Jules the dog and Leon the hedgehog have taken the controls.

The characters lift out of the cockpit and slot back in again, which is the part that occupies a one-year-old almost indefinitely. It looks like play and it is genuinely demanding fine-motor work: aligning a small figure into a specific slot takes real control.

Along the fuselage are the things Lilliputiens builds into everything at this age: a teether, crinkle, contrasting textures and tags to find. So it works as a sensory toy well before your child grasps what an aeroplane actually is.

It is also entirely soft, which means all the appeal of a vehicle with none of the hard plastic. It can be chewed, thrown and taken to bed.

Machine washable at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. Lilliputiens is a Belgian brand, founded in 1995 and designed by a team largely made up of parents working alongside early-childhood specialists. Tested to EN71 and ASTM standards and screened for AZO dyes, cadmium and phthalates.

JULES AND LEON TAKE THE CONTROLS - Jules the dog and Leon the hedgehog fly this one. The characters lift out of the cockpit and go back in, which is the game a one-year-old repeats on a loop.

A VEHICLE THEY CAN CHEW - All the appeal of a toy plane with none of the hard plastic. Soft enough to be mouthed, thrown and slept next to.

ACTIVITIES ALONG THE FUSELAGE - Teether, crinkle, textures and tags worked into the body, so it holds attention even before your child understands what a plane does.

PRETEND PLAY GETS ITS FIRST VEHICLE - Around a year old, children start moving objects with intent and making sounds for them. A plane is one of the easiest ways in.

SOFT AND WASHABLE - Fabric throughout with recycled polyester filling. Machine washable at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. Tested to EN71 and ASTM standards and screened for AZO dyes, cadmium and phthalates.

9 months and above

Outer 100% polyester, inner 100% recycled polyester; teether and crinkle elements

JULES ACTIVITY AIRPLANE