A Play Basket for Nanna's House: Keeping Screen-Free Toys at the Grandparents'

In Malta, grandparents are often a big part of family life. Many children spend a morning or a whole day each week at Nanna and Nannu's house, and some are looked after there while their parents work. Those hours are precious, and they usually involve a lot of love, food and, sometimes, a television that is never quite switched off.

A small play basket kept at the grandparents' house can make a real difference. It gives children something familiar and engaging to do, saves grandparents from buying lots of toys, and keeps visits calm and screen-free without anyone needing to make rules.

Why a basket, not a toy box

Grandparents' homes are often full of furniture, ornaments and lifetimes of belongings. There may not be room for a whole play area, and that is fine. A single basket that comes out when the grandchildren arrive, and goes back in a cupboard when they leave, keeps things manageable. It also makes the contents feel special.

What to include

Aim for a small number of versatile things, perhaps six to ten. A mix of building, pretending, looking and moving works well.

• A set of wooden blocks
• Two or three small wooden animals or people
• A few board books or picture books
• A soft toy or doll
• A simple puzzle
• Some fabric scarves or play silks
• Stacking cups that also work in the bath or kitchen sink
• Crayons and paper for older toddlers

Choose things that suit a range of ages if more than one grandchild visits. Blocks and animals are loved by almost everyone from one to six.

Let grandparents add their own touch

The best grandparent baskets have something of the grandparents in them. Nannu's old wooden spoons for a pretend kitchen. A tin of buttons for sorting under supervision with older children. A basket of shells collected on walks. Photographs of the family to look at together. These things connect children to their family's stories.

Many grandparents also have skills to share: baking, gardening, sewing, or simply knowing the names of every bird and plant on the island. A small apron, a child-sized watering can or a little cloth bag for collecting things on walks can turn these into regular activities. Our article on practical life for Maltese toddlers has more ideas.

Talking about screens, kindly

Many families find conversations about screens with grandparents a little delicate. A basket helps because it offers an alternative instead of a rule. When there is something interesting to do, the television is often forgotten. If you would like to raise the topic, focus on what you would love them to do together, not on what you would like them to stop. Our guide to asking family for wooden toys without offending anyone has gentle wording you can adapt.

Rotate between homes

If you already use toy rotation at home, the grandparents' basket can be part of it. Every month or so, swap a few things between your home and theirs. Toys that have been away feel new again, and nothing needs to be bought.

Safety in a grandparent's home

Homes without young children are not always set up for them. Take a quick look around for medicines, cleaning products, button batteries, small ornaments, trailing cables and unprotected stairs. Many grandparents are happy to move a few things or fit a gate if you explain gently. Keep the basket itself free of small parts for children under three.

Outdoor time at Nanna's

Many grandparents in Malta have a courtyard, roof or garden with plants and herbs. A small bucket, a trowel and a jug of water can keep a toddler happily busy. Our article on balcony and courtyard play has more ideas, and our guide to nature play in Malta's parks suggests outings for grandparents and grandchildren.

Storing it beautifully

A sturdy woven basket with a lid or a cloth cover is ideal. It looks at home among grandparents' furniture and keeps dust off. Our guide to natural toy storage has more ideas.

A gift for grandparents, too

Keeping it simple for grandparents

Grandparents may be unsure how to use some modern toys, and that is fine. The best basket is one they feel comfortable with. Blocks, books and animals need no instructions. A short note tucked inside, listing a few favourite games your child currently enjoys, can help. Many grandparents are delighted to discover how long a toddler will happily play with a few simple things, especially with a loving adult sitting nearby.

Ask grandparents what they enjoy too. A grandparent who loves to sing might like a few small instruments. One who reads the newspaper each morning might enjoy a basket of picture books to share over coffee.

A beautifully put together play basket can be a lovely gift for grandparents at Christmas or on a birthday, especially for new grandparents. Little Curio is curating a small selection of plastic-free toys for families in Malta; see what is arriving soon.

More from the Journal: Flying from Malta with a Baby or Toddler: Screen-Free Ideas for the Plane, Eating Out in Malta with a Toddler: A Simple Busy Bag for Restaurants.