Last week, I unwrapped some safety tips regarding how to ensure the toys you buy your child for the holidays are safe ones.

This week, I’m game for suggesting some appropriate choices – especially in an era where digital toys are becoming more and more prevalent.

Toys to consider are ones that meet any of the following criteria:

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Enhance development and relationships

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¯ The best toys are those that match and further your child’s developmental skills and abilities.

¯ Playing with toys is not about making your child more intelligent, but to facilitate warm, supportive interactions and relationships.

¯ For example, some basics like dolls, stuffed animals, and action figures can stimulate the imagination or allow your child to use those pretend toys to deal or cope with real life events and feelings — which in turn strengthen your child’s social and emotional development. Just be careful not to give dolls or action figures that promote gender-based stereotypes.

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Boost problem-solving, creativity, and physical and social activity

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¯ Blocks and puzzles can help children use their problem-solving skills.

¯ Coloring books, crayons, and markers help stimulate creativity and improve fine motor skills.

¯ Toys that enhance physical activity like balls or a tricycle can enhance physical development.

¯ Traditional board games and bound books rather than many digital games and digital books targeted for young children allow you to directly interact and communicate with your child as you read or play a game with them.

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Some guidelines for digital toys

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¯ While digital toys may have a character read a story to your child, remember human interactions are essential for a child’s growth and development, and that digital toys should never take the place of real face-to-face play.

¯ If you are going to buy a digital toy, set screen time limits, and don’t consider them for children under two years of age.

¯ For those over two, consider limiting your toddlers digital toy screen time to no more than an hour a day and use these digital devices with your children rather than leave them to use the toy independently and without human interaction.

If you need more suggestions on suitable toys and games for your kids, your child’s health care professional can make suggestions specific to the age and developmental level of your child – all you need to do is ask.

Hopefully, tips like these will play well with you and your children when it comes to selecting toys that will enhance their development and human interactions this holiday season.

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Lewis First, MD, is Chief of Pediatrics at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine. You can also catch “First with Kids” weekly on WOKO 98.9FM and NBC5.