It’s a widely accepted truth among experts and parents alike: children should wear a helmet every single time they ride a bike. Finding a helmet that your child not only wears but enjoys wearing is a worthwhile endeavor. The good news is that children’s bike helmet technology has advanced significantly, offering more comfortable, safer, and even stylish options than ever before.
Modern Childrens Bike Helmets often incorporate rotational impact protection technology, such as the Mips system, for enhanced safety. Crucially, all helmets sold in the US must meet the rigorous safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These standards include specific requirements for toddler helmets (ages 1 to 4) and kids helmets (age 5 and older), ensuring appropriate protection for different age groups.
To help you navigate the choices, we’ve rigorously tested 13 different helmets in various sizes with children aged 2 to 7. Our testing has led us to recommend the Giro Tremor Child Helmet as the best overall helmet for most kids, and the Giro Scamp II Helmet as the top choice for toddlers.
Regardless of the specific childrens bike helmet you choose, achieving a perfect fit is paramount for safety and comfort. Below, we provide essential tips on how to ensure your child’s helmet fits correctly.
Top Picks for Children’s Bike Helmets
Best Overall
Giro Tremor Child Helmet
The Best Kids Bike Helmet for General Use
The Giro Tremor Child Helmet stands out as an exceptional choice, offering breathability and high-quality construction. Its universal size is designed to comfortably fit a broad range of head circumferences, simplifying the selection process. While the color options are limited to four solid shades, the helmet’s performance and safety features are top-notch.
Buying Options
$55 from Amazon
$55 from Giro
Giro Tremor Mips Child Helmet
Enhanced Safety with Mips Technology in a Kids Helmet
For parents prioritizing an extra layer of safety, the Giro Tremor Mips Child Helmet is the same excellent model as our top pick but includes a Mips liner. This addition provides enhanced rotational impact protection, potentially reducing the risk of rotational injuries in the event of a crash.
Buying Options
$70 from Amazon
Buy from Backcountry May be out of stock
Best Budget Pick
Joovy Noodle Kids Toddler Bike Helmet S-M
A Comfortable and Affordable Childrens Bike Helmet Option
The Joovy Noodle Kids Toddler Bike Helmet S-M offers a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing comfort and breathability. While it may not be as durable in the long run due to its exposed foam and less robust plastic shell, it still provides reliable protection and meets essential safety standards.
Buying Options
$35 from Amazon
$30 from Joovy May be out of stock
Best Toddler Helmet
Giro Scamp II Helmet XS
Top-Rated Toddler Bike Helmet for Safety and Comfort
For toddlers, the Giro Scamp II Helmet XS is our top recommendation after extensive testing of five toddler-specific models. Its design includes a flat back, making it particularly comfortable for children riding in trailers or bike seats. While adjustments can be slightly more intricate, the overall quality and safety are exceptional for young riders.
Buying Options
$55 from Amazon May be out of stock
$55 from Dick’s Sporting Goods
Giro Scamp Mips II Helmet XS
Toddler Helmet with Added Rotational Impact Protection
Similar to the Giro Tremor Mips, the Giro Scamp Mips II Helmet XS offers the same excellent design as the standard Scamp II but incorporates Mips technology. This provides toddlers with an added layer of rotational impact protection, enhancing safety for the youngest cyclists.
Buying Options
$75 from REI
$55 from Giro May be out of stock
How We Picked These Childrens Bike Helmets
Our selection process for the best childrens bike helmets involved focusing on several key features to ensure both safety and usability for young riders:
- Adjustability: A quality helmet should be easily adjustable to accommodate a child’s growth over several years. Simple adjustment mechanisms are crucial for achieving a secure and comfortable fit.
- Breathability: Effective ventilation is essential to keep children cool and comfortable while riding, especially during warmer weather. Well-placed vents promote airflow and prevent overheating.
- Colorful Designs: Making helmets appealing to children increases the likelihood they will want to wear them. Kid-friendly colors and designs can play a significant role in encouraging helmet use.
- Certified Safety: We exclusively tested helmets that are certified to meet the safety standards established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This certification guarantees that the helmets offer a minimum level of protection.
Giro Tremor Child Helmet
The Best Overall Kids Bike Helmet
The Giro Tremor Child Helmet excels as a top choice for children aged 5 and up. Its outstanding fit range (47–54 centimeters) is the most generous among the helmets we tested, and the user-friendly dial-adjust system allows for easy customization as your child grows. The fixed side straps simplify adjustments and are designed to fit comfortably on most children’s head shapes. Giro also offers free return shipping, providing peace of mind if the fixed straps are not suitable for your child.
The buckle is designed for easy operation by kids, and the included removable visor provides effective sun protection. The in-mold construction, which fuses the foam interior and plastic outer shell, enhances durability while maintaining a lightweight feel. Eighteen vents ensure excellent airflow, keeping children cool even on hot days.
Parents have the option to choose the Giro Tremor Mips version for approximately $15 more, which incorporates rotational impact protection technology. While our child testers didn’t notice a significant difference between the two models, some online reviews suggest that the Mips liner can occasionally snag hair.
Joovy Noodle Kids Toddler Bike Helmet S-M
Best Value Childrens Bike Helmet
The Joovy Noodle Kids Toddler Bike Helmet S-M provides a comfortable and lightweight experience comparable to our top pick, with particularly easy adjustability. Its affordability is notable, especially considering its thoughtful, kid-friendly features like a color-coded buckle and a high-quality internal pad.
The Joovy’s lower price point is likely attributed to its hardshell construction, where the solid foam helmet is attached to a thin plastic outer shell. While this may reduce long-term durability compared to in-mold construction, the helmet still meets the necessary CPSC impact safety standards.
The S-M size, which we recommend, meets CPSC safety standards for children aged 5 and up and offers a fit range of 52–56 centimeters. The XS-S size is also available and meets safety standards for toddlers aged 1 and up; however, its pointed back may be less comfortable for children in trailers or bike seats. (Note: Amazon lists the S-M as “Medium” and the XS-S as “Small.”)
Giro Scamp II Helmet XS
Top Pick for Toddler Bike Helmets
The Giro Scamp II Helmet matches the Giro Tremor in build quality, featuring in-mold construction and the option for Mips technology. Available in XS and S sizes, only the XS model meets CPSC safety standards for children aged 1 and up, making it our recommended toddler helmet.
The Giro Scamp II XS provides the extended rear coverage required for toddler helmets under CPSC guidelines. It is one of the shallower helmets we tested, making it ideal for children with smaller heads. With a fit range of 45–49 centimeters, it is particularly well-suited for the youngest riders. The flat back design also enhances comfort when toddlers are riding in bike trailers or seats.
This helmet includes kid-friendly features such as a pinch-proof ratcheting buckle and comes in vibrant, fun designs. Thirteen well-spaced vents provide effective cooling. However, adjusting the Giro Scamp II for a perfect fit can be slightly more challenging due to the placement of the dial-adjust knob and adjustable side straps.
Conclusion
Choosing the right childrens bike helmet is crucial for your child’s safety and enjoyment of cycling. The Giro Tremor Child Helmet offers the best overall combination of fit, comfort, and safety for older children, while the Giro Scamp II Helmet XS is the premier choice for toddlers. For budget-conscious families, the Joovy Noodle Kids Toddler Bike Helmet S-M provides a reliable and comfortable alternative. Always prioritize a proper fit and consider the Mips versions for enhanced rotational impact protection. Explore the buying options provided to find the best childrens bike helmet to keep your young rider safe on every adventure.
