Does your child like to ride a motorcycle? If yes, then the most important piece of safety gear he or she should own is a motorcycle helmet.
If you are looking for a high quality motorcycle helmet for your son or daughter and you are not that sure which one is the best, then you don’t have to worry at all. In this article, we will show you some of the safest and most comfortable motorcycle helmets for kids, that are made by reputable brands and come at an affordable price. Most of them are dirt bike helmets for 5-10 year olds, but there are some street-oriented full-face helmets for older kids as well. No matter how young your child is, you will surely find what you have been looking for.
So, if you are asking questions like “Which motorcycle helmet is the best for my kid?” or “How to find the right size kids helmet?”, then we have the answers!
Whether you are a parent, or you just want to buy a nice gift for your little brother, sister, or nephew; you can be sure that giving them one of these top rated helmets will make them happy and safe while riding on their bike. Because, safety is what matters the most, right? Now, let’s start with the list of the best motorcycle helmets for kids that are available for sale in 2024.
Read Also: Best Motorcycle Helmets for Women
List of the Top 10 Motorcycle Helmets for Kids
Best Full-Face Helmets for Kids
When you are going to ride your motorcycle with a child passenger sitting on the back seat, there are two very important things you must remember. First, the child should be tall enough to reach the passenger foot pegs. Second, you must provide a proper head protection for your child. Luckily, there are plenty of street-oriented full-face motorcycle helmets that are designed specifically for young passengers.
Having a good protection on a street bike is very important, especially when considering kids. They have weaker cheek bones, which makes them much more prone to fractions compared to adults. A high-quality full-face helmet for kids will not only protect their head from injuries, but it will also prevent harmful UV rays or dust particles to enter their eyes. Full-face motorcycle helmets meet DOT and ECE safety standards, which is mandatory if you want to use them on streets. You might be thinking that all of these safety ratings and protection come at a higher cost, but you will be surprised how affordable some of them are.
HJC CL-Y Youth Helmet Review
If I could only name a single full-face helmet for kids, which I consider the perfect one, I would definitely choose the HJC CL-Y helmet. This motorcycle helmet costs just under $100, which is an average price of most helmets in this review. Being a full-face helmet means it has the highest levels of protection that a motorcycle helmet can offer to your child.
Safety & Protection
The HJC CL-Y Youth full-face helmet is DOT certified and it is made from a lightweight and durable advanced polycarbonate. It will provide an excellent crash protection for children over 10 years old and young teenagers. It is available in multiple shell sizes and comes in many different colors. There is also a pink and purple version of this helmet, that is designed for girls.
Face Shield & Visor
The helmet comes with an optically correct face shield, which means there is very little distortion. On the outer side of the shield, the helmet has an anti-scratch coating that will not only prevent scratches, but it will also provide UV protection. The eye port area is very big and there is absolutely nothing blocking the view. You can simply open and close the face shield using a 4-position ratchet system. Thanks to all of these features, the vision of the helmet is excellent and it is clearly one of its biggest advantages. Unfortunately, the HJC CL-Y Youth helmet doesn’t have any kind of anti-fogging technology in the shield and you can’t use a pinlock insert with it. But, considering the fact that it is an entry-level helmet, I find it completely tolerable at this price point.
Interior & Comfort
The interior of the HJC CL-Y Youth motorcycle helmet is fully removable and washable. The materials used in the interior comfort liner are called Plush and Nylex. The helmet is very comfortable to wear and it has a snug fit.
Ventilation & Airflow
Ventilation is provided by a single air vent in the front of the chin bar and two smaller intake vents on the top of the helmet. Other than that, you will also find a couple of exhaust vents in the back. The intake vents only have 2 positions, open and closed. The airflow is pretty good for a budget helmet, but don’t expect it to be on the same level as on more expensive motorcycle helmets for adults.
The Verdict
Overall, there is almost nothing bad I can say about the HJC CL-Y Youth helmet. It is a very safe full-face helmet that is super-comfortable to wear and it can even compete with some of the higher-tier motorcycle helmets. The only small issue, your child might experience, is the lack of any kind of anti-fogging system. In that case, the face shield can be left partially open.
HJC CL-Y Youth Helmet
️Pros: Advanced polycarbonate shell, Nylex interior liner, 100% protection from UV rays
Cons: No pinlock ready anti-fog system
LS2 Helmets Rapid Youth Helmet Review
The LS2 Rapid Youth helmet is another full-face helmet on our list. It costs less than $100 and you will get a lot of features for that price. It is a good looking motorcycle helmet for 10+ year old kids that has a minimalist design and aerodynamic shape. The look and feel of the helmet might even seem too simple to some extent, but I personally love this kind of design.
Safety & Protection
The shell of the LS2 Rapid Youth helmet is made from a lightweight thermoplastic material. The weight is only about 2.8 lbs and it is one of the lightest helmets in its category. The helmet is DOT approved for safety and it comes in 2 shell sizes. Inside the shell, you will find a dual-density EPS liner, which is the industry standard and it is used in most motorcycle helmets.
Face Shield & Visor
The LS2 Rapid Youth helmet is equipped with a pinlock ready face shield. This is an anti-fogging technology that you will usually find on much more expensive helmets. The pin-lock itself has to be bought separately though. There is no drop-down sun visor in this helmet, which is normal at this price tag. Overall, the shield feels very solid.
Interior & Comfort
Inside the helmet, there is fully removable and washable comfort liner that consists of multiple pieces. The fit is very tight especially around the neck area, which can cause issues for some persons. The chin strap of the LS2 Rapid Youth helmet uses a quick-release mechanism that is both safe and easy to use.
Ventilation & Airflow
Ventilation is provided by three intake vents – one large intake vent in the front and two smaller ones on the top of the helmet. There is also one large exhaust vent in the back, that will allow the air to come out of the helmet. All of these air vents create a very good airflow, so you can be sure the head of your child will stay cool and dry on long motorcycle trips.
The Verdict
The LS2 Rapid Youth helmet is definitely a very good value for money. If you are looking for a full-face helmet that has a sleek design, many useful features and that is very affordable at the same time, you can’t go wrong with this one. There is only one downside about this helmet, which is its tighter fit around the neck.
LS2 Helmets Rapid Youth Helmet
️Pros: Lightweight thermoplastic shell, Pinlock ready shield, Good ventilation, Quick-release mechanism
Cons: Too tight around the neck
Best Motocross Helmets for Kids
Motocross is a widespread hobby among adults as well as among children. If your little ones love to ride around off-road tracks, you should ensure they use a proper safety gear, as this sport can be quite dangerous at times. Nothing will give your kid a better protection against head injuries than a motocross helmet. It is a piece of gear that was specifically designed to withstand extreme impact with rocks, trees or other riders and their motorcycles.
So, before you let your kids go racing on their off-road bikes, make sure they have a good motocross helmet on their head. We are here to help you with this responsibility and show you some of the greatest motocross helmets of 2024 that are suited for children of all ages. But, you are the one who has to decide which helmet is the perfect one for them and which one they will like the most.
Fox Racing Youth V1 Helmet Review
The Youth V1 motocross helmet from Fox Racing is a kids version and the successor of one of the best motocross helmets ever made, the Fox Racing V1 helmet for adults. This is a mid-tier helmet that costs around $130, but has a very premium feel. For this slightly higher price tag, your child can enjoy a very high levels of comfort and protection.
Safety & Protection
The helmet is DOT and ECE certified for safety. The shell is constructed from an injection molded polycarbonate, it comes in 4 different shell sizes and there is an enormous amount of colors and graphic designs to choose from. It is an extremely lightweight helmet, as it only weighs around 2 lbs (1 kg). This helmet was designed for smaller kids and it fits best for 4-8 year olds, so keep that in mind.
Face Shield & Visor
On the upper part of the shell, the helmet is equipped with a removable peak visor that features magnets instead of screws. This feature is called MVRS (Magnetic Visor Release System). It is there for easier maintenance and it also increases safety of the helmet, as metal screws can be kind of dangerous during an accident. The eye port is large and the helmet provides a wide field of view.
Interior & Comfort
The Youth V1 helmet is very comfortable to wear and it offers an unbelievable amounts of airflow. Its removable and washable interior liner is soft and comfy, yet it feels very robust and durable at the same time. The fit of the helmet is very tight and I would suggest choosing a size that is bigger than the actual size of your child’s head.
Ventilation & Airflow
As mentioned before, the Fox Racing V1 Youth helmet provides very high amounts of airflow. Thanks to its 9 intake vents and 4 exhaust vents, there is literally no chance that your child will be facing any issues with sweating or overheating while wearing this helmet. In this department, the V1 Youth helmet clearly outshines all other helmets on our list.
The Verdict
All in all, after reviewing the Fox’s V1 motocross helmet for kids, I can really tell that this is a high quality piece of riding gear. It fits really well, the ventilation is fantastic and the price is not that high for what you get. But, there are some other very good helmets available on the market that are considerably cheaper than this one.
Fox Racing Youth V1 Helmet
️Pros: DOT & ECE certified, Extremely lightweight, Magnetic Visor Release System, Very good airflow
Cons: More expensive than others
Fly Racing Youth Kinetic Helmet Review
The Kinetic Youth helmet made by Fly Racing takes a very close 2nd place on our list of the best motocross helmets for children. At a price below $100, it can be considered a budget helmet, although it may not seem as one. The helmet is available in 10+ different graphic designs and color combinations, and some of the artworks look simply fantastic.
Safety & Protection
The Kinetic Youth helmet is DOT approved and its lightweight poly alloy shell of the helmet comes in three sizes (SM, MD, LG). It suits best for children between 5-10 years old. Inside the shell, the helmet is equipped with dual-density EPS liner, which will provide an appropriate impact protection for your child’s head.
Face Shield & Visor
As all other motocross helmets, the Kinetic Youth helmet has a big peak visor on the top of the shell, which will provide protection against sun and mud. It can easily be combined with most types of motorcycle goggles that will fit very well in the eye-port area of the helmet.
Interior & Comfort
The interior is equipped with a removable cheek pads and comfort liner that you can wash anytime you need to. The comfort level of the Kinetic Youth helmet is surprisingly high, considering the lower price of the helmet. There is a lot of padding and the helmet fits true to size. It doesn’t run too small as some other kids helmets sometimes do.
Ventilation & Airflow
Ventilation is also pretty good, although it is not as good as ventilation on some of the more premium helmets. Its TFV (True Functional Ventilation) system consists of multiple intake and exhaust vents and it will ensure the head of your child will stay cool and dry during off-road rides.
The Verdict
In my opinion, the Fly Racing Kinetic Youth is the perfect helmet for those who are looking for an affordable yet high quality dirt bike helmet for kids. It is very light, fits really well, comes in many interesting graphic designs and the finish is absolutely awesome.
Fly Racing Youth Kinetic Helmet
️Pros: DOT & ECE certified, Low weight, Cool artwork, Many color options, Excellent fit, Very affordable
Cons: Aluminium visor screws
Best Dirt Bike Helmets for Kids
Riding a dirt bike on off-road terrains such as woods or deserts can be even more dangerous than motocross racing. You might face a lot of obstacles like rocks or bushes and falling onto one of them can cause a serious injury. This is the main reason every dirt bike rider should wear a protective armor and safety helmet in these extreme conditions. It will not only protect you from the dust and mud while riding a motorcycle, but more importantly, it will prevent scratches or even fractures in the case of an accident. That is why your children should definitely have a good helmets on their heads while riding on dirt bikes. A high quality dirt bike helmet will ensure your son or daughter will be safe out in the wild and it will also provide enough ventilation in warm weather.
In this section, we will show you some of the best dirt bike helmets that are designed specifically for kids and that can be used for any kind of off-road motorcycle riding.
LS2 Helmets Gate Youth Helmet Review
The LS2 Gate helmet is a youth version of the popular adult dirt bike helmet, the LS2 Fast MX437. In this review, I am going to focus on the “Beast” version of the LS2 Gate dirt bike helmet for kids. Is features a colorful artwork, which represents a scary beast with an open mouth full of sharp teeth. The helmet suits best for children of age between 5-10 years old and it costs around $100 or less.
Safety & Protection
The helmet is DOT and ECE approved, but it also meets some other safety standards. The manufacturer has used a special material called Kinetic Polymer Alloy (KPA) in its shell, which is an ultra-strong alloy. It provides extreme durability, low weight and flexibility to the shell as part of the energy management system. On top of that, the inner part of the shell is equipped with a multi-density EPS liner with 360 degrees of coverage for improved impact absorption. The helmet comes in three shell sizes and it weights about 2 lbs. With all of these protective features and safety ratings, the LS2 Gate Youth helmet can be considered one of the safest helmets in its category.
Face Shield & Visor
The eye port area of the LS2 Gate Youth helmet is very big and the vision from the inside of the helmet is awesome. There is a huge peak visor on the helmet and it will ensure a better protection against sun or incoming mud. The helmet can be easily used with many different types of goggles and there is even a possibility to use glasses with the helmet.
Interior & Comfort
The helmet comes with an interior comfort liner made from a high-tech moisture wicking fabric that dries very quickly and you can easily remove it for washing. The padding is slightly curved which makes it compatible with eyeglasses. On the cheek pads, you will find a quick-release mechanism, that can be used to take-off the helmet in an emergency situation.
Ventilation & Airflow
The LS2 Gate Youth helmet has a large intake vent in the front of the chin bar and some smaller air vents on the top. The airflow is on par with other dirt bike helmets for kids, if not slightly better than most of them. Thanks to the high quality fabric and cutout channels in the EPS, the helmet is very breathable.
The Verdict
When I am thinking about the LS2 Gate Youth helmet, the very first thing that comes to my mind is its safety. It is without a doubt a very safe helmet that will ensure an extreme protection for your child riding on a dirt bike. The helmet also breaths very well, so you don’t have to worry about overheating at all. There is one thing that I need to warn you about though. The helmet sizing is slightly smaller than it should be, therefore you might end up buying a larger size for your child.
LS2 Helmets Gate Youth Helmet
️Pros: DOT & ECE certified, Extremely safe, Nice graphics, Lightweight, Good ventilation, Very affordable
Cons: A little too snug
HJC Youth CL-XY 2 Helmet Review
Another dirt bike helmet on our list is the CL-XY 2 Youth helmet from HJC. It costs a little bit more than the previous two helmets ($120), but you will get a more premium finish and some pretty graphics. There is a wide range of graphic designs available including Batman and other Marvel heroes. The helmet can be used by kids of ages between 5-10 years old, but your child will have to try it on first to see if it fits properly.
Safety & Protection
As all other helmets on our review, the HJC CL-XY 2 Youth helmet is DOT and ECE certified, so it is safe to use under most circumstances. The exterior is made from an advanced polycarbonate composite material and it comes in two different shell sizes. The helmet weighs about 2.5 lbs, so it is definitely not the lightest kids helmet out there.
Face Shield & Visor
The peak visor is mounted to the top of the helmet by a couple of screws. It is removable and adjustable, so you can set it into multiple different positions. The visor is pretty good and it blocks the sun really well. The vision is also excellent and you can use many different types of goggles with this helmet.
Interior & Comfort
HJC has used the Nylex comfort liner in their CL-XY 2 Youth helmet and it was a very good decision. It is fully removable and washable, and it also has sweat wicking and antimicrobial properties. It is a very soft and comfortable material to the touch and you will usually find this type of fabric in more advanced motorcycle helmets. The chin strap of the CL-XY 2 Youth helmet is equipped with a common double D-ring mechanism which is very secure. Overall, the comfort of the helmet is really good, but the fitment unfortunately isn’t. The helmet has a very round oval shape and if your child has an different type of head shape, it will create some pressure points.
Ventilation & Airflow
The HJC CL-XY 2 Youth helmet is equipped with 8 intake vents and 4 exhaust vents and they will push sufficient amounts of fresh air coming into the helmet to prevent any moisture to build up inside the padding. The inner EPS liner has a couple of cutouts that will also help with the ventilation, but they could be bigger and deeper. The HJC CL-XY 2 is a well ventilated dirt bike helmet and your child will surely feel cool and dry while wearing it.
The Verdict
There are lots of good things to say about the HJC CL-XY 2 Youth helmet, but it also comes with a massive downside. The shape and sizing of the helmet is completely off and therefore, you might end up exchanging it for a different size. You should carefully test the fitment and make sure it is the correct size for your child. Other that that, the CL-XY 2 is a great helmet that looks cool and feels solid.
HJC Youth CL-XY 2 Helmet
️Pros: DOT & ECE certified, Nice graphics and finish, Nylex interior liner, Very good airflow
Cons: Sizing is way too small, Higher price tag
Things to Consider Before Buying a Kids Helmet
There are certain things that you need to consider before you start choosing a motorcycle helmet for your kids. To find the ideal helmet you should think about your child’s characteristics and preferences.
- How old is your child?
- What is the size of your child’s head?
- Where and how often does your child ride?
- What features are you looking for?
- How much money are you willing to spend?
These are all very important questions, but don’t worry, we are here to help you to find the answer for all of them.
Age & Helmet Size
The very first thing you must consider before you even start choosing any kind of motorcycle helmet for your child, is his or her age. If your child is of a very young age (3-5 years old), you should always choose some of the smaller sizes (XS-S). The larger sizes (L-XL) are usually designed for kids of ages between 6-10 years old or more. Also, full-face helmets are designed for older kids (10+), as young kids are not allowed to ride on a street-legal motorcycle. You won’t find any full-face motorcycle helmet that is designed for toddlers.
Each of the motorcycle helmet manufacturers have a different sizing chart, which you should always study before you purchase the product. You have to properly measure the circumference of your child’s head using a tape measure and see what size would fit the best. Keep in mind that you should never buy a bigger helmet in expectation that it will last longer before the child outgrows it and you will save some money by doing so. If the helmet fitment is too loose, it will simply not be safe enough for your child! The helmet also shouldn’t be too snug, as it may make create hot-spots and make it uncomfortable to wear.
Helmet Type & Riding Style
Another important decision you will need to make before you buy a new helmet is about your child’s riding style. Some kids like to ride on their own dirt bikes, while others prefer being a passenger on their parent’s bike. You should always provide a corresponding type of motorcycle helmet for your child’s needs and riding preferences. If he or she often rides in off-road conditions, you will need to carefully select a specialized helmet for this activity.
1. Full-Face Helmets
Full-face helmets are on a heavier side and they can be very useful while riding on the road, where a proper facial protection is a must. They offer various safety ratings such as DOT, ECE and SNELL rating. Full-face helmets usually have low levels of ventilation and they are not as light as dirt bike helmets.
2. Dirt Bike Helmets
Dirt bike or motocross helmets are very different from full-face helmets, as they don’t have a face shield for wind protection. Therefore, I don’t recommend using dirt bike helmets on the road, especially for kids. On the other hand, they are extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear.
3. Open-Face Helmets
The last category of motorcycle helmets for kids are open-face helmets. They are not as heavy as full-face helmets and are also much more comfortable to wear. But, to be honest, I wouldn’t really recommend buying an open-face helmet for you child. Even the best open-face helmet can’t protect your child’s head enough on a motorcycle. In my opinion, they are only good for experienced adult riders and a specific type of motorcycle.
Features & Protection
1. Safety Rating
As mentioned earlier, there are multiple different certifications for helmet safety. The most common certification is called DOT and it makes the helmet street legal in the United States. ECE rating is used in European countries and it is considered slightly more strict than the DOT rating. And finally, there is the SNELL rating, which makes the helmet safe enough for professional racing. Basically, if your child’s helmet is at least DOT certified, you are good to go in most situations.
2. Comfort Levels
Comfort is a very important attribute of a motorcycle helmet. If your child will be riding frequently, then the helmet should be comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. It should also be light enough, so your child wont be experiencing neck pain. The inner liner should be soft to the touch and it shouldn’t cause an irritation to the skin. Also, it is good to have a liner that has moisture-wicking properties and can be removed for washing.
3. Ventilation
As during any other physical activity, while riding a motorcycle, your child can overheat pretty quickly. A high quality motorcycle helmet should be equipped with a good ventilation system to provide a proper airflow. You should be looking for a helmet that has multiple intake vents with the ability to modify the amounts of airflow. The cutouts in the EPS liner of the helmet also help with the airflow, as they will make the helmet breathe better in hot summer months.
4. Extra Features
Sometimes, you are in a situation when you really need an extra feature in your motorcycle helmet. Some of the most practical features can be an anti-fogging technology, pinlock insert, quick-release mechanism or integrated sun visor. Most of the cheaper helmets only come with the basic features out of the box and you will have to pay more money for the extras. Moreover, motorcycle helmets for kids are made as economically as possible, so you shouldn’t really expect many extra features in a kids helmet.
What Is Your Budget?
You may say that budget shouldn’t play a big role when speaking of safety and protection of your child’s head. But, don’t forget that kids grow up very quickly and you don’t really want to spend hundreds of dollars for a new motorcycle helmet every other year. Fortunately there are many budget-friendly motorcycle helmets for kids that cost less than $100. So, there is really no need to search for unknown brands on Chinese websites, when you can buy a quality helmet at a relatively low cost.
Conclusion
I am sure that after reading this article, you will have a general knowledge about the best motorcycle helmets for kids and how to select the one your child will like. It might not seem easy to find the perfect helmet for your children, especially if they are beginner riders. That’s why we are here with our reviews and buying guides to make the process as pleasant for you as possible. But, if you are still unsure about some information, don’t hesitate to leave a comment by filling in the form below.
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