The best bike trailers for kids make it easier than ever to bring your kids along on a bike ride, from a fairly young age. Many trailers can safely accommodate babies before they're ready to sit up, and once they can sit comfortably unaided, they'll love joining you for your rides. Who knows, they may even want to pedal their own bike one day, because of it.
We've listed below several options that would have you covered, from a very young age, until they're old enough to ride alongside you on one of the best kids' bikes. Meanwhile, if a trailer doesn't appeal to you, we'd highly recommend considering a cargo bike. There are plenty of types available, many of which have accessories to convert them for carrying kids.
The best bike trailers for kids will require a bit of investment, but they're durable and will see you through until all your youngsters are self-propelled. Once that happens, you may be able to convert your trailer to carry pets or cargo. And if you no longer need it, they tend to keep their value enough to make them worth reselling.
Below, you'll find our selection of the best bike trailers for kids, all of which we've used ourselves extensively. We've also got a separate guide to the best kids' bike helmets, which we'd recommend you always use. Further down the page, we have recommendations on how to choose the best bicycle trailer for your children.
Last updated on 7th May 2026
This guide was updated to ensure that all the best kids' bike trailers were relevant and available. Review copy was rewritten with more first-hand experiences during testing, and How to Choose and How we Test sections were updated.
Best bike trailers for kids 2026
You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.
Best overall
The Thule Courier still stands out as the best overall kid's trailer for its versatility, long-term value, ease of use and impressively solid on-road performance. We’ve now logged plenty of miles with this trailer on everything from smooth tarmac to rougher park paths, both as a bike trailer and a stroller, and it continues to feel stable, secure, and well-made.
We found that the baby supporter accessory works well for providing neck support for kids older than infants, but still too small to sit upright comfortably. The cabin interior is spacious, and the five-point harness feels robust and reassuring. There’s no built-in suspension, which we were initially unsure about, but on mildly rough surfaces, the large air-filled tyres absorb most of the vibration. On gravel or uneven trails, your child will still feel some bumps, not enough to feel unsafe, but worth bearing in mind if you ride off-road regularly.
We’re still impressed by the overall design. Storage and packing down remain straightforward; the trailer folds flat and the wheels pop off without tools, making it easy to store in a hallway cupboard or car boot. While it sits at the pricier end, the Courier converts into a dedicated cargo hauler once your child outgrows it, and there’s also a pet trailer kit available as an add-on. If you're on a tighter budget, consider an option like the Burley Bee below.
Best lightweight
As the name suggests, the Burley D’Lite X earns its place as one of the best lightweight kids' trailers, and it remains one of the easiest to tow and manoeuvre in our testing. That lighter build makes a real difference for parents who need to lift, carry or store it regularly.
The quick conversion from trailer to stroller is still a standout feature. Like the Thule Courier, the front wheel folds down quickly and securely, and the whole transition takes well under a minute. It’s also available in both single and double versions, which adds flexibility depending on your setup.
Our only real niggle is that the cabin windows include large opaque side panels that slightly limit your child’s outward view. It’s a small drawback, but worth noting if your kids enjoy watching everything as you ride.
Overall, the Burley D’Lite X is a great fit for families prioritising a lightweight, easy-to-handle trailer that integrates smoothly into everyday life, with a premium feel and plenty of thoughtful design touches.
Best for older kids
Most of the kids' bike trailer market is geared towards toddlers, but once your child grows out of that stage, the options narrow quickly. That’s where the Burley Piccolo continues to stand out; it’s designed for kids who are strong enough to sit upright but not quite ready to ride independently.
Our team has spent a lot of time testing the Piccolo, and it remains a brilliant stepping stone for kids in that in-between phase. We particularly like that pedalling is optional, so younger riders can coast along when they need a break. For those ready to get more involved, the adjustable handlebars, wide saddle height range, and seven-speed grip shifter do a great job of mimicking a real riding experience.
There’s no suspension on the Piccolo. If you’re planning to ride on gravel or rougher terrain, we’d suggest looking at a more enclosed, suspended option like the Burley D’Lite X.
For confident pedallers aged roughly 4 and up who are ready to move beyond passive trailers, the Piccolo remains one of the most engaging and confidence-building options available.
Best value for performance
If you’re after a reliable, no-fuss bike trailer that gets the basics right, the Burley Bee is still an easy recommendation. Speaking from first-hand experience, it never let us down. From warm summer rides to soggy winter commutes, it kept our little test rider safe, dry, and comfortable, and even after all that use, it was still in good enough shape to pass on.
The Bee’s simplicity and durability continue to stand out in testing. It’s light enough to tow comfortably, and the hitch system is quick to attach and remove, even with a thru-axle setup. While the interior isn’t especially plush, it’s roomy enough for a child to sit upright with a helmet on without feeling cramped.
There’s no suspension, so rougher terrain can mean a bumpier ride, especially at higher speeds or on gravel. In our experience, this isn’t an issue for shorter rides on smoother surfaces, but if you regularly ride on uneven ground, you might prefer something like the Burley D’Lite X.
For families who want a dependable, lightweight trailer that folds down compactly and stands up to years of use, the Bee is hard to beat. It’s available in one and two-seat versions, and if you want the added flexibility of stroller use, the Honey Bee includes a front wheel and push bar.
How to choose the bike trailers for kids
- Capacity: Choose between a single or double trailer based on how many children you need to carry.
- Age and longevity: Match the trailer to your child’s age and how long you plan to use it. Some models work with infant inserts, others suit toddlers and older kids. Always check the weight limit.
- Suspension: Useful for rough roads or trails, helping smooth out bumps. Keep in mind it usually adds extra weight and cost.
- Weather protection: Look for features like rain covers, ventilation, and sunshades if you ride in mixed conditions.
- Bike compatibility: Check that the hitch system works with your bike. You may need a thru-axle adapter, a rack mount, or a specific fitting. Also consider how easy it is to attach and remove, if you're switching between bikes.
- Storage: Trailers vary in size. Folding designs are easier to store at home and fit into a car boot, so measure your space before buying.
- Weight and portability: Heavier trailers can be awkward to lift or manoeuvre, especially up stairs or through tight spaces. A lighter, compact model is easier to handle.
- Stroller conversion: Some trailers convert into strollers, which is handy for errands, travel, or days out once you’re off the bike.
Everything you need to know about the bike trailers for kids
What age can a child be in a bike trailer?
You'll want to make sure that they are old enough to support their neck and back as the trailer moves. The recommendation for when that happens, according to the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), is twelve months of age.
This recommendation is exactly why we have the Thule Courier on our list, as it has accessories for infants and babies. With the right solutions, it is possible to ride with kids younger than one year, but if you are looking to make use of a standard seat in a standard bike trailer, that's the recommendation.
Can you convert a bike trailer for kids into a stroller?
Most bike trailers for kids convert to a stroller, but not all of them. Among the options that do there are also a variety of conversion styles. Some choices will come with everything you need in the box, and some will require an additional purchase. If you are looking for a running stroller, then a single wheel that doesn't turn is the best option. That style will track straight while you run and doesn't require two hands at all times. If you are looking to use the bike trailer as more of a general-use stroller, then you'll want wheels that rotate easily and aren't far out front.
This question does require a warning. Typically, the idea is that bike trailers are expensive and if you can combine the use that helps shoulder the cost burden.
The problem is that kids' bike trailers don't really compete with strollers in even the best-case situations. They work well as running strollers, but even an inexpensive stroller will tend to be a better choice for errands. They are lighter, they fold smaller, and they are more compact. If you are the kind of parent who tends to use baby-wearing options and only needs a stroller for an occasional trip, then it works. It’s also a great area if you bike somewhere and then want to transition to a stroller and leave the bike locked up. For everyone else, leave the kids' bike trailers to sports use and look for an everyday stroller.
What safety standards apply to child bike trailers?
There is a battery of internationally agreed safety tests that all kids' bike trailers need to pass to be sold. Those include not just roll and drop tests, but also ensure that the hitch and secondary bike hook-up are robust, that kids can't put their fingers in moving spokes and more.
Are bike trailers safer than bike seats?
Yes, according to Consumer Reports in the US. A bike seat puts your kiddo up on your bike with you. It's easy because there's less to carry and manage, but should you happen to fall, your child will fall with you, and the distance is substantial compared to their size.
On the other hand, a bike trailer with two wheels will tend to stay upright even if the parent bike falls. There's usually enough mobility in the connection to the bike that the trailer won't flip. If it happens to flip, it's built like a roll cage, and your child has a restraint system. They can happily hang upside down or sideways while you get the situation in hand.
The extra safety extends to the single-wheeled options on our list as well. If it's a trail-behind bike, it's much closer to the ground, and they aren't strapped in. If they fall, they might catch themselves, and if they do hit the ground, it's from a lower height.
Bikes are pretty safe, so it's unlikely you will just fall. What's more likely is that you've fallen because a car has hit you. In that case, because a bike trailer keeps your child behind you, they may stay safe even if you don't. When a car hit me, my child fell as the bike fell, but he was okay and out of the way.
Is a bike trailer a better choice than a cargo bike?
Alongside a kids' bike trailer, a cargo bike or an electric cargo bike is a good option for transporting children. While a trailer will always put your child behind you, some cargo bikes will allow you to seat them in front of you, so you've got a better view of them, and they've got a better, probably more interesting view of the road ahead.
But a trailer has the advantage that you can use your bike without it too, whereas a cargo bike is a single-piece item. A removable bike trailer is lighter, easier to move around and probably easier to store than a cargo bike. A bike plus trailer will probably be cheaper than a cargo bike too.
Unless you have an alternative use for a cargo bike, it may be redundant once your child has their own bike to ride.
Do kids need to wear a helmet in a bike trailer?
We recommend that children wear a helmet on every bike ride, even if they are in a trailer. Bikes are safe, and trailers are even safer, but it's best to err on the side of even more safety. We always wear a helmet, and we recommend the same for kids. Starting young with regular helmet use will also pay off later by normalising the experience.
Read our recommendations for the best kids' bike helmets if you're not sure what to buy.
What kind of bikes do kids bike trailers connect to?
Kid's bike trailers connect to bikes using either the seat post or the axle. The only one that differs from that is the Burley Trail Behind Bike, which mounts with its own rack. For the vast majority of options, that means you will be able to attach to most bikes, but there are some considerations. If your bike uses a thru-axle, you may need an adapter. That's becoming less of an issue as thru-axles become more ubiquitous, but it's worth looking into.
For those who attach to a seatpost, you will likely want a seatpost that's not carbon and is round. As far as the rest of the bike, the more stable your bike is, the easier it's going to be to ride with a trailer. I rode for years on a Cannondale CAAD race bike with a Weehoo, but it's not the best experience. In most situations, one of the best hybrid bikes will work better.
How we test
My son is 10 now, going on 11, and my journey into fitness and cycling with him in tow is how I came back to cycling after he was born. We spent hours and hours riding with him attached to my bike in various bike trailers, including the Burley Bee and the Weehoo Turbo Bike Trailer. For this collection, I relied on my experience, and we also spent some time riding with each of the options.
He's technically still below the maximum weight limits, even though he's also much too big. We had a lot of fun figuring out how everything worked and seeing which options were the best for which situations. Anything you choose from this list is a product we feel good about recommending.
You can head to our how we test page for more details about Cyclingnews' testing methodology.
