18+ Adorable Emoji Cat Ideas That Go Viral

Skip the intro · jump to the list ↓

By the end of this list you’ll have a full lineup of emoji cat ideas ready to copy, from nail art to a birthday cake centerpiece.

These got pulled together after scrolling through hundreds of pins over a few long evenings. Only the ones that were actually doable made the cut!

No fancy equipment required for most of these. A few use stuff you probably already own, like nail polish or a piping bag stuffed in the back of a drawer.

Some ideas lean crafty, some lean edible and a couple are just fun to paint or draw on a lazy afternoon. Something here fits almost any skill level, lol!

Budget mattered too. Nobody wants a project that needs forty dollars in supplies just to make a cookie look like a cat, am I right?

Scroll through, pick a few favorites and use the little details under each one to actually pull it off. How good does that sound?

EMOJI CAT IDEAS

Heart Eyes Cat Emoji Face

We’re starting off strong with the heart eyes cat face, red hearts and all. Who doesn’t love that?

I draw the hearts slightly uneven so the face looks playful instead of perfect. Somehow it never actually looks symmetrical, lol!

Crying Laughing Cat Emoji

Crying laughing is somehow the hardest emoji to draw well. The tears have to curve just right or the whole thing looks confused instead of delighted, haha!

I always practice the tear shape on scrap paper first. My first attempt usually looks more seasick than happy! Committing straight to the final piece is asking for trouble.

Cat Emoji Face Paint

Face paint version of this one always steals the show at parties. Whiskers, a pink nose and a big grin, that’s basically the whole formula. Simple, right?

I end up with a line of kids the second I paint the sample on someone’s cheek. Word spreads fast at these things! Nobody wants any other design after that.

Cat Emoji Pillow Craft

This pillow craft turns a flat emoji into something you can actually hug. Felt works best since it holds the shape without fraying at the edges.

I always stuff mine way past what feels reasonable. A saggy cat pillow just isn’t the same, lol! Overstuffed is the only correct way to do it.

Cat Emoji Cake Design

How cute is this cake design? Fondant ears and a piped smile turn a plain round cake into the whole emoji instantly.

I always hide a box mix underneath since the fondant does all the visual heavy lifting anyway. Nobody at the party has ever caught on! My secret stays safe every single time.

Cat Emoji Nail Art

Nail art fans, this one is for you. A tiny cat face painted on one accent nail is subtle but so fun once you notice it.

I always reach for a dotting tool for the whiskers. Freehanding them with a brush turned into a disaster the one time I tried, haha! Never again, honestly.

Cat Emoji Cookie Decorating

Cookie decorating with this design is weirdly relaxing. Royal icing sets up firm enough that the cat face survives being packed in a lunchbox.

I brought a batch of these to a bake sale last fall and they were gone before the second hour, haha! Chocolate chip whiskers were the surprise favorite detail.

Cat Emoji Birthday Balloons

Balloons printed with the emoji face make a birthday setup look instantly festive. Cluster a few different expressions together for the best effect. Isn’t that such an easy win?

I always blow mine up the morning before since they hold air for days. That’s one less thing on my plate that day! Future me always thanks past me for it.

Cat Emoji Keychain Craft

This keychain craft is a great one for a rainy afternoon. Shrink plastic works surprisingly well since the design shrinks down without losing detail.

I learned to punch the hole before baking, not after. My first batch turned into a pile of tiny useless discs! Learned that one the hard way, lol!

Cat Emoji Tote Bag

A tote bag with this print is honestly useful beyond just being cute. Fabric paint pens make it simple enough for a first-time crafter. Ever tried one before?

I always toss mine in the wash on cold once the paint has cured. Skipping that step once cost me a faded design! Not making that mistake twice.

Cat Emoji Phone Case

Phone case customizing has become such an easy hobby and this design fits it perfectly. Same!

I usually grab a clear case plus some resin or stickers and call it done. My skill level is basically zero and it still works out! Somehow that’s the whole appeal.

Smirking Cat Emoji Drawing

The smirking cat is such a fun one to draw because the expression does all the personality work. One raised eyebrow line and suddenly it looks smug.

I always start in colored pencil before touching paint. My paint version rarely survives the first attempt, lol! Colored pencil forgives mistakes that paint absolutely will not.

White Cat Therian Mask

White cat therian masks lean soft and dreamy compared to most other designs on this list. Pale fur tones and pink accents around the nose keep the whole look gentle. Doesn’t that sound calming?

I always reach for craft foam as my base here. My last mask lasted through an entire con without getting uncomfortable! That is basically the only test that matters.

Black Cat Fursona Mask

Black cat fursona masks are dramatic in the best way, especially with a glossy finish. The all black palette actually makes small detail work stand out more, not less.

I always go with green or yellow for the eyes on mine. My last attempt in brown just disappeared into the fur! Bright eyes or the whole mask falls flat.

Orange Tabby Therian Mask

[KEEP: therian mask ideas cat] searches have been climbing lately. It makes sense once you see the stripe work involved. The pattern takes patience, but the payoff is worth it!

I always sketch the stripe placement in pencil first. My one attempt at freehanding stripes went crooked fast! A little planning saves the whole piece.

Cat Therian Mask Painting

Painting a therian mask well comes down to blending, honestly. Thin layers built up slowly always look more realistic than one thick coat slapped on at once. Makes sense, right?

Let each layer dry fully. Rushing it just muddies the colors together, no shame in admitting that’s happened to me before, lol!

Realistic Cat Therian Mask

Realistic cat masks are on another level entirely. Fur texturing with a fine brush or even real faux fur trim takes these from craft project to genuine art piece.

This one takes real patience. My hand always cramps halfway through! My last one still took three sittings to finish. Worth every cramp though, it turned out like a gallery piece.

Cat Therian Mask Sculpting

Last but definitely not least, we have sculpting a cat therian mask from scratch. Clay or foam base carving lets you build the exact shape you want instead of working around a template. How great is that level of control?

This is the most advanced project on the whole list, so maybe don’t start here if it’s your first attempt! Start with an easier design and work up to this one, that’s my honest advice.