11 best bike helmets for kids and toddlers (that they’ll actually want to wear!)

From the age of 12 months, little ones have developed enough neck strength to support a bike helmet—and keep their head up while going over bumps. For those first rides perched atop your bike in a bike seat or for cruising along behind in the bike trailer, we recommend the Schwinn infant helmet. It’s the smallest on the market, measuring 44cm and features an easy-adjust dial fit retention system to tighten or loosen the helmet as needed. It also boasts great coverage at the rear and plenty of ventilation to keep them cool. The flat back makes it comfortable for trailer rides (or any arrangement where the back of their head is resting against something). The brand states that this will fit up to age three, but many reviewers note it is too small for their older toddlers.

It’s no surprise the Giro Scamp is one of the most highly recommended kids’ helmets on the market given the fact Giro is one of the most respected brands in the industry. Made with the same innovation and engineering as their popular adult versions, little ones (especially trailer riders) appreciate the Scamp’s flat back and lightweight, slim design which, unlike competitors, isn’t “bobble-heady” in the least. Sizing starts at 45-49cm (xs) which makes it a great helmet to span everything from trailer riding to balance biking. The Roc Loc Jr. fit system and pinch-guard buckle provide a quick and easy way to get the proper fit without protest. According to one reviewer, “We tried on every helmet at Target, Toys R Us, and Walmart and he would scream every time because he said it hurt – he put this one on and immediately loved it. I appreciate how easy the straps are to adjust and the back nob is there to make the internal bands tighten around his head. My husband researched for weeks to find “the best helmet” and I’m so glad we picked this one!”

For the youngest riders who need something slightly larger, the Bell sprout helmet is a top choice. It’s designed to fit sizes 47-52cm and comes with its patented pinch guard buckle—a must-have for little ones who will swear off helmet wearing after one unfortunate chin pinch. Seven vents help keep them cool while the True Fit system allows you to adjust the fit from one single point (instead of fiddling with chin straps and dials.) It also comes in colorful dragon poodle designs to help get reluctant kiddos excited for their most important accessory.

With over 9.4K reviews and a solid 4.7-star rating, the Joovy Noodle helmet is a solid budget-friendly choice for kiddos ages 1 and up. Not only does it meet CPSC standards, but the extended visor offers maximum protection (think scooter face plants and random acts of gravity) and helps keeps the sun off their face. Parents of sweaty kiddos, take note—it’s one of the most well-ventilated of all the helmets on this list (14 air vents in total!) each of which is covered with mesh to keep pesky bugs out as they cruise along. Parents and littles appreciate the easy-to-adjust design and pinch-proof chin strap.

With a fresh upgrade, Bern’s Nino DVRT bike helmet offers a few features that impress. (Besides the impossibly cool design, of course.) First, it comes DVRT, their patented rotational protection system which is a similar functionality to MIPS. Second, that visor! Flip it up for the cool factor, down to keep the sun off their face, or remove it altogether. But what we love the most is the ability to swap out the summer liner for a warmer winter knit (sold separately) when the weather cools. No need to squeeze a hat underneath and compromise safety for keeping the chill out. How brilliant is that?

For kiddos who ride scooters, BMX, and skateboards in addition to bikes, a skater-style helmet is the way to go. Nutcase Little Nutty tops every list due to its solid construction which easily withstands the inevitable tosses to the ground. (You’ve seen kids take off their helmets, right? They get chucked directly on the pavement, every.time. 🙄) They come in a wide variety of rad graphics that kids of all ages appreciate and are even available with MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system) which adds an extra layer of protection. Other awesome features include 11 air vents, a dial fit system with three sets of foam pads to help customize the fit and 360-degree reflectivity so no one will miss them as they fly on by. The Little Nutty is available in toddler and kid sizes, and for larger kiddos, the Nutcase Street helmet in size small can accommodate!

For more serious skaters (and sweaters) Triple Eight’s certified sweatsaver helmet is unbeatable. I first learned about them ages ago as they were the only brand our local skate shop sold for kiddos. The owner, having suffered a TBI herself (from a ladder fall—not skateboarding!) is perhaps the most vocal advocate for the importance of helmet wearing, so if they’re the only brand she’ll trust, I’m in. I’ve bought at least three as my kids have grown and the quality is top-notch. The internal padding is soft and thick, covered in a super absorbent terrycloth which can be removed and washed as needed and the outer shell is impressively durable. It meets both CPSC standards for safe biking and ASTM F-1492 skate safety standards, so it’s perfect for multi-use.

Schwinn’s thrasher bike helmet is the most highly reviewed kids’ bike helmet on Amazon. Of the 26K+ reviews, countless parents have sung its praises for protecting their kiddos from serious injury, including one who says, “My son, 9, had outgrown his old helmet, so I bought this one. Less than three weeks later, he put it to the test. He is a daredevil who loves speed. Riding down a hill, that he isn’t supposed to ride on, he lost control at ~30 mph and landed on the side of his head, on the asphalt. He was knocked out momentarily, but passed the concussion screening at the ER. He is fine, other than some road rash. I hate to think how he might have fared with his old helmet, or no helmet. The ER doctor said that the spot he hit was about the worst place to hit for head injuries.” It boasts 21 air vents along with a dual-fit, 360-degree adjustable system that allows for on-the-fly adjustments and is super lightweight.

For kiddos who’d rather take to the trails than the sidewalks, the Giro tremor MIPS helmet is the ideal choice for mountain biking. Made with a polycarbonate shell, it features MIPS technology which can redirect energy and provide more protection in certain impacts. It’s easy to size with their Roc Loc Sport system and comes with quick-dry padding and a removable visor.

I’ve been a big fan of Thousand’s retro bike helmets for adults for ages. Not only do they make me feel like I’m stylishly zipping around Italy on a Vespa, but they’re lightweight with a clever magnetic clasp that can be done and undone one-handed. So, I was thrilled when they introduced kids’ helmets a couple years ago, and more recently, a toddler size. With the guidance of over 100 kids, they developed a version that every kid will not only tolerate wearing but ask to wear even when they’re not on wheels. Each helmet includes a pack of super cool reflective stickers so they can easily customize it to their own personal style. As far as fit, it comes in one size for toddlers and one size for kids and adjusts via a dial at the base of the head. Details like the integrated visor, comfy vegan leather straps and extra ventilation are the icing on the cake.

Perfect for any kiddo on the flamin-GO, the helmets from Hornit offer comfortable yet secure fits with maximum protection. Other fun, kid-approved patterns include dinosaurs, lava, llamas, unicorns—and an incognito black “stealth mode” helmet, too. When one of our editor’s daughter’s was upgrading to a big-kid mountain bike, it was also the perfect opportunity to upgrade to one of these durable, weather-proof helmets. Not surprisingly, the pattern got two big thumbs up from the kiddo!