The Best Baby and Toddler Bike Helmets for 2026

We have tested over 70 toddler bike helmets firsthand to bring you this list. From bike trailers and child bike seats to balance bikes and first pedal bikes, our pack of little testers has logged countless miles across every helmet on this page.

We know toddlers can be particular about what goes on their head, and building the helmet habit early matters. Every helmet on this list was chosen for protection, fit, and comfort — because a helmet a toddler refuses to wear does not protect anyone.

Our Favorite Bike Helmets for Toddlers

Most helmets on this list are CPSC certified for ages 1+, which means they offer additional coverage along the back of the head compared to helmets certified for older kids. All picks are sized for head circumferences up to 50cm. [Not sure how to measure? Jump to our measuring guide below.]

If your toddler or preschooler has a head circumference over 50cm, they may have outgrown toddler sizing. Visit our Best Kids Bike Helmets article for helmets sized up to 57cm and beyond.

Additional Recommendations

1. woom READY, $89 – Best Overall (46-57cm)
2. Kali Chakra Child, $40 – Quality budget for taller heads (44-50cm)
3. Joovy Noodle, $35 – Budget option for larger/wider heads (47-52cm)
4. Schwinn Classic – $35 – Budget option for tiny heads (44-50cm)

Specialty Helmets

1. Thousand Jr., $60 – Dual Certified for Biking and Skateboarding (49-53cm)
2. Smith Sidekick Jr., $95 – MTB style with MIPS protection (48-52cm)
3. Ozmo Sidekick, $99 – The ONLY kids helmet certified for ebikes (44-53cm)
4. Unit 1 Sparky, $120 – Large LED Flashing light for high visibility, Smart Chip ID (49-53cm)

Baby Bike Helmets (9 to 18 months)

Babies should not be on a bike, whether in a trailer or a seat, until at least 9 months, and only with pediatrician approval. Young babies don’t have the neck strength to support both their head and the added weight of a helmet.

Any of the helmets above are suitable for babies 9 months and older, as long as the helmet fits correctly. Measure your child’s head circumference around the widest part, just above the eyebrows, and buy based on that number, not age.

Helmets with a wider fit range give you more growing room but tend to be bulkier. Helmets with a narrower fit range are often more compact and lighter, which is better suited for young babies, but your child will outgrow them sooner. For babies on the younger end of this range, lighter and more compact is usually worth the shorter lifespan.

SAFETY TIP: When choosing a helmet for your baby or toddler, stick with trusted brands. Many “no-name” helmets sold online may look safe but often lack proper certification and have been recalled for failing safety standards. For peace of mind, check our Recall List to stay informed about unsafe helmets.

How to Measure a Child’s Head for a Bike Helmet

Never assume size based on age or manufacturer suggestions. Baby and toddler head sizes vary widely, so always measure first.

Wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of their head, just above the eyebrows. Buy a helmet whose size range includes that measurement. In the example shown in the picture below, the child measures 51cm, so you would look for a helmet with a size range that includes 51cm, such as 49-53cm.

While a helmet with a 50-57cm range would technically fit this child, a narrower 49-53cm range is a much better choice at this age. A narrower range means a more compact, lighter helmet that is easier to get a precise, secure fit on younger, wigglier kids. The trade-off is that you will likely need to replace it within a year or two as their head grows, but the better fit is worth it.

Also don’t get hung up on the age label of the helmet if it has one. If your toddler or preschooler has a larger head, they may need a helmet labeled for older kids or even a small adult size. A helmet labeled “CPSC 5+” is completely acceptable for a 2-year-old if it fits correctly. Fit is what matters most.

TODDLER BIKE HELMETS MINI-REVIEWS

What We Love About the Scamp

Built with high-quality, in-mold construction, a dial-adjust system, and optional MIPS technology (to help minimize impacts at sharp angles), the Scamp has an impressive resume. MIPS helmets can be expensive, but the added brain safety technology offers parents additional peace of mind.

Throughout the years, 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 well-suited for trailer or bike seat use, in addition to bikes. It also now features a cool ratcheting buckle that makes accidentally pinching the neck skin near to impossible.

The recently updated Giro Scamp II offers a bit more coverage on the sides and back of the helmet, but is still one of the shallower toddler bike helmets on the market. So if your toddler has a taller head, the Scamp may not be a good fit.

What We Love About the Retrospec Scout

The Retrospec Scout delivers impressive value for a budget-friendly kids’ helmet. Available in a wide range of fun colors and in two sizes, Toddler (45–49 cm) and Kids (50–53 cm), there are a lot of options to find a great helmet for your little one.

Unlike many helmets in its price range, the Scout includes a reliable rear dial adjuster and sealed athletic-style padding that stays comfortable while helping wick sweat away on warm rides. With 14 vents, it also provides generous airflow to keep little heads cool.

The only caveat is fit: the Scout runs narrower than other entry-level helmets like the Joovy Noodle. If your child has a rounder or wider head shape, it may not be the best match. Otherwise, the Scout is a standout pick for safety, comfort, and affordability.

What We Love About the Thousand Jr. Toddler

While this Thousand Jr. toddler helmet looks similar to its big brother Thousand Jr. kids helmet (49 – 53 cm), there are a few significant differences that make it particularly suited for the youngest of riders in a biking family.

First, it’s sized smaller to provide a best fit for 1 – 3 year olds with average sized heads. Second, it is significantly lighter – just 220 grams vs. 390 grams, which will be much easier for a young toddler’s neck strength to manage.

And third, a huge part of what makes this helmet lighter is that it has in-mold construction vs. the skateboard hardshell styling. This causes the toddler helmet to look a bit more babyish compared to the larger kids version, but it makes sense for the young riders it’s intended for. It’s also not dual-certified for skateboard use.

Overall, the quality is fantastic and if you’re looking for a slightly cheaper alternative to the Giro Scamp (no MIPS), the Thousand Jr. Toddler helmet is an excellent option.

What We Love About the woom READY

The woom READY helmet stands out for its exceptional fit and ease of use, making it one of the best kids’ helmets we’ve ever tested. Unlike many helmets that require constant adjusting, the READY’s carefully designed shape naturally contours to a child’s head, minimizing movement and maximizing protection.

The fixed ear straps eliminate one of the most frustrating fit issues parents face, while its unique magnetic buckle allows kids to fasten and unfasten the helmet with ease—no pinched skin or tricky clasps. The extended coverage, especially around the back and sides, ensures the helmet stays properly positioned, offering superior protection without constant readjustments.

Beyond fit, the woom READY excels in comfort and durability. The 12 large air vents and internal air channels keep kids cool, while the lightweight EPP foam visor provides added face protection without adding bulk.

Unlike traditional foam, the EPP material resists dents and bounces back after compression, keeping the helmet looking newer for longer. Plus, the optional LED light is a great addition for increased visibility. From its smart safety features to its hassle-free design, the woom READY truly makes helmet-wearing easier for both kids and parents.

What We Love About the Chakra Child

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! 

The XS Kali Chakra is the smallest bike helmets we’ve found. While our highly-recommended Giro Scamp fits heads as small as 45 cm, the XS Kali is smaller, more narrow, and fits heads about 44 cm.

Compared to the Retrospec Scout, the Kali Chakra is also a bit taller, so it may be a better fit for kids with taller heads.

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.

What We Love About the 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!

What We Love About the Schwinn

The Schwinn Infant and Schwinn Toddler bike helmets come in several super fun designs. While the quality is very 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 with any cheap helmet, adjusting it for a proper fit can be challenging. The side straps on these Schwinn helmets 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.

SPECIALTY BIKE HELMETS MINI-REVIEWS

What We Love About the Thousand Kids Jr.

If safety and style are equally important to you, the Thousand Jr. helmet is a perfect match — and these adorable little head buckets come in a range of fun colors and styles. And speaking of matching… Thousand offers matching kids bike bells as well as adult helmets with the same styling. Matchy matchy all around!

As an added bonus, this is one of very few toddler helmets that is dual-certified for biking and skateboarding and one of the very few dual-certified helmets with an integrated visor for a little shade on sunny days. Note that the durable construction does make it heavier than most competitors, so it may not be the best choice for kids hesitant to wear helmets.

What We Love About the Smith Sidekick Jr.

The Smith Sidekick Jr. MIPS brings real MTB style to the smallest riders. A large visor keeps the sun out of their eyes, generous air vents keep little heads cool, and the MIPS safety system gives parents peace of mind on every adventure — whether your grom is cruising on a balance bike or riding along on a ShotGun seat.

The Sidekick’s internal fit system is a standout, and a big reason it rises above the competition. The rear dial adjust and 360° cage system wraps snugly around the back of the head, and the cage can be shifted vertically to ensure the dial rests comfortably on the occipital bone. This level of adjustability is rare at any price point — and especially valuable for toddlers, who are notorious for having wildly different head shapes. A helmet that can truly dial in the fit means a safer, more comfortable ride and fewer battles getting it on their head.

What We Love About the Ozmo Sidekick

The Ozmo Sidekick stands out as the only NTA-8776-certified eBike helmet designed specifically for kids, offering an extra layer of protection for toddlers riding at higher speeds on the back of their parents’ eBikes.

With its thicker shell, extended coverage, and built-in MIPS technology, it provides more impact protection than a standard CPSC-certified helmet. If you regularly ride an eBike with your child, the Sidekick is one of the safest helmet options available.

Beyond its high safety standards, the Ozmo Sidekick also includes kid-friendly features that make it both comfortable and easy to use. The adjustable rear dial, locking ear straps, and star-shaped adjustment knob help ensure a secure fit, while thoughtful extras like damage defense shock absorbers, a built-in visor, and ventilation channels enhance durability and comfort.

While it is heavier than a standard toddler helmet due to its added protection, it remains a top choice for families prioritizing safety on eBikes.

Why We Love the Unit 1 Sparky

If keeping your child visible is a top priority, the Unit 1 Sparky stands out from the crowd. With a large LED panel on the back offering 45 different color and pattern combinations, this helmet turns heads while helping your child stay safe. During our test rides, kids had fun switching between light settings, while parents appreciated the added peace of mind provided by the increase in visibility.

Another feature that sets the Sparky further apart is its built in Safety ID tag. If scanned with a smartphone, this tag displays emergency contact details, a thoughtful addition in case of an accident or if the helmet gets misplaced.

To top it off, the Sparky offers optional silicone accessories that add playful and fun styling for kids, making safety feel more like play than obligation.

What to Look for in a Toddler Bike Helmet

For a more detailed discussion about how to choose and fit the perfect bike helmet, 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, who have some unique needs from older children.

CPSC Certification: 1+ vs. 5+

All bike helmets sold in the US must have CPSC certification that tests for safety. When shopping for a bike helmet for young toddlers, you’ll come across two types of CPSC certification:

• Bicycle Helmets for Persons Age 1 and Older (Extended Head Coverage)
• Bicycle Helmets for Persons Age 5 and Older

The key difference? CPSC 1+ helmets provide additional coverage at the back of the head to better protect younger children’s developing neck muscles.

Since this certification is designed for toddlers, CPSC 1+ helmets are only available in smaller sizes. For example:

• The Thousand Jr. Toddler helmet (45-49 cm) is CPSC 1+ certified.
• The woom READY helmet is CPSC 1+ certified in XS (45-49 cm) and S (49-53 cm) but CPSC 5+ certified in M (53-57 cm).

If your child is under five but has a head circumference larger than 53 cm (which is quite common), you may need to buy a CPSC 5+ helmet instead. This is perfectly safe, and you should not hesitate to do so.

If you want extended coverage in a larger size, the woom READY helmet in size M (CPSC 5+) offers more rear and side protection than most standard CPSC 5+ helmets, making it a great alternative.

Flat Back – Best for riding in trailers or seats

If you’re looking for a bike helmet so you can take your little one 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 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 fidgeting toddler is wearing the helmet.

Built-In Visor

Kids of any age can crash on a bike, but we’ve found that toddlers on balance bikes tend to crash the most. And these crashes are often face plants.

Built-in visors have saved our kids’ faces on several occasions as they help prevent a child’s nose and mouth from hitting the ground.

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 pinched your child’s neck skin with a helmet buckle? It’s awful!

Higher-end helmets now feature magnetic or ratcheting “pinch-free” buckles that decrease 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 toddler bike helmets that offer MIPS technology. While MIPS can be pretty expensive, the Giro Scamp II is our favorite, smallest 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 helmet 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

The 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!