“[A] helmet is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from many recreational activities,” says safety expert Nadji Kirby, Senior Program Manager for Safe Kids Worldwide. Consider the difference between in-mold vs. hardshell, how to ensure a proper fit, and how to find the correct style for your child’s activity. Additionally, some helmets are constructed with a Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS), a low-friction layer of padding that slides in different directions to reduce the risk of rotational motion on impact (which can cause brain injuries). After speaking with safety experts, we carefully considered design, material, MIPS, fit, type of shell, activity, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best helmets for kids on the market. The magnetic sliding snap on the chin strap secures the helmet to your child’s head without the risk of pinching. With an Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) shell, a hard thermoplastic that is considered the best option for helmets, and Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS), this helmet offers full-coverage protection for your adventurous little one. Additionally, it includes a three-piece pad set that is designed to provide an individualized fit for comfort and safety. This helmet is Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) certified, so it’s safe for biking and skateboarding, and it’s available in a variety of fun prints and styles, all of which include 11 contoured air vents for air circulation. Price at time of publication: $70 Designed for bike riding, this helmet has 14 air vents to keep kids cool while cruising as well as an adjustable dial to help ensure the best fit possible. It also has plenty of padding, nylon straps, and a pinch guard chin strap. Price at time of publication: $35 This helmet is equipped with a no-pinch chin buckle and MIPS, and it has a rechargeable LED light on the back to help keep your child visible during nighttime rides. It also has 12 air vents for circulation and comes in several fun toddler-friendly prints. Price at time of publication: $44 The helmet has an ABS molded shell, is designed with several contoured vents to keep riders cool, and has replaceable comfort pads to ensure a safe and secure fit. Price at time of publication: $69 We chose this helmet as the best style because of its cool customizable design that just about any kid will love. Available in a handful of solid colors, this helmet comes with a pack of removable reflective stickers so kids can decorate it to their liking. The adjustable dial fit system ensures that it can grow with them while the six vents allow for cooling air circulation. Price at time of publication: $60 In addition to all of the safety features, this helmet is also functional and stylish. It comes in several bright colors and is ponytail compatible (a huge plus for kids with long hair). It also has 18 vents for optimal air circulation and a removable sun visor. We also like that the helmet’s fit can be adjusted with one hand. Price at time of publication: $70 The helmet features an in-mold construction technology that bonds the outer shell to the interior foam padding for a super-lightweight design. It also has an easy-to-adjust fit system and is available in a variety of fun, bright colors that kids will love. Price at time of publication: $53
What to Look For When Buying Helmets for Kids
Fit
A helmet can be packed with safety features, but if it doesn’t fit properly it won’t perform as it should. “Wearing a properly fitted helmet will allow it to provide as much protection as possible, so it is important that you and your child know how it should fit.” Nadji Kirby, Senior Program Manager for Safe Kids Worldwide, tells Verywell Family. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “A helmet should be both comfortable and snug…[and it] should not move in any direction, back-to-front or side-to-side.” Additionally, the CPSC notes helmets should sit level on the head, and chin straps should be securely fastened so that it doesn’t move or slide off in the event of a collision. Kirby says the best way to ensure a proper fit is to do a fit test (Here’s a video from Safe Kids Worldwide that can help, along with these steps):
“EYES check: Position the helmet on your head. Look up and you should see the bottom rim of the helmet. The rim should be one to two finger-widths above the eyebrows.“EARS check: Make sure the straps of the helmet form a “V” under your ears when buckled. The strap should be snug but comfortable.“MOUTH check: Open your mouth as wide as you can. Do you feel the helmet hug your head? If not, tighten those straps and make sure the buckle is flat against your skin.”
Activity
When purchasing a helmet for your child, it’s important to pay attention to what it is designed for. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says, “Each type of helmet is designed for protection in specific conditions and may not offer enough protection” when used incorrectly. While some helmets are designed for multiple sports and activities, you should not assume they’re safe for all sports. “For example, you can wear a CPSC certified bike helmet while bicycling, in-line skating, or kick scooting,” says Kirby. “However, if you plan to use the helmet while biking and skateboarding, it is best to get a multi-use helmet.” She further explains that multi-use helmets can get certification from both the CPSC and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Type of Helmet Shell
There are different types of helmet designs, and the three most common are in-mold, hard-shell, and soft-shell. In-Mold: According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI), an in-mold helmet’s “outer shells are bonded to the [interior] foam by putting foam beads and the shell in the mold together.” Essentially, these helmets are all one piece. In-mold helmets offer some of the best protection/safety but are also often heavier and more expensive than other styles. Hard-Shell: The exterior surface of a hard-shell helmet is usually made of hard plastic, fiberglass, or another strong material, according to the BHSI. This style of helmet helps to disperse the impact in the event your child falls and hits their head. Soft-Shell: The AAP explains these helmets are not constructed with a hard outer shell but instead are made with an “extra thick layer of polystyrene covered with a cloth cover or surface coating.” In this style, the cover is essential and it must be worn to hold the helmet together. These helmets are often more lightweight but less durable.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a full time parenting writer and has spent hundreds of hours researching and testing different parenting and kids products for both writing assignments as well as for personal use. As a mom to a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old who love riding their bikes, Ashley takes safety and helmets very seriously. When picking the products for this list, she considered advice from safety expert, Nadji Kirby, Senior Program Manager for Safe Kids Worldwide, guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, as well as the product’s overall quality, style, and longevity. Additionally, the CPSC recommends replacing your child’s helmet after an impact “such as a bicyclist’s fall onto the pavement […] even if there are no visible signs of damage to the helmet.” Finally, look to the helmet’s manufacturer for guidance, because even if the helmet still fits and hasn’t sustained an impact, it can still wear down over time (the CPSC suggests between five and 10 years).
