Our Picks for Best Bike Helmets for Kids

You want your kids’ heads to be as solidly protected as if they were visiting Mars. And they want their friends to think they look like they’re from Mars. Some helmet manufacturers get this, and have designed helmets that attempt to integrate those two at-odds philosophies, so parents and kids alike can be happy. We’ve assembled a few excellent choices below that meet this challenge well.

Great Padding

Clean-looking, lightweight and made of ABS and EPS, this multi-sport helmet covers all types of outdoor activities a family might undertake: cycling, mountain biking, BMX biking, skating and skateboarding, hiking, kayaking, even rock climbing. A crank dial in the back of the helmet allows adjustment to fit all size heads, and the chin straps are adjustable as well. Made of soft cloth, those straps will be kind to even the most sensitive skin, and its buckle snaps on and releases with ease. Comes in seven colors and three sizes.

Adjustable as the grow

Joovy developed this helmet line specifically for smaller kids who are particularly fussy when it comes to anything on their heads. It features 14 air vents with nifty bug mesh in the front holes, to avoid the wind-blown bite or sting. The visor extends, too, to shield harmful sun rays and act as a first defense against gnats, flies, or any worse flying insect. This is a well thought out design that offers big-boy protection without making your small child look like that astronaut headed to Mars.

Sleek racer design

Tested for crash resistance, Giro’s sharply crafted helmet is more than just a pretty dome. Lightweight and durable, air passes right through it thanks to 18 vents and Giro’s engineering. That includes the MIPS brain protection system, which uses high-quality foam to reduce energy and force, absorbing some of the impact of a fall or crash to spare the brain. With universal fit sizing, it’s an easy fit right out of the box, too.

Find them in a crowd

Don’t let the rad design throw you – this is a well constructed helmet with tons of safety features. It just looks like a kid designed it, which is why it is so popular. Recommended for kids 5-8 years old, this helmet complies with the U.S. CPSC Safety Standard and the U.S. ASTM Safety Standard for multi-impact skateboard helmets.

Sleek and sensible

This is the alternate wear for the maturing child who is no longer interested in toy-inspired graphics, or never was in the first place. Designed to mimic the bike helmets worn by adults, Besttravel’s lure is in its simple, standard design. The straps are also cloth rather than vinyl, allowing for hours of wear without chafing and scraping the skin on your child’s face. Lightweight (12.5 oz.), 11 vents to keep cool and comfortable, and a universal fit scheme offer safety and longevity.