying back home with it! So I will definitely do that for Marty when she is a little more tame!

[WinnieTheHam]

That looks amazing Scarlett! and that's a great idea for your sister's rabbit :)

[Scarlett Empress]

This idea worked very well for the bunny barrier! And the good news is, the full pack of panels makes twice as much length as we need for the rabbit, so I can have the rest to add to Marty's play pen.

The little monkey has been trying to chew her way out (and also just to jump over the sides but I think that's just a little over ambitious) but all she has managed to do is pull a very small piece of tape off - I am going to get a roll of Gorilla tape which should do the trick, but even if I have to do the odd running repair like that, it's no big deal. This is just such a good idea!

[leedsgurl]

Great idea :-) it is very similar to this one: http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/housing/6837-playpen-how-make-correx-playpen.html but the one you've done is much better as the pieces join together and can be folded down for storage and easily put back up again :-)

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Thanks Winnie for this great playpen idea! I'm only coming across it now. I was wondering about the correx playpen recently as to where I could source some correx and kept meaning to ask some of you guys where I could purchase as I haven't been able to see any locally. But this is just as good :) so definitely going to purchase. The playpen I did buy is too small really as I want to be able to get in it with Fudge and have some bonding time as well as allow for a bit more space for running about for him.

[WinnieTheHam]

Great news Scarlett, glad it's worked out for the bunny and that you can extend your playpen! My hams haven't been able to escape from this playpen but they too also sometimes have a go at the tape, they usually try jump up at the sides which definitely isn't going to work haha.

Thanks Leedsgurl, it really is very handy and manageable :D

No problem Golden syrian hammies :D I'm glad I saw it on youtube and brought it to this forum to help you all! :D It's a great size and even when sitting in it with them there's still quite a lot of room for them to run about in.

[Amber_x]

I occasionally do the tube thing but at the moment I only have a cardboard playpen and Amber has worked out how to get her nose under the corner and lift it up! I think I might have to start taping down the corners.

[flowerfairy]

This is such a great idea. Cant wait to try it out. They make good guinea pig cages too, cheaper than c and c grids.

[AmityvilleHams]

You could definitely mix solid panels and grids and get more out of each for larger pets,if you bought larger packs of cubes in both :) They do end up much cheaper than any decent size hutch or indoor cage I've found,and they're good for rabbits too as long as you make it 2 grids tall and add a roof/lid!

[jency]

that is amazing i have been looking at ideas for a playpen am going to get some storage cubes. thanks for the detailed photos they are a big help

[Drago]

This is awesome, and actually looks nice! I should try this out with my chinchilla

[Carla Gordon and Derrick]

I've only just found this thread, but I'm so glad I did! This is such a fantastic idea Winnie!

I've been looking for a playpen suitable for little robos, and I just don't feel the ones with bars are. My panels come today so we'll put it together tonight :)

What's everyone's favourite toys for the play pen?
We have a rainbow bridge, some rosewood boredom breaker 'fun balls', a silent spinner, some toilet roll tubes, and a wooden 'peek-a-boo' tube! No doubt this collection will grow as Gordy and Derrick let us know what their favourites are.
I think I'm more excited than they are...

[CMB]

The bendy tunnels are nice (unless they chew them) as you can bend them to make different shaped tunnels.

An egg box with holes cut is a good for robo hamsters.

A see-saw or see-saw tunnel.

Bendy bridges are another good toy and are adjustable, which other things aren't so if your hamsters are having trouble climbing over them. You can adjust them to make it easier.

Hide some food around so they can go foraging.

If they feel scared you may want to make the space smaller until they settle. Than make it slowly bigger.

Hope they like it. :)

[flowerfairy]

Loo roll inners are great robo tunnels. They look soo cute whizzing through them!

[AmityvilleHams]

Maybe a burrowing bin or a bin with a sand bath in it?With robos these wouldn't need to be too big or tall,but adding a bendy bridge to them for easy climbing for the hamster's sake would be good :)

[DrropS]

This playpen looks amazing! I really need to think about this, just need to wait until next pay day and then more hamster shopping! (:

[SweetPeaHammy]

Wow! Such a great idea, would love to make this for my hamster when I get one

[DrropS]

Did everyone go to buy these cubes now? I just decided to buy it and went on amazon and unfortunately it's out of stock! This is so my luck : D

[cypher]

They've been unavailable for a while now, must be a lot of playpens out there now lol!
There are other similar suitable storage cubes still available though, I just got these (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ABVYTRS/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item).

[leedsgurl]

Just search for 'interlocking storage cubes' and you can use any of those for them playpen- I also got those ones cypher :-)

Note: there is a follow up video by the same person as the original, where they've used metal corner plates instead of tape (if your hamster likes to chew the tape!)

olk2s89D7fQ

[CMB]

They come in different size panels to, so if you have a Syrian hamster the larger panels may be better. You can get small packs and bigger packs.

[cypher]

I was surprised at how big mine was, I only used about half the panels & that was plenty big enough for my little ones to run around or for me to sit in there with them.

[LucyToons]

@Scarlett Empress I absolutely love the setup you have for Marty, did you build his habitat yourself?