When it comes time to choose holiday gifts for the children in your life, think beyond video games and electronic devices.

"Books and low-tech activities are so important for children because they foster creativity and imagination, giving a child an opportunity to think and to explore and to be engaged for themselves rather than simply being entertained," said Becky Wanamaker, director of the Lehighton Area Memorial Library."The same principle is true for older children, and teens and adults too. There's so much benefit to using and developing creativity, and to making our minds work and stretch and produce."Young and school-age childrenWhen Jan Haydt, a grandparent and former educator, prepares play time for her 3-year-old granddaughter Quinn, she emphasizes free play and lots of hands-on activities."It's better for their imagination. It helps them to learn better," said Haydt. "I believe imagination and creativity is so much better than doing what technology tells you to do."Even reading a book can be a form of free play, said Haydt, who will choose a book and base a craft around the book's characters or theme. She often turns to Pinterest for craft ideas.She also exposes Quinn to different types of books, including simple nonfiction books, and lots of hands-on crafts like finger paints, Play-Doh, and beads. She'll add a few fun accessories, like googly eyes, feathers, buttons or cotton balls, to simple paper crafts to keep her granddaughter engaged."I believe play is so important," said Haydt, who noted that play time is also learning time for young children.Her favorite store-bought toys for children include Magna-Doodle, bubbles, blocks and puzzles, games such as Memory, and musical instruments.Teens and adultsIt can take more effort to find engaging gifts for teens and adults. Start by looking for books, magazines, games or activities that match their interests and hobbies. Games that involve teamwork or friendly competition are also useful and can be used to draw teenagers back to the family table."We're all so busy. But when you're together, it's important to ask, 'What can I do to reconnect with my family?' " said Dr. Mira Slizovsky, a pediatrician based in Palmerton. "You should use this time and plan to use it. Think ahead and use this time in a productive way."She added that time spent with older children should be focused on communication and bonding a task often done more easily with low-tech activities."You're building a relationship with them, not with their computer," she said.It's easiest to convince kids and teens to try activities by doing them yourself, Wanamaker said."Maybe the best way to get young people of any age to take an interest is just to model that interest in our own lives, to be actively participating in things like reading, game playing, crafts, outdoor activities, low-tech hobbies, and to genuinely encourage our children to do the same," she said.Non-toy giftsDon't overlook the value of non-toy gifts, such as music or dance classes, a zoo membership, or the promise of an evening of mini golf or bowling. A child will often remember an experience more fondly than playing with this year's hottest toy.Tailor any gift to the person's interests. A budding baker might enjoy a box of simple recipes and ingredients; a teenager may enjoy tickets to a concert or sporting event. And don't forget that the simplest gifts even a box of dress-up clothes or crafting supplies can bring hours of smiles to little faces.