Head injuries tend to be the most serious kinds of injuries, so most parents make sure their kids wear a helmet when cycling. But hand and knee injuries are also common and can be serious too, as well as painful. The elbows and knees are especially vulnerable from hits and scrapes. That’s why knee and elbow pads are for toddlers just as essential as a helmet not just for cycling, but also other activities like skating and riding a scooter.
In this buying guide, we review the best knee and elbow pads for toddlers and kids that are available online in the UK.
Key Considerations
A. Full Set
The first thing to check is whether you are getting a full set. A fully kitted set included a pair of knee pads, a pair of elbow pads and a pair of wrist guards or gloves.
Buying a full set ensures you get everything you need in a single kit. It’s cheaper, more convenient and you can be sure everything will match in terms of style.
Some kits also include a helmet. The set will be more expensive but you’ll likely save money compared to buying the pads and set separately.
B. Size
Next, check the size of the pads. It’s essential that the elbow and knee pads fit your child snugly. Otherwise, they’ll provide less injury protection and could even come off when they are riding a bike.
Sizes of elbow and knee pads are usually indicated as extra-small, small and medium. The manufacturer will often include age recommendations for a specific size.
XS sizes are typically for 3-5 year olds. S sizes are for 5-7 years olds while M sizes are for older kids up to around 15 years of age.
C. Materials and Design
Make sure the pads are well built and design to provide maximum protection while also being comfortable.
The best design is a plastic plate on the outside and a breathable pad underneath. The breathable pad absorbs shock in case of a fall and keeps the skin underneath from getting hot and sweaty.
For wrist guards or gloves, we recommend looking for a pair that includes palm protection. Because hands automatically extend downwards to cushion the body from a fall, palms are highly likely to get hurt if a toddler falls when skating or cycling.
Another aspect of design that’s essential is adjustability. The pads should have adjustable straps to ensure a snug fit.
D. Style
While you may not care what colour or style the pads are, your child does. Try to find knee and elbow pads that come in their favourite colour or have their favourite cartoons drawn on them such as Paw Patrol or SpongeBob.
Best Knee and Elbow Pads for Toddlers: Reviews
1. Good Life Home Kids/Youth Knee Pads Set
This 6-in-1 set of protective pads from Good Life Home is the best choice for most toddlers and kids. It includes two knee pads, two elbow pads and two wrist pads.
You can get the pads in two sizes: S and M. The S sized set is ideal for kids between 3 and 7 years while the M set is for kids between 6 and 15 years.
Each pad comes with elastic straps that you can adjust to get a secure fit.
The pads consist of a hardy plastic plate on the outside and soft EVA padding underneath. The padding is breathable, so your kid will stay comfortable even in hot weather.
As for style, the Good Life Home pads are available in six colour options including red/blue, purple, black/blue and all-black. They don’t carry any cartoon-themed pads.
What we like about it:
- Complete 6-in-1 set.
- Adjustable for a snug fit.
- Breathable padding.
- Multiple colour option.
2. PAW PATROL DARP-OPAW003 Multi-Colour Wrist Guards/Elbow and Knee Pads
If your child is a big fan of Paw Patrol, this is the best set for them. The pads come with the iconic blue, yellow and red colours of the popular cartoon series as well as pictures of the Paw Patrol team.
This is a complete set consisting of six pads: two elbow pads, two knee pads and two wrist guards.
The size of the pads is designed for kids between ages 3 and 5. The wrist guards and elbow pads are extra small while the knee pads are small.
If the pads are slightly too big for your child’s elbows or knees, use the included straps to tighten them.
The design of the Paw Patrol pads is similar to that of other pads. They feature a plastic surface with a breathable pad underneath.
What we like about it:
- Great for kids who love Paw Patrol.
- Full set.
- Comfortable to wear.
- Adjustable fit.
3. Kuyou Kids Knee Pads Set
If you are on a budget, we recommend the Kuyou set. It’s the cheapest set pads among our picks, but it provides just as much protection as other slightly more expensive sets.
The Kuyou set includes the usual: elbow pads, knee pads and wrist guards.
This set is more versatile when it comes to age suitability. Thanks to the adjustable Velcro straps, the pads can fit any child between 3 and 9 years of age.
The pads feature a hardy impact-resistant PVC shell with a breathable padding that absorbs shock. The wrist guards have an advanced design that provides protection for the wrist, palm as well as the back of the hand.
You can choose from five colours including blue, black, green, red and pink.
What we like about it:
- Full set for knee, elbow and wrist protection.
- Easily adjustable using Velcro straps.
- Multiple colour options.
4. Schwinn Girls Multi-Sport Pad Set Gloves
For girls, we recommend this pad set from Schwinn. It fits kids between 3 and 5 years of age and you can adjust the Velcro straps to get a snug fit around the elbows and knees.
The wrist guards are more like gloves. They cover a much larger area than ordinary wrist guards, meaning they provide extra protection.
The gloves cover the entire palm, the back of the hand and part of the fingers. The palm area is padded for additional protection in case of a fall.
The knee and elbow pads have plastic caps on top to prevent scrapes and injuries. A soft backing cushions your child’s knees and elbows from impact.
All the pads, including the gloves, have Velcro straps. So this set will fit your child as they grow up to around five years of age.
There’s only one colour available – a pink and blue style.
What we like about it:
- Beautiful styling.
- Full set.
- The gloves provide more protection compared to wrist guards.
5. Wayin Kids Protective Gear Set
If you are looking for a pad set that includes a helmet, we recommend the Wayin Kids Skateboard Protective Gear Set.
It is the only set among our picks to include a helmet in addition to knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards. It is only a little more pricey than the non-helmet sets, so you get good value for your money.
The helmet features an impact-resistant ABS shell, an EPS inner shell and soft sponge padding.
Vents drilled into the helmet ensure air flows in and out, preventing your child from overheating especially on hot days.
The pads feature a tough plastic exterior and comfortable padding underneath.
Both the pads and the helmet come with Velcro straps for easy size adjustment. Thanks to the straps, the entire set can fit kids aged between 3 and 9 years.
The Wayin set is available in just three colour: pink, black and blue.
What we like about it:
- Set includes helmet.
- Multiple colour options.
- Adjustable to fit a wide range of ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a helmet enough to keep kids safe when cycling and playing?
A helmet is essential for cycling, skating and other activities, but it’s not enough. You also need to get your child a pair of knee pads, elbow pads
2. Is a helmet enough to keep kids safe when cycling and playing?
A helmet is essential for cycling, skating and other activities, but it’s not enough. You also need to get your child a pair of knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards or gloves. This ensures your child’s most vulnerable areas are protected in case of a fall.
3. How do I choose the best knee and elbow pad size for my kid?
Knee and elbow pad sizes typically range from XS to M. Check the size label for the set you want to buy and the manufacturer-recommended age. XS is suitable for 3-5 year olds, S for 5-7 year olds and M for older kids.
Be sure to get adjustable pads that provide a snug fit and keep up with your child’s growth.
4. Are knee and elbow pads uncomfortable for kids to wear?
If you choose the right knee and elbow pads, they should not cause any discomfort. The most important thing is to get the right size that fits snugly without feeling loose or too tight. Secondly, make sure the inner padding is soft and breathable.
and wrist guards or gloves. This ensures your child’s most vulnerable areas are protected in case of a fall.
5. How do I choose the best knee and elbow pad size for my kid?
Knee and elbow pad sizes typically range from XS to M. Check the size label for the set you want to buy and the manufacturer-recommended age. XS is suitable for 3-5 year olds, S for 5-7 year olds and M for older kids.
Be sure to get adjustable pads that provide a snug fit and keep up with your child’s growth.
6. Are knee and elbow pads uncomfortable for kids to wear?
If you choose the right knee and elbow pads, they should not cause any discomfort. The most important thing is to get the right size that fits snugly without feeling loose or too tight. Secondly, make sure the inner padding is soft and breathable.
Do you have any recommendations for 2 year olds?