Insted of a cat door, how can i prop my cellar door open but lock it?

We use a long hook and eye closure which holds the door open about four inches so the cats can go in-and-out. However, your door is then not locked.

how about a child safety gate

This won't actually lock it and it will depend on how tall your grandson or if he is able to figure this out. I did this once when i got a second cat that didn't get along with the first one. I wanted them to be able to see each other and get used to each other but not fight. If the door opens outward then put a hook on the moulding on the doorknob side. Then take a bungee or something and loop around the doorknob and then the hook. Stuff something in the opening that is large enough to keep the door open just enough for the cats to go through. Adjust the bungee so that it is tight. This is probably going to be a temporary measure until you can find a permanent solution.

Check out hotel door locks, the ones where you can open the door enough to get your hand through but the person on the other side can't get in or unlock it, if that makes sense.

How about putting in a cat door at the bottom of the door or the wall next to the door so kitty can come and go.

we did that for our cats food, our chickens were eating it. We put the food on the back porch and propped it open part way with a heavy tool box but wired the door handle to a nail on the wall so no one could break in. Something heavy on each side would work if your grandkids are not too big

thanks to everyone, he is 8 and super smart and can figure just about everything out. we have to keep our bedroom doors locked with a key entry...he saw where I put the key and was caught unlocking a door...so we hide everything, which makes for a really complicated existence, I like the hotel/ chain lock which opens the door partly. my cats thank you as well.

They make a locking hook and eye. It has a spring loaded cover that keeps the hook from just being flipped up unless you compress the cover. We have plain hook and eye latches on our compost bin. They are at least 5 inches long. A hook and eye placed correctly will keep the door open and stuck in position. With the hotel and chain locks the door can be shut unless you get some kind of jam to keep it open.

Search TheDoorLatch on Amazon it works great! I use it for this exact purpose! My daughter can't reach it. The cats can get down stairs 😁

Hi Deb, how about a door wing? Hope this helps you out.

https://www.amazon.ca/DOORWING-All-Finger-Pinch-Guard/dp/B095Z1Z7RK/ref=asc_df_B095Z1Z7RK/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=582679508879&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9605477922669542908&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001283&hvtargid=pla-1672027419319&psc=1

Why not use the old chain on the door idea but make it longer to allow room for the kitties to get thru but not a child.