Even my too-cool-for-playing cat goes for this
I have one of those cats that likes to play (noisily) by herself after lights out, but will only half-heartedly push a toy around if I happen to be in the same room. Little will tempt her to play with me, although she's affectionate in every other respect. Whether she's shy, cool or is just torturing me, I don't know. However, this toy always gets a reaction and I get at least 10 minutes worth of boisterous play with her each evening when I wave the feather in her face or swish the stick around. Whether it's irritation or pleasure that engages her I haven't quite worked out, but at least with the feather dancer I get to SEE her have some exercise, rather than just HEAR her antics at 3am...