The Auntie and Uncle Gift Guide: Toys Parents Will Actually Thank You For

Want to be the favourite auntie or uncle with the parents as well as the little one? Start here.

4 min read

A kraft-wrapped gift beside a wooden rattle and linen book

Being an auntie or uncle is one of the best roles in a family. You get the cuddles, the giggles and the fun, and in Malta, where families are close and gatherings frequent, you probably see your nieces and nephews often. You also probably want to bring something lovely when you visit.

The trick is choosing gifts that delight the child and make the parents smile, rather than quietly sigh. This guide is for the aunties, uncles, cousins and family friends who want to give something beautiful, useful and lasting. We have organised it by age, with ideas at different budgets.

What parents secretly wish you knew

Most parents of young children are short on space, short on sleep and already surrounded by toys. The gifts they appreciate most tend to be quiet, well made, easy to store and genuinely played with. Battery-powered toys that sing the same song a hundred times a day are rarely their favourite. If in doubt, ask. Parents love being asked.

For a new baby, birth to six months

A soft wooden or knitted rattle
A beautiful board book with high contrast pictures
A muslin or cotton swaddle
A natural rubber teether for later
A hardback book with a personal inscription

New parents also appreciate practical help. A meal dropped at the door, an hour of babysitting so they can sleep or a coffee delivered with a small gift can mean more than anything you buy.

For babies six to twelve months

Babies at this age are grasping, mouthing, sitting and crawling. Choose toys that are safe to chew and easy to hold: stacking cups, a wooden ball, an object permanence box or a simple treasure basket. Our guides to the best toys for a 6 month old and 9 month old go into more detail.

For toddlers one to two

Toddlers love to move, carry and copy. Good gifts at this age include a push walker, a simple shape sorter, a set of wooden animals, a small carrying basket or a child-sized broom. Board books with real photographs are always welcome. See our best wooden toys for a 1 year old for more.

For two and three year olds

This is the age of imagination. Wooden blocks, small world sets, pretend food, art supplies and puzzles all make wonderful gifts. If you want to give something special, consider a rainbow stacker or a set of peg people. Our second birthday and third birthday guides have plenty more.

Gifts that create memories

As an auntie or uncle, you have something parents do not always have time for: the chance to create special one-on-one moments. Consider giving an experience along with a small gift. A trip to the aquarium, a morning at a farm, a picnic in one of Malta's shaded parks, or a regular auntie day once a month. These become the memories children carry.

Start a tradition

Some of the most meaningful gifts are the ones that build over time. You might give a new book at every birthday, each one inscribed. Or add one wooden animal to a collection every Christmas, so by the time your niece is five she has a whole farm from you. Traditions like these give a gift a story.

Budget-friendly ideas

A single beautiful picture book
A set of beeswax crayons and a sketchbook
A small wooden animal
A bag of shells and a sieve for the beach
Homemade playdough in a jar
A handwritten card for the parents to keep

Something bigger

If you want to give a larger gift, check with the parents first. A wooden kitchen, a climbing triangle or a balance board can be wonderful but take space. You might also offer to split a big gift with other relatives.

Wrap it with care

Presentation matters. Wrap gifts in kraft paper, fabric or a reusable cotton bag. Add a sprig of rosemary or a dried flower. Write a short note to the child, which the parents can save. Our piece on gifts with more meaning shares more ideas.

The best gift is you

It sounds simple, but your time and attention are the greatest gifts you can give. Getting down on the floor to build a tower, reading the same book five times or pushing a pram along the seafront so the parents can rest: these are the things families remember.

Living abroad?

Many Maltese aunties and uncles live overseas and visit only once or twice a year. If that is you, a book you read together on video calls, or a small toy that arrives with a recorded voice note, keeps you close between visits and gives your niece or nephew something to connect with you.

If you are also a godparent, our Maltese godparent gift guide covers christenings and Holy Communion. Little Curio is a small Malta-based shop curated by a mum. Our first collection is on its way, and you can explore our gift edits now.