There are many things to do with your bearded dragon! Playing with your bearded dragon is an incredibly special part of your relationship. With so many important pet care responsibilities, the simple pleasures of spending time with your pet can slip to the back of your mind. However, it’s worth putting some thought into. Just a quick look around your home could reveal some toys and materials perfect for creating new memories and fun things to do with your bearded dragon.
“Reptiles express a number of complex behaviors normally attributed to mammals. They can, for example, learn to navigate mazes as well as birds or mammals do and likely use a hippocampal structure to do so.”
Naumann et al (2015)
Whether you’re looking to mix things up with your pet, or are a new owner trying to start some play time traditions, it’s always helpful to hear what’s worked for other people. Here are some popular ideas of fun things to do with your bearded dragon. Try them out or just use the list as inspiration!
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Outdoor Things to do with your Bearded Dragon
1. Going for a Walk
One of the best exercise activities you can enjoy with your little reptile is actually one you would expect more from dog owners! Thanks to special leashes and harnesses made specifically for reptiles, one of the things to do with your bearded dragon is take it for a walk.
Your bearded dragon will love the exercise, and you will love being able to give them some freedom without the fear of them running away. Your beardie may be annoyed by the leash at first, they usually grow comfortable with it after a few walks. Just let it go where it wants to go, and you follow it.
It can be nice to let your dragon walk in the grass, but make sure the lawn hasn’t been sprayed with harmful chemicals. This is one of those things to do with your bearded dragon that combines exercise, fresh air, and exploration..
2. Swimming & Playing with Water
Some bearded dragons enjoy swimming and playing in the water, others don’t. Deep water is not their thing, being able to touch the bottom of the water without difficulty is best.
If your bearded dragon enjoys swimming, consider getting a medium-sized storage bin or a kiddie pool to fill with water. This will allow you some flexibility, as you can enjoy this activity outside of the bathroom. Try giving a shallow bath in the sun, two bonuses at once! You might be surprised to find you have a real Olympian on your hands!
Some beardies are better swimmers than others. Always supervise your pet while it’s in the water. The temperature of the bathing water is important. This is another of those things to do with your bearded dragon that’s both fun and can be good for their health.
3. Play in an Outdoor Pen
A fun thing to do with your bearded dragon that will also is to provide an outdoor pen. They will love the opportunity to follow their curiosity and enjoy nature. Plus, your bearded dragon get added health benefits of real sunlight!
This is best done in warm temperatures and of course make sure they’re secure. Sit with them and enjoy some time together.
4. Sunbaking Together
Another thing to do with your bearded dragon is sunbaking! Sunbaking together in the outdoors can be a quiet time for bonding, as basking is a crucial part of their daily routine. Find a safe, sunny spot where you and your beardie can relax and soak up some rays. Pop on a leash so your reptile stays close or perhaps pop it in a wire cage right next to you. Don’t use Perspex, glass or other barriers to UVB.
This activity not only provides essential UVB exposure for your bearded dragon but also gives you both a chance to unwind and enjoy nature together.
Indoor Things to do with your Bearded Dragon
1. Pushing a Ball
A simple way to entertain your beardie is to roll them a small softish ball, about the size of a golf ball. Using soft balls will reduce the risk of potential damage to teeth. This fun and classic activity can be very exciting for them. The game might be a bit of a flop with the older, more sedate but worth trying with the juvenile bearded dragons.
Your bearded dragon may simply push or chase the ball around. If your beardie perceives the ball as a threat, it may attack it. If it really seems to be getting stressed, put the ball away.
2. Chasing a Laser Pointer
Many curious and energetic bearded dragons (that counts out the older ones!) enjoy playing with laser pointers. It seems they mistake it for a bug (or lunch!) and have a lot of fun pursuing the light.
Unfortunately, there can be some risks associated with letting a laser pointer shine into your beardie’s eyes. Though the lasers are considered safe below five milliwatts of power, it’s still important to make sure that you buy an accurately labeled laser pointer from a reputable manufacturer.
If you don’t want to take any risks with a laser pointer, many cat toys can produce a similar effect. Some beardies love playing with toys like cat wands and ball circuits, which can create a similar “chasing” game.
3. Experiment with a Mirror
An experiment to try with your bearded dragon is to let them see their reflection in a mirror. Be wary, not all beardies will find this fun. Some see their own reflection as a threat, especially a male ready for breeding.
Try placing the mirror just outside your beardies cage to test the response, or let it play with it directly if it is safe. Expect some interesting reactions from your beardie as it tries to make sense of its new companion! Watch for reactions that indicate stress. Black beard, running away, lunging forward and posturing as if to attack are signs this isn’t so fun and is best stopped.
4. Create a Cave or Tunnel
Young beardies are often naturally adventurous. Introducing some more variety into their environment can be a great way to get them exploring. There are many ways to build a cave or tunnel out of substrate, as well as a host of great options available to buy. A well-made clay cave can remind your pet of their natural environment, helping them feel more at ease.
You can also find small bridges for sale, which are a perfect for creating a fun perch in your bearded dragon’s cage.
These little obstacles can work really well with the laser pointer mentioned above. Try leading your beardie on a miniature adventure around their play area, chasing the mysterious light!
5. DIY Shredded Paper Hide and Ball
Bearded dragon fun with DIY toys is easy with shredded paper. Just rip a few sheets of paper into little squares and litter the floor of the cage or wherever they’re playing. As your beardie begins to investigate, it might surprise you with its cute response!
You can also try crumpling wrapping paper into a makeshift little ball, as another home-made paper toy. Many beardies find the material intriguing and enjoy playing with it. If your pet seems disinterested at first, trying placing it on the paper, or pushing the toy around yourself to get their attention.
6. Cuddling with your Beardie
Sometimes the best thing to do with your beardie is just to snuggle up and hold it. Your pet will come to treasure your affection and spending quality time can really brighten its mood.
You can hold your beardie in your lap and stroke it or let it burrow into a cozy blanket. Many bearded dragons actually seem to like watching TV or listening to music. When you sit down on the couch for some entertainment consider letting your beardie enjoy it with you! Try different shows or songs to see how your pet responds.
7. Training your Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons can be trained to respond to their name, come when called, go to the potty, or even do simple tricks. This requires patience and consistent, positive reinforcement. Training sessions can be short and fun, using treats as rewards to encourage good behavior. Over time, your beardie will learn to associate certain actions with positive outcomes, making training an enriching experience for both of you.
8. Dress them Up
Another thing to do with your bearded dragon indoors is to dress them up. Dressing them up and taking photos can provide some memorable moments. Whether it’s a tiny wizard hat or a superhero cape, these costumes can make for some adorable and shareable photos. Just make sure that the costume is comfortable and doesn’t restrict your dragon’s movement or breathing. Dressing up should be a short, stress-free experience that ends with lots of praise and perhaps a treat.
9. Watching TV
It sounds like an odd thing to do with your bearded dragon but some bearded dragons enjoy watching TV. Try it out! You may find that your beardie is captivated by certain colors, movements, or sounds on the screen. Some bearded dragons may even react to particular shows or channels. This can be a great way to provide mental stimulation, especially if you find a program that your beardie seems to enjoy. Just be mindful of the volume and ensure that the content isn’t too fast-paced or intense, as this could potentially stress them out.
what an adventure! yesterday it was 82 degrees. I had a bath outside, loved it!
I ate mealies in the sun as a snack, loved it!
my mama had a sandwich, loved it!
I ate a random bug “omg, what did you just eat Sherbs!” loved it!
got to show off my bearding skills when a hummingbird got way to close, gaping mouth and a hiss, loved it!
went inside talking to mama’s son about our outside play. mama said it was time to go back in my viv. she sat up and mid turn I decided it was time to drop a huge poo and it went all over the floor… they all complained about how bad it smelled, Loved it! (Rebelle Robinson)
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things to do with your bearded dragon that brings new life into play time and can create memorable moments.
For any activity, if your pet starts showing signs of stress, end the activity and return them to their cage. There’s nothing wrong with trying again another time, or just moving on to something else. Especially if your bearded dragon needs some taming, it might take time.
What are your favorite activities for having some bearded dragon fun? Let us know your recommendations in the comments below.
References
- Naumann, R. K., Ondracek, J. M., Reiter, S., Shein-Idelson, M., Tosches, M. A., Yamawaki, T. M., & Laurent, G. (2015). The reptilian brain. Current Biology 25(8): 317–R321.
