Best Bike Helmets for Kids and Buying Guide

Not all biking kids around your neighborhood wear a helmet. And it’s possible they might ridicule your kiddo for wearing one for riding a bike out in the street. But as my hubby says, anyone who thinks wearing a bike helmet is foolish is plain stupid. Their brain must not be worth protecting.

I make my little ones wear a helmet every time they head out for a bike ride. Because I’ve seen enough pictures of splattered brains and even watched one or two incidents unfold where a helmet-less rider got seriously injured. But what are the best helmets for kids who are OK with protecting their little smart brain when out BMXing, road biking, or mountain biking?

Related: Best Recreation Mountain Bikes for Kids

In this post, I guide you through the buying process so you can buy the right kids’ biking helmet. I hope to help you pick out a toddler or youth bike helmet that looks nice, sits comf0rtably on the head, and fits the small noggin like a glove.

*This site participates in the Amazon Affiliates Program. As an associate, I may earn a small commission if you click the links in this post and order the products I recommend, but you won’t pay a cent more for buying via any of these links.

Best Kids’ bike helmet ever? The POC Crane with MIPS won hands down because it’s extremely versatile (works for commuting, BMX, MTB, road biking, roller skating, inline skating, and whatnot. Also, it’s pretty stylish (a skate-style choice), offers dual-certified head protection, lies comfortably on the head, and is MIPS-equipped.

What’s more, it’s sold in multiple hi-viz colors for greater safety on both trails and roads. But you’ll have to be ready to pay the price…it’s a little costlier than some, but it’s still pretty affordable.

Related: Best Kids’ BMX Bikes

What to Look for When Buying a Bike Helmet for a Kid

The helmet market is a vast ocean of confusion thanks to the dizzying number of kids’ biking helmet brands, styles, and colors available. Safety is the most critical thing when it comes to choosing a good bike helmet. Fortunately, ALL helmets sold in the US market meet the stringent requirements of the CPSC helmet safety standard.

But safety isn’t the only thing to consider. Style is a HUGE factor when buying a helmet for a youngster. Kids wants lids that look really nice. If they don’t like how the brain bucket looks, chances are that they’ll wear it less often. And you never know when a mishap occurs and the worst happens. Fit and size are also super important, actually super important. And of course you can’t buy what you can’t afford. Plus not all bike helmet brands appeal to everyone.

Below is a list of what you need to watch out for when out there shopping for a nice-looking, comfy, fitting youth or toddler bike helmet.

1.ALL Bike Helmets Sold in the US MUST Meet the CPSC Safety Standard

It’s safe to assume that any bike helmet offered for sale in the US consumer market complies with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s federal safety standard for bike helmets. But bike helmet recalls aren’t uncommon, and it’s important to check whether the lid you have your eyes on has been the subject of a CPSC helmet recall.

I bumped into this New York Post’s article when researching for this post. According to the article, the CPSC issued a recall on Sakar helmets in March 2022. Sakar mostly distributes its bike helmets via Walmart.

The CPSC admitted that no one had suffered head injury when using Sakar’s helmets. But the entity noted that the products hadn’t met its safety standards. The CPSC recommends that anyone who’d purchased one or more of the 89,000 units sold between July 2020 and January 2022 should immediately stop wearing the helmet and get a replacement from Sakar. I’m happy that Sakar’s been facilitating returns through prepaid postage packaging.

Check for These Safety Standards When Purchasing a Kid’s Bike Helmet

Here’s the thing: CPSC-approved bike helmets are safe, and a more expensive helmet isn’t safer than a cheaper one.  If buying a youth bike helmet for downhill MTB, check for the ASTM F1952 sticker. If purchasing a kid’s BMX racing helmet, watch out for the ASTM F2032. For cycling lids, check for the CPSC’s ASTM F1447 standard sticker.

What About Dual Certified Bike Helmets?

Some bike helmets are dual-certified, meaning they’re safe for skateboarding and bike riding. A dual-certified helmet comes with a really thick protective inner foam that absorbs impacts like a pro.

If your kiddo takes a major fall with this kind of helmet on their head, discard the helmet. Because bike helmet’s are really a single-use product. But if it’s dual-certified and your kiddo takes a minor fall while riding a skateboard, they can certainly continue using it.

Skateboard riders tend to take smaller falls more often, and the extremely thick foam inside of them can take several minor blows. Bike riders, on the other hand, tend to fall less often. But when they do, the impact is much bigger because bikes travel at a greater speed than skateboards. So NEVER ever let your kiddo wear a helmet after a fall off the bike.

Differences Between Bike Helmets and Skateboards

Bike helmets tend to have more vents and a more aerodynamic design compared to skate helmets. But skate helmets generally look more stylish and even more youthful. Another major difference between a skate helmet and a bike helmet is that skate helmets have denser foam and are designed for protection against many small impacts while bike helmets protect against one big crash.

Most skateboard helmets these days tend to also have passed the CPSC standard for bike use and your kid can use them for both activities. But a CPSC-only helmet isn’t safe for skateboarding because it lacks adequate protection for the lower part of the head’s back.

Marketers sometimes describe CPSC-certified helmets as multi-sport or dual-sport and some people assume these are safe for biking and skateboarding. But that’s not true. Multi-sport or dual sport usually means that the helmet is good for riding a bike and scooting/roller skating BUT it’s not safe for skateboarding because CPSC-certified helmets aren’t designed with the riding needs of skateboarders in mind.

If your kiddo crashes with a dual-certified helmet when biking, DISCARD the helmet and a new one for them. But if the little takes a light fall off a skateboard, you don’t need to throw it away.

What Will Your Child Use the Helmet for?

If they’ll do mostly downhill mountain biking or racing BMX, they’ll definitely need a full-face helmet. And if they intend to start road biking so they can participate in the Tour De France someday, get them a good cycling helmet. For riding a BMX bike out in the street and sidewalks, get them a half shell-style dual-certified skate helmet.

2.What About MIPS Kids’ Bike Helmets? Are They Better Than Non-Mips Options?

Bike brands over the years have been gravitating toward MIPS helmets, claiming these helmets are safer than their non-MIPS helmets. Proponents of the MIPS technology say that MIPS helmets provide superior head protection against different kinds of impacts, including angled impacts.

I learned from MIPS’ official website that most when riders hit their head, it’s almost always an angled impact. This angled impact causes rotational motion, and rotation energies can cause severe injuries to the brain. Theoretically speaking, this superior helmet technology helps prevent concussion.

I’ve seen research that said there’s no conclusive evidence that MIPS amounts to better brain protection or that it prevents concussion in any way. In fact, the MIPS website admits that no helmet offers complete protection during a crash.

But here’s a little fact that baffles me: many helmet companies today are still making non-MIPS helmets. Isn’t this like admitting they’re making less protective helmets? Why not just discontinue non-MIPS helmet models? I own non-MIPS and MIPS helmets.

While wearing a MIPS-equipped option inspires a sense of greater protection, I know for sure that even non-MIPS helmets do a great of protecting the brain. MIPS options are pricier than non-MIPS ones, and MIPS helmets tend to be heavier. I suspect companies like promoting MIPS helmets over non-MIPS one for commercial reasons mostly.

3. Size and Fit Matter Very Much

If a helmet has met all of mandatory the safety requirements but doesn’t fit properly, that’s not a good buy. If a helmet is too small that it barely goes over your LO’s little noggin, get something else. Because what’s the point of picking up a lid that’ll kill your kiddo’s head and cause pressure points?

And if the brain bucket is too big for your son or daughter that it pretty much floats on their melon, it won’t be there for them when their young developing brain needs it most. Impact will yank the helmet away, leaving the head unprotected and at a very high risk for severe head injuries. So, make sure to size your tyke’s bike helmet correctly.

The best way to size a kid’s bike helmet is to measure the circumference of their head and use the kid’s bike size chart for that model to calculate the correct size. Here’s what you need for this activity: a soft tape measure, the youngster you’re buying the bike helmet for, and a size chart for the model you’re wanting to buy.

Here’s how you measure a kid’s head for a bike helmet:

• Have the kid stand straight up.
• Grab a soft tape measure and pass it around the thickest portion of the head. If you don’t have a tape measure, use a string and a ruler.
• Access the size chart of the model you’re considering and see which size range would work best for your kid.

Fit the helmet on your kid’s head once it arrives. How does a good kid’s helmet fit? It shouldn’t move too much to the left, right, up, or down. The straps should lay completely flat on the soft skin and shouldn’t chafe it. The straps can be adjustable or fixed, and they should be able to hold the helmet onto the head at all times during use.

Choose a Helmet That Will Grow as Your Kiddo’s Head Does

Some helmets come with a rear size adjustment knob that enables you to dial in the perfect fit. I’ve learned that some fit adjustment dials have trouble keep things nice and tight and the wear must constantly work the dial to keep the helmet on the head.

Read kids’ bike helmet reviews on Amazon and other places to know how well this size adjustment feature works on the helmet you’re eyeing. I suggest that you pick a size-adjustable helmet so you won’t need to upgrade to a larger size every time your kid’s head grows, which is every day. Fortunately, the majority of youth size and toddler size bike helmets allow for size adjustment.

Some kids’ bicycling helmets (such as Triple 8 helmets) also come with fit pads. These are usually a set of thin and thick pads that help helmet fitment greatly. These pads should be made of a material that soaks up sweat well and should also be easy to clean.

4. Helmet Comfort: Get a Kid’s Bike Helmet That Breathes Well

The number of air vents a bike helmet has is a crucial consideration when buying. If buying a standard cycling helmet (a road bike helmet), choose an option with many vents. The only time fewer air vents are a good thing is when shopping for a highly aerodynamic racing helmet.

Kids’ mountain bike helmets typically don’t have as many vents as road bike helmets. The same goes for kids’ BMX racing helmets. That said, a MTB or BMX helmet that allows for impressive air circulation is better than one that traps in heat and sweat.

If your kiddo sweats a lot, get them something with lots of air vents. Also, pick an option with sweat pads. Triple 8’s SweatSaver pads are known for their ability to absorb sweat. However, sweat pads don’t make much of a difference if the helmet lacks proper ventilation.

Some helmets that come with standard buckles tend to pinch the child’s little neck. Fortunately, many options these days have a better quality, more comfortable buckle. These magnetic buckles are pinch-free and don’t pinch the neck during buckling or unbuckling.

Not surprisingly, children’s bike helmets that have these magnetic pinch-free buckles cost more than those with a standard buckle. But you’re a loving parent and I’m certain you’d be willing to pay a little more if the extra cost translated into a more comfortable kiddo’s helmet.

Weight Matters Too

If buying for a toddler, make sure to check the helmet’s weight. If the lid is too heavy, the toddler’s weak neck muscles will start protesting after some time. And there’s a decent chance you’ll really struggle to get the tyke to wear the helmet.

Teens and older kids may not notice the weight difference between helmets. But then their neck muscles are stronger and can support a bicycling helmet without tiring out too soon.

5. Helmet Shape versus Your Kiddo’s Head Shape

Helmet shape is another important consideration. If you buy a bike helmet with a more round shape when your kid’s head is more oval, it won’t be comfortable. Unfortunately, manufacturers don’t usually provide helmet shape information.

If you’re an American of Asian extraction, chances are that you have a rounder head. And it’s extremely hard to find bike helmets for rounder heads in the US. This is because American helmet companies make their helmets for mostly Caucasian riders whose heads are a different shape altogether.

According to Helmet dot Org, Lazer, Bontrager, (their Euro line), Smith, and Specialized make helmets that fit Asian heads (rounder heads) better. Unfortunately, these helmets are exclusively sold outside the US and your only option is to buy them in Japan or other Asian country and have them shipped over.

If you’re in the EU and have a rounder head, you may have a bit of luck with Bern, Bell (their Euro line), Cratoni, Kask, and Selev. And if you’re in the UK, you can have a company called HEXR make a custom-fitted bike helmet for your kiddo.

6. Visor or No Visor on a Kid’s Bike Helmet?

If it’s a road bike helmet, definitely no visor. And these helmets don’t typically have a visor. If it’s a mountain bike helmet visor, you want it to have a sun visor, preferably a built-in sun visor. A visor protects against sun glare as well as low-hanging tree branches.

For some reason, kid’s mountain bike helmets come with a removable visor instead of a screw-on visor. The trouble with a detachable visor is that it can cause cuts and other injuries to the wearer’s face during an accident.

Wondering which kid’s bike helmets have a built-in visor? I’m certain that the Joovy Noddle youth mountain bike helmet has non-detachable visor.

BTW, not all MTB sun and rain visors are safe. Get a helmet with an integrated shatterproof visor as these little components have been known to break into shards that hurt the rider’s face badly. The injuries are often minor, but who wants cuts on the face and deeply embedded shards that necessitate spending an hour on the operation table to get out?

7. Girls’ vs Boys’ Bike Helmets: Is There a Difference?

Girls and boys bike helmets are basically that kids’ helmets. There’s no difference whatsoever as far as design, comfort levels, or crash protection. Color and graphics are about the only distinguishing features between a helmet girls would love and one that boys would like.

Boys’ bike helmets tend to come in colors such as brown, yellow, green, blue In terms of patterns and graphics, girls seem to prefer leopard patterns and rainbow patterns while boys typically like super hero-themed patterns and graphics.

8. Brand and Pricing: Are Cheap Off-brand Helmets Good?

Price shouldn’t be the number one consideration when buying a bicycling helmet for a child. You should always prioritize fit and comfort first and worry about style, price, and everything else afterward.

But I’m not saying don’t look at the price. It’s just fit and comfort are more important. I’ve seen $30 kids’ bike helmets that fit better and felt more comfortable than some $100 options. As long as the helmet is comfortable, fits well, and complies with the US CPSC 1203 Standard for bike for kids aged 5 and above, buy it.

Expect to pay $30-$40 for budget toddler and youth bike helmets, $60 for mid-range options, and $100 for top-end choices. Teens and bigger kids may prefer more stylish adult-style bike helmets, but you’ll have to part with more money for most of these options.

I don’t recommend buying off-brand bike helmets at all. It’s been noted that some of the off-brand bike and skateboard helmets aren’t certified to the CPSC safety standard. Plus, do you really want to deal with a shady online company that no one’s ever heard of?

My advice is stick to well-known bicycle helmet brands such as Bell, Lazer, Triple Eight, Bontrager, Specialized, and others. These are brands that have been experimenting with helmet technology for ages and have built up tons of practical experience. They know that credibility is king and want to be on the right side of kids’ helmet reviews.

5 Best Kids’ Bike Helmets (for Toddlers, Older Kids, and Teens)

It’s time to see what the children’s bike helmet reviews below have in store for your kiddo. These recommendations fit well, allow for decent airflow, are comfortable, and above all highly protective. What’s more, these options are within the means of most parents.

Note: The listing below doesn’t follow any particular order.

1.Giro Scamp Youth Recreational Cycling Helmet

The Giro Scamp Helmet for Kids is available in two sizes, size Small (S) and Size Extra-Small (XS). XS fits 45-49 noggins while S fits 49-53cm heads.

Helmet fit issues are common in the biking world, but the Giro Scamp helmet for kids fits as advertised. Measure your kiddo’s head circumference at its thickest section, pick a matching helmet size, put it on the head, adjust the chin straps, and the helmet sits comfortably and securely on the head. Oh, and the buckle is anti-pinch, nothing like all those pinch-y lids out there kids hate.

If you still want to get a slightly snugger fit, turn to Giro’s ROC LOC JR FIT SYSTEM. This dial fit system features an easy-to-operate rubberized knob on the back. When you turn the dial, the tweak sticks vs. other helmets that need frequent adjustments.

It’s safe for bicycling since it’s CPSC-certified. Don’t let that tyke use it for riding a skateboard because it’s not a dual-certified helmet — it’s not ASTM F1492 certified.

It comes in a hi-viz color (blue splash) so you can spot your LO across the street or when they’re romping around at the skate park. The lid is also available in many other bright, kid-friendly colors and patterns, from pearl and matte screaming teal to matte lime and matte ano orange.

Another feature I appreciate about the Giro Scamp is the built-in sun visor. Few kids’ helmets come with an integrated visor, and a non-detachable visor generally works better than a removable one.

Giro fuses a polycarbonate outer shell with a certified impact-absorbing EPS liner to make a lightweight (1 pound) in-mold helmet. This helmet aerates reasonably well thanks to the 8 air vents included in the design. Plus, it’s a ponytail-friendly helmet design.

Note that this helmet isn’t a MIPS option. Forget what the product’s description says. So if you’re wanting to buy something that gives you more peace-of-mind when your LO is pushing the limits out in the street, choose something else.

2.Joovy Noodle Adjustable Multi-Sport Bike Helmet XS-S: Best Budget

The Joovy Noodle comes in two sizes, X-Small/Small (47-52cm) and Small/Medium (52-55cm). This works for toddlers and older kids up to around age 4.

Instead of wondering whether the Joovy Noodle will fit your 9-month-old, measure the head size to decide on the appropriate size for them.

It’s a budget pick, but it packs the same features found in pricier models. It is fit adjustable, features many air vents (14), it’s available in multiple easy-to-spot colors, and it offers a sun protection visor. It’s a kid’s helmet, but the material quality doesn’t feel any different than what the typical road bike helmet does.

BTW, this helmet’s sun visor is integrated, and this isn’t common with children’s biking helmets. I’ve seen many substantially pricier helmets that didn’t have an integrated visor or as many air vents. Even when the weather warms up a tad in the summer, you won’t notice much sweat on your child’s little noggin.

Like the Giro Scamp, the Joovy Noodle fully complies with the safety requirements of the US CPSC bike safety standard.

I noticed that the description on Amazon says it’s a multi-sport helmet. And I need you to know that this doesn’t mean it’s certified for all sorts of outdoor activities.

What multi-sport really means is that your kiddo can use the Joovy Noodle for riding a bike, roller skates, or a kick scooter. But your kiddo shouldn’t use the Joovy Noodle helmet for riding a skateboard around because it doesn’t meet the ASTM F1492 skate safety standard.

But even though the Joovy Noodle isn’t certified for skateboarding, it comes further down at the back than most cycling helmets.

At 15.2 ounces, the Joovy Noodle is slightly lighter than the Giro Scamp. This isn’t surprising when you consider that the Joovy Noodle offers 14 air vents versus 8 for Giro Scamp. But I doubt there’s a kid out there who’d notice any weight difference between a 1-pound helmet and a 0.95-pound helmet lol.

3.POC POCito Crane Kids Cycling Helmet (MPS): Best for BMX Dirt Jumping

The POC Crane MIPS Kids’ Helmet is a skate-style helmet, which means it looks more stylish than the typical cycling helmet. You won’t need to persistently pester your tyke into helmeting up before play.

Sizing? It’s available in size XS-S which fits 51-54cm heads. This isn’t for toddlers. It fits similar to Giro Scamps size Small for 49-53cm heads, but it could fit too big on smaller heads.  But at 1.33 pounds, it’s heavier than the Scamp and Joovy Noodle. I think MIPS accounts for the weight difference.

The description on Amazon was pretty sketchy and said nothing about this helmet’s protective abilities. But POC says it’s a MIPS helmet – it’s designed to offer protection against angular energies in addition to providing standard head protection. I believe being MIPS-equipped is why the POC Crane costs about 3 times the price of Joovy Noodle.

It’s a versatile helmet. Your kiddo can use it for riding on quiet mountain trails, riding a BMX bike on dusty city streets, or dirt jumping.

One key difference between the POC Crane and Joovy Noodle/Giro Scamp is that it features a really thick EPS liner. POC’s official website says the lid has “two densities of EPS…to…manage a wider range of impact forces…”

The literature further says that the high-density part of the EPS foam absorbs larger impacts while the low-density part protects against smaller impacts.

Well, the description doesn’t state clearly whether this POC Crane MIPS is certified for skateboarding. But it does say it’s a multi-impact helmet that also works for huge impacts. Doesn’t that sound like a skate-certified helmet that could also easily pass impact testing of the CPSC bike safety standard?

Cycling-only helmets are single-impact helmets and aren’t fit for skateboarding. But most skateboarding helmets are dual-certified, which means they have an extremely thick EPS foam liner (as does this helmet).

This foam liner can take several small impacts (like those skateboarders typically take) and one big impact (like what bike riders typically get once in a while).

The dial on the back helps your kiddo personalize the fit however they can. And the straps are well-made and easy to adjust.

It breathes, but not as well as regular cycling helmets, which surprises no one.

Finally, this lid is available in hi-viz colors such as fluorescent blue for active boys and fluorescent pink for adventurous girls.

4.BELL Sidetrack II (MIPS) Youth Bike Helmet: Best MTB Kids Helmet

If you have an older kid who likes riding through the woods in the neighborhood without company, get them the Bell Sidetrack II MIPS Youth Bike Helmet. It’s a real MTB helmet that provides lots of side coverage and back-of-the-head protection.

It’s available in at least 6 nice colors: gloss orange/yellow, gloss hi-viz red, gloss blue/green, buzz gloss light blue, stars gloss white (see image above), and matte black/black rubber. There’s a color for every kid.

In-mold construction binds its outer polycarbonate shell to the inner protective EPS liner, making it super sturdy. But even though the design features 14 air vents, it weighs 1.6 pounds. I suppose it’s heavier because it’s MIPS-equipped.

This lid could be too heavy for young kids. But it’s for older kids with stronger neck muscles to carry the extra weight, right?

The Bell Sidetrack II MIPS comes in three different sizes namely Universal Toddler (45cm-52cm), Universal Child (47cm-54cm), and Universal Youth (50-57cm). This means there’s a fitting size for pretty much any kid who can ride a mountain bike, anyone from toddlers to teens.

What you see in the picture above is a Universal Child size helmet. A small wheel on the back makes micro-adjusting for a better fit possible. No parent likes buying a new helmet every 3 months, you know. *Here’s a little secret: the fit adjustment dial doesn’t work great on toddler sizes because it’s not easy to access. Definitely a design flaw there.

The PinchGuard Buckle prevents chin pinching when the young rider’s wearing or taking the helmet off.

Then there’s the snap-in visor so your kiddo can ride without the sun blinding them. This visor’s nice depth makes it a more capable sun shade that provides greater protection against the sun and tree branches hanging over the trail.

But many parents prefer built-in MTB visors. This is a design improvement I’d like to see in future models.

Well, the price could be lower. But it’s a MIPS helpmet. I’ve seen many MIPS MTB helmets that cost more than that.

5.Schwinn Kids Bike Helmet Classic Design: Best for Toddlers

Weighing just 0.7 pounds, the Schwinn Kids’ Bike Helmet works great for toddlers. It looks like toddler’s kid because that’s what it is. It’s for tots in the 0-3 year range, which means infants and toddlers. This is what your ardent balance bike rider needs.

How well does the Schwinn Classic fit? The product description says the Schwinn Classic Kids’ Cycling Helmet fits 44cm-50cm heads (17.3″-19.6″). But I measured the circumference of this helmet with a flexible tape measure. And I’m telling you it’ll squeeze the hell out of any toddler head bigger than 20 inches.

Some parents had to return this helmet since it didn’t fit their 2-yo. I insist that you measure your toddler’s head circumference before ordering this lid even if they fall within this age range.

A small wheel on the back of the helmet turns to help you dial down the perfect size. And it’s easy to operate.

But while it’s a toddler helmet, the Classic Schwinn doesn’t look as infant-ish as the Schwinn Infant Teddy Bear Bike Helmet. It’s for tots who don’t want a helmet that reminds everyone they’re a tot and not the big gal or boy they’re trying to become every day.

What stands out about this toddler’s bike helmet is comfort. I won’t pretend I know what Schwinn’s 360˚ Comfort means, but I suspect it has something to do with how comfy this little head covering is. It’s so comfy that your toddler won’t want to take it off when going to bed!

It’s safe too, because it complies with the US CPSC Safety standard for bike helmets for riders aged 1 and above.  Please don’t let your kiddo put this helmet on their little melon when riding a skateboard —because it’s not tested to provide any amount of protection for that use case.

So,

Which is the Best Kid’s Helmet for Riding a Bike?

For Mountain biking, go with the Bell Side Track II MIPS because it breathes well, isn’t extremely heavy, fits well, and looks nice. For toddlers learning to learn a balance bike, pick the Schwinn Classic helmet for its looks, color options, fit, and positive reviews by parents.

For dirt jumping and all things BMX, the POC Crane Kids’ Bike Helmet With MIPS is a worthy choice. Its hi-viz colors helps you keep an eye on your tyke as they practice. And its MIPS brain protection system protects against rotational forces. Plus it’s adjustable for the best fit (all options I recommended offer fit adjustability).

And the best part? The POC Crane’s extremely versatile. It can be used for commuting (road cycling), mountain biking, roller skating, inline skating, BMX dirt jumping, and scooter riding. If I had to pick only one option, it’d be the POC Crane with MIPS for kids.