Traveling with a one-year-old requires a secret weapon: a truly engaging toy. The right airplane toy can be the difference between a peaceful flight and a meltdown at 30,000 feet. For toddlers, the ideal travel companion is safe, compact, and packed with activities that stimulate their growing minds and keep their little hands busy.
When selecting toys for your flight, look for options that support developmental milestones like fine motor skills and sensory exploration without creating a lot of noise or clutter. We’ve researched and compiled a list of the best airplane toys that are designed specifically for travel, ensuring your journey is as smooth as possible for you and your little explorer.
Our Top Picks for Airplane Toys
- SOCBTNSO Busy Cube Toy for 1 Year Old Boy
- hahaland Busy Book for Toddlers 1-3
- Montessori Sensory Toys for Toddlers 1-3
- ARHEQI Busy Board for 1 Year Old
- VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Campervan
- Melissa & Doug Let’s Fly Wooden Airplane
- Green Toys My First Airplane
- Fisher-Price Little People Toddler Learning Toy Airplane
SOCBTNSO Busy Cube Toy for 1 Year Old Boy
This compact busy cube is a powerhouse of activities, featuring six different learning panels in one small package. It is designed with Montessori principles in mind, encouraging independent play while developing essential skills. The cube focuses on improving hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and concentration, all through sensory-based interactions.
Its small size of just over three inches cubed makes it exceptionally travel-friendly. It is robust and impact-resistant, built to handle the rigors of being a travel toy. This brain-boosting activity game can keep a child engaged and entertained for extended periods, making it a perfect companion for a long flight.
hahaland Busy Book for Toddlers 1-3
For a more extensive quiet-time activity, the hahaland Busy Book offers a farm-themed world of exploration with 20 activities across 10 pages. This Montessori-inspired board includes tasks like lacing, buttoning, and using Velcro, which are excellent for teaching practical life skills. It helps inculcate good habits and significantly improves hand muscle control.
The book format is ideal for travel as it can be used on a toddler’s lap and closed neatly when not in use. It covers a wide range of learning topics, including shapes, numbers, colors, and farm animals, providing a comprehensive and engaging experience that keeps little hands and minds busy without any electronic components.
Montessori Sensory Toys for Toddlers 1-3
This travel activity cube features six distinct activity panels, including an extendable rocket, a rotating steering wheel, and a pushable spaceship. These elements are perfect for fostering creativity and imagination in one-year-olds. The toy is designed to keep children occupied for hours with various grasping, pulling, and rotating actions.
The bright and vibrant colors, combined with different textures and sounds, provide excellent sensory stimulation. This focus on sensory development, along with fine motor skill practice, makes it a captivating and educational toy that is well-suited for confined spaces like an airplane seat.
ARHEQI Busy Board for 1 Year Old
The ARHEQI Busy Board includes seven sensory play activities, such as a mirror, a telephone dial, and a toggle rope. This variety offers a rich tactile experience for curious one-year-olds. The board is designed to encourage the development of hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills through interactive play.
Lightweight and equipped with a lanyard, this toy is made for travel. Its portable and robust design ensures it can be easily attached to a car seat or carry-on bag, providing a reliable source of entertainment that can help a child have a happy and engaged time during travel.
VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Campervan
For toddlers who enjoy interactive play, the VTech Campervan offers lights, fun music, and realistic sound effects. Pressing the light-up face button triggers songs and melodies, adding a musical element to playtime. This type of interactive reaction is ideal for enhancing a child’s sense of exploration and discovery.
While it does make sound, the volume can often be controlled, making it a potential option for travel with headphones or for use during noisier parts of the journey. Pushing the vehicle also activates unique reactions, encouraging movement and engagement even in a small space.
Melissa & Doug Let’s Fly Wooden Airplane
This classic wooden airplane is a timeless travel toy. Its durable wood construction can withstand rough handling, and its simple design encourages open-ended, imaginative play. Children can grasp it easily and zoom it through the air, acting out their own flying adventures right from their seat.
Without any batteries or small, loose parts, it is a safe and quiet option for air travel. The tactile nature of the wood and the smooth, rounded edges make it a parent-favorite for its quality, safety, and ability to foster creative storytelling.
Green Toys My First Airplane
Green Toys are renowned for being made from 100% recycled materials and being completely BPA-free. The My First Airplane is no exception, offering a safe and eco-conscious choice for parents. Its chunky design is perfectly sized for small hands to hold and maneuver.
The toy has no external coatings or metal axles, making it exceptionally durable and safe. It is also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. This airplane is perfect for gentle, quiet pretend play during a flight, allowing your toddler to mimic the journey they are on with their own safe version.
Fisher-Price Little People Toddler Learning Toy Airplane
This toy airplane comes with a friendly Little People pilot figure, encouraging nurturing pretend play and storytelling. It features light-up buttons, songs, and phrases that introduce numbers, colors, and greetings. This combination of music and learning content can be very engaging for a one-year-old.
The play set is designed for little hands and includes easy-grasp handles for carrying. While it is a larger toy, it can be a good option for keeping a child occupied during a flight if you have the space in your carry-on. The educational content provides a fun learning experience at 30,000 feet.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Airplane Toys for One Year Olds
As a parent, I know that picking toys for a one-year-old is a mix of excitement and serious consideration. Their safety and development are my top priorities. When I started looking for airplane toys, I realized not all are created equal for this specific, curious age group. Here’s what I focus on to find a winner.
First and foremost, safety is non-negotiable. I always check the age recommendation on the box; it’s there for a reason. For a one-year-old, toys need to be durable enough to withstand being thrown and chewed on without breaking into small, hazardous pieces. I avoid anything with small, detachable parts that could pose a choking risk. The materials matter, too. I look for BPA-free plastics, solid wood with non-toxic, child-safe finishes, and soft, machine-washable fabrics.
Next, I think about the developmental benefits. A great toy does more than just occupy a few minutes. For a one-year-old, I look for toys that encourage motor skills, like grasping, pushing, or pulling. Cause-and-effect features are a huge hit—buttons that make sounds, lights that flash, or a plane that moves when they push it. These kinds of interactions support cognitive development and sensory exploration. Simple shapes and bright, contrasting colors are also excellent for visual development.
The type of play is another big factor. Does the toy encourage active or quiet play? A chunky, push-along airplane is perfect for a toddler who is just starting to walk, helping with balance and coordination. For quieter moments, a soft, plush plane for cuddling or a simple board book about airplanes can be wonderful. I also consider the “giggle factor.” Does the toy do something that will make my child laugh? A funny sound or a wobbly landing gear can turn a simple toy into a favorite.
Finally, I think about longevity and my own sanity. Is the toy engaging enough that it won’t be forgotten in a day? Toys with multiple functions or that can be incorporated into different kinds of play tend to last longer. And, let’s be honest, I also consider the noise level. A toy with an off switch or volume control is a gift to the whole household. By keeping these factors in mind—safety, development, play type, and practicality—I can confidently choose from the many airplane toys for one year olds and find one that will be both safe and a source of real joy.
FAQ
What are the most important safety features to look for in an airplane toy for a one-year-old?
When I look at toys for this age, my first check is for small parts. Everything should be either too large to be a choking hazard or permanently attached. I also look for a solid construction without sharp edges or pinch points. Materials are key: BPA-free plastic, non-toxic finishes on wood, and high-quality, safe fabric for plush toys. Always check that the toy meets U.S. safety standards (look for ASTM F963 or CPSC certification).
Are battery-operated airplane toys a good choice for one-year-olds?
They can be, but with some caveats. My little one loves the lights and sounds, which are great for cause-and-effect learning. However, I always make sure the battery compartment is securely sealed with a screw so tiny hands can’t access it. I also strongly prefer toys with a volume control or an off switch. Sometimes, a simple, non-electrical push toy that encourages physical activity is just as good, if not better.
How can an airplane toy help with my one-year-old’s development?
It’s amazing how much learning happens through play. A push-plane helps with gross motor skills and walking. Grasping a chunky plane strengthens fine motor skills. Toys with buttons, levers, or different textures support sensory and cognitive development. Even the simple act of making “whoosh” sounds and pretending the plane is flying encourages early language skills and imagination. A well-chosen toy is a development tool in disguise.
My child isn’t walking yet. What type of airplane toy would be best?
That’s no problem at all! For a pre-walker, I’d look for toys they can enjoy while sitting or crawling. A soft, crinkly plush airplane is perfect for cuddling and tactile exploration. A simple, grippy toy plane they can hold and shake (maybe with a gentle rattle) is also a great option. Activity cubes with an airplane theme or large, easy-to-manipulate stacking rings shaped like planes can also provide lots of entertainment without requiring them to be on their feet.
What is a good price range for a quality airplane toy for a one-year-old?
In my experience, you don’t have to spend a fortune. I’ve found fantastic and safe options typically between $10 and $30. This price range usually covers well-made plastic, wood, or fabric toys from reputable brands. The very high-end, large ride-on planes will cost more, but for a standard, engaging toy, staying in that mid-range is a safe bet for both quality and value. When reviewing the best airplane toys for one year olds, I found that price isn’t always an indicator of how much fun my child will have with it.
Should I be concerned about the noise level of these toys?
Yes, this is a valid concern for many parents, myself included. Loud toys can be overstimulating for the child and downright annoying for everyone else. I always try to test the sound level in the store if possible, or I read reviews specifically mentioning the noise. As I mentioned before, a volume control or an off switch is a feature I actively look for. It gives me the control to turn it down or off when needed, making the toy more versatile for different times of the day.