At the top of every parent's list for Santa this year: safe toys.

More than 21 million toys were recalled this year, ranging from miniature cars that contained lead paint to the popular Aqua Dots, an arts-and-crafts toy that contained a chemical that converts into the "date rape" drug when swallowed. Toy makers affected ranged from the giant Mattel Inc. to smaller companies, such as Kids II Inc., which recalled Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks.

"It certainly is a scary time to be thinking about toy purchases," said Keri Brown Kirschman, assistant professor of psychology at University of Dayton. "But parents have to remember while there have been a number of recalls, there are still some good, safe toys out there."

While there are no guarantees — a toy deemed safe today could be found unsafe tomorrow — we asked a panel of seven toy, kid and environmental experts to list some toys they feel comfortable recommending:

ART: For a natural gift, go for sculpting clay, says Christine Kirk, director of the Outdoor Education Center in Orange County, Calif. (ages 3 and up). Kirk also likes Arnold Grummer's paper making kits (age 6 and up, with parental supervision), which allow kids to recycle scrap paper in their home. Sheliah Gilliland, spokeswoman for eToys, recommends Mega Brands SmART Easel (ages 4-8), a portable easel that comes with markers, a roll of a paper and a carrying case.

BABY TOYS: Paul Nippes, owner of Kidding Around, a toy store with locations in New York and New Jersey, recommends a wooden rattle from Mossy Creek, a company that uses local hardwoods, such as cherry and walnut, and leaves them unstained. Stevanne Auerbach, a child development expert known as Dr. Toy, likes the Baby Tangle, colorful rattle links.

BLOCKS: Sheri Gurock, a toy store owner in Boston, recommends natural wooden blocks from Melissa & Doug, Plan Toys or Beka (ages 0-6), foam blocks from Edushape (ages 1-3) and cardboard blocks from Imagiplay (ages 3-7). Deborah Barrow, founder of www.TheDailyGreen.com, likes Keva Planks, construction blocks that don't use glue or connectors (ages 6 and up) because "it's creative, visual and engaging and emphasizes knowledge and exploration." Barrow also recommends Zome, a construction kit with pieces that fit together perfectly (ages 6 and up), and K'Nex 15th Anniversary Building Bricks (5 and up).

BOOKS: Kirk likes "The Dangerous Book for Boys" (ages 8-13) and "The Daring Book for Girls" (ages 8-13) because the books "encourage kids who may be too into television and video games to think about something besides what is going on in their electronic world." She also likes "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, "a touching book about the story of friendship between a tree and a kid."

DOLLS: Ed Schmults, CEO of FAO Scwharz, suggests Karito Kids, 21-inch dolls (6 and up) that represent different cultures. The dolls have no phthalates, a chemical used to soften plastics and often found in toys; California has banned toys with more than a trace amount of phthalates. Gurock likes Groovy Girls because the dolls are made out of fabric, which is safer than plastic, wear clothes that are kid-oriented and don't have proportions like a Barbie. Gilliland recommends My Twinn Personalized Doll (ages 3-12) from an eToys sister site.

GADGETS: Gilliland recommends My Real Digital Camera (ages 3-9), because of its dual viewfinder, two handgrips and easy color-coded buttons. Stephanie Oppenheim, co-founder of www.ToyPortfolio.com, likes the Kidizoom Digital Camera (ages 8 and up), which has similar features. Auerbach recommends Brian the Brain, an interactive robot (ages 8-12).

GAMES: Oppenheim recommends "Candy Land Castle Game," a matching and color-concept game (ages 3 and up), "Cat in the Hat: I can do that! Game" (ages 4-8), and Playmobil Arena, a Roman-style arena with more than 20 pieces (ages 4 and up). "The Arena is a both a construction toy and play setting that you can work on putting together with your child." Gilliland likes Cranium Jam Pack Jam (ages 5 and up). "With this game, you race against time to pack crazy items, including the kitchen sink, into the trunk of a car," she says. Schmults recommends the Myachi hand sack (ages 4 and up), a hacky sack for the hand.

MODELS: Kirk recommends Balsa Wood Airplane Kits (ages 5 and up): the simple ones don't require glue, and the toy teaches kids about aerodynamics. She also likes the Clean Fuel Solar Power House Kit, a model house that teaches kids about alternative forms of energy, and the Solar Power Car Kit, a model car with a solar panel that runs the engine.

MUSIC: Gilliland likes the Power Tour Electric Guitar, which teaches kids how to play the guitar and hooks up to an MP3 player (10 and up). "With the popularity of 'Hannah Montana,' 'High School Musical 2' and TV shows like 'American Idol,' kids want to be rock stars," she says.

PUZZLES: Gurock likes jigsaw puzzles from Ravensburger or Melissa & Doug (ages 3 and up) and cardboard floor puzzles from Melissa & Doug or Crocodile Creek (ages 2-6), because puzzles are generally safe, particularly the floor puzzles with pieces too big to swallow.

TRAINS AND RIDE-ONS: Oppenheim recommends Radio Flyer's ride-on Inchworm (ages 2-5), "a retro toy that still works for a new generation of kids that will enjoy inching their way forward." Nippes likes Vilac's plush rocking sheep, bear and donkey. Barrow likes Whittle Shortline Railroad, trains made from reforested birch with lead-free paint (all ages).