84 BIKE TRAILERS: We plan to make a helmet mandatory. Any suggestions about helmets for young kids?
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This article is from the Outdoor Activities for Young Children FAQ, by Gloria Logan glogan@atk.com with numerous contributions by others.
84 BIKE TRAILERS: We plan to make a helmet mandatory. Any suggestions about helmets for young kids?
The best way to get your kids to wear a helmet is for you to wear a
helmet. Make it one of those adult things that kids think are
mysterious and exciting - like shaving or wearing a bra. My daughter
Lauren hated her helmet when I first started pulling her in a trailer
at 10 months, by 2 years old she would be asking for her "hat" as soon
as I started getting the bikes out of the garage. You can let them put
stickers on the helmet to make it more fun.
As far as what is a good helmet, anything with a SNELL or ANSI sticker
in it, preferably both, has met the applicable specs. Most helmets come
with a set of foam pads to fit different size heads. Try and choose the
helmet that fits your child's head using the smallest set of pads. A
helmet should be level and not move side to side or front to back on
your childs head. Helmets for small children (and bald me) should NOT
have vent holes or stripes - you will end up with funny sunburn
patterns on your kid's (or husband's) head!
If there is a lot of interest in this, I can post some of the text of
one the articles I have published. I also have a book, "Family
Bicycling in the Baltimore/Washington Area" coming out in May or June
by EPM.
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