Kids gifts can be the toughest of all.  No one wants to buy a gift for a child only to see it pushed aside.  The child's safety is also a concern, with toys for older children potentially providing choking and other hazards to younger ones.  Children's Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha shares advice to find toys that are truly 'right' for a child.

"Parents and families should look for toys that fit with the child's age and development," explains Christy Hogan, certified child life specialist at Children's. "Every child grows and develops at a different pace. Playing with your child will help you to assess his abilities and interests."

Age appropriate options for infants include rattles, activity bars, board books, teething toys, bath toys, activity mats, and soft blocks.

Toddlers enjoy push and pull toys, block towers, sorting and nesting toys, ride-on toys, and toys that emphasize imagination and pretend play.

For preschoolers, Hogan recommends puzzles, memory games, arts and crafts, construction sets, pretend play toys, outdoor toys, and books. Card games, board games, art supplies, craft, model or science kits might be preferred by school age children.

"Toys are important tools in helping children learn about their world. They facilitate imagination, cooperation and problem solving, as well as the development of small and fine motor skills," says Hogan.

Extra care should be taken to keep small pieces and parts away from little ones. Additionally, parents should check all toys regularly for broken parts or sharp edges.

"Sound and volume are easy overlooked when shopping," says Hogan. "Look for toys that have volume switches to regulate the sound level. If there is no switch, make sure the toy does not exceed 85 decibels, the maximum level recommended."

It's also important to read any labels and instructions before play begins, and to discard ties, bags and other toy packaging appropriately.

Hogan recommends filling out any product registration cards so your household will be notified of possible recalls or safety issues in the future.

For more information on toy-related injuries and prevention, go to Children's online health library at http://healthlibrary.childrensomaha.org (see link on upper left). Search for "toy safety."