North country child care experts have some words of wisdom for parents seeking to find just the right holiday gifts for their children.

One of the most important things is to make sure the toys are safe, they said.

The National Wellness Institute has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Month. The timing seems appropriate not only for the holiday season, but also because of the large number of toys that have been recalled this past year for a variety of reasons, including unsafe amounts of lead-based paint.

Claudia F. Whitmire, director of the Jefferson/Lewis Childcare Project, recommends that parents who have concerns about toy safety check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site: www.cpsc.gov.

Parents, however, must be aware that it's not just the recalled toys that can pose a danger to their children, said Mrs. Whitmire, whose program is operated by the Community Action Planning Council.

For example, stuffed animals should be checked for any loose parts, such as buttons, which can present a choking hazard to younger children, she said.

Sometimes it's just a matter of selecting an age-appropriate version of a toy.

Legos, the well-known connecting plastic building blocks, come in many sizes, but the best ones for toddlers are the larger blocks that cannot fit into their mouths, Mrs. Whitmire said. Save the complex building kits with the numerous small pieces for the older children.

"There are usually age guidelines listed on the packages," Mrs. Whitmire said. "It's a good rule of thumb to check each time before buying a gift."

Don't forget that buying a toy for a child who is not developmentally mature enough to use it will just lead to frustration, she said.

"I also recommend parents make a conscious effort to purchase toys for kids that will impact their learning and encourage their imagination," she said.

For example, a parent can put together a box of items for a child to play "school," such as a slate, chalk and homemade books.

Parents can save money by visiting thrift stores this holiday season, she added. One idea for young girls and boys — purchase an assortment of clothes that can be put together for a "dress-up" box at a fraction of the cost of a store-bought one.

It's also a good idea in this age of computers and video games to purchase toys such as hula hoops that will "encourage physical activity," Mrs. Whitmire said.

"You don't need to spend a lot of money on presents," she said. "One of the best presents is something that encourages you to spend time with your child, such as reading a book."

Megan E. Dyer, director of the New Day Children's Center, 327 Franklin St. said, "You can't fail with books."

"Even toddlers will enjoy those board books and look at them over and over again," she added.

Gifts that encourage creativity are also a great idea, Mrs. Dyer said. Basic art supplies, such as scissors, crayons, paper and markers, are usually a safe bet, she said.

"Kids love to have drawing supplies," Mrs. Dyer said.

She cautioned parents planning to buy children clothing this year to check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site, as some outfits with drawstrings have been recalled due to a choking hazard.

"We're on the commission's mailing list, so we get an e-mail each time an item is recalled," Mrs. Dyer said. "It's amazing how many things have been listed this past year."