Most experts and parents agree that kids should wear a helmet every time they ride a bike. So it’s worth finding one that your child genuinely enjoys wearing. Luckily, helmet technology is constantly evolving, and children’s bike helmets are more comfortable, safe, and stylish than ever.
Some helmets feature rotational impact protection technology, such as the Mips system. But all helmets sold in the US must meet the universal safety standard established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), with different specifications for toddler helmets (ages 1 to 4) and kids helmets (age 5 and up).
We tested 13 helmets of varying sizes on kids ages 2 to 7. We’ve concluded that the Giro Tremor Child Helmet is the best helmet for most kids, and the Giro Scamp II Helmet is the best helmet for most toddlers.
No matter what helmet you buy, ensuring a proper fit is critical. We offer tips on getting a perfect fit, below.
Our pick
This breathable, high-quality helmet is offered in a single universal size that fits a wide range of head circumferences. But it comes in only four solid colors.
This version of our top pick comes with a Mips liner, which provides added rotational impact protection.
The Giro Tremor Child Helmet is a great choice for most kids ages 5 and up. It has the widest fit range of any helmet we tested (47–54 centimeters), and it has an easy-to-use dial-adjust system, so it can grow with your child, potentially for years. We like the fixed side straps, which simplify the adjustment process and work well with most kids’ heads. Should you need to return the helmet, Giro will provide a free shipping label (if, say, the fixed straps do not work with your kid’s head shape).
The buckle is easy for kids to operate, and the helmet comes with a removable visor that effectively blocks sun. The in-mold construction (which means the foam interior and plastic outer shell are fused together) offers durability and keeps the weight down. Eighteen vents provide superior airflow, keeping kids cool as they cruise through heat waves.
Parents can decide whether they want to pay around $15 more for a Giro Tremor Mips, which offers rotational impact protection. Though our kid testers didn’t find a noticeable difference between the two versions, some online reviews mention that the Mips liner can cause hair to snag.
Budget pick
This cheaper option offers similar breathability and comfort. The exposed foam and inexpensive plastic shell make this model less durable over time, though.
The Joovy Noodle Kids Toddler Bike Helmet S-M is just as lightweight and comfortable as our top pick, and we found it was especially easy to adjust. Considering its relatively low price, we appreciated that it has thoughtful, kid-friendly details, like a color-coded buckle and a high-quality single internal pad.
It’s likely that the Joovy’s lower cost is due to its hardshell construction: The solid foam helmet is glued or taped to the thin plastic outer shell, which may make this model less durable than a helmet with in-mold construction (though this one still meets the same impact standards set by the CPSC).
The S-M, which is the option we recommend, meets the CPSC safety standards for kids age 5 and up, and it has a fit range of 52–56 centimeters, so it has more-limited adjustability than our top pick. The XS-S, which meets the safety standards for kids age 1 and up, is a decent toddler helmet, but the pointed back makes it less comfortable for kids riding in trailers or bike seats. (Note that on Amazon, the S-M is labeled simply as Medium, and the XS-S is labeled as Small.)
Our pick
This is the best of the five toddler helmets we tested. Its flat back makes it especially well suited for kids riding in trailers or bike seats. But it’s a little hard to adjust.
This is the same toddler helmet, with a Mips liner to provide added rotational impact protection.
The Giro Scamp II Helmet is just as well made as the Giro Tremor, with the same in-mold construction and optional Mips technology. It comes in two sizes, XS and S, but only the XS model meets the CPSC safety standards for kids age 1 and up. We recommend the XS model as the best helmet for toddlers.
The Giro Scamp II XS offers the additional rear coverage that all helmets for toddlers must have to comply with CPSC safety requirements, but it’s one of the shallower helmets we tested, so it’s best for kids with smaller heads. With a fit range of 45–49 centimeters, this helmet is our favorite for the very youngest riders. And its flat back makes it comfortable for toddlers riding in bike trailers or bike seats.
This helmet has kid-friendly features, including a ratcheting buckle that’s one of the most pinch-proof we tested, and it comes in bright, fun patterns. Thirteen small but well-spaced vents provide cooling airflow. But due to the placement of this model’s dial-adjust knob and its adjustable side straps, it takes a bit more work to adjust the Giro Scamp II to a perfect fit.
