Good safety gear can make the process more relaxing and safer when you’re teaching your toddler how to ride a tricycle or a scooter. Whether your child develops a love for cycling, roller skating, or skateboarding, elbow, and knee pads can help prevent injuries. And of course, it’s good to teach them the importance of using protective gear at an early age.
For toddlers, you want to choose comfortable, lightweight protection gear. A sturdy construction can keep your little one safe when they’re riding, and flexibility will keep them comfortable.
Being on a tight budget can limit your options, but this article will help you get the best out of both worlds. The products that we’ve mentioned below are not only the best knee and elbow pads for toddlers today, but they are also quite budget-friendly.
Best Knee and Elbow Pads for Toddlers Reviews
Strider Knee and Elbow Pad Set
Strider is a well-known bicycle equipment manufacturer that puts safety first. (Actually the Strider balance bike is one of our absolute favorite outdoor toys for toddlers). Their knee and elbow pads feature a hard plastic outer shell that will protect your kid’s knees and elbows from injury. They are also cushioned to provide maximum comfort while riding.
Besides being comfortable, the Strider knee and elbow pads are very stylish. They currently come in a black and white color scheme. Since dirt is hard to avoid when playing outdoors, Strider has made their elbow and knee pads completely washable.
The Strider knee and elbow pads have easy-to-attach Velcro straps, so your young one won’t have any problems hooking and looping their pads themselves.
This knee and elbow pad set is ideal for kids from 18 months to 5 years old.
Pros
- Premium plastic hard outer shell
- Comfortable
- Stylish
- Easy to use
- Can be used by toddlers and older children
Cons
- Lack of color options
Fox Kids TITAN Knee/Shin Guard
If your family is into motorsports, you may be looking for toddler knee pads that will work for dirt bikes or ATVs. Most knee/shin protective gear doesn’t allow the rider to bend their knees. Plus, they are quite heavy and limit the rider’s movement. But the Fox Kids TITAN knee/shin guards are entirely something else.
These knee pads are made for motorsports specifically. While wearing these knee/shin guards, your child will be able to bend their knee, but they have a bit more protection than a regular bike or scooter knee pad. The ability to bend their knee more easily will improve their stability while riding and give them more control over their ride.
These knee guards feature a tough outer plastic shell for protection against falls and hits. Their soft backing material prevents chafing and ensures comfort. To increase ventilation, the manufacturers have added perforated bio-foam.
The Fox Kids TITAN knee/shin guards have adjustable straps, and they are ideal for kids between the ages of 3 and 8.
Pros
- Allow little riders to bend their knees
- Hard outer plastic
- Comfortable
- Easy to use strap system
Cons
- Best for motorsports, not mountain biking
eNilecor Kid’s Inline Wrist, Elbow, Knee Pads
eNilecor is a company known for manufacturing good-quality protective gear for children. This offer consists of wrist, knee, and elbow protective pads for young riders. They can be used for skating, rollerblading, cycling, etc. They feature adjustable elastic straps, followed by loops and hooks to ensure maximum safety.
The eNilecor Inline Wrist, Elbow, and Knee Pads are made of EVA padded material, which is soft and comfortable on the skin. It’s accompanied by breathable plastic plates that prevent fall injuries.
Admittedly, these aren’t the best knee and elbow pads for toddlers of small stature, as the set is made for 6-15-year-old children and eNilecor currently only offers their protective gear in M size. The supported body weight goes from 50 to 99 lbs. But if your toddler is big for their age, this could be the best option for them.
Pros
- All-around protective gear set
- Supports multiple sports
- Breathable plastic plates
- Comfortable
Cons
- Only come in M size
Schwinn SW76308-6 Elbow and Knee Pad Set
If you’re looking for high-quality protective gear with an interesting design that children will love, the Schwinn SW76308-6 protective set might be perfect for you. The set includes elbow pads, knee pads, and gloves. The elbow and knee pads only come in black, while the gloves are red, gray, and black. Although there aren’t other color options, their design is still quite appealing.
The protective pads and gloves are made with Nylon, which makes them thin and ensures flexibility. The strong fiber makes them quite durable and tough, which is excellent against fall injuries.
Another benefit of its materials is that they don’t absorb sweat. Instead, they push the sweat to the surface where it can evaporate. That also ensures that your child’s protective gear set won’t grow mildew or mold.
This elbow and knee pad set also feature an adjustable strap system, so your child can enjoy the comfort and protection of this pad set’s custom fit.
Pros
- Comfortable and durable fabric
- Lightweight
- Includes protective gloves
- Excellent design
- Adjustable straps
Cons
- Lack of color options
- Hard to distinguish knee pads from elbow pads
TXJ Sports Knee, Elbow, and Wrist Pads
The TXJ Sports protective gear offers protection for kids who ride bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, Hoverboards, etc.
They have an interesting design that comes in pink or black. There are also two size options for you to choose from. The S size TXJ Sports protective gear is suitable for:
- Knee circumference of 19-26.5 cm
- Elbow circumference of 17-22.5 cm
- Kids from 2-5 years of age
The M size is meant for the 6-8 year age range.
The TXJ Sports protective gear set includes knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist pads. It’s made of soft-padded, durable material that features tough plastic plates. There are multiple elastic straps that you can easily adjust to ensure a custom fit.
Pros
- Two size options
- Several elastic adjustable straps
- Interesting design
- Tough plastic plates
Cons
- Limits the rider’s movement
Kuyoy Child Protective Gear Set
This set is suitable for kids ages 2 through 7. The set includes a wrist guard, knee pads, and elbow pads that are made with a thickened soft sponge, a high hardness PVC shell, and are comfortable for your child to wear as well as durable. The elastic straps are adjustable so you can achieve a more perfect fit.
Pros
- Comfortable and durable design and construction
- Full set for all-around protection
- Adjustable straps and Velcro for a more secure fit
- Comes with a convenient carrying bag
- Suitable for all sizes
Cons
- Some users had sizing problems, and some gear was too big
Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Toddler Knee and Elbow Pad
What child doesn’t want their favorite cartoon character adorning their protective gear? This Nickelodeon Paw Patrol set comes with both knee and elbow pads that are built to be durable and withstand wear and tear and whatever your child throws at them. The straps are also adjustable so you can achieve the absolute best fit for safety. They are suitable for kids up to around 4 years old before they begin to get too small.
Pros
- Complete set for elbow and knee safety
- Has your child’s favorite Paw Patrol characters
- Easy to get on and take off
- Very durable and made to last
Cons
- Some say the set runs too small
- Velcro straps are a bit on the shorter side
Dark Lightning Knee Pads for Kids and Toddlers
These pads are considered professional protective gear for kids. They are heavy duty and very durable. The elastic cuff ensures that they stay in the right position without sliding off, and the shell is thicker and wider than other brands, which provides your child with even more protection. They are suitable for use with a variety of sports, including skateboarding, biking, skating, and other extreme sports. There are two sizes and two colors available in the elbow and knee pads for kids.
Pros
- Durable and made to last
- Offers a secure fit
- Suitable for kids ages 4 and up
- Multi-sport protection
- Professional shell and construction
Cons
- Elastic isn’t that flexible
Why Your Child Needs Protective Gear
Even if you feel that your child is timid and not as aggressive as some other children can be while skating or riding their bikes, you still need to make sure they are wearing appropriate safety gear at all times.
Additionally, having knee and elbow pads may give your child an extra boost of confidence and can push them to keep trying if they are learning how to ride. They also won’t worry about injuries if they were to lose their balance and fall to their knees.
Elbow and Knee Pad Sizing
One of the more frustrating parts of finding the best knee and elbow pads for toddlers is sizing. Some manufacturers have their own sizing guidelines you can follow to help you find the best fit for your toddler, but you should also consider the child’s weight and height. Sometimes, it is as easy as equating your child’s clothing size to the size of the elbow and knee pad protection.
If they wear a large shirt, for example, then they will most likely wear a large elbow pad. However, this isn’t always the case, so you should adhere to all general guidelines and manufacturer guidelines when finding the right size.
Safety First
This list focused on elbow, knee, and wrist pads, but you should also consider buying a protective helmet for your youngster. Only then will your kid be completely protected while they’re enjoying their ride.
