25+ Things Grandparents Should Keep at Their House for Grandkids

My grandkids range in age from about six months old all the way up to 23, so having “the grandkids over” can mean very different things around here.

Sometimes it means baby food, diapers and somewhere safe for a baby to sleep. Other times it means snacks disappearing from the pantry, somebody (or many in my case) needing a phone charger and several people asking what’s for dinner.

25+ Things Grandparents Should Keep at Their House for Grandkids

And then there are the parents.

One parent may be perfectly fine with chicken nuggets and frozen pizza. Another wants organic snacks and real-food ingredients. One may say, “Sure, give them something if they’re running a fever,” while another doesn’t want their child given any medication without talking to them first.

That’s why I don’t think a grandparent’s house needs to duplicate everything Mom and Dad own.

The goal is to have enough of the right things on hand that visits are easier for everyone.

Feeding Babies and Kids Without Stocking an Entire Grocery Store

Food is probably the area where families can be the most different.

You want to try and keep some easy favorites around while also having better choices available, especially for the babies and toddlers.

And yes, sometimes a kid wants chicken nuggets. I don’t know what magic spell has been placed on chicken nuggets, but apparently children everywhere received the memo.

1. Serenity Kids Organic Baby Food Pouches

For babies who are eating purees, having something with actual food in it rather than automatically reaching for something sweet is my preference.

Serenity Kids Organic Baby Food Pouches are convenient to keep on hand and are especially nice when you have parents who are particular about ingredients.

The important thing is to find out what the baby is already eating before stocking up. Babies change stages quickly, and parents may have very specific preferences about ingredients and allergens.

2. Happy Baby Organics Superfood Puffs

Puffs are one of those things that seem to magically appear wherever babies gather.

Happy Baby Organics Superfood Puffs are easy to store, easy to pull out when the baby needs a little snack and don’t require refrigeration.

Just make sure the baby is developmentally ready for finger foods and that the parents are already comfortable with them.

3. GoGo squeeZ Applesauce Pouches

Once they’re a little older, applesauce and fruit pouches become extremely handy.

GoGo squeeZ Applesauce Pouches are shelf-stable, portable and easy to keep in a pantry basket just for the grandkids.

They’re also useful well beyond toddlerhood. I’ve yet to meet a teenager who became offended because applesauce was available.

4. Honest Kids Organic Juice Boxes

Water is our main drink, but I like having a few juice boxes around too.

For families that prefer organic options, Honest Kids Organic Juice Boxes are an easy one to keep in the pantry.

You don’t need six varieties of juice. One parent-approved option plus plenty of water is enough.

5. Munchkin Snack Catcher Cups

If you’ve ever handed a toddler an open bowl of crackers and then watched the entire bowl hit the floor, you already know why these exist.

Munchkin Snack Catcher Cups let little hands reach the snack without making it quite so easy to dump the whole thing.

Notice I said quite so easy. Toddlers are creative.

6. Munchkin Miracle 360 Cups

You also don’t necessarily want to maintain a cabinet full of sippy cups.

A couple of Munchkin Miracle 360 Cups can handle water and other drinks without taking over the kitchen.

Again, check with the parents. Some babies use straw cups, some use 360 cups and some have very strong opinions about the one specific cup they have apparently signed a lifelong contract with.

Baby Gear That Doesn’t Have to Take Over Your House

When babies visit a lot, having your own basic equipment makes life SO much easier.

But I don’t want baby equipment permanently occupying every square foot of the house, either.

I especially like things that fold, collapse or attach to something I already own.

7. Inglesina Fast Table Chair

This is exactly the kind of baby gear I love.

Instead of keeping a giant high chair sitting in the kitchen, the Inglesina Fast Table Chair attaches to compatible tables.

It folds fairly flat, weighs only a few pounds and can be stored when you aren’t using it.

If you’re buying any hook-on high chair, check the manufacturer’s table requirements first. Not every chair works with every table.

Here’s where I pause to tell a funny… when my oldest was a baby (many moons ago) we had one of these – and NO ONE else did it seemed at the time. We kept it in the car for when we ate out or went to someone else’s house.

So, we were having breakfast at a restaurant and we hung the chair on the table and went about our business. We noticed a waiter across the restaurant looking our way bent over and talking to others. Another waiter came and asked how she was sitting in the chair… we showed him and he said they couldn;t tell why there were no legs on the chair and how she was suspended in the air! lol

8. Graco Pack ‘n Play On The Go Playard

If babies spend the night, you need an actual safe place for them to sleep.

The Graco Pack ‘n Play On The Go Playard folds for storage and can serve as both a play space and an age-appropriate sleep space when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

You don’t necessarily need a permanent crib if babies only stay occasionally.

If they’re at your house constantly and you have the room, that’s different. A dedicated crib or nursery setup might make perfect sense.

For infant sleep, don’t add extra mattresses, pillows, bumpers, loose blankets or other “cozy” additions that weren’t designed for the sleep space.

9. hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

Eventually they outgrow the Pack ‘n Play but aren’t necessarily ready to sleep comfortably in Grandma’s regular guest bed.

That’s where something like the hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed comes in handy.

It can be deflated and stored when you don’t need it instead of keeping a toddler bed in a room year-round.

This is for toddlers and older children who are developmentally ready for this kind of bed – not for infant sleep.

10. A Small White Noise Machine – But Use It Carefully

White noise machines have become really popular for babies, and they can help mask household sounds while a baby is settling down to sleep.

But this is one of those baby products where more isn’t necessarily better.

Researchers have raised concerns about babies being exposed to continuous white noise for long periods, particularly when it’s played too loudly. There’s also evidence that too much background noise can interfere with the speech and sounds babies hear and may reduce some of the back-and-forth vocal interaction that’s so important while they’re learning language.

That doesn’t mean researchers have proven that using a white noise machine at bedtime will cause a speech delay. They haven’t.

But it does mean I wouldn’t put one beside the baby’s head, crank it up and leave it running loudly all night.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing infant sleep machines as far away from the baby as possible, keeping the volume as low as possible and limiting how long they’re used. Using a timer or turning it off once the baby is asleep is another option.

So if you use something like a small white noise machine, I’d use it as a tool to help with settling and outside household noise rather than making loud white noise the soundtrack to every hour the baby sleeps.

And, as with everything else at Grandma’s house, find out what Mom and Dad are doing at home first.

11. Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate

If babies and toddlers are around regularly, look at your house from about two feet off the floor.

Suddenly stairs, hallways, pet areas and rooms that were never an issue before become very interesting.

The Regalo Easy Step Walk-Through Baby Gate gives you an easy way to block off appropriate spaces.

Always make sure you’re using the correct type of gate for the location, particularly around stairs.

Diaper Changing Supplies Worth Keeping at Grandma’s

Dragging an entire diaper bag back and forth every time the baby visits gets old.

You don’t need everything, but keeping a few basics around makes a big difference.

12. Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Baby Wipes

Baby wipes may be one of the greatest inventions ever made.

Even after the diapers disappear, somehow the wipes never stop being useful.

I like keeping unscented wipes such as Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Baby Wipes around the house.

They’re useful for diaper changes, sticky hands, faces, spills and assorted mysterious substances children manage to acquire.

13. OXO Tot Perfect Pull Wipes Dispenser

If you’re using wipes regularly, putting them into a dispenser makes grabbing one with one hand considerably easier.

The OXO Tot Perfect Pull Wipes Dispenser keeps them contained and gives you a permanent changing spot without making the whole room look like a nursery.

14. Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station

For changing babies in different rooms or taking something outside the house, you’ll want a portable setup.

The Skip Hop Pronto Signature Changing Station folds up but opens into a larger changing pad and has room for some wipes, diapers and other essentials.

15. A Diaper Caddy

A portable diaper caddy makes it easy to keep diapers, wipes, an extra outfit and parent-approved diaper products together.

One warning about diapers: don’t stock six months’ worth.

Babies have the nerve to grow.

Keep a small supply in the size they’re currently wearing and replenish it as needed.

The same goes for diaper creams and other skin products. Ask the parents what they actually use.

Toys That Grandkids Will Actually Play With

This is probably my favorite category.

I especially like Montessori-style toys and toys that let kids DO something instead of pressing one button while the toy does everything for them.

You also don’t need a toy store.

A smaller group of good toys that work across several developmental stages is much easier to manage.

16. Melissa & Doug Wooden Latches Board

Busy boards are huge around here.

The Melissa & Doug Wooden Latches Board has doors, latches and things little hands can manipulate.

It’s exactly the kind of simple toy that doesn’t need batteries, doesn’t sing at you and gives a child something to figure out.

That’s a win all the way around.

17. Fat Brain Toys Dimpl

For younger grandkids, sensory toys are great because there’s no complicated setup.

The Fat Brain Toys Dimpl set gives babies and toddlers things to push, feel, stack and manipulate.

Simple toys tend to have a surprisingly long life around a grandparent’s house because each age finds a slightly different way to use them.

18. Melissa & Doug Water Wow Books

These are genius for little kids because they get the fun of “painting” without Grandma discovering purple marker on the sofa three days later.

Melissa & Doug Water Wow reusable activity books use a water pen to reveal the pictures.

When the page dries, they can do it again.

19. Crayola Color Wonder

For kids who want real coloring supplies, Crayola Color Wonder is another good mess-reducing option.

The special markers work with Color Wonder paper instead of decorating hands, tables and anything else unfortunate enough to be nearby.

20. MAGNA-TILES

For preschoolers and older kids, MAGNA-TILES Classic 32-Piece Set is one of those toys children can use over and over again.

They can build something different every time, siblings can play together and you aren’t stuck storing a giant toy that only does one thing.

Because magnetic building sets contain magnets and smaller components, always follow the manufacturer’s age recommendation and inspect them for damage.

21. Simple Wooden Puzzles

I always like having puzzles around too.

A few Melissa & Doug wooden puzzles can cover toddlers through preschoolers without taking up much storage space.

Rotate them occasionally instead of putting 20 puzzles out at once. Old toys suddenly become fascinating again when they haven’t seen them in a while.

Create a Grandkid Closet That Grows With Them

One of the best things I’ve done is give the grandkids their own closet.

I found a closet in the house that wasn’t being used for much, added a little light because it didn’t have one (just a stick up light on the wall low enough they can turn it on and off), and put shelves inside.

But instead of just piling everything wherever it would fit, I organized the closet according to the age and height of the kids who use it.

The baby toys stay all the way at the bottom where the little ones can reach them. There’s a toy box on the floor, too, so babies and toddlers can get to the things they’re actually allowed to play with.

The shelves basically grow up with the kids.

The next shelves hold things like puzzles and books for the younger kids.

Higher up are the tablets for the older kids.

And above those are the crayons, markers and other art supplies for the kids who have reached the age where I can reasonably trust them not to redecorate my walls.

At least that’s the theory.

The idea is simple: if they’re not old enough for it, they shouldn’t be able to reach it.

It also makes cleanup easier because everything has a home. The kids learn where their toys, books and electronics belong, and I don’t have to store baby toys, puzzles, tablets and craft supplies in four different rooms.

If you have an unused closet, cabinet or even a tall shelving unit, you can create the same type of system:

• Bottom level: baby and toddler toys
• Lower shelves: puzzles, board books and preschool activities
• Middle shelves: games and activities for bigger kids
• Higher shelves: tablets and electronics
• Highest kid-accessible shelves: crayons, markers, craft supplies and anything reserved for older children

Of course, anything genuinely dangerous – medications, cleaning products, sharp objects or other hazards – should be properly secured rather than simply placed on a high shelf.

But for everyday toys and activities, organizing by age and reach has worked wonderfully for us.

And there’s another bonus: when the grandkids come over, they know exactly where their stuff is.

They don’t have to ask me every five minutes where the toys are.

Which may be my favorite feature of the entire closet.

What About Walkers?

We have used baby walkers, and I know plenty of families do.

But I would be careful about buying a random wheeled infant walker online just because it’s cheap.

There have been repeated safety recalls and warnings involving walkers that didn’t meet federal safety requirements.

If your family uses one, stick with a well-established manufacturer, follow the age and size requirements exactly, inspect it regularly and never use it near stairs or changes in floor level.

A stationary activity center is another option if what you’re really looking for is somewhere for an older baby to sit, play and interact.

A Small Grandkid Health Basket

This is another area where parents can be VERY different.

One parent may say, “Give them some Tylenol if they need it.”

Another parent absolutely does not want medication given without talking to them (or at all).

Both get to make that decision for their child.

So instead of stocking Nana’s Pharmacy and assuming I know what everyone wants, I’d focus on basic care supplies.

22. Frida Baby NoseFrida

For stuffy little noses, a Frida Baby NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator is something useful to have available.

Whether the parents want it used is still their call.

23. Braun ThermoScan Thermometer

A dependable thermometer is far more useful than guessing whether a child “feels warm.”

A Braun ThermoScan thermometer can stay in the grandkid basket whether anyone is sick or not.

When it comes to medication, always ask the parent first, use the child’s current weight and dosing instructions, and don’t assume that because a product says “children’s” it’s appropriate for every age.

Don’t Forget Extra Clothes

You don’t need an entire wardrobe.

I would keep one or two backup outfits for the little ones who visit most often, including socks and pajamas if they spend the night.

Kids spill things.

Diapers leak.

Mud happens.

Sometimes you’re looking at a child thinking, “How did you even GET that on you?”

24. A Small Lidded Storage Bin

Rather than mixing everything into a regular dresser, use a small clear storage bin with a lid for each child or clothing size.

When they outgrow what’s inside, swap it out.

This also works beautifully for swimsuits, pajamas and seasonal things you only need occasionally.

And Yes, Older Grandkids Need Stuff Too

The baby equipment gets most of the attention because babies require so much gear.

But when your grandkids range all the way into their teens and twenties, you eventually realize older grandkids have their own set of “Nana, do you have…?” requests.

25. Extra Toothbrushes

Keep a pack of individually wrapped extra toothbrushes in the bathroom.

Somebody will forget one.

It’s practically guaranteed.

26. A Multi-Port Charging Station

Older grandkids may not need diapers, but eventually somebody is going to arrive with a phone at 4%.

A multi-port USB charging station in the guest room or living room can save everyone from hunting through drawers for a charger.

Keep a couple of common cables with it and suddenly Nana’s house is five-star accommodations.

The Most Important Thing to Keep at Grandma’s House Isn’t on Amazon

Parents do things differently.

They feed their kids differently.

They handle medicine differently.

They have different sleep routines, rules, allergies, preferences and things they’re comfortable with.

You don’t have to agree with every choice to respect the fact that they’re the parents.

Before the grandkids stay without Mom or Dad, you’ll want to know:

• Current allergies
• Foods they can and can’t have
• Medications and exactly when they should be given
• Pediatrician and emergency contact information
• Current nap and bedtime routines
• Where the parents will be
• Any special instructions
• What comforts the child when they’re upset

It saves a lot of guessing.

And that’s really what keeping things at Grandma’s house is about.

Not buying every baby gadget ever invented.

Not recreating their house inside yours.

It’s having enough familiar food, safe gear, toys, clean clothes and practical supplies that the grandkids can walk through the door and simply feel like they’re at Grandma’s house.

That’s the part you can’t order from Amazon.