Biking is a fun activity for young children. Just give them the right safety gear, like a helmet, and they’re ready to go. But nowadays, it’s hard to find the right bike helmet, especially small ones that are enough to fit babies and toddlers.
That’s why this article has gathered and reviewed the best toddler bike helmet picks in the market. Find a helmet that suits your needs and preferences. Plus, learn tips on choosing the best helmet for your child to ensure their safety while having fun.
10 Best Bike Helmets for Babies and Toddlers
1. Best Overall: Giro Scamp MIPS
Giro Scamp MIPS is one of the market’s favorites. This is mainly because of its multi-directional impact system (MIPS) technology. For your reference, this is used in helmets for better protection against falls where the head might hit at an angle.
The Giro Scamp MIPS fits tiny children's heads. It’s also lightweight and easy to adjust, making it comfortable to use. Plus, it has a Roc Loc Jr. fit system that aligns the helmet with the curvature of your baby’s head.
Specifications:
- Sizes: XS (45-49 cm), Small (49-53 cm)
- MIPS: Yes
2. Most Stylish: Nutcase Baby Nutty
If your toddler loves fun prints, it’s best to consider getting the Nutcase Baby Nutty helmet. It’s a skater-style helmet that comes in different fresh and funky styles and designs. With such options, your baby can sport their favorite style and stay protected while biking.
It has many safety features, like EPS foam pads, pinch-free magnetic buckle, and more. Plus, what’s great about this helmet is that you can also use it for other activities, like scootering and roller skating.
Specifications:
- Sizes: 48-52 cm
- MIPS: Yes
3. Best on a Budget: Joovy Noodle
For a budget-friendly option, check out the Joovy Noodle. It’s a best-selling helmet that offers good coverage and protection. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear. Your toddler can wear it easily and still be able to control their head and neck movements freely.
It has chin straps that keep it in place even on their little heads. Its vent holes are also covered in mesh, so your kid will be protected from bugs. Plus, it’s still available in various fun colors, so your child can choose their favorite.
Specifications:
- Sizes: Small (47-52 cm)
- MIPS: No
4. Best Customizable: Thousand Jr. Kids Helmet
Another helmet that offers a good combination of safety and style is the Thousand Jr. Kids Helmet. This high-quality toddler helmet has a noticeable retro-cool vibe. It’s also safety-certified for biking and other activities, like roller skating and skateboarding.
Most importantly, your toddler can easily customize this helmet however they like. It comes with a pack of removable, reflective stickers. They come in fun designs to encourage your child’s creativity. It’s also lightweight and has good ventilation channels for comfortable usage.
Specifications:
- Sizes: 49-53 cm
- MIPS: No
5. Exceptional Coverage: Woom Helmet
The Woom Helmet is known for its superior rear-of-head coverage. This extended coverage ensures a better fit on your child’s head. It’s designed with attention, even to the smallest details. It also has a good amount of cooling channels for proper ventilation and is extremely lightweight.
Additionally, this helmet features side strap cords that you won’t need to adjust just to ensure a secure fit. Plus, there’s a low chance of them getting all twisted. It’s even possible to choose your toddler’s favorite color, as this helmet comes in various colors.
Specifications:
- Sizes: XS (46-50 cm), Small (50-53 cm)
- MIPS: No
6. Best for a Secure Fit: Lazer Pnut KinetiCore Toddler Helmet
If you want a toddler bike helmet that’s easy to adjust, consider getting the Pnut KinetiCore helmet. Although this doesn’t have the MIPS technology, it has its own version of a better technology—the KinetiCore safety system. It’s an advanced design that offers next-level protection from direct and rotational impacts in case your toddler falls.
It also has a unique fit system called EZ Fit. With this, you simply open the helmet and put it on your toddler, and it will automatically adjust to the proper fit for your baby. It even offers extended coverage for their sensitive temple area for added protection.
Specifications:
- Sizes: 46-52 cm
- MIPS: No
7. Best for Tiny Heads: Kali Chakra Child
If your toddler has a really tiny head, you can get them the Kali Chakra Child helmet. Its smallest size can fit smaller and narrower heads compared to the Giro Scamp MIPS helmet. It also has a compact and lightweight design, so your kid won’t have difficulty wearing it while biking.
Plus, this has one of the best ventilation designs, with twenty-one large vents for excellent airflow. Your kid might even love this because it looks similar to an adult’s mountain bike helmet. Wearing one can make your toddler feel like a “big kid.”
Specifications:
- Sizes: XS (44-50 cm), Small (48-54 cm)
- MIPS: No
8. Best 2-in-1: Strider ST-R Full Face Helmet
Get a 2-in-1 kid’s helmet with the Strider ST-R Child’s Full Face helmet. Its full-face design has a removable chin bar. This will allow you to use it as a traditional bike helmet or as a full-face helmet. This way, your toddler can choose however they want to wear it.
Additionally, this design offers maximum protection for your child’s face and chin. The chin bar can prevent any damage in case they fall or crash. Plus, despite being a full-face helmet, it’s still lightweight and breezy, so it’s comfortable to wear.
Specifications:
- Sizes: Small (48-52 cm)
- MIPS: Not Specified
9. Best With 3D Design: Raskullz Toddler 3+ Helmet
Toddlers love fun and cool helmets. One of the coolest helmets they can wear is the Raskullz Toddler Helmet. It’s available in various designs with different fun characters and 3D helmet elements. For instance, its dinosaur design gives the helmet 3D horns that they can touch, making things more realistic and creative.
This collection of helmets also complies with the US CPSC Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets for persons aged one and older. It’s sturdy and has a comfortable foam interior to ensure safety and comfort when worn. However, take note that it doesn’t have venting channels, so your toddler may easily run hot when using it.
Specifications:
- Sizes: 48-52 cm
- MIPS: No
10. Runner Up for Tiny Heads: Schwinn Classic Bike Helmet
This Schwinn Classic Bike Helmet is another top helmet that even young toddlers with tiny heads can wear. It's lightweight and has an easy-turn dial for easy adjustments to ensure a secure fit. It also has full-coverage padding inside and lots of cooling vents for added comfort when worn.
Additionally, this helmet has a dual-shell design for maximum durability and offers extra coverage in the rear. It even features an integrated visor to shield your kid’s eyes from the sun. Plus, your baby can choose from different adorable space designs.
Specifications:
- Sizes: Infant (44-50 cm), Toddler (48-52 cm)
- MIPS: No
Tips in Choosing the Best Bike Helmet for Your Toddler
To finalize your helmet option, you must know what to check and ensure. Here are some things and tips you should consider and follow:
Check the Buckle Type
It’s common for toddlers to be wiggly, which can be hard to deal with when wearing a helmet. That’s why it’s important to have a buckle system that is easy to buckle and unbuckle.
Although there are helmets with traditional buckles, some are still easy to use, so check the reviews first to make sure. Also, you don’t want a buckle that may pinch your toddler’s neck. One solution to avoid that is to get a helmet with a magnetic bucket type.
Measure Before You Buy
The helmet’s size is an important factor, and you need to check the specifications when buying. To get the right size, measure your kid’s head using a soft tape measure. Remember, if a helmet doesn’t fit properly, it can’t protect your baby properly. Measure the circumference of their head and choose a helmet that fits that measurement.
Go For Extended Coverage or Visors
Kids can crash and fall when riding a bike, and it’s common for their face to land first. To avoid that, look for a good and extended rear head coverage or visor helmet. This will save your toddler’s face from hitting the ground as they crash and fall. It can even offer protection from the sunlight.
Look for Good Ventilation
Your kid’s head can easily get hot with their helmet on. This is especially true if their helmet doesn’t have cooling vents. So, make sure the helmet you’re buying has plenty of vent holes for good airflow. They also make the helmet more comfortable to use for longer periods.
Check Versatility
Your toddler will probably want to try other activities besides biking. To avoid buying multiple helmets, make sure that the bike helmet is certified and designed for that purpose. This means that if your kid will probably use it for skateboarding and roller skating, make sure it’s certified safe for them.
Conclusion
The right bike helmets for kids fit in the head circumference properly and offer many safety features. Rest assured that the top picks listed above fall into this. Still, for an easier choosing process, measure your toddler’s head size and the helmet's design. Get a toddler bike helmet that your kid can wear securely and proudly.
For more biking and related products, you can visit our bike collection. We offer quality helmets, bikes, and more for a safe and enjoyable experience for your kid!
