Choosing the best ski and snowboard helmets for kids is a crucial step in getting them safely through winter activities. Not sure a helmet is really necessary? Check out some of our reasoning here.
And helmets aren’t just for skiing and snowboarding. A lot of us have our kids wear winter helmets for ice skating, sledding, winter biking or anything else where speed or hard surfaces are at play.
In my opinion, it’s an across-the-board, no-questions-asked, you wear your helmet! Every. Single. Time.
– Amelia Mayer, Tales of a Mountain Mama
In general, most youth winter sport helmets start around a head circumference of 48cm. Most of the options listed below are youth helmets. There are a lot more options out there once you get into adult sizing, which typically starts around 52cm. So, first things first, make sure you measure your child’s head circumference. If your child is on the edge of a size range, we would probably size up, especially if they will be wearing a beanie or balaclava underneath.
If you have a retailer that has a variety of youth helmets and sizes near by, we highly recommend heading in with your kids and trying them on. Just because the child’s head circumference is in range it does not mean the helmet will fit them well.
Teaching your child to ski this winter? Here are our best tips!
General Tips for Kid Helmets:
- Make sure your child will wear the helmet. A helmet is no good if the kid won’t put it on.
- Try to get MIPS – multiple impact protection system – or something similar. MIPS helps to reduce rotational forces on the head and help reduce the risk of concussions.
- If you are somewhere cold, make sure it fits with a thin hat underneath (or a balaclava).
- If you are somewhere cold, make sure you have ear coverings on the helmet. We made this mistake with my son’s first helmet, and he was always cold.
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Best Winter Sport Helmets for Kids
Giro Crue
This helmet provides an adjustable, snug fit even on really small heads which was key for us. The lining is super warm and our son has never needed an additional layer underneath.
This helmet is one of the current most popular helmets for our kids among TMM mamas.
It has MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), which is quickly becoming the new standard for helmet safety technology. It interfaces really well with goggles, and most of all our son loves it! Bright green color really helps with visibility.
Former Team Member Ginny
It is really comfy for picky kids.
TMM Team Member Mary
Smith Glide Jr. MIPS
This is the current top pick among TMM team mamas, maybe because it fits such a wide range of children. My sister’s 13 month old and my 13 year old both wear this helmet. We love that it’s a MIPS helmet, is adjustable (my kids are still in the same helmets from 4 years ago, and they fit), and the ears are warm and fuzzy. The one downside is that there are not adjustable vents.
Giro Launch
Like the Crue, the Launch does a really good job fitting small heads well for a safe fit. We tried on numerous helmets on our three year old and this was the only one that we felt was going to keep her safe. There are a lot of Launch-related options available – try to get one with MIPS.
Not going to lie, she also happens to love the bow on it (despite eye rolls from Dad!) It’s warm enough to wear without a liner hat most days. – Amelia
Anon Define
Check out our full review here of the Anon Define – it’s an incredible option for kids!
POC Fornix & POCito Fornix
The Fornix Mips is an award winning helmet that is lightweight, vented, and has a really great safety profile. The POCito comes in some bright colors which makes spotting your kids on the slopes much easier!
Smith Prospect Jr. Mips (Get it quick, discontinued)
Get this one while you can as it is discontinued and at a great price! TMM Team Member Jami really likes this helmet for her girls. The dual stage grow-with-you liner has a fit range of 48-56cm. The helmet also has adjustable vents and Mips tech with an adjustable dial fit. The liner is also super soft and comfy and it fits both of her girls well, even with different head shapes.
Also available on Smithoptics.com for 40% off.
Smith Survey Jr. Mips
If you have a kid who doesn’t like goggles or doesn’t like to pull them down off their helmet, look into a visor helmet like the Smith Survey. Now we have not tested this specific helmet, but we have been a fan of Smith helmets for a long time. The visor is also “over the glasses” compatible if you have little ones with glasses.
Wildhorn Spire
The Wildhorn Spire helmet is great because it is safe, warm AND the kids will wear it. The Wildhorn is particularly light and comes with fun stickers which allow kids to customize it.
As a mom I love that it comes with goggles (which can also be worn separately), is affordable and very durable. Although it appears it may be discontinued now, but you can still check out our full review of the Wildhorn Spire here.
Helmet Accessories
Be sure to get your kid some good eye protection (all those goggles you see in the photos) so that they can keep their eyes from getting wind burned. Mine won’t wear sunglasses, but are happy to wear their goggles.
We also really like to have thin liner hats or balaclavas for under helmets. My daughter really loves her Blackstrap balaclava because it keeps her hair out of her mouth, and also can easily be pulled down to not cover her face. Reima has good, thin head coverings that can go under helmets. Check out our Reima Winter Gear for Kids post, as well as 25 Gifts for a Skiing Family in 2025 for some options.
Last winter my kids got Blackstrap Hood Balaclavas, which they say keep them much warmer.
Get Outside and Play!
We hope these helmets will make your outdoor play just a little safer this winter. Remember, helmets are key protection and should be used whenever there is speed and/or hard surfaces at play, not just skiing/snowboarding.
- How to Teach Kids to Downhill Ski
- How to Teach kids to Snowboard
- Best Winter Gear for Kids
- Best Kids Base Layers
Best Ski and Snowboard Helmets for Kids 2026
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Thanks for this post! Just got my 13 month old on a board and need to get a helmet – this information was very helpful!