Riding a bike is a rite of passage for children, but with kids dying every year from head injuries sustained while bicycling, you have to pay attention to safety.
Showing your kids how to ride a bike is fun, but it’s also crucial to teach them the importance of wearing a helmet. Even the smallest rider must wear something suitable to protect their head.
Getting your child to wear a helmet isn’t always easy — my little one was quite reluctant at first. What helped me was finding a fun, vibrant helmet that felt cool to my child.
To help you, we’ve pinpointed seven of the best bike helmets for babies and toddlers.
- Bright colors and textures
- CPSC and ASTM certified
- Aerodynamic vents
- Cute girly designs
- Comfortable interior
- Protective exterior with visor
- Numerous color options
- Lightweight at 8.1 ounce
- Shock-absorbing
- Adorable theme
- Comfortable lower molded shell
- 360-degree interior padding
- Excellent first helmet for toddlers
- CPSC approved
- Chin strap pinch guard
- Features high-impact reflectors
- Includes pinch-free buckle
- Extended rear coverage
- Adorable teddy bear theme
- Safe and features extra padding
- For babies up to 3 years
The Best Bike Helmets for Babies & Toddlers of 2023
Here are seven of the best bike helmets for babies and toddlers.
1. Raskullz Toddler Dinosaur Helmet
Best 3D Design
A fun helmet for little boys gets a big boost if it includes dinosaurs or sharks, like our first example from Raskullz. It’s a helmet they will want to wear all the time, and it’s functional too. It’s made from a non-toxic thermoplastic rubber.
The helmet consists of a smooth expanded polystyrene shell, molded and shaped to resemble a dino head. It has a textured and scale-like appearance with big eyes, nostrils, and a mouth with teeth. On the inside, there are layers of shock-absorbing EPS to minimize injuries in a crash.
This helmet is light, weighing 0.8 pounds. Another fantastic feature is the adjustable strap— you can change it as your baby grows, with settings ranging between 50 to 54 centimeters.
Your tot will love to wear it — the interior padding is soft and comfy. Also incorporated are aerodynamic vents to keep little heads cool.
The helmet is not suitable for small babies. Raskullz recommends it for toddlers.
Pros
- Cool helmet with bright colors and textures.
- Lightweight.
- Width allows for adjustments.
- Aerodynamic vents.
Cons
- The sizing runs on the small side.
Product Specs
Recommended age group | Toddlers |
Adjustable width | Yes |
Color options | Yes |
Weight | 0.8 pounds |
2. Bern Kid's Nina Helmet
Most Practical
For sassy girls, we recommend this offering from Bern. It’s an adorable helmet, and offers multiple color choices ranging from navy to hot pink.
The Bern’s helmet is comfy as well as protective. It’s suited with a quick-adjust, hook-and-look stabilizing adjustment, ensuring the perfect fit. At the front, it features a visor that’s soft and flexible for sunny or rainy weather.
On the helmet’s interior sits a layer of polyester, which keeps moisture at bay. It’s removable and machine washable too.
For protection, Bern constructed it using the ZipMold method, injecting high-impact liquid foam into the interior. Then it’s fused using the lightweight PVC outer shell. It’s a low-profile fit, which is sturdy and provides full protection.
The helmet is also compatible with cold and warm weather liners, so your toddler can bike all year round.
Pros
- Cute girly designs.
- Comfortable interior.
- Protective exterior with visor.
- Adjustable width.
Cons
- The size runs big, so it’s not suitable for babies.
Product Specs
Recommended age group | Toddlers |
Adjustable width | Yes |
Color options | Yes |
Weight | 11.4 ounces |
3. TurboSke CPSC Certified Adjustable Bike Helmet
Best Bike Helmet for Toddlers
For young and old toddlers, this helmet from TurboSke is excellent. It’s a CPSC certified helmet, suited with a lower molded shell as well as shock-absorbing padding. It provides full protection, even for the smallest user.
It comes in two sizes depending on the head circumference that ranges from 18.8 inches to 21.3 inches. For babies and toddlers, size S measuring 18.8 to 20.5 inches is recommended. On top, it includes 14 air vents with removable inner padding to absorb shocks upon impact and extra sweat.
It’s fully adjustable to accommodate a growing head. Around the chin sits a strap that’s also adjustable to ensure a secure fit.
Your little one will appreciate the comfy fit. Moreover, TurboSke ensures one year warranty.
Pros
- Cute designs for both girls and boys.
- 14 air vents for a comfy fit.
- Adjustable head width.
- One year warranty.
Cons
- There’s a tendency for strap to slip
Product Specs
Recommended age group | Toddlers |
Adjustable width | Yes |
Color options | Yes |
Weight | 8.1 ounces |
4. Schwinn Infant Jungle Helmet
Best Bike Helmet for Babies Nine Months and Up
The infant bike helmet by Schwinn is cute and highly protective. It features a 360-degree interior padding, optimizing comfort and safety.
We love the look of this helmet. It’s decked out in a jungle-inspired theme with adorable animals, trees, rivers, and vibrant colors.
It consists of a lower molded shell, which provides additional protection. The back is flat, enabling your baby to wear it in a bike trailer comfortably.
Although it’s advertised as 100 percent adjustable for small heads, it measures 17.32 to 19.29 inches. It’s not suitable for tiny infants. The recommended age range is between nine to 18 months.
Pros
- Adorable theme with bright colors.
- Comfortable lower molded shell.
- Features 360-degree interior padding.
- Constructed with a flat back for use in bike trailers.
Cons
- There are some misunderstandings concerning the size — it’s not suitable for babies under nine months.
- The straps don’t stay in place well.
Product Specs
Recommended age group | 9 to 18 months |
Adjustable width | Yes |
Color options | No |
Weight | 10.4 ounces |
5. Joovy Extra Small or Small Noodle Helmet
Best Helmet for the First Bike
For your toddler’s first balance or training wheel bike, they need a helmet that looks cool and keeps them safe. The Noodle is an excellent starter. It’s available in six colors, suitable for boys and girls.
It comes in two sizes — small and medium. For toddlers, small is recommended, measuring between 18.5 to 20.5 inches. The helmet is for any activity, be it biking, or riding in trailers, scooters, or trikes.
Joovy’s Noodle meets the CPSC standards for helmets. It’s constructed with a large visor to provide frontal protection. There’s an adjustable nylon strap running under the chin to keep it secured and it’s also suited with a chin strap pinch guard.
Your toddler will love the “grown-up” appearance. It features 14 air vents, similar to a big-kid helmet. Each of the 14 vents include bug mesh.
Pros
- Excellent first helmet for toddlers.
- CPSC approved.
- A little grown-up-ish in appearance.
- Features a chin strap pinch guard.
Cons
- The sizes run small.
- The straps are quite long — requires a lot of adjusting.
Product Specs
Recommended age group | 1 to 4 years |
Adjustable width | Yes |
Color options | Yes |
Weight | 0.5 pounds |
6. Bell Blue Scribbles Zoomer Bike Helmet
Best Baby and Toddler Bike Helmet Design
If you’re searching for a colorful bike helmet that will please your toddler, then look no further. Bell’s Toddler Zoomer Bike Helmet is fantastic.
It’s available in several colors and prints, with lots of options for both girls and boys. Some of our favorites are the blue pony, red jump house flowers, and orange tiger.
The Bell helmet will ensure your toddler stays safe. It features high-impact reflectors, making sure they remain visible at all times. On top of the headgear are seven air vents to keep their head cool while cruising along.
It is fully adjustable — ranging between 18.9 to 20.5 inches. It’s not suitable for small babies — the manufacturer recommends the ages of 3 to 5.
Under the chin sits a pinch-free buckle, enhanced with a pinch guard. The back features extended coverage to keep the head protected at the neck as well.
Pros
- Vibrant colors and lots of options for boys and girls.
- Features high-impact reflectors.
- The size is adjustable.
- It includes a pinch-free buckle and extended rear coverage.
Cons
- Others find the helmets’ sizes run small.
Product Specs
Recommended age group | 3 to 5 years |
Adjustable width | Yes |
Color options | Yes |
Weight | N/A |
7. Schwinn 3D Teddy Bear Helmet for Infants
Cutest Baby Bike Helmet
What’s a better theme for a baby and toddler bike than a cute, cuddly teddy bear? Nothing — it’s suitable for girls and boys, keeping them visible and safe.
It’s so adorable on babies and toddlers — the teddy has button eyes and a friendly nose and mouth. The two big ears are the perfect finish, giving it a three-dimensional look.
The teddy bear is more than just cute — it’s an innovative helmet, featuring top-notch safety components. It’s CPSC approved, suited with impact-absorbing foam and a 360-degree dial fit gauge at the back.
The bear’s ears function as extra padding in case of a crash. If your toddler falls, the ears will collapse into the helmet, increasing the cushioning. There are also several vents at the top for warm days.
This helmet is recommended for use on baby heads ranging from 6 months to 3 years. Its size ranges from 17.50 to 19.75 inches.
Pros
- Adorable teddy bear theme.
- Safe and features extra padding.
- Suitable for small babies up to 3 years.
Cons
- Some of the teddy bear seems a little flimsy — not as durable as it should be.
Product Specs
Recommended age group | 0 to 3 years |
Adjustable width | Yes |
Color options | No |
Weight | 9.1 ounces |
Product | Best | Recommended age group | Color options | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Raskullz Dinosaur Toddler | 3D Design | Toddlers | Yes | 0.8 lbs |
Bern Nina Helmet | Practical | Toddlers | Yes | 11.4 oz |
TurboSke CPS Certified | For Toddlers | Toddlers | Yes | 8.1 oz |
Schwinn Infant Jungle Helmet | For 9 Months and Up | 9 – 18 months | No | 10.4 oz |
Joovy Noodle Helmet | For the First Bike | 1 – 4 years | Yes | 0.5 lbs |
Bell Zoomer | Helmet Design | 3 – 5 years | Yes | N/A |
Schwinn 3D Teddy Bear | Cutest | 0 – 3 years | No | 9.1 oz |
How to Choose a Baby Bike Helmet
Sizing a Helmet for Babies and Toddlers
1. Measure the Head
Get a soft measuring tape and note the circumference of your baby’s head. Look for matching numbers when searching through helmets.
Keep In Mind
2. Verify the Size
Once you have the helmet, make sure it fits snugly around the head (1). Let your toddler sit or stand as straight as possible with the helmet on top of their head. Then grab it and try gently moving it from side to side — if it moves, it’s too big.
Before you return it, try sizing pads. Some helmets include these, and they can help to fill in the last millimeters.
3. Position
While your baby is wearing the helmet, ensure that it sits low on the forehead. You can measure this by fitting two fingers between the helmet and eyebrows.
4. Shape of Side Straps
The side straps should create a “Y” shape, meeting just below the ear. It’s easier to adjust these when your child isn’t wearing the helmet.
Alter them by tightening the strap adjuster as close to the earlobe as possible. This will prevent slipping.
5. Chin Strap and Buckle
When placing the helmet on the child’s head, start by buckling the chin straps. Then tighten them until they fit snugly. Try to fit one finger between the band and the chin — if more than one fits, it’s too loose.
Ride Safe
Having the best baby or toddler bike helmet is imperative. It will reduce the chances of severe head injuries in the event of a crash. They should even wear one while riding in the bike trailer.
Finding the right fit is essential — having a helmet that’s too big won’t do much to protect. Ensure it sits snugly around the head and that you can fit no more than the width of two fingers between the helmet and eyebrows.
If you’re looking for the best helmet for older children, we have a guide for that too.