Table of Contents

7 Best Toddler Helmets for Safety & Comfort (2025 Reviews)

Kingsley and Aurora playing
By
Updated on

We want our children to love their helmet as much as they love the activity that requires a helmet. Your little one should always have a properly fitted helmet when participating in any type of bike riding, skateboarding, or scootering.

Unfortunately, many children (and adults) are opposed to helmets because they simply aren’t the right fit, style, and/or an uncomfortable hassle.

Our goal is to help you overcome this obstacle so your child will happily wear their helmet to keep their head fully protected. Find our top 7 recommendations below!

Best Helmets for Toddlers

  • 1. Schwinn Bike Helmet

    (Best value — $)

    Why it’s great: If you’re looking for an affordable helmet, this is one that should excite your child with its cute designs! On those hot days, this helmet will keep their head cool and comfortable thanks to the six vent ventilation system. You won’t have to worry about the hassle of trying to properly place and adjust this helmet as everything is easily adjustable. Choose from the adorable options of a jungle design, pink elephant, or purple polka dots!

    Keep in mind: This helmet is great for up to age 3 as it is geared towards young toddlers wanting a helmet with a fun design.

    Good for: Toddlers needing extra ventilation to keep cool.

    Schwinn Bike Helmet

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Radio Flyer Helmet

    (Best style — $$)

    Why it’s great: This classic, sleek, and stylish helmet is a must have for toddlers wanting to ride in style. It’s a fun pick if your little one has a Radio Flyer Tricycle or bike to match. If your tot doesn’t mind a bold solid color, this helmet offers a stylish way to explore outside! Radio Flyer is known for its high-quality products.

    Keep in mind: While this one doesn’t come with extra chin padding, the chin strap is easily adjustable for a secure fit.

    Good for: Toddlers who love to ride safely in style.

    Radio Flyer Helmet

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Giro Scamp Helmet

    (Best all around — $$$)

    Why it’s great: This one is a great option if you’re looking for something that is ponytail compatible! It also comes with a built-in visor and pinch guard buckle to ease any anxiety that comes with the possibility of chin pinching. It’s easy to carry and pack in a bag due to its lightweight design. The bold colors are all great options and can help you to spot your kiddo out of the crowd!

    Keep in mind: While the straps are easily adjustable, they are a bit on the thicker side.

    Good for: Toddlers needing a high-quality, ponytail compatible helmet.

    Giro Scamp Helmet

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. Nutcase, Little Nutty Helmet

    (Best chin protection — $$$)

    Why it’s great: This helmet comes with a super cool magnetic chin buckle! It features MIPS, (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) adding an extra layer of safety and protection. It’s designed to grow with your little one, so everything is adjustable, removable, and can even be washed on those especially sweaty days. There are more than 10 awesome designs and patterns to choose from!

    Keep in mind: This helmet offers a magnetic chin clip making it easier and quicker to snap into place for active toddlers ready to have some fun but the straps might take a minute to properly adjust.

    Good for: Toddlers needing a helmet that offers great all-around comfort.

    Nutcase, Little Nutty Helmet

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 5. Glaf Helmet

    (Best for multiple outdoor sports — $$)

    Why it’s great: This is a great helmet if your little one participates in multiple sports either indoors or outdoors. The extra vents help to reduce sweat and keep your toddler cool even through the most intense activities. The foam inside of the helmet will help absorb external pressure further reducing the risk of injury! You won’t have to worry about the helmet being too loose or too tight as the straps are super soft for a comfy and secure fit.

    Keep in mind: This one can take a bit of effort to properly adjust the straps to get a secure fit.

    Good for: Active toddlers participating in multiple outdoor sports and activities.

    Glaf Helmet

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • Asher And LyricOn An Important Side Note… Asher and I (pictured) feel it’s necessary to highlight the value of life insurance for parents with young kids. After extensive research, we discovered that parents can get insured for as little as $10 per month. We use Ladder Life who offers coverage up to $3M per parent (without a medical exam, just a few health questions) and you can apply 100% online.

    Get a quote in less than 30 seconds at LadderLife.com ➜

  • 6. Wipeout Dry Erase Kids Helmet

    (Most creative — $$)

    Why it’s great: This helmet is a wonderful choice if you have an artsy kiddo! Creativity meets safety with this customizable, hard-shell helmet. It comes with 5 non-toxic dry-erase markers and a cool stencil kit with various shapes. Your toddler can erase and draw new pictures or patterns as many times as they would like. The creativity with this helmet is endless!

    Keep in mind: It does take a little extra effort to completely clean old drawings depending on how long they’ve been on the helmet.

    Good for: Toddlers eager to express and wear their creativity.

    Wipeout Dry Erase Kids Helmet

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. XJD Toddler Helmet

    (Best for indoors or outdoors — $$)

    Why it’s great: This one is a great choice if your toddler participates in indoor and outdoor sports. It comes with a detachable visor that offers shade from the sun and protection from the rain. One of the cool features about this helmet is that fresh air is carried inward and warm air outward, so your little one will enjoy the cool breeze no matter how active they are!

    Keep in mind: If your toddler prefers characters or more intricate designs, this helmet only offers bright, solid colors.

    Good for: Toddlers needing a lightweight helmet for both indoor and outdoor sports.

    XJD Toddler Helmet

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

Schwinn Bike Helmet

The Schwinn Bike Helmet is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..

Schwinn Bike Helmet

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about Helmets

  • 1. Why are helmets important?

    Helmets are designed to help prevent injuries to the head. Good helmets are lightweight, provide better ventilation, and have adequate padding to give your child a comfortable and safe fit.

  • 2. How do I measure my child’s head circumference?

    To ensure a proper fit, use a soft tape measure and measure the circumference of the head 1 inch above the eyebrows and just above the ears. If the measurement falls between two sizes, choose the smaller size for a more snug fit. A cycling cap or thermal beanie can be worn under a helmet if the fit is slightly large.

  • 3. What is MIPS?

    MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It is a low friction layer that allows relative motion between the helmet and the head in all directions to reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain in the event of an impact.

  • 4. Will a MIPS-equipped helmet protect my child from a concussion?

    According to the CDC, there is no concussion-proof helmet, however, a MIPS-equipped helmet can offer protection against a serious brain or head injury and reduce the risk of a concussion.

  • 5. What does EPS Foam do?

    EPS or Expanded Polystyrene provides enhanced protection by absorbing and dissipating most of the energy caused by the impact according to The Insulation Company of America.

  • 6. How do I choose the right helmet?

    A) Ensure that you have a proper fit. A poorly fitted helmet can compromise protection and cause discomfort. When a helmet is not the proper fit and isn’t correctly adjusted, it can fall over the eyes or not properly protect the head the way the helmet was designed.

    B) Consider the riding style. While any style of helmet can offer protection, the right style helmet will offer benefits in addition to protection that will make the ride more enjoyable while keeping the head safe.
    Some helmets are meant for only bicycling while others provide protection for multiple sports!

Conclusion

Think of helmets like a car seat – so many options but picking the right style and fit for your child to optimize safety is imperative.

Helmets can be stylish, creative, and fun while keeping your little ones safe! After doing a bit of research of your own, consider a few options that you would like to share with your child and have them help pick out a helmet they would enjoy wearing.

Be sure to consider helmet features if your child needs something specific. Some common features include ponytail compatibility, high-quality ventilation, visor-equipped, easily removable parts, magnetic chin clips, full face protection, dry-erasable, and more!

Have an age-appropriate talk about the importance of wearing a helmet with your little one and don’t forget to model proper helmet wearing for them!