I’m a mom of two kids who started wearing bike helmets before they could walk. Whether they were strapped into a bike trailer or a kids bike seat, perched on the back of a cargo bike, or riding solo on a balance bike or a pedal bike, the one common accessory was always a helmet.

After years spent fiddling with straps, searching for misplaced foam pads, and adjusting ponytails, I was thrilled to dive into the research of what makes a great kids bike helmet. I also wrote Wirecutter’s guide to the best first pedal bikes, and I understand that when it comes to kids and bikes, safety is the first priority. But having fun is a close second.

For this guide:

• I consulted with experts in child safety, consumer product safety, bicycle safety, and diversity in cycling. Any affiliations that experts have with companies mentioned in this article have been disclosed with transparency and accuracy.
• I tested 13 kids bike helmets with the help of seven neighborhood children (two of them are my own daughters) to assess helmets on their comfort, adjustability, and aesthetic appeal.
• I conducted extensive research on biking and bicycle-safety-related topics.
• Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.

If your kid rides a bike or a scooter (or accompanies an adult rider in a bike seat or trailer), this guide can help you find the best helmet for them. Helmets have been proven to significantly reduce the risks of traumatic brain injury, and your child should wear one every time they bike, full stop.

The general consensus is that children can safely start riding in bike trailers and seats attached to adult bikes at the age of 12 months, so we tested helmets certified for toddlers and younger kids (age 1 to 4) and models for kids age 5 and up.

Some kids with larger head circumferences do fine in adult helmets. But according to Lara McKenzie, principal investigator at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, “Kids are not just small adults—they have unique anatomy, and parts of their body are still developing, so it’s best to buy a helmet designed for their age group.”

The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that different activities require different types of helmets. For this guide, we researched and tested helmets that are certified for bicycling and scootering. If your kid skateboards or roller-blades, check out this guide from Two Wheeling Tots, which has helpful information about skate-specific helmets.

All bike helmets sold in the US must meet safety standards set by the CPSC. Since some helmets are designed to meet safety standards for toddlers (age 1 to 4) and others are intended for kids age 5 and up, I made sure to consider both kinds. Thaddeus Harrington, public affairs specialist at the CPSC, explained that “helmets for small children (under age 5) must cover a larger portion of the head than helmets for older persons.” Reviews published on Bicycling, Two Wheeling Tots, and Cycling News all provided helpful information.

Experts stress the importance of trying on helmets in person, so I also visited local bike shops and big-box stores to scan their offerings. “One of the most important things to consider is whether the helmet is something your child will wear,” said Dan Bassett, education director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. “While ratings and such are very important, making sure the helmet fits properly and is comfortable for your child should be the priority.”

Many higher-end helmets utilize rotational impact protection technology, which aims to further prevent concussions. The most well-known system is Mips. Mips makes liners that can redirect energy away from the brain and provide more protection in certain impacts. Other systems build added protection directly into the helmet foam.

Although the CPSC has yet to conduct its own testing on the effectiveness of such technology, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab (whose data we used for our guide to commuter helmets) found that 73 of its 75 top-rated helmets for adults had added rotational impact protection. So we tested several kids helmets with those technologies as well.

I also consulted with Kellie Hart, founder and president of RideWitUs in Los Angeles, who shared thoughts and advice on finding helmets that work for kids with natural hair. “Natural hair, in kids and adults, is something the African American community has struggled with for years when it comes to products that fit,” Hart told me. “As the founder of a Black-owned bike store, I hope to see someone tap into the market of creating a helmet co-designed for safety and natural hair.”

After exhaustive research, I settled on a list of qualities that a great kids bike helmet should have (in addition to meeting the required CPSC safety standards):

• Easy adjustability for a perfect fit: Rotating knobs are commonly used for tightening helmets, but some are easier to operate than others. Generous adjustability can help your child get that just-right fit and also accommodate different hairstyles and hair types.
• Good ventilation and a light weight: A heavy helmet that doesn’t offer enough airflow might leave your kid feeling hot and cranky. Our kid testers were most comfortable in helmets that weighed between 225 and 300 grams (roughly half a pound). The heaviest helmets we tested were over 600 grams.
• A simple, non-pinching buckle: While most helmets have a basic plastic buckle, some use magnets or ratchets, which can be more pinch-proof and easier for little hands to operate.
• A generous crash-replacement program: Bike helmets are only meant to withstand a single crash (even if they appear unscathed afterward), and some companies offer free or discounted helmets to replace your damaged one.
• Kid-friendly designs or colors: If your kid hates their helmet and rips it off once you’re out of sight, it offers zero protection. Find one that they’re willing to keep on, and it will be 100% more effective.

For obvious reasons, we didn’t subject our kids to crash tests, but we did a lot of trying on and adjusting, and we logged many hours of use with a total of 13 helmets.

Six of the helmets we chose to test feature rotational impact protection technology. Mips, KinetiCore, and WaveCel are different systems that aim to divert energy away from the brain upon impact. We tested helmets with all three versions.

We wrangled seven kids, between the ages of 2 and 7, to help us out. First we measured all of our testers’ heads, which ranged in size from 49–55 centimeters, and we used those numbers to confirm (or contradict) each helmet’s purported fit range. Then we examined the adjustment systems, including knobs, foam pads, and straps, and we evaluated how easy they were to operate and how well they accommodated various hairstyles or accessories (like glasses).

Our testers gave us passionate feedback about comfort and visual appeal (a particular parrot pattern was exceedingly popular). They also tried out the buckles, and they let us know which ones were kid-friendly and which required adult intervention.

Finally, we inspected various rotational impact protection systems, and we examined whether or not they affected a helmet’s general comfort level.

For most children age 5 and up, the Giro Tremor Child Helmet is our favorite helmet, along with the corresponding Mips version. This helmet is comfortable, durable, and highly adjustable, but we wish it came in more kid-friendly designs or colors.

It has hard-wearing, lightweight in-mold construction. The Giro Tremor’s foam interior and plastic outer shell are fused together; this increases the helmet’s durability while maintaining its light weight (the Tremor is 270 grams with Mips). Our budget pick, the Joovy Noodle, has a hardshell construction; this means the outer shell is essentially taped onto the foam interior, which makes it less durable.

It’s comfortable and adjustable. With a fit range of 7 centimeters and a rubber-coated adjustment dial, the Giro Tremor (which meets the CPSC safety standards for kids age 5 and up) works well for a wide range of kids. But the adjustment dial slowly creeps up into the helmet as you turn it, and this can be annoying when you have to turn it all the way for a smaller-size head.

None of our kid testers said this helmet was uncomfortable, unlike with some other helmets we tested, which they said felt tight and narrow. The classic side-release buckle on the Giro is not fancy or innovative, but it feels sturdy and well constructed. And the helmet’s high-quality moisture-wicking pads are comfortable and cooling.

The side straps are fixed. Adjusting the side straps of any helmet can be a real pain. It can take several tries to get that perfect V-shape under the ears, and sometimes when you tighten the chin strap, it throws the side straps out of alignment. The Giro Tremor solves this problem by fixing the side straps in place.

We like the simplification of this design, and we found that the chin-strap adjustment, plus the rear-adjustment dial, allowed us to achieve a good fit with a wide range of head sizes, though some online reviews say otherwise. While the fixed straps will likely work for most kids, they won’t work for all kids.

It has optional Mips. Giro makes two versions of the Tremor helmet: one with Mips and one without. Mips is a company that makes rotational impact protection technology with the same name. Mips stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, which uses plastic liners that can redirect energy and provide more protection in certain impacts.

Spending an additional $15 for added impact support may feel like a no-brainer for some parents. But online reviewers, and some of our own testers’ parents, found that the Mips liner can snag some kids’ hair, and that could make them less inclined to wear their helmet. Either way, we like that Giro offers two options, so parents can choose what’s right for their kid.

It’s got superior ventilation. The Giro Tremor has 18 vents along the front, sides, and back, making it the coolest (literally) of all our picks. The five vents in front are covered in netting to keep bugs out.

It comes with a removable visor. Deep enough to shield the sun and easy to click in and out of place, the visor can be helpful—but our testers seemed to prefer the way the helmet looked sans visor.

It’s easy to test out in person. Giro has a 30-day return policy, and it will pay for return shipping if you find that the Tremor isn’t the right helmet for your kid. Some bike shops, and stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, carry Giro kids helmets, so you may be able to try one on in person without purchasing it first.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It comes in only four colors. We wish the Giro Tremor came in more colors or featured playful designs, like some other helmets do.

Giro doesn’t have a strong crash-replacement policy. The website states that you may be eligible for a discounted helmet if the crash happens within one year of purchase, but it makes no guarantees. Other brands, like Lazer and Thousand, offer more-robust crash-replacement policies.

The Joovy Noodle Kids Toddler Bike Helmet S-M is the best of the less-expensive kids helmets we tested. It’s well ventilated and easily adjustable, but it’s less durable than other helmets.

It’s breathable and fairly lightweight. At 265 grams, the Joovy Noodle is almost as light as our top pick (the Giro Tremor weighs 253 grams). This weight difference is pretty negligible, but if your kid is petite, it may make a difference to them.

It has plenty of airflow, with 14 vents, but they’re concentrated toward the top of the helmet. The Giro Tremor’s 18 vents are spaced more evenly throughout the helmet, letting air flow to the sides and the back of the head.

It has thoughtful, kid-friendly details. Due to the dual-colored buckle (one black side and one red side), it’s easy to find and double-check that the helmet is properly fastened. And the interior pad system is one continuous piece, so it’s harder for kids to pull out or lose. The Joovy’s built-in visor offers decent sun protection and forehead coverage.

It’s easily adjustable, but it has a smaller fit range than our pick. The Joovy Noodle S-M, which is CPSC-certified for kids age 5 and up, has a fit range of only 4 centimeters (52–56 centimeters), compared with the Giro Tremor’s range of 7 centimeters. So it may not grow with your child for quite as long. But we found this helmet’s dial-adjustment knob was the easiest to operate among those of our picks—some knobs, especially the Giro Scamp II’s, creep upward into the rear of the helmet as you tighten them.

The side straps are also adjustable; they require more fiddling than the Giro Tremor’s fixed straps, but this can result in a more-precise fit.

It’s a better option than buying used. There are tons of cheap kids bike helmets out there, but the Joovy Noodle offers high quality for the price compared with others. “Because bike helmets are only designed to protect from a single impact, and you may not be able to see if a bike helmet is damaged or was in a crash, we recommend only purchasing new helmets,” explained Lara McKenzie of the Center for Injury Research and Policy. A new yet inexpensive bike helmet might be the best option for a budget-conscious parent.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It doesn’t have rotational impact support. Unlike our other picks, the Joovy Noodle doesn’t offer Mips or other rotational impact support. It still meets all of the CPSC’s safety standards.

It’s less durable. The Joovy Noodle features hardshell construction, which is inherently less durable than the in-mold construction of some helmets, like the Giro Tremor and the Giro Scamp II. During our testing, the Joovy Noodle’s outer plastic shell got a tiny crack just from being tossed in the back of a car. There’s also more exposed foam on the bottom and rear of the helmet, so it's vulnerable to minor dents and dings.

It’s important to note that less durable doesn’t mean less safe: “There is no guarantee that an in-molded helmet is safer than a cheaper model with a taped-on or glued-on shell. Both will be designed to the same impact standards,” Randy Swart, director of the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, writes on the website.

All of the inexpensive hardshell kids bike helmets we researched have similar durability issues. We think the Joovy Noodle’s excellent fit and adjustability, along with the high percentage of positive reviews online, make it a good budget option, despite its potentially shorter shelf life.

It doesn’t have a crash-replacement program or free returns. Joovy does not offer discounted helmets if your kid crashes while wearing theirs. Their two-year warranty covers manufacturing defects only. And if you need to return a Joovy helmet that you bought on the company’s website, it charges a 25% restocking fee, and you have to pay for shipping.

For our littlest riders, we looked for something that is durable, snug, and amenable to riding in bike trailers and seats. The Giro Scamp II Helmet XS (both the Mips and the non-Mips versions) meets all of those criteria, but it can be a little tricky to adjust.

It’s extremely durable. Like the Giro Tremor, the Scamp II has hard-wearing, in-mold construction. Since toddlers tend to get jostled in bike trailers and seats, it’s a good idea to put them in a helmet that can withstand lots of minor bumps. The Giro Scamp II is definitely sturdy enough to handle a few gentle knocks. (We’re not talking about crashes; even the most durable helmets are designed to be discarded after a single crash.)

It has optional Mips. Just like the Giro Tremor, the Giro Scamp II comes in a basic version and in a pricier, Mips version. Giro helmets are often available to try on at local bike shops and stores, including REI and Dick’s Sporting Goods, which could help with the decision-making process.

It’s great for small kids and small heads. The Giro Scamp II XS has a fit range of 45–49 centimeters; along with the Thousand Jr. Toddler Helmet, this was the smallest of any toddler helmet we tested. It’s also comfortably light (the Mips version weighs just 256 grams). So this helmet is a good choice for most babies, from age 1 and up, as well as for many preschoolers.

It is one of the shallower helmets we tried, though. And we found that the helmet perched on the heads of some testers who were at the upper limits of the fit range, and it didn’t provide enough coverage. If you have a preschooler with a larger head (think 50 centimeters and up), there are several other options that provide similar rear coverage with a more-generous fit.

Some toddler parents put their young children in the Giro Scamp II small (with or without Mips), which has a fit range of 49–53 centimeters. But since that size meets the CPSC safety requirements only for kids age 5 and up, we’re not recommending it for toddlers.

Its flat back works well with bike trailers and seats. Toddler helmets with more-pointed backs, like the Joovy Noodle, tend to push kids’ heads forward when they’re in bike seats or trailers with rigid backs. The Giro Scamp II has a flat back that allows them to sit more comfortably.

It comes in kid-friendly patterns. If you think that a fun, splashy pattern might help you win the battle of the helmet, the Giro Scamp II could be a great ally. (With the exception of the Lazer Pnut and Nutz helmets, most of the high-quality helmets we tested looked like miniature adult helmets.)

It has a unique buckle. The Giro Scamp II features a ratchet-style buckle that is one of the more pinch-proof versions we’ve tried.

It has a built-in visor and high-quality pads. Like the Joovy Noodle, the Giro Scamp II has a built-in visor that blocks sun and offers more forehead protection. But remember that the forehead protection is only there if the fit is correct. The helmet’s interior pads are moisture-wicking and soft, and that helps kids stay cool and comfortable.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s a little tricky to adjust. The dial-adjustment knob on the Giro Scamp II creeps up into the rear of the helmet while you tighten it, and this can be frustrating. We experienced the same small frustration with the Giro Tremor, yet we found that the Joovy Noodle’s dial-adjustment knob conveniently stays put.

The side straps above the ears also require some fiddling to get right, and they may need to be re-tightened more often than you’d prefer. We like that they’re individually sewn into the helmet above the ears, though, and we prefer them to the Lazer Pnut KinetiCore’s straps, which are connected and threaded through the rear of the helmet.

Giro doesn’t have a strong crash-replacement policy. Its website states that you may be eligible for a discounted helmet if the crash happens within one year of purchase, but it makes no guarantees. But Giro does have a 30-day return policy, and it will pay for return shipping if you find that the Scamp II isn’t the right helmet for your kid.

If you’re interested in alternative rotational impact support technology (and/or you want a helmet with spaceships or unicorns on it): Either the Lazer Nutz KinetiCore (for kids age 5 and up) or Lazer Pnut KinetiCore (for kids age 1 and up) could be a great option. KinetiCore has “crumple zones” built into the foam core of the helmet, and upon impact, they redirect energy away from the brain. Because there’s no added plastic liner, like Mips, it eliminates the hair-snagging problem. Three of Lazer’s adult helmets with KinetiCore (the Vento, the Strada, and the Jackal) have five-star ratings from Virginia Tech Helmet Lab (whose data we relied on for our guide to commuter helmets).

We also liked Lazer’s automatic adjustment system, which uses a piece of expanding and retracting plastic to loosen or tighten the internal plastic cage. It functions almost like a shower cap, and we found it to be surprisingly effective for several of our testers. But it won’t work for all kids. The Lazer Nutz KinetiCore has a stated fit range of 50–56 centimeters, but it seems to work best for kids in the range of 52–55 centimeters. The smaller Lazer Pnut KinetiCore, which has a stated fit range of 46–52 centimeters and meets the CPSC safety requirements for kids age 1 and up, could be a good choice for a toddler. Its shape is similar to that of the Giro Scamp II, with a flat back, and it would work well for a kid in a bike trailer or seat.

The side straps are more difficult to adjust because they’re made of one continuous strap that threads through the rear of the helmet. But we liked that the traditional side-release buckle is oriented to the side, rather than under the chin. Lazer’s kids helmets come in several fun patterns, but as of July 2024, many of them were back-ordered until later in the summer.

If you buy one of these helmets but it doesn’t work for your kid, Lazer will provide a free shipping label for returns made within 60 days of purchasing, and it won’t charge you a restocking fee. And if your kid crashes in a Lazer helmet within three years of purchase, the company will give you a 50% discount on a new helmet; this is one of the more generous crash-replacement policies we found for kids helmets.

If you want a skate-style helmet with fun patterns: Hornit helmets are beloved for their comfortable, skate-style fit and whimsical, kid-friendly designs. They’re not dual-certified to both bike and skateboard standards, so if your kid is an avid skateboarder, check out this guide by Two Wheeling Tots instead.

With its round, bucket-shape, the Hornit helmet is extra accommodating to various hairstyles, including natural hair. Its dial-adjust knob is easy to operate and serves a dual purpose as a rear LED light with three settings. It has 11 vents and a reasonably low weight of 420 grams (other skate-style helmets we tried weighed as much as 600 grams), so kids will stay relatively cool in this helmet.

The Hornit helmet comes in two sizes, small and medium. Although the small (48–53 centimeters) would work with many toddlers’ head circumferences, both sizes meet the CPSC safety standards for kids age 5 and up. Hornit is a UK-based company, and it can’t ship to Canada or to Iowa, Hawaii, and Kansas. This company doesn’t have a crash-replacement policy, but it does offer full refunds on returns made within 60 days of purchasing (though you’ll have to pay the shipping).

Experts agree that a proper fit is critical when it comes to helmet safety. A helmet that’s too big won’t provide meaningful impact protection. And one that’s too small will likely perch on top of your child’s head and be uncomfortable as well as ineffective. To ensure a good fit:

Measure your child’s head. With a flexible measuring tape, start measuring just above one ear. Wrap the tape measure around their head, passing an inch above the eyebrows in front, above the other ear, and around the widest part of the back of the head, keeping the tape measure level. When the tape meets itself, you’ve got your number. (Most companies use centimeters.)

Buy the right size. Once you have your child’s head circumference, you can determine which size helmet will work for them. If your kid’s head is on the cusp between sizes, opt for the bigger one, but make sure you can adjust it to fit snugly. “A properly fitted helmet will usually fit snug enough to move your eyebrows when you move it on your head, similar to a fitted baseball cap,” Laura Solis, community engagement manager at A Quick Brown Fox, told us.

Consider your child’s hairstyle. Some helmet-friendly styles that work for kids with natural hair are “a low ponytail on loc’d hair, plaits, cornrows, and flat twists on loose natural hair,” Solis said. “Low pigtails can work too. Think about how you’d style their hair if they were wearing a hat.”

Adjust the dial. Most kids bike helmets have dials in the back of the helmet to adjust the fit, so they can accommodate a range of head sizes. Some helmets use removable pads to allow for adjustment instead, but we didn’t test any of those because they’re known to be less effective and more tedious.

Then adjust the straps. After adjusting the dial in the rear, you’ll want to adjust the side and chin straps, too. The side straps should form a V-shape underneath your kid’s ears, and the chin strap, once buckled, should leave room for one or two fingers only. Some helmets have fixed side straps, and some have adjustable side straps.

Double-check the final fitting. Make sure that the helmet doesn’t rock forward or backward, or side to side. Your kid’s forehead should be mostly covered, with one to two finger widths between their eyebrows and the rim of the helmet.

The Thousand Jr. Kids Helmet and Thousand Jr. Toddler Helmet are the only dual-certified helmets (this means they’re suitable for biking and skateboarding) we tested. They have a sleek look, and Thousand offers the best crash-replacement policy of any brand we tested. But these helmets felt tight on most of our testers’ heads, and the leather straps on the Kids Helmet were awkward to adjust. Also, at around $60 each, they’re expensive, considering the fact that they don’t have rotational impact support technology.

We opted not to test the skate-style Nutcase Mips Little Nutty because it’s heavy and relatively expensive, and availability is limited. But it may be worth checking out, since it is dual-certified for skateboarding and bicycling, and it comes with a Mips liner.

We love Woom’s balance bike and pedal bike, but our testers didn’t find Woom’s helmets very comfortable. Plus, if you’re going to spend around $70 on a kids bike helmet, we think you might as well buy something with rotational impact support, like the Giro Tremor Mips.

We were excited to try the highly rated Bontrager Jet WaveCel, which features alternative rotational impact support technology and a convenient magnetic buckle that our testers liked. But Trek, which owns Bontrager, is phasing out its WaveCel kids helmets in favor of Mips helmets, like the Trek Solstice Mips Youth Helmet, which we haven’t tested as of July 2024.

The Schwinn Toddler Helmet is inexpensive and popular on Amazon, but many reviews complain that the Velcro that holds the insert in place is unstable.

We’ve seen lots of flashy Raskullz helmets cruising around the neighborhood, but we didn’t test them because they’re not adjustable and are known to fit poorly.

This article was edited by Alison Rochford and Kalee Thompson.