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Best Kids Bike Helmet - Kids Gear Guide

The Best Kids Bike Helmet

Add commentJanuary 5, 2019
Written by Staff Writer

Are you thinking about getting your child their first set of wheels? Perhaps a balance bike, pedal bike, or even a scooter? Then bike safety should be a top priority! One of the essential pieces of safety equipment for children of all ages is a bicycle helmet. 

A proper fitting kid’s bike helmet can reduce the risk of head trauma by as much as 85% and the risk of severe brain injuries by close to 90%. Children who don’t wear bicycle helmets, or wear ill-fitting ones, are twice as likely to sustain head injuries. Keep in mind that the best way to convince your child to wear his helmet is to wear one yourself. Almost all kids who don’t wear their helmets have parents who don’t either.

Remember, not only their head needs protecting. While helmets are a crucial aspect of safety gear, parents should not overlook bike gloves or knee and elbow pads.

Top Pick
Schwinn Classic Design Kids Bike Helmet

Schwinn has designed this classical helmet for your newborn to 3 year old. It has a lower molded shell which improves the durability of the design and adds extra protection to the rear of the helmet.

Check Price

How to properly fit a bike helmet

  • Take the measurement just above the ears, at the largest part of the head. The smallest setting on the helmet should not be larger than your child’s head, as a helmet that is too big won’t give the needed protection. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller to measure the helmet for you or look the hat size up online. If you buy a kiddie’s bicycle helmet at a brick-and-mortar store, take your child with you to ensure a proper fit.
  • You should align the front of the helmet just above your child’s eyebrows – where you measured their head circumference. If the helmet tilts backward to where you can see a large portion of their forehead, then the helmet is either too large or needs to be tightened. A proper fit is when your child can shake and roll their head without the helmet shifting.
  • The helmet should fit flush against the head from all sides.
  • It should not move over an inch in any direction when pushed or pulled. When buckled, it should be impossible to pull the helmet off.
  • The helmet should cover the forehead, leaving about one or two fingers above the eyebrows.
  • When tightening the chin strap, the left buckle should be under the chin, with only one finger fitting between the strap and chin.

A Word from an Expert

According to Dr. Kyran Quinlan, division director and associate professor of general pediatrics at Rush University Medical Center:

“Helmets are designed to prevent severe head injuries like skull fractures and severe traumatic brain injuries. One thing they don’t do is prevent concussions. Bike helmets are required to comply with mandatory safety standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Helmets designed for other activities have different safety standards, but kids can still wear a bike helmet on a scooter, skateboard, or roller skating.

Start them young and create a habit by requiring your child to wear a helmet even when starting on a tricycle. Lastly, always remember that they’re watching your example – so you’ve got to wear one, too.”

Our Selection of Kids Bike Helmets

1. Schwinn Classic Design Kids Bike Helmet

Schwinn Classic Design Kids Bike Helmet
  • Recommended age:
    0 – 3 years
  • Use:
    Cycling
  • Size:
    44 – 50cm

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Are you looking for a helmet for your infant for those family cycles? Well, you’re in luck. Schwinn has designed this classical helmet for your newborn to 3 year old. It comes in a variety of colors ad patterns, making safety fun for your little one.

This helmet has an integrated visor that helps keep the sun out of your little one’s eyes. Included in the design is Schwinn’s 360-degree comfort with dial fit adjustability and full-range padding to optimize the comfort and fit for your kid.

The helmet has an ultra-lightweight vented design to keep your child’s head cool on those hot summer days. It has a lower molded shell which improves the durability of the design and adds extra protection to the rear of the helmet.

Schwinn states that this helmet is a universal fit. But some reviewers have stated the sizing and straps can be loose-fitting, which causes the helmet to slip forwards onto your child’s face.

Reasons to Buy the Schwinn Classic Design Kids Bike Helmet

  • Dial-adjustable fit system
  • An integrated visor
  • Ultra-lightweight design

2. Raskullz Mohawk Toddler Kids Bike Helmet

Raskullz Mohawk Toddler Kids Bike Helmet
  • Recommended age:
    5+ years
  • Use:
    Cycling
  • Size:
    50 – 54cm

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Getting kids to wear their helmets consistently can be a real challenge. That’s where the Raskullz Mohawk kids’ bike helmet comes in handy! The Raskullz Mohawk kids’ bike helmet is not just a fashion accessory, though. 

The Raskullz is a part of the Bell brand of helmets, rated as one of the best helmets for kids. CPSC & ASTM Certified, the Mohawk features a shock-absorbing inner shell made of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene). The inner shell is further lined with soft cushion pads, providing extra protection and comfort.

The Raskullz helmet has a funky 3D Fin Hawk on top with lightning bolt printed graphics. The mohawk has five battery-powered LED lights that allow the mohawk to steadily shine bright or flash. Don’t worry about constantly having to constantly replace the batteries; the helmet has an auto-shut-off feature to help preserve and extend battery life. 

Ventilation holes line the top of the helmet, while adjustable straps offer a custom fit. The Mohawk helmet is available in two size options, one for kids aged between 3 and 5 years and another for 5 to 8-year-olds. Lastly, designed as a multi-sport helmet, you can use the Raskullz Mohawk kids helmet for bike riding, skateboarding, scootering, roller skating, or even with their hoverboard.

Reasons to Buy the Raskullz Mohawk Toddler Kids Bike Helmet

  • LED Fin Hawk
  • CPSC & ASTM certified
  • Multi-sport suitable

3. Razor V-17 Youth Multi-Sport Kids Bike Helmet

Razor V-17 Kids Bike Helmet
  • Recommended age:
    8 – 14 years
  • Use:
    Multi-Use
  • Size:
    54 – 58cm

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Another kid’s bike helmet deserving of a five-star rating is the V-17 Youth Multi-Sport Helmet from Razor. It complies with CPSC standards and offers superior quality with a modern design.

Hinted in its name, the Razor V-17 features 17 vents across the top and sides of the helmet, which provide excellent ventilation and comfort on those hot summer days. Inside the helmet there is ergonimic padding that ensures a comfortable fit. Razor has also included additional pads, allowing you to customize the fit for even more comfort and protection.

The chin strap is adjustable and provides secure and tailored fit. Razor has also gone with a side-releasing buckle. A helpful feature that makes securing, adjusting, and removing the helmet an absolute breeze.

The Razor V-17 Youth is excellent for both boys and girls. It’s available in a variety of six color choices for kids aged between 8 – 14 years. For kids aged between 5-8, there is the Razor V-17 Child version.

Reasons to Buy the Razor V-17 Youth Multi-Sport Kids Bike Helmet

  • Multi-sport
  • Additional sizing pads included
  • Side-release buckle

4. Bell Marvel Kids Bike Helmet

Bell Marvel Kids Bike Helmet
  • Recommended age:
    3 – 5 years
  • Use:
    Cycling
  • Size:
    48 – 52cm

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This kid’s bike helmet, made by the trusted helmet brand, Bell Helmet, comes with U.S. CPSC Safety Standard certification. It also complies with U.S. ASTM safety standards for multi-impact helmets too.

The Captain America print makes it ultra appealing to young Marvel fans. It’s available in nine different Marvel designs, with sizes to suit kids from the age of 3 years right up to 14 years. A few customers have reviewed that the product is very small, so if you’re considering purchasing this helmet. Consider sizing down. 

The helmet features a shock-absorbing EPS shell, with easy-to-adjust chin straps for a comfortable, secure fit. Cooling vents line the top of the helmet for further comfort and ventilation.

Reasons to Buy the Bell Marvel Kids Bike Helmet

  • Shock-absorbing EPS shell
  • Marvel-themed
  • CPSC Safety Standard certified

5. Schwinn Paw Patrol Toddler and Kids Bike Helmet

Schwinn Paw Patrol Toddler and Kids Bike Helmet
  • Recommended age:
    3 – 8 years
  • Use:
    Cycling
  • Size:
    48 – 54cm

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Another excellent kids’ bike helmet from Schwinn, this time with PAW Patrol graphics, making the helmet appealing to kids.The helmet features Schwinn’s 360° Comfort, with an adjustable dial at the back and full-range padding providing a secure, custom fit. Ten ventilation holes line the top of the helmet, perfect for those hot summer days.

The helmet is available in 2 size range options: 3-5 years or 5-8 years. The extended lower section of the shell provides more protection and added durability. Kids of this age group are perhaps the most prone to falls, so this feature is handy. Both size options are available in prints suitable for girls and boys.

Reasons to Buy the Schwinn Paw Patrol Kids Bike Helmet

  • Features Schwinn’s 360° Comfort
  • PAW Patrol
  • Adjustable size dial

Safety Tips

  • The more expensive kids’ bike helmets are not necessarily safer than cheaper helmets; the main differences are ventilation or added features, such as a 3D design on top of the helmet.
  • All helmets have to comply with basic safety standards, but be on the lookout for those with the Snell B90 standards from the United States, as these standards are stricter.
  • Bicycle helmets are not suitable for any other use other than riding a bicycle, such as skateboarding and skating use. Kids’ bike helmets are meant only to protect the head from one crash, by using a lighter foam that compresses during impact.
  • Don’t buy a more oversized helmet, thinking that the child grows into it. If you purchase a kids’ bike helmet online, you need to measure your child’s head to ensure that you have a rough indication of what size you will need. For a bicycle helmet to work correctly, it should fit properly. If does not, the helmet won’t absorb and distribute shock properly. Many kids’ bike helmets have a universal fit ring that is adjustable to fit the kid’s head, and others come with sizing pads to secure it better.

Note that for a bicycle helmet, you’ll need to replace your helmet after a major accident, whereas they designed skateboarding helmets to handle multiple crashes. Although skateboarding helmets can take numerous hits without compressing, don’t buy one of those for cycling, thinking that you will save money. This type of foam can only handle shorter falls, making it unsuitable for bicycles. If you want a helmet that you can use for different sports, go for a helmet that carries a Snell N-94 multi-purpose seal.

Features to Look for When Buying a Kids Bike Helmet

01

Selecting a Helmet Design

Have your child pick out their helmet. Manufacturers make helmets to be appealing to boys and girls, with designs including superheroes, cartoon characters, camouflage, dolls, princesses, and even sparkles. If a child loves his helmet, he would be proud to wear it, and you eliminate the battle of getting it on every time before a bike ride.

02

Helmet and Shell Construction

Look out for helmets featuring MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System). They designed the system to reduce impact and protect riders from a concussion.

Check for snags. Any fancy features such as an aerodynamic or square shape or even vents can catch onto things when the child takes a fall, something that you want to avoid at all costs. A basic, smooth, rounded model will work best.

Don’t buy the “aero” shape if you will be using a child seat on your bike. This design forces the child’s head downward, which is a bad, unnatural position and puts a strain on the neck.

03

Weight of the Helmet

Check the weight. Toddlers don’t have very strong neck muscles, so they can’t wear a heavy helmet. A too heavy helmet could put strain on their necks and spines. Rather than a larger, heavier helmet that may fit, buy a toddler design for young children.

04

Certification

When buying a kid’s bike helmet, look for one that is CPSC-certified. The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) is a government organization that certifies bike helmets for safety based on a specific set of standards.

Check for stickers that carry the safety standards, including the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), ANSI (American National Standards Institute), and Snell marks, ensuring this helmet design has been tested to ensure safe use.

05

Adjustability

To provide the best fit, look for a helmet with an internal adjustment system. Since every child has a different head shape, added with the fact that kids grow like weeds, having an internal adjustment system will mean that the helmet can offer a custom, snug fit.

06

Straps

The straps and fastener on your child’s helmet should be strong and stable. Don’t buy a model that unbuckles too easily, as it might also unbuckle during a fall, defeating the helmet’s purpose. Wider straps are more comfortable, and helmets with a side-releasing buckle provide greater ease of use.

07

Foam

They line the inner part of the helmet with a shock-absorbent foam. Kids’ bike helmets have thicker padding than adults, as their heads are softer and more vulnerable. Some manufacturers also include additional foam inserts to provide a secure and snug fit.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve rounded up a few of the most frequently asked questions about kid’s bike helmets. Got a question we haven’t answered here? Leave a comment, and we will get back to you!

How often should you replace your kids bike helmet?

Like car seats, you need to replace your kids’ bike helmets after a crash, when it no longer fits correctly and when suggested by the manufacturer.
If you haven’t needed to replace the helmet for the reasons mentioned above, then a good rule of thumb is to replace helmets every three years. Added to the minor bumps and knocks sustained from general cycling, the foam inside the helmet also degrades over time because of the sun, heat, and sweat.

How to adjust bike helmets for kids?

First, adjust the dial at the back of the helmet to ensure a snug fit on the head. Next, you’ll adjust the side straps. The straps should form a “Y” shape on either side, with the “Y” meeting right below the ear. Finally, buckle the chin strap, ensuring that no more than one finger can fit between the strap and your child’s chin.

How do you know when a kid’s bike helmet is too small?

A kids’ bike helmet should provide complete coverage of the entire scalp area. If the helmet doesn’t come down enough and leaves areas of the scalp exposed, it is too small. If the helmet pinches, it is too small.

Conclusion

Buying the right helmet for your kid is just as important as purchasing the right bike. In the end, it is the child’s safety that is at stake. When shopping for kids’ bike helmets, the higher-priced ones with the extra features are not always better. You need to look at the helmet’s seals of safety, size, comfort, and a design that your kid will be proud to wear.

Top Pick
Schwinn Classic Design Kids Bike Helmet

Schwinn has designed this classical helmet for your newborn to 3 year old. It has a lower molded shell which improves the durability of the design and adds extra protection to the rear of the helmet.

Check Price
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