When you’re traveling with your 1-year-old, keep this in mind: A happy baby makes for a happy journey. And I’m not even exaggerating; do you know that 29% of those planning to travel with their young child are dreading the first flight or long car journey with them? That could be you.
That’s why keeping our little ones entertained during journey is important. When a baby is entertained, there’s less stress for them, and less stress for parents, especially on a plane or any other form of public transportation. This article is all about ensuring your little one has fun on the journey, making it a happier experience for everyone.
Let’s explore 12 of the best travel toys for 1 year old, carefully selected by moms.
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Criteria for Selecting the Best Travel Toys for 1 Year Old
Before creating this article, we established specific criteria for selecting these products, each designed to enhance your travel experience with your little one:
- Clutter-Free Design: We prioritize toys that are one-piece, ensuring your luggage stays clutter-free. Nobody wants to scramble for scattered pieces when disembarking from a plane.
- Soft-Edge Construction: Safety matters, especially during travel. Our chosen toys have soft edges to protect your baby from any potential harm during transportation or sudden stops in the car.
- Lightweight: We’ve selected lightweight toys to allow your baby to play independently, ensuring they stay engaged and entertained throughout the journey.
- Simple and Baby-Friendly: We understand the importance of keeping your baby happy and content. That’s why we’ve chosen toys that are not only attractive but also simple and easy to play with, minimizing frustration and tears.
With that in mind, let’s get to the list of these wonderful toys!
Products in this article
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | AoiSouk Silicone Baby Teething Toy | Check on Amazon |
 | Vanmor Baby Suction Cup Spinning Top Toys | Check on Amazon |
 | Bobotanco Baby Montessori Sensory Toys | Check on Amazon |
 | Crapa Busy Board for Toddler | Check on Amazon |
 | Richgv Soft Baby Books Toys | Check on Amazon |
 | UNIH Quiet Book for Toddlers | Check on Amazon |
 | Manhattan Toy UFO Clip-on Baby Travel Toy | Check on Amazon |
 | Figetget Caterpillar Twisting Toy | Check on Amazon |
 | DAPSIQ Giraffe Montessori Baby Pull String Toy | Check on Amazon |
 | beetoy Sensory Buckle Pillow | Check on Amazon |
 | Green Toys Seaplane | Check on Amazon |
 | DOLIVE Baby Flipping Busy Board | Check on Amazon |
AoiSouk Silicone Baby Teething Toy
At this point of age, babies love to play with their hands a lot, so why not give it a little fun twist with these finger puppets? The AoiSouk Silicone Baby Teething Toy is designed for infants aged 3 months and older, helps in developing hand-eye coordination as babies grasp and explore its unique design.
These teething toys feature a nipple-shaped design with specially crafted soft silicone touch points on top, ideal for little ones to explore and bite from various directions.
The soft massage granules provide relief from teething discomfort while promoting gum stimulation and teeth growth. Made from food-grade silicone, these toys are non-toxic, BPA-free, lead-free, and phthalate-free. With their one-piece design, they ensure both chemical and physical safety, eliminating any choking hazards.
Plus, they’re soft, durable, and come in a variety of patterns to keep your baby engaged. The stem inside the hollow animal-shaped body makes it easy for little hands to grasp, and the ears on top add an extra dimension of play.
Vanmor Baby Suction Cup Spinning Top Toys
In any part of the journey or even at home, you can count on this great toy. Meet the Vanmor Baby Suction Cup Spinning Top Toys, designed to be your versatile companion for keeping your little one entertained.
Crafted from high-quality ABS and food-safe soft silicone, these toys are not only safe but also durable. They feature unique baby-friendly designs like cute bees, snails, butterflies, and ladybirds in bright multi-colors, all aimed at capturing your baby’s attention and reducing stress.
These suction cups promote hand-eye coordination, observation skills, and practical abilities. Whether it’s bath time, mealtime, or a car ride, these suction spinners are up for the task and even stick to windows, or becomes a fidget toy for added fun.
Bobotanco Baby Montessori Sensory Toys
Another wonderful discovery! The Bobotanco Baby Montessori Sensory Toys are a game-changer for keeping little ones entertained and engaged. With a 4-in-1 design that includes push-and-go cars, suction cup spinner toys for the high chair tray, gear toys, and a bead maze, this toy offers multiple ways to play, making it a fantastic addition to your collection of favorite travel toys for 1 year old.
Shaped like an adorable snail, it captivates babies instantly and promotes the development of essential motor skills and hand-eye coordination while delivering hours of educational fun. We adore the Baby Montessori Sensory Toys for their versatility, educational value, and durability, making them a standout choice among the best travel toys for 1 year old.
Crapa Busy Board for Toddler
If your baby is more than 1 year old already, or already good at hand-eye coordination, it’s time to play with some cause-and-effect toys. Enter the Crapa Busy Board for Toddler, a delightful and engaging toy that offers hours of entertainment and learning.
Divided into five colorful partitions, including a sun, rainbow, color board, star, and windmill, each section features corresponding switches and color lights. Made from eco-friendly wood with smooth edges, it’s perfectly sized for small hands, making it a great companion for both travel and play at home.
This busy board is not just fun; it’s a fantastic tool for young toddlers to exercise their thinking and hands-on skills. While it’s showed on the box suitable for 3+ years, it can be introduced with supervision to toddlers as young as 18 months, offering long-lasting value, making it an excellent choice among the best travel toys for 1 year olds and beyond.
Richgv Soft Baby Books Toys
Sometimes you need a quiet toy for your baby, and that’s where the Richgv Soft Baby Books Toys come in. This delightful cloth book is designed to keep your little one engaged with its textured pages, imaginative content, and vibrant colors.
It’s a safe and comfortable option with no sharp edges, making it perfect for newborns to young toddlers. Whether you’re looking for baby boy gifts or baby girl gifts, this soft book offers endless hours of fun and learning for your child.
The quality and craftsmanship of this book are impressive, ensuring years of enjoyment. The BPA-free polyester fabric is extra durable and easy to clean, making it a practical choice for busy parents on the road.
UNIH Quiet Book for Toddlers
Another quiet book, but this one brings a plethora of engaging activities to the table, all designed to develop fine motor skills. Meet the UNIH Quiet Book for Toddlers, a parent’s top choice for travel toys. Whether you’re embarking on a road trip or taking to the skies, this activity book promises hours of engagement to keep your little one pleased.
With 10 learning activities, it encourages toddlers to match shapes, practice zippers, snaps, buttons, and even tells time. Moreover, with carry handles and a zipper closure, it’s tailor-made for long car journeys and plane rides, ensuring a peaceful trip.
We adore the UNIH Quiet Book for Toddlers for its ability to keep little ones engaged and learning while on the move, making it a top contender among the best travel toys for 1 year olds and beyond.
Manhattan Toy UFO Clip-on Baby Travel Toy
Want something simple to catch your baby’s attention while on the move? You can rely on the Manhattan Toy UFO Clip-on Baby Travel Toy, a compact and charming space-themed companion that’s perfect for your little explorer.
This UFO packs a sensory punch with crinkle paper, silky tags, a star-shaped rattle, and a textured silicone teething ring. The center of the space ship rattles with every shake, providing an auditory stimulus that engages your baby’s senses.
Little hands will love exploring the silky smooth red space ship capsule and the soft outer ring with embroidered accents. It encourages motor skill development and fosters cause-and-effect learning, keeping your baby engaged and entertained. This is a great addition to the roster of best travel toys for 1 year old.
Figetget Caterpillar Twisting Toy
A little worm friend that surely will help your baby focus on a long ride or flight, the Figetget Caterpillar Twisting toy is a scientific marvel designed to activate creativity and captivate young minds.
Babies adore gnawing on this chewable toy, and the bright colors keep them engaged and help develop their cognitive abilities. It’s light and compact, making it an ideal travel companion for on-the-go entertainment.
DAPSIQ Giraffe Montessori Baby Pull String Toy
DAPSIQ Giraffe Montessori Baby Pull String Toy is designed for babies aged 12-18 months. This Montessori toy is perfect for on-the-go fun. Its portable size and suction cup base make it easy to attach to car seat toys, train tables, and airplane tray tables, making it the ideal travel companion for your little traveler.
It’s made from safe, food-grade silicone and ABS materials, ensuring your baby can chew and play without worries. This toy helps develop fine motor skill and hand-eye coordination through interactive features.
beetoy Sensory Buckle Pillow
The beetoy Sensory Buckle Pillow is designed to capture the attention of boys and girls aged 12 months and up. This toddler travel buckle toy is equipped with sensory buckle and zipper activities, designed to engage your child’s fine motor skills and eliminate those dreaded bad moods. Plus, it’s lightweight and portable, making it easy to bring along on your adventures.
This toy helps kids develop hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills and fine motor skills. You can easily clip it onto your child’s gear, from backpacks to strollers, for entertainment wherever you roam. It’s perfect for long car rides or long flights.
Green Toys Seaplane
Float, fly, and find good green fun no matter how you travel with the Green Toys Seaplane! This eco-friendly seaplane is perfect for both water and air adventures. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs, it’s a green choice that’s kind to the planet. With its spinning propeller and oversized pontoons, it’s ready for any journey.
Your baby will love playing with it in the water – it floats and even sinks for added excitement. It’s big enough for little hands to grasp but still fits easily in a sand toy bag for on-the-go fun.
DOLIVE Baby Flipping Busy Board
The DOLIVE Baby Flipping Busy Board is a fantastic sensory toy for little ones, designed to promote fine motor skills development. With its push, pop, poke, and grab features, it engages children’s motor skills, making it an excellent tool for enhancing their sight, touch, and hearing. Plus, it’s made from high-quality materials, passing CPSIA and ASTM tests, ensuring safety for your little explorer.
Its portable size makes it a great companion for car rides and stroller walks – a new favorite travel toy for 1 year old and beyond.
F.A.Qs
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At what age can I introduce travel toys to my baby?
Travel toys can be introduced to babies as early as six months when they start to show interest in exploring objects. However, the choice of toys should be age-appropriate and safe, considering choking hazards and material safety.
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How do these travel toys benefit my baby’s development?
These travel toys can stimulate various aspects of a baby’s development, including fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, sensory exploration, and cognitive development. They provide opportunities for learning through play, especially during travel when babies need distraction and engagement.
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Are there travel toys suitable for teething babies?
Yes, there are travel toys designed with teething babies in mind. Look for toys made from soft, BPA-free materials that can soothe their gums while keeping them entertained during travel.
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Can travel toys help reduce my baby’s anxiety during long journeys?
Yes, travel toys can be great anxiety reducers for babies during long journeys. Engaging toys can distract and comfort your baby, making the travel experience more enjoyable for both you and your little one.
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Are there any safety concerns I should be aware of when choosing travel toys?
Absolutely. When choosing travel toys, ensure they are age-appropriate, free of small parts that could be choking hazards, and made from non-toxic materials. Always supervise your baby during playtime with toys, especially during travel.
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What types of travel toys are best for supporting cognitive development?
Toys that encourage problem solving skills, sensory exploration, and interactive play are excellent for supporting cognitive development during travel. Look for toys with various textures, colors, and shapes to engage your baby’s mind.
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How can I keep travel toys clean and germ-free?
To keep travel toys clean, you can use baby-safe disinfectant wipes or wash them with mild soap and water. Be sure to dry them thoroughly to prevent mold or mildew growth, especially if they are plush or fabric-based toys.
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Can travel toys help my baby sleep better during flights or car rides?
While travel toys can provide comfort and distraction, they may not guarantee better sleep during travel. However, they can certainly help keep your baby engaged and content, which can indirectly contribute to a more peaceful journey.
Summary
As we wrap up our exploration of the best travel toys for 1 year old, it’s clear that these little wonders can make a world of difference during your family adventures. These toys aren’t just playthings; they’re the companions that keep your little explorer engaged, calm, and happy on the go.
From sensory-rich busy boards to interactive books and cleverly designed activity toys, each item we’ve discussed brings its own magic to the table. They stimulate your baby’s senses, boost motor skills, and provide a sense of familiarity in unfamiliar places.
So, whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip, a weekend getaway, or a flight to a distant destination, these great travel toys are your secret weapon. They transform potentially stressful moments into cherished memories, not just for your little one but for the entire family.
Remember to choose toys that match your child’s developmental stage and preferences. And most importantly, embrace the journey with enthusiasm. Traveling with a 1-year-old might have its challenges, but with the right travel toys by your side, you’re well-equipped for a smooth and enjoyable adventure.
Now, go forth and explore the world with your tiny travel buddy, armed with the best travel toys that ensure every journey is filled with laughter, discovery, and endless fun. Safe travels and happy parenting!
More useful travel items for on-the-go mom’s arsenal:
- Best Travel Backpack For Moms – 5 Baby-Approved Choices
- 08 Best Travel Baby Monitors For On-the-Go Parents
- 11 Best Travel Kettles 2023 – Safe and Portable
- Best Laundry Bag For Traveling – Our 9 Picks 2023
- 10 Best Travel Laundry Detergents 2023
