SnO_2 hollow spheres and rod bundles were prepared using SnSO_4 as raw material and sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) as templates at room temperature through oxidation-crystallization of colloidal spheres in different systems. The products were characterized with X-ray diffractometer, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. Meanwhile, the catalytic performance of the SnO_2 hollow spheres and rod bundles toward CO oxidation was studied. The result indicates that SnO_2 hollow spheres with the uniform size exhibit a better catalytic activity toward CO oxidation, suggesting that the morphology of the materials has exerted a noticeable influence on the catalytic performance.