Helmets are essential for safety, as they can protect your 7 Year Old child’s head from injuries should they crash. However, getting one isn’t as simple as going to a store and grabbing the largest and cheapest kids’ bike helmet you can find.
The Size Helmet Does a 7-Year-Old Need is:
A motorcycle helmet for a young kid shouldn’t be too heavy or light. It also must fit without hindering their riding in any capacity. Knowing that, what helmet size do they need?
7-year-old kids often need a helmet with a head circumference of 52 cm or approximately 20 1/2 inches. It varies depending on how large or small their head is. Nonetheless, getting a proper one isn’t too complicated as long as your child’s head doesn’t deviate too much from the norm.
Still, figuring out the correct size for a helmet isn’t something many people know how to do, so we made this guide to help you find the right size for your 7-year-old.
Helmet Sizing
It might be helpful to know the general size chart for helmets by age, but let’s focus on the specific sizes that your 7-year-old needs. According to most charts out there, your kid may require the following adult helmet sizes:
- XXSmall (51-52 cm)
- XSmall (53-54 cm)
Of course, this varies per case. For example, although your kid may already fit in an adult helmet, you can opt for a youth option as well. Many youth brands offer large or extra-large sizes up to 53 cm. On the other hand, kids’ helmets are already too small for your child.
However, many kids don’t wear them for long before switching to a larger one due to various reasons. Whether you prefer an adult or a youth model, make sure they’re DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) or ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) certified.
While knowing possible helmet sizes can be helpful, the next step is essential if you’re getting a motorcycle helmet. Bicycle helmets and some simpler bike ones have an adjustable dial that covers a larger range because they don’t have a chin cover. They’re easier to pick but also offer significantly less protection.
The Ideal Helmet Fit
Measuring your child’s head circumference is crucial if you want to get a bike helmet with an ideal fit.
Many people think they can simply buy an oversized helmet and call it a day, but that’s a significantly bad idea. If you want a protective child’s helmet, you have to measure their head properly and get the best fitting option.
Fortunately, all you have to do is take an adequate measurement of the head of your child. To begin, you need a tailor’s tape measure.
Measure Your Child’s Head Circumference
First, wrap the tape measure around your kid’s head an inch above their eyebrows or the fullest part of their head. You can also use a string in the same way and determine its length instead.
If you already have a helmet, you can compare the result to the listed range on its inside. Meanwhile, those looking for an option online should look for the manufacturer’s helmet size chart, where they have to compare it to the listed hat size and head circumference measurements. Afterward, pick the helmet that best fits your child.
| Age | Head (in cm) |
| 12 months | 46 |
| 2 years | 48 |
| 3-5 years | 51 |
| 6-10 years | 53 |
| 11+ years | 56 |
Position the Helmet Correctly
If you opted for a motorcycle helmet without a full face cover, then look for an adjustment wheel and twist it until your kid says it feels snug. Then, tighten the chin strap until the helmet presses firmly against their head, but don’t do it to the point it becomes uncomfortable.
Full cover helmets only have a chin strap that you have to adjust tightly, as picking the right size from a chart should ensure a proper fit.
Nonetheless, you should try and place a finger between the helmet of your child and the head. If it’s able to fit easily, return it and get a smaller size. Bike helmets that don’t have a tight fit don’t offer as much protection as they should, even if they’re certified.
Your kid might say that the cheek pads feel firm, but that’s only initially. After wearing the helmet for a while, it should soften up.
Check Regularly
It’s a good idea to check how the helmet fits your kid each month. Many children go through a growth spurt at this age, so even a short time may make a difference in how it fits. Other kids like to mess with the straps or the dial, so you have to pay attention and fasten them back to how they were now and then.
When to Replace Helmets
Although helmets might seem difficult to size initially, knowing when to replace them can be more problematic. After checking whether the helmet fits your seven-year-old properly, look over it to see whether the shell has any damage in the framing or the plastic layer.
If it does have noticeable damage, it’s better to return it to the manufacturer or throw it away. Many brands appreciate receiving their product back because they can study how it is performed. For this reason, they offer discounts on replacement helmets.
Dented or cracked helmets affect their integrity, lowering their level of protection. It’s safer to get a new one even if you can’t see the damage but know it took a significant hit recently.
Another reason to replace it might be that your child is growing out of the helmet. It often happens with motorcycle helmets as they have a tighter fit. Wearing an uncomfortable helmet can be a worse safety issue than a damaged one, as it directly affects your child’s riding ability.
Helmets kids use must have a tight, snug fit. Otherwise, it compromises their protection. It’s important to note that weathering and sun damage can also affect its safety and integrity.
Conclusion
When choosing a helmet for your young one, the bike helmet sizes are of utmost importance. Fortunately, picking an adequately fitting one for children isn’t too complicated. All it requires is measuring their heads and checking the manufacturer’s table to select the correct option.
Fitting helmets keep kids safe during accidents, protecting their faces and heads. Remember that it’s better to purchase a full-face, off-road, or dual-sport helmet and that you have to replace it in due time. After all, a chinless plastic shell helmet can’t safeguard you in every situation.
