10 Best Bike Helmets for Kids UK 2024
Cycling is a great activity for boys and girls of all ages, helping to provide them with fresh air and exercise. However, it's crucial that your child wears a helmet with added protection whilst cycling to ensure their safety, especially on busy roads. Most bike helmets for kids are decked out with colourful, eye-catching designs too, which will make your little one visible to others.
Our buying guide will run through how to choose a brand new bike helmet for your child, considering factors like size and materials. Then, we’ll provide you with a list of our top 10 recommendations to buy from Amazon, eBay, and John Lewis, with products that'll appeal to a range of ages - from toddlers to pre-teens. Before you know it, they'll be on the road in style!
Quick List - Top Bike Helmets for Kids
Raleigh
Top-Notch Ventilation Makes This Flowery Helmet a Hit
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Table of Contents
- How to Choose a Kid's Bike Helmet - Buying Guide
- Ensure That the Helmet Is a Good Fit1
- Which Type of Helmet Is Suitable for Your Child's Needs?2
- Making Sure That the Materials Provide Enough Protection3
- Check for the Relevant Safety Certifications4
- Deciding on a Colour and Design that Your Child Will Want to Wear5
- Top 10 Best Bike Helmets for Kids to Buy Online in the UK
- No. 1ABUS | Smiley 2.0 Cycling Helmet｜604934
- No. 2ALPINA | Children's Cycling Helmet｜ A9678
- No. 3Giro | Kids' Scamp Cycling Helmet
- No. 4Raleigh | Mystery Pink Flower Girls Cycle Helmet
- No. 5Raleigh | Mystery Spiderman Cycle Helmet
- 5 more products
- More Ideas to Keep Your Kids Active
- Summary
How to Choose a Kid's Bike Helmet - Buying Guide
There are a few key factors to think about when checking out bike helmets for kids, including the size, the type of terrain they'll be riding on, the materials used, safety certifications, and the general design.
Ensure That the Helmet Is a Good Fit
Most children's bike helmets are tailored for a certain fit; some brands will describe products as small, medium, or large, whereas others will use terms like toddler or junior. Since no two kids are the same, the best way to determine which helmet will fit your child is to go by head size instead.
Determining the Correct Size for Your Child
Firstly, you'll need to measure your child's head. Take a tape measure and place it horizontally around the circumference of their head, just above their ears and about an inch above their eyebrows, in order to get the correct measurement.
Smaller helmets (which are mainly designed for infants and toddlers) will typically fit a head circumference of around 44-52 cm. Medium-sized helmets are usually 52-56 cm, and junior helmets for older kids are can range from 52 cm up to 58 cm.
By choosing a helmet that matches your little one's head circumference, you can ensure it'll fit them perfectly!
Making Sure That the Helmet Stays Secure
Once you've chosen the right size helmet, it's also important to adjust the fit so that if your little one does fall off their bike, it'll stay secure and provide full coverage.
As a rule, it should sit just above their ears and should be level across the middle of their forehead, not angled forwards or backwards. Additionally, the front of the helmet should be approximately two fingers-width above their eyebrows.
Furthermore, you'll need to ensure that the retention system, which is usually a twisting lever at the rear of the helmet, can be adjusted to make it tight enough to keep the helmet snug. Lastly, it's a good idea to choose a helmet with adjustable straps below the chin - these will prevent the helmet from becoming too loose and slipping.
Which Type of Helmet Is Suitable for Your Child's Needs?
Full-face helmets, which are similar to motorbike helmets, offer even greater protection. These are ideal if your kid loves mountain biking or riding along dirt tracks, where mud spray might obscure their vision.
Some helmets which are intended for use on rougher terrains also come with a MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system). This means that they have two layers of protection, a low-friction liner on the inside and a hard exterior layer, which move against each other and minimise the head impact during a fall.
Making Sure That the Materials Provide Enough Protection
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a hard-wearing plastic that most standard-style helmets are constructed with. It's cheap to produce but can be prone to compress upon impact, which makes it suitable only for general cycling on softer terrains rather than dirt tracks or roads.
Another popular material is polycarbonate, which is stronger and more expensive than EPS. It's constructed at a high temperature and forms a hard shell which is still fairly lightweight. Helmets made from this type of material provide a decent amount of protection for road cycling. Some also have micro-shell in-mould construction, which adds an extra layer of protection.
Looking for the ultimate protective material? ABS plastic, which is injection moulded to produce a solid, specially tailored round shell, is what BMX helmets are typically made from. We advise choosing this material if your kids love to ride along rough terrain.
Check for the Relevant Safety Certifications
Every bike helmet that's designed for children will come with a safety guarantee - however, these ratings aren't universal! You'll, therefore, need to check that the helmet you're buying complies with the relevant national safety ratings. In the UK, a product should have the CE mark as well as the BS EN 1078 mark, indicating that it's passed the recommended number of safety tests.
Deciding on a Colour and Design that Your Child Will Want to Wear
With such a vast array of colours and designs out there, it can be tricky choosing a helmet that your child will warm to. If you pick the right one, we guarantee they'll wear it with pride as their new favourite fashion item!
Younger children love bright colours and recognisable characters displayed on their helmet. For older kids though, it's better to opt for something simple with just one colour or some cool patterns.
Top 10 Best Bike Helmets for Kids to Buy Online in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ABUS Smiley 2.0 Cycling Helmet｜604934 | | Lightweight, Well-Ventilated, and Affordable | |
2 | ALPINA Children's Cycling Helmet｜ A9678 | | A Practical Yet Stylish Option | |
3 | Giro Kids' Scamp Cycling Helmet | | Packed With MIPS and RocLock Technology | |
4 | Raleigh Mystery Pink Flower Girls Cycle Helmet | | Top-Notch Ventilation Makes This Flowery Helmet a Hit | |
5 | Raleigh Mystery Spiderman Cycle Helmet | | Perfect for Young Superhero Fans | |
6 | LA Sports Dinosaur Children's Safety Helmet | | A Durable and Distinctive Dino Design | |
7 | Raleigh Pop Children's Helmet | | Cheap, Comfy, and Colourful | |
8 | AWE Full Face BMX Helmet | | A Sleek, Versatile Option for Older Kids | |
9 | Bell Span Cycling Helmet | | A Sturdy Yet Breathable BMX-Style Helmet | |
10 | Micro Deluxe Retro Helmet | | Flashy and Fun, With Plenty of Protection |
ABUSSmiley 2.0 Cycling Helmet ｜ 604934
Lightweight, Well-Ventilated, and Affordable
Despite its simple design, this helmet features all of the best biking technology, including a "Zoom Evo" adjustment system and a fly net for added comfort. The presence of 8 air inlets also ensures that your child will stay cool even when riding around in the middle of summer. Reasonably priced, lightweight, and brightly coloured - we can't think of a better product for the number 1 spot!
ALPINA Children's Cycling Helmet ｜ A9678
A Practical Yet Stylish Option
The helmet can be fully adjusted with the "run classic" sliding rear fitting and the "ergomatic" strap, for improved comfort. The removable visor is also a pretty useful feature worth mentioning. Great for newbie riders and experienced cyclists alike, this simple yet stylish helmet is well worth the money!
GiroKids' Scamp Cycling Helmet
Packed With MIPS and RocLock Technology
Great for independent cyclists who might need a bit of extra safety, this product is basically a downsized version of an adult Giro helmet. It's got plenty of advanced technology, such as MIPS, the rear RocLock retention system which allows you to fine-tune it to fit any head size, and the handy "pinch-guard" buckle.
Considering all of the cool features this helmet has, it's a very budget-friendly option. Plus, it's top-quality so should last your little one a while - or at least until they have a growth spurt!
Top-Notch Ventilation Makes This Flowery Helmet a Hit
Safety is naturally a priority too with this helmet - it has high-density EPS protection and a rear LED light for visibility. We're tickled pink by this lovely design!
Perfect for Young Superhero Fans
Raleigh have really pulled off something special here - the Spiderman design of this helmet is sure to make your child feel like a superhero! Weighing just 225g, it's not too heavy for little heads. Plus, it's got excellent ventilation thanks to the 12 airflow vents, as well as a Nexus chain buckle for ease of use.
Best of all, this product has an LED light attached to the rear dial-fit adjustment section, making young cyclists visible in the dark - an absolute must-have feature at night and during the winter!
LA Sports Dinosaur Children's Safety Helmet
A Durable and Distinctive Dino Design
Make cycling both safe and fun with this unique, striking kids' helmet. Despite the unusual shape, it's fully compliant with all of the relevant safety standards. The rear adjustment wheel and fully adjustable straps with a buckle and separators also offer optimal fit for your little one.
Lightweight and durable, this helmet is perfect for encouraging children to get outside on two wheels. If only it was available in adult sizes too!
Cheap, Comfy, and Colourful
The lightweight design of this helmet means it's a great choice for younger riders with smaller heads. Plus, if your little one isn't keen on pink, it comes in four other funky colours!
AWE Full Face BMX Helmet
A Sleek, Versatile Option for Older Kids
This full-face helmet is definitely recommended for kids who are adrenaline junkies! With dual EPS and ABS construction, it offers ultimate protection when riding on rough terrain. Another great feature is the removable faceplate, which makes it versatile - it can be used for both BMX-ing and ordinary cycling.
The 17 CAD-optimised air vents are ideal for hot days and the helmet is extremely lightweight, which is always a bonus! Whilst this is one of our more expensive suggestions, we think it's worth paying a bit more for the handy features.
BellSpan Cycling Helmet
A Sturdy Yet Breathable BMX-Style Helmet
This budget-friendly helmet has a funky design that's great for both the road and the skate park. The 10 vents ensure a direct flow of air for ventilation, so it's highly breathable in all types of weather. Plus, the adjustable straps and Action Fit system allow it to fit a growing head comfortably.
The only downside is that it's a little heavy, due to the sturdy outer shell - but we'd say that's to be expected of a BMX-style helmet!
MicroDeluxe Retro Helmet
Flashy and Fun, With Plenty of Protection
Whilst this is technically a scooter helmet, meaning it doesn't have as much ventilation as a standard bike helmet, it's a good option for occasional cycling. For long excursions however, it might prove uncomfortable.
More Ideas to Keep Your Kids Active
Feel like your kids need a little more encouragement to get active? Check out some of these other amazing products that are guaranteed to keep them playing outside all summer long!
Summary
Choosing the right bike helmet for your little one is extremely important - it can prevent them from harm when playing outside. Browsing through our top 10 list will hopefully help you to pick out one that's both safe and enjoyable. We bet your kids can't wait to get out there and start cycling!
Author: Ross Fraser-Smith
Top 5 Bike Helmets for Kids
No. 1: ABUS｜Smiley 2.0 Cycling Helmet｜604934
No. 2: ALPINA ｜Children's Cycling Helmet｜ A9678
No. 3: Giro｜Kids' Scamp Cycling Helmet
No. 4: Raleigh ｜Mystery Pink Flower Girls Cycle Helmet
No. 5: Raleigh ｜Mystery Spiderman Cycle Helmet
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