Other good toys are large paper bags and cardboard boxes. My observation is that a cat wants you to be the boss, just as dogs and kids do, within reason. But he won't show it as overtly. He also wants to feel you will protect him. He'll learn this by your behavior, for example, the first time he sees you chase a dog out of the yard.
Cats are like very young children.
They like and feel secure withdaily routines. Feeding, going to bed, etc. Like humans, they allhave their idiosyncracies. Some like to eat wool, others orlon. Some like to sit on paper.