The Best Travel Toys for 1-Year-Olds
We’ve been traveling with our toddler since he was two months old, and did most of our traveling before the quarantine when he was 1 year old. Based on our experience we compiled a list of the best travel toys for 1-year-olds that helped us make traveling with a baby easier.
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Many people believe traveling with a baby is too difficult when reality, it’s I think traveling with a baby is much easier than traveling with a toddler.
Although you need more baby gear, you don’t have to chase them around, and they haven’t started using the word “no” yet.
Babies are the perfect traveling companion because they only need food, a clean diaper, and affection. Plus, they are free almost everywhere, so I recommend traveling with babies.
By the time our son was one year old, he’d been to Oahu, Playa del Carmen (where we lived for nearly two years), Guatemala, Colorado, and Beijing.
Travel toys helped keep our little guy entertained whether we were traveling on an airplane, train, bus, or car.
These travel toys will help your baby’s fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and exploring their senses.
Here are our favorite travel toys for 1-year-olds.
Related Post: Best Airplane Toys for Toddlers
How To Entertain a 1 Year Old While Traveling
InnyBin Shape Sorting Baby Toy
The InnyBin Shape Sorting Baby Toy is a fun and unique travel toy for 1-year-olds. Parents rave about this toy in the reviews, which is it is one of our favorite toys for babies.
This toy has over 1,200 reviews and a 4.8 out of 5-star rating. With rave reviews like this, we had to include it on our list of the best travel toys for babies.
There are several different shape sorters, but this one has elastic bands that challenge them to help build their problem-solving skills. Your baby will work on spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, and tactile exploration.
What we love most about this travel toy is how your little one can use it as they continue to grow. You and your little one will love this fun travel toy.
Fat Brain Toys for Babies
Last update on 2025-02-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Read More: 20 Travel Toys for 3-Year-Olds
LeapFrog 100 Words and 100 Animals Book Set
We purchased the LeapFrog 100 Words and 100 Animals Book Set for our son’s first birthday, and it’s been one of our son’s favorite travel toys ever since.
It’s one of our favorite travel toys for one-year-olds because it encourages speech development, vocabulary expansion, language skills, and object recognition.
This book helps your baby learn words, animals, opposites, fruit, food, and more. It’s the perfect toy to grow with your baby into their toddler years.
Based on our experience, this is one of the best travel toys for 1-year-olds, especially for road trips.
LeapFrog 100 Words Book Set is one of the toys we used to survive our road trip from San Diego to Colorado Springs when we started our family gap year.
What I love most about this toy is that the volume is loud enough to hear but soft enough so that it isn’t annoying for parents.
Toys without volume control drive me crazy, so I’m happy Leap Frog got the message and provided volume control to keep us parents sane.
This road trip travel toy for babies is a win/win scenario for everyone. You can keep your little ones entertained while they learn.
Soft Stacking Blocks
Soft Stacking Blocks are one of the best travel toys for 1-year-olds because they are soft enough to chew, have different textures, shapes, animals, and make a whistling sound.
These travel toys are a must for babies as young as 6 months to young toddlers up to 3 years old. The money you spend on these blocks will be worth it. I just purchased these after finding them while researching this article :).
These stacking blocks have letters, numbers, animals, fruit, and a matching game for shapes. Plus, they double as a teether because we know how much 1-year-olds love to put things in their mouth.
Read More: 10 Mess-Free Travel Activities for 2-Year-Olds
Stacking & Nesting Rings
We love this Stacking & Nesting Rings set because it is soft enough for 1-year-olds to chew on, and they can stack them anyway they want. Each ring has a different texture for them to touch and whistles when they squeeze them.
The rings can be stacked in different ways, so they will not get frustrated trying to stack them properly. These travel toys are great teethers, so it’s a two-in-one combo.
On top of being functional, these stacking rings have attractive colors. They are the perfect size for little hands, and your baby can keep using them well into their toddler years.
Related Post: 25 Travel Toys for Babies
Fisher-Price My First Fidget Cube
If your baby is full of energy (like our son is, he’s such a busybody), you need a travel toy that’ll keep their attention. Our son likes to figure out how things work, so the Fisher-Price My First Fidget Cube was a win.
We purchased it when he was 10 months old for a flight to Mexico, and he played with it. Now that he is 2 years old, he still likes to mess with it and try to take it apart.
There are six different sides for your little one to play. You don’t think about their finger development, but this toy helps strengthen your baby’s fingers. They have to grasp, spin, toggle, and push different textures, colors, and shapes.
Your 1-year-old will love this travel toy on a road trip or an airplane. It’s fun, inexpensive, and educational.
Read More: Best Travel Toys for 3-Year-Old
Buckle Toy – Blu Whale
Buckle toys are fun developmental toys for 1-year-olds. We wish we would have used this as our son’s comfort toy instead of the large blanket (bigger than a throw blanket) he uses to comfort himself.
This fun plush toy has six buckles that help babies develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, colored clasps, shapes, and numbers. It’s soft and cuddly, so your little one can take it for bedtime.
There are different designs to choose from, so your baby can play with their favorite character during long car rides or on an airplane. These are the ultimate baby toys for airplanes, especially for kids 18 months to 2 years old.
Last update on 2025-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Related Post: Disney World with Babies, Toddlers, or Preschoolers
Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter
We couldn’t write a blog post about the best travel toys for 1-year-olds without including the Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter. This shape sorter is one of the most popular travel toys for babies and toddlers.
There are different elements to this travel toy that your baby will love. The blocks are textured so they can feel the differences between the shapes. Plus, the other side of the toy has crinkly flaps that reveal pictures of common items to help your baby with object recognition.
Your baby can learn and play, which is why this is one of our favorite baby toys for airplane rides. There is no sound so you do not disturb the people around you.
The carrying case is part of the toy, so the blocks will not get lost as you travel. This is one of the best road trip toys for babies and toddlers.
Soft Alphabet Cards
My wife always has flashcards for our son. As a preschool teacher, she can’t help herself. He has several educational toys, so soft alphabet cards are perfect for 1-year-olds.
These cards are cloth, so you don’t have to worry about ripping them, which is always our toddler’s goal. The letters are upper and lower case with words and pictures to help your little one learn.
Your baby will have a blast while learning. Plus, they are virtually indestructible, which is exactly what toddlers need.
Related Post: Best Road Trip Toys for Toddlers
The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys
Stacking blocks are one of the most popular toys for babies. You can entertain a lap baby on an airplane by stacking and unstacking the cups, as well as hiding objects underneath.
What we like about these stacking cups, in particular, are the holes in the bottom. The holes make these great bathtub or pool toys for your baby.
Along with the holes at the bottom of these stacking cups, there are numbers. Your baby will learn how to count and number recognition as they get older.
These are one of our favorite car toys for 1-year-olds. Learning, fun, and more importantly, no sound.
Related Post: Top 20 LEGO Alternatives for Babies and Big Kids
The Best Airplane Toys For 1-Year-Olds
We created a separate section specifically for airplane toys for a 1-year-old. The toys in this section are perfect for traveling on a plane with a one-year-old. These travel toys are quiet, functional, and fun.
Read More: The 15 Best Crayons for Toddlers
Sea Animal Fabric Cloth Book
The sea animal cloth book is perfect for traveling with babies. There are different interactive elements to this cloth book that babies will love.
What makes this book fun is the elements of the book are toys. The hook ring is a teething toy, with a mirror on the back page, crinkle paper, and eight fun legs.
We know books aren’t the most exciting toys for babies, but they’ll enjoy this cloth book.
Related Post: Best Travel Books for Toddlers
Last update on 2025-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Toys Dimpl
You must admit you can’t help yourself when there is bubble paper around there is something in you that has to pop it. If that is the case for adults, it’s most certainly the case for kids.
Toys Dimpl is a fun travel toy with silicone bubbles for them to pop again and again. Your baby will learn cause & effect, fine motor skills, and sensory exploration.
The toy is the size of an average adult hand, so it will not take up too much space in your travel diaper bag. It’s the perfect size for traveling with a baby.
Sensory Travel Toys for 1-Year-Olds
Last update on 2025-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Egg Baby Teether
The Dino Eggie Teether became a lifesaver when our son started getting his teeth. He didn’t get his first tooth until he was one, but we purchased this when he was three months old.
My wife wasn’t happy about the purchase, but it came in handy when we were in Hawaii, and he wanted something to chew.
After over nine months, this was the best teether we had to relieve his pain, and it was crucial on our flights, from the time he was 18 months old to almost 2 years old.
Our son loved this teether, so if you are traveling with a teething 1-year-old, this may be a good option.
Baby Touch & Feel Baby Animals
Our son loves touch-and-feel books. Even now that he’s 2-years-old, he still plays with them. Touch and feel books are one of the best plane toys for a 1-year-old, especially if you plan on flying with your baby in your lap.
The best plane toys for a 1-year-old are quiet, functional, and fun. Touch books help your baby learn and recognize different textures. They will enjoy the fur of a soft bunny, puppy, and little duckling.
Related Post: Must-Have Items When Traveling With A Baby
Touch & Feel Books
Last update on 2025-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Baby Beads Wood Rattle
The Baby Beads Wood Rattle will have your 1-year-old transfixed trying to figure it out. I know your first thought is if these are a choking hazard, and they are not.
The balls are large, but they are drilled, into the structure, so it is unlikely they will become loose enough for your baby to put in their mouth.
This rattle is heavier than other rattles to will help your one-year-old with their hand and arm strength. The developmental toy is one of the best-selling wooden toys on Amazon. You can trust the hundreds of positive reviews.
Although this toy is a little old-fashioned, it still gets the job done. If you are looking for a travel toy from a brand you can trust, this wood rattle is a good choice.
Paw Patrol Finger Puppets
Finger puppets are the ultimate plane toys for 1-year-olds because they do not take up much space, do not make noise, are easy to use, and are easy to clean.
The Paw Patrol puppets are the most popular finger puppets for babies, but there are many other characters to choose from, so if your little one loves Mickey Mouse, they are available too.
We used puppets when our son was 9 months old, and he enjoyed loved peek-a-boo. Even now, he still loves to play peek-a-boo with one of the puppets we decided to keep after he turned 2-years-old.
Best-Selling Puppets for 1-Year-Olds
Last update on 2025-02-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Best Road Trip Travel Toys for 1-Year-Olds
The travel toys in this section are perfect for taking road trips with your 1-year-old. They are the best car travel toys for babies from six months to 2 years old.
These travel toys are perfect for 18-month-olds learning how to become more independent. Here is our list of the best travel toys for road trips with 1-year-olds.
Related Post: 15 Travel Games for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Lamaze Walla Koala, Clip On Toy
The Lamaze Walla Koala Clip-On Toy is a cute clip-on toy that can hang from your baby’s car seat while on a road trip. The tail is silicone, so they can chew on it to relieve teething pain.
It’s an easy travel toy that clips onto a travel diaper bag, stroller, or high chair. The bright colors and patterns support your baby’s visual stimulation.
Your baby will feel different textures since this toy helps stimulate their sensory play. The best part, it’s machine washable, so after your baby has slobbered and chewed on it, you can throw it in the washer.
Lamaze Clip-On Toy
Last update on 2025-02-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Singin Soccer Ball
The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Singin Soccer Ball is a fun travel toy that your baby can play with in the car during a road trip and while on vacation.
It’s a travel toy that will help your baby learn with songs and phrases. There are three different play modes, which encourage learning, music, and imagination.
To activate the soccer ball, all your little one has to do is roll or shake it. We all know 12 to 18-month-olds are experts at shaking things.
They’ll learn about counting, opposites, colors, sportsmanship, and sharing. This is one of the travel toys that your baby can continue to play with as they get older.
Luckily, there is a volume button, so you can decrease the volume when you are tired of hearing the songs in the car. Plus, it’s machine washable, so all you need to do is remove the electronic portion and throw the ball in the washer.
Pull-Back Plush Car Set
The Pull-Back Plush Car Set is a fun car set for babies, especially those still chewing on their toys. These plush cars are perfect for traveling on a road trip with a baby.
Since these cars are powered by friction, there are no batteries; these cloth cars can be washed in water.
Babies 12 months and older will enjoy playing with these cars, which include a travel bag. The travel bag doubles as a road, which makes playing on the floor with the taxi, police car, ambulance, and donut truck even more fun.
Related Post: Our Baby First-Aid Kit for Travel
B. toys – FunKeys
I don’t know what it is, but babies love playing with kids. When our son was a baby, he always managed to pull my keys off the counter (by the lanyard) and play with or hide them.
To keep him from playing with my keys, we purchased the B. toys – FunKeys. These keys are the perfect road trip travel toys for babies 18 months and older. The material is non-toxic plastic, so they are safe for teething little ones.
The buttons on these keys are perfect for a baby’s tiny fingers. Each button makes a different sound, so your baby can imitate you. Plus, there is a flashlight button, which may come in handy when you are looking for your keys if your baby gets ahold of them.
These toddler keys will be great as your baby becomes a toddler. They’re one of the most realistic keys for toddlers that want to be like mom or dad.
iPlay, iLearn Baby Stacking Toy
There is already a stacking toy on our list, but the iPlay, iLearn Baby Stacking Toy is a fun travel toy for babies because it sings.
Each of the six rings has a different texture. The rings include a sunflower rattle, teething ring, windmill rattle, crinkle ring, and a beeping duck.
Your baby will love the sounds this road trip travel toy makes, as it simulates a white noise machine.
Check out our other travel toy and activity guides:
- The 25 Best Travel Toys for Babies
- 20 Toys to Keep Toddlers Busy on an Airplane
- 25 Beach Toys for Toddlers
- Our Favorite Travel Toys for 3-Year-Olds
- 15 Travel Games for Toddlers
- 20 Fun Travel Toys for 4-Year-Olds
- Our Favorite Headphones for Toddlers
- 20 Screen-Free Road Trip Toys for Toddlers
- 10 Mess-Free Travel Activities for 2-Year-Olds
- 50 Road Trip Activities for Toddlers
- LeapFrog Tablets for Toddlers to Promote Learning
- 20 Educational Travel Toys for 5-Year-Olds
- 15 Fun Airplane Activities for Toddlers
- The Best Learning Tablets for Toddlers
- 20 Snow Toys for Toddlers and Big Kids
Buckle Toy – Blu Whale toy is a hit with my two-and-a-half-year-old. I bought it to keep her occupied and quiet on a long trip. The small zippered mouth pocket was also ideal for storing small gifts for each flight (four total round trip). This is an excellent product.
That’s great!! Anything that keeps them happy is a win in my book. Our son recently got into the Water Wow color pads and mess-free coloring books. They’ve been great for keeping him busy on flights.
She sat silently all the way through which was a huge win for us. Highly recommend it!
I like that you mentioned getting stacking blocks with different textures and shapes to them. My wife and I are going on a road trip with our 13-month-old and are looking for some fun new ways to entertain him. Thank you so much for the article on what toys are best for traveling!
I love this post! I have a one-year-old and I’m always on the lookout for toys that will make road trips and flights easier. This list is great!
I love this post! I have a one-year-old and I’m always on the lookout for the best airplane travel toys for him. Thanks for the list!