Birds in small cages need exercise. Tie a few strands of worsted to the
top of the cage for your canary to tug on, and sometimes dangle a small
bright key or other metal object from the top of the cage. A small bell
suspended in the cage will sometimes attract and hold the interest of
the bird when nothing else will. Canaries like attention and excitement.
Talk to them frequently. They are usually fond of music too, and will
often try to drown it with their own notes.
Allowing the canary to have the freedom of the room provides it both
pleasure and exercise. The dangers are that the bird may injure itself
or that it will pick up something not good for it to eat. If you decide
in favor, prop or tie the cage door open and let the bird return to the
cage by itself. Have a regular time, such as when cleaning the cage.