10 Best Bike Helmets for Babies & Toddlers

We’ve personally tested over 70 bike helmets to find the best toddler bike helmet and baby bike helmet. From rides in bike trailers to child bike seats and balance bikes, we’ve piled up the miles with our own pack of baby and toddler bike testers. Unlike other websites, we don’t just compile our lists via Google – we’ve actually used and tested each helmet!

We all know that toddlers and babies can be quite particular, especially about helmets! But getting in the habit of always putting a helmet on your baby or toddler could literally save your child’s life. As a result, we’ve made sure the helmets on our list are not only safe and offer a great fit, but are also comfortable.

Based on performance, quality of construction, and factoring in price, here are our top 10 baby and toddler bike helmets.

If you have a child with a large head, check out our Top 10 Bike Helmets for Kids.

10 Best Baby and Toddler Bike Helmets

Highlights of our Best Toddler Bike Helmets

Best All-Around

Giro Scamp

MSRP: $55 (without MIPS), $70 (with MIPS)

SIZE: XS (45 – 49 cm), S (49 – 53 cm)

FEATURES: Flat back for trailer or bike seat use, durable in-mold construction, dial-adjust fit, built-in visor, sealed sweat pads, and optional MIPS technology.

FULL REVIEW: Giro Scamp

Built with lightweight, in-mold construction, a dial-adjust system, and optional MIPS technology (to help minimize impacts at sharp angles), the Scamp has an impressive resume, making it one of our best bike helmets for toddlers or babies. MIPS helmets can be expensive, but the added safety technology offers parents additional peace of mind.

Through the years, all of our testers have loved wearing the Scamp because it’s so lightweight, comfortable, and less bulky than every other helmet. And with a flatter profile in the back, the Scamp is also well-suited for trailer or bike seat use, in addition to bikes.

Because the Giro Scamp is one of the smallest helmets on the market, it’s one of few true “baby bike helmets”.

Schwinn Infant

Best for Tiny Heads

MSRP: $25

SIZE: One Size (44 – 49 cm)

FEATURES: Flat back, CSPC 1+ certified, dial-adjust system

The Schwinn Infant is the smallest baby bike helmet we’ve found. While our highly-recommended Giro Scamp fits heads as small as 45 cm, the Schwinn Infant is smaller, more narrow, and fits heads about 44 cm.

While the quality isn’t the best and it’s not nearly as easy to adjust for a good fit as the Scamp, for about $25, it’s a fine little helmet for your baby. It also features a dial-adjust system which is fantastic for that price point.

Kali Chakra Child XS

Crash Replacement Guarantee

MSRP: $40

SIZE: Child XS (44 – 50 cm), Small (51 – 54 cm)

FEATURES: Light-weight, in-mold construction, dial-adjust fit, well ventilated, crash replacement guarantee

FULL REVIEW: Kali Chakra

With a compact, lightweight design, easy dial-adjust system, excellent ventilation, and a built-in visor, the Kali Chakra helmet is a kid and parent favorite. Ventilation on the child’s Chakra is superb – twenty-one large vents allow for excellent air flow. At 245 grams, it’s also one of the lightest-weight helmets we’ve tested! 

To top it off, all Kali helmets come with a crash replacement guarantee.  If a Kali helmet is damaged during a crash, Kali will swap out your damaged helmet for a new one.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON SIZING: The Kali Chakra Child comes in two sizes – XS and S. Through our testing we found the small sizing to be inaccurate. Although the small is labeled as 48 cm – 54 cm, it was too big for our testers with heads smaller than 51 cm.

Joovy Noodle

Best Bang for Your Buck

MSRP: $35

ONE SIZE: 47 – 52 cm

FEATURES: Dial-adjust fit, more stable fit on small heads, easier to get on and off, available in fun, bright colors

FULL REVIEW: Joovy Noodle

The Joovy Noodle was designed specifically with the youngest kids in mind. Its light weight makes it is easy for a toddler to wear and still be able to control their neck and head movements. With the chin straps threaded through the back dial-adjust, the Noodle is more stable on smaller heads, and the separated straps also make the helmet much easier to get on.

The dual color chin buckle (black on the left, red on the right) makes the buckle easier to spot and get on and off a moving toddler. And its internal pad system is incredibly high quality – one of the best we’ve seen!

While the Joovy Noodle MSRPs for $35, it can regularly be found on Amazon for $20-$25, which is an insane bang for your buck!

woom Kids Helmet

Exceptional Coverage

MSRP: $69

SIZE: XS 46 – 50 cm

FEATURES: No-twist side cords, magnetic buckle, rubber visor, extended coverage

FULL REVIEW: woom Kids Helmet

Just like their kids bikes, woom’s kids helmets are exceptionally designed, with attention paid to the smallest details. Here are seven reasons you’ll love a woom helmet:

1. Extended coverage for a better fit
2. Rubber visor for facial protection
3. Easy to grab dial adjust
4. Side strap cords that don’t have to be adjusted and most likely won’t get all twisted
5. Magnetic, pinch-free buckle
6. Great airflow
7. Super lightweight

Smith Wilder Jr. and Zip Jr.

Highly Adjustable Fit System

MSRP: $75

SIZE: Youth (48 – 52 cm)

FEATURES: MIPS comes standard, in-mold construction, highly-adjustable fit system, available with or without a visor, locking side straps, tons of ventilation

FULL REVIEW: Smith Wilder Jr. and Zip Jr. Youth Bike Helmets

New on the scene as of fall 2021, Smith’s debut into youth bike helmets is a BIG success. The Smith Wilder Jr. and Zip Jr. are smaller versions of Smith’s adult helmets. They boast the same exceptional quality, same super cool styling, and same highly-adjustable fit system.

Smith’s youth helmets run a little small, so if your child’s head is larger than 52 cm, check out the identical adult versions of these helmets in size small – the Smith Convoy or Smith Signal.

The Smith Wilder Jr. and Zip Jr. are identical helmets except that the Wilder comes with a visor, while the Zip doesn’t. It’s a purely stylistic choice! They also come in different colors, so that may sway your decision as well.

The standout feature of these kids helmets is the size adjustment system. It boasts two qualities that are usually only found on high-end adult helmets. The rear of the helmet has a plastic cage that cups the back of the head when the dial-adjust is tightened. This can produce a more snug fit.

Additionally, the dial adjust knob and cage can be shifted up or down so that the knob sits on the sweet spot on the back of the head for the most secure fit. Ideally, the knob should sit on the occipital bone for the best and most accurate fit. Most kids helmets cannot be adjusted to account for the unique position of that bone on your child’s unique head.

Nutcase Baby Nutty & Little Nutty

Best Skater-Style – Comes with MIPS!

MSRP: $60/$70

SIZE: Baby Nutty & Little Nutty (48 – 52 cm)

FEATURES: Flat back for use in trailers or bike seats, magnetic buckle, some of the funnest, funkiest designs around, CPSC 1+ certified (Baby Nutty), dual-certified for skateboard use (Little Nutty)

FULL REVIEW: Little Nutty and Baby Nutty

If you want the hippest little baby on the block, a skater-style helmet with fresh and funky designs is probably for you! Weighing in at 336 g, the Baby Nutty is significantly lighter than other skater helmets, partially because it’s not actually certified for skate use. But let’s be honest, your baby shouldn’t be on a skateboard anyways!

With extended coverage in the back, a newly upgraded dial-adjust fit system,  a pinch-free magnetic buckle, and a soft chin pad for added comfort, the Baby Nutty is a fun, quality, and comfy option.

The Little Nutty is very similar to Nutcase’s baby bike helmet but is wider on the sides, is a tad heavier, and is dual-certified for skateboard use. Between the Little and Baby Nutty, it can be a bit hard to decide since they are designed for the same 48 – 52 cm head circumference range.

If your toddler’s head is more narrow, try the Baby Nutty first. If it’s a little bit wider, try the Little Nutty. Either way, you might want to use the “try before you buy” option on Amazon.

NOTE: If you live in a hot climate, Nutcase helmets don’t have as many vents as other helmets and can get hotter and sweatier.

Thousand Jr.

Dual-certified, Fashion-forward

MSRP: $60

SIZE: 49 – 53 cm

FEATURES: Retro styling, dial-adjust fit, integrated visor, magnetic buckle

FULL REVIEW: Thousand Jr.

If safety and style are equally important to you, the Thousand Jr. helmet is your perfect match. And speaking of matching… Thousand offers matching kids bike bells as well as adult helmets with the same styling. Matchy matchy all around!

While the retro-cool vibe is certainly the standout feature of these adorable little head buckets, the Thousand Jr. is also one of the highest-quality toddler helmets you’ll find. With durable straps and a rugged outer shell, the Thousand Jr. is built to last the long-haul.

As an added bonus, this is one of very few toddler helmets that is dual-certified for biking and skateboarding. It’s also the only dual-certified helmet that we know of to feature an integrated visor for maximum facial protection in the event of a crash.

Strider ST R Child’s Full Face

Removable chin bar for 2-in-1 helmet

MSRP: $89

SIZE: Small (48-52 cm), Medium (52-58 cm)

FEATURES: Removable chin bar, dial-adjust fit system, long integrated visor to protect against face plants

FULL REVIEW: Strider Full Face Helmet

Are you concerned about your child face-planting at high speeds on their balance bike? If you’re looking to prevent a trip to the dentist for this reason, a toddler-friendly full-face helmet like the Strider ST R is an excellent choice.

This full face helmet has a removable chin bar so that the ST R can be used as a traditional bike helmet, or as a full face. It also has a long, integrated visor, which will further help prevent facial damage in the event of a bad crash.

For us, the biggest advantage of the Strider full face over a more traditional full face like the Bell Sanction is that this helmet is very lightweight and breezy. While traditional full face helmets are sturdier and better suited for true mountain bike riding, their heavy weight can be difficult for little ones to manage and can feel very hot against the face.

Honorable Mention Baby and Toddler Helmets

While the helmets below don’t make our Top 10 list, we’ve tested them with our own kids and can vouch for their usability.

Schwinn Toddler

Super Budget – Toddler

MSRP: $25

ONE SIZE: 48 – 52 cm

FEATURES: Dial-adjust system

Similar to the Schwinn Infant, but for bigger kids, the Schwinn Toddler bike helmet comes in several super fun designs. While the quality is basic compared to others on this list, it’s better than a helmet you’ll just pick up at Walmart.

We appreciate that there’s a dial-adjust tightening system, which is very hard to find at this price point. However, keep in mind that at this price point, adjusting a helmet for a proper fit can be challenging. The side straps on this Schwinn Toddler helmet are hard to get “just right”. You’ll need to be vigilant about making sure everything is adjusted properly.

We also found that this helmet is deeper than many other helmets, which is great for kids with taller heads. However, if your child has an average to short forehead, the helmet may sit too low on the head and interfere with their full range of vision.

Specialized Mio

Magnetic Buckle and MIPS!

MSRP: $60

SIZES: Toddler (46 – 51 cm)

FEATURES:  Dial-adjust fit, MIPS comes standard, magnetic buckle, in-mold construction, long built-in visor

FULL REVIEW: Specialized Mio MIPS Toddler Helmet Review

Coming standard with MIPS safety technology, the Specialized Mio is on the more expensive side for toddler bike helmets, but it’s one of the safest and one of the easiest to use.

Its dial adjust knob sits lower beneath the back of the helmet, making it easy to grab and adjust on a squirming toddler. The buckle is magnetic which can be such a parent bonus when your little one won’t stop moving as you’re trying to get that buckle secured! 

The built-in visor, which provides important facial protection in the event of a face plant, is a bit longer than other helmets. To top it off, the Mio has fixed plastic pieces connecting the ear and chin straps, so those often pesky strap sliders can never slide out of place!

Unfortunately, those plastic pieces can be problematic when your child is on the higher end of the head circumference range. More shallow than other helmets, those plastic pieces ended up sitting directly on top of several of our testers’ ears. Additionally, this helmet is a bit bulkier than the Giro Scamp.

Giro Tremor Child

Mountain Bike Styling

MSRP: $55

ONE SIZE: 47 – 54 cm

FEATURES: Dial-adjust fit, soft sport-material padding, in-mold construction, 18 vents, fixed V side straps for easier fit

FULL REVIEW: Giro Tremor

The lightweight Giro Tremor is now available in a smaller size! Designed to fit the smaller heads of baby shredders, the Giro Tremor Child has a 47 – 54 cm head circumference range, and is more narrow and a bit less bulky than its big brother.

With a size range that overlaps the Giro Scamp Small (49 – 53 cm), which one should you choose? Besides the obvious styling difference, the Tremor Child’s interior is slightly deeper and wider than the Scamp. If your child has a taller head or wider head, the Tremor Child would be a better choice. It’s available in several different boy, girl, and gender-neutral colors.

We’ve found the Tremor Child to be a bit bulky in the rear on petite kids with heads 50 cm and smaller. While its still safe to wear, if you’d like a less-bulky alternative with mountain bike styling, check out the Smith Wilder Jr. Additionally, the Tremor Child’s dial adjust knob is difficult to access to tighten against your child’s head.

Bell Sidetrack 2 Child

Honorable Mention

MSRP: $60

SIZE: Child (47 – 54 cm)

FEATURES: Ergo Fit dial-adjust system, in-mold construction, durable snap-in visor (removable), internal air channels and 15 vents.

FULL REVIEW: Bell Sidetrack 2

Styled like an adult mountain bike helmet, the Sidetrack is a sweet-looking safety accessory that’s packed with features for a very decent price. From extended coverage in the back for better protection, to a dial-adjust system with a full cage for a more precise fit, the Bell Sidetrack II is safe, comfortable, durable, and just plain cool for your toddler.

While we recommend the Child size, we do not recommend the smaller Toddler size. The dial adjust on the toddler helmet is almost impossible to grab and tighten based on how high it sits inside the helmet. The child size Sidetrack II is more difficult to grab than other helmets, but not has hard as the toddler Sidetrack II. This is the primary reason the Bell Sidetrack II didn’t make our Top 10.

Uvex Hero

Unique Buckle Design

MSRP: $49

ONE SIZE: 49 – 54 cm

FEATURES: Unique ratcheting, non-pinch buckle, durable in-mold construction, dial-adjust fit, fun designs

FULL REVIEW: Uvex Hero

From top to bottom, the Uvex Hero is exceptionally built for durability and performance, but its unique buckle system really makes it shine. 

Designed using a simple ratcheting system, the Uvex buckle slowly clicks together to prevent skin from accidentally getting caught.  With traditional buckles, the snapping of the buckle is very fast and can unexpectedly catch a child’s skin, which can be painful and upsetting for little ones.

Built for small heads, the Uvex offers a great fit for most toddlers, but is too shallow for kids with longer heads (taller foreheads).  For those who need a little extra depth, the Uvex Quatro Junior, the Hero’s big brother, is a great option that also features Uvex’s unique buckle.

Baby & Toddler Bike Helmets Comparison Chart

How to Choose the Best Bike Helmet for Your Baby or Toddler

For a more detailed discussion about how to choose and fit the perfect bike helmet for your baby or toddler, check out our post: Kids’ Bike Helmets: Sizes Guide and How to Choose. If you’re looking for something quick, here’s a short summary of the most important things to look for to find the best helmet for babies and toddlers.

Helmet Size – Measure before you buy!

Your cargo is precious, and if that helmet doesn’t fit, it can’t protect your baby! Baby helmets can especially be hard because there aren’t a ton of helmets that are small enough to fit small baby heads. The Giro Scamp and Schwinn Infant bike helmet are two of the smallest helmets on the market.

You can measure your child’s head with a soft tape measure, or we prefer to use the measurements provided by the pediatrician at our regular check-ups. Find a helmet with a size range (for example 45 – 50 cm) that your child’s head measurement falls into.

Whichever helmet you choose, just make sure that it’s a snug fit on your baby or toddler’s head. No biking activity you want to do is worth risking your child’s safety!

Weight – Lighter the better

The lighter the helmet the better. Babies and young toddlers have weaker neck muscles and it can be difficult for them to support the additional weight of a helmet if it’s too heavy. If you’re looking for a full face helmet for a toddler, they are extremely heavy. The Strider Full Face helmet is a good, lighter weight option.

Flat Back – Best for riding in trailers or seats

You’re most likely looking for a baby or toddler bike helmet so you can take them along for a bike ride in a trailer or child bike seat. Look for a helmet with a flat back so their head doesn’t get pushed forward as they lean back against the trailer or child bike seat.

Adjustability – Dial in a great fit

Adjusting a helmet for the right fit can be a serious pain for a baby or toddler. The best helmets have a dial-adjust on the back that allows you to tighten the inner portion of the helmet for a snug fit. But even the best dial-adjust systems can be a pain because they can be hard to turn while your toddler is wearing the helmet.

Buckle – Pinch free is best!

Most helmets come with standard buckles that can pinch a child’s neck when buckling or un-buckling. Have you ever seen a baby or toddler get their neck skin pinched?? You don’t want to!

Higher-end helmets now feature magnetic “pinch-free” buckles that prevent the possibility of getting neck skin stuck in the buckle. Of course this isn’t a must-have, but it’s a really nice nice-to-have!

MIPS – Multi-directional Impact Protection System

MIPS is a newer technology that adds an additional layer of safety to a helmet. Unfortunately, there are not many baby and toddler bike helmets that offer MIPS technology. While MIPS can be pretty expensive, the Giro Scamp is a very affordable option that does offer MIPS.

In a nutshell, MIPS is an inner plastic cage secured by small plastic anchors. If an impact occurs, this cage rotates with your child’s head to provide better multi-directional impact protection.

Some brands now offer MIPS-style technology of their own, like KinetiCore from Lazer.

 Related Toddler Bike Helmet Articles

Kids  Bike Helmet Sizes Guide: 6 Easy Steps to help you find and adjust a bike helmet

10 Best Kids’ Helmets: Need a bigger size? Try our list for Kids.

Fun Kids Bike Accessories and Protective Gear: A list of 22 fun accessories for your kid’s bike!