Best bike trailers for kids: safe and comfy seats for cycle rides and school runs

Trusted bike trailer brand, Burley, has been designing quality bike trailers and accessories for over 40 years, so it comes as no surprise that the Burley Bee Bike Trailer (a newer version of the Burley Solo) is a firm favourite among parents.

Known for its safe, durable and thoughtful design, this bike trailer is large enough to comfortably seat two children (plus carry plenty of additional toys and snacks), yet its compact fold flattens the trailer for easy storage and transportation. It’s also incredibly light, weighing in at under 10kg, making it a great choice for off-road riding.

Made with good suspension and a solid aluminium roll cage frame, UPF 50+ tinted windows to reduce glare and rear window ventilation, the bike only trailer is ideal for school runs, quick trips to the shops or longer family adventures. We also like that it’s made with hammock-style seats which offer additional suspension over bumps and undulating terrain.

Some great standard features on all Burley bike trailers include a robust hitch, tow arm and tall safety flag, a five-point harness, ample storage space with interior pockets, plus a 600D polyester wind- and water-resistant cover ideal for all seasons.

If you’re looking for a more spacious Burley bike trailer that converts into a double buggy, it may be worth considering the Burley Encore X instead.

Read next: Best running buggies for parents 

While it may not come with all the bells and whistles of pricier models like the Burley Bee, the Samax Child Bike Trailer is strong, durable and doesn’t compromise on safety.

It’s made with a sturdy steel frame as well as eight reflectors on the outside of the trailer (plus a highly visible yellow fabric cover) and a flag for increased visibility. It also comes with a five-point safety harness and padded waist belt to secure children in the seat, plus a rollover bar – an extra safety feature that helps protect children if the trailer tips over. The bar is built into the trailer's frame to prevent the passenger area from hitting the ground, reducing the risk of injury.

From a riding perspective, this trailer is equipped with a spring-loaded rear axle to absorb shocks, along with a 10-inch front tyre and two 20-inch rear tyres, providing a smooth, seamless ride.

While the Samax Child Bike Trailer doesn’t have well-cushioned reclining seats, it does offer plenty of space and legroom for children and has two side pockets on either side of the cabin for snacks and toys. There’s also a large storage area at the back of the trailer for groceries or changing bags.

The trailer is quite heavy at 19kg, so if you live in a hilly area, you might want to consider a lighter option like the Allen Sports Deluxe Bike Trailer, which is 6kg lighter. The good news is that this trailer seamlessly converts to a jogging pram (without any tools required) and comes with a good-quality weather-resistant cover and robust handbrake, ideal for controlling your speed in jogger mode.

Suitable for children over 18 months, the Samax Child Bike Trailer is ideal for toddlers and offers good value for money overall.

Read next: Best trikes for toddlers and preschoolers

Ideal for children from 18 months to five years of age, this mid-range bike trailer is a safe, reliable option for younger passengers. The VEVOR's lightweight yet sturdy aluminium alloy frame can comfortably carry one to two children with a combined weight of 55kg, while the roomy design allows for plenty of extra load (think picnic items, kids toys, and umbrellas).

Suitable for use with bicycles with 26 or 28-inch wheels that can tow a load of at least 50kg, this trailer is made with a harder base than some other models for better protection against bumps on the road and wet weather, plus it has ample padding for little bodies. The five-point security belt keeps children safe and snug inside, while a foot brake makes for easy parking whether you're using it in stroller or trailer mode.

While it’s not the lightest bike trailer out there, its slimline design makes it simple to ride with, particularly if you’re on a road or touring bike, and the thicker tyres help ensure a smooth, secure ride through neighbourhood parks, streets, and designated bicycle lanes. It also features a large side window so kids can enjoy the view, light reflectors on the back wheels for added visibility, and an adjustable handlebar when in stroller mode for ergonomic pushing.

One of the great things about the VEVOR is that it doesn’t require any tools to assemble and folds down neatly with side storage for the trailer bar, making it ideal for homes with limited space.

A small downside: the safety flag, while visible, sits on the wrong side of the trailer and can't be repositioned, which may bother more safety-conscious riders.

Read next: Best travel systems for newborns

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Axkid Grand Tour review

Versatile and stylish with exceptional safety features for a safe ride, the Axkid Grand Tour is a 4-in-1 bike trailer that converts to a double buggy, running buggy and spacious cargo carrier with up to 60 litres of storage.

As a bike trailer, it offers a smooth and comfortable ride, even on uneven roads and rough terrain, and has a tight turning circle that makes changing direction a breeze.

As a regular pushchair and running buggy, it's more compact than many double buggies on the market, with spacious seats suitable for two children up to the age of four or five.

While it's expensive and can't be used with newborns or small babies under six months old, the fact that it can be used in four different ways and offers good longevity makes it more than worth the price tag in our opinion.

Read next: Best lightweight strollers and buggies

If you’re looking for a versatile bike trailer that can handle both on and off-road riding, the Schwinn Joyrider won’t disappoint.

It comes with large 20-inch wheels for extra traction and stability, plus ergonomically designed seats and padded shoulder straps that can accommodate two children with a combined weight of 36kg. It also has plenty of internal space as well as a full weather shield and bug screen for added protection.

We like that the bike trailer comes with a Schwinn Universal Coupler, making it attachable to just about any bicycle out there. This model also converts to an all-terrain, three-wheel buggy, where the front wheel swivels for extra manoeuvrability on any terrain.

On the downside, the Schwinn Joyride is an older model and is quite heavy (17.5kg) compared to other bike trailers out there, so might not be the best choice for those with limited storage space. In stroller mode, it’s also quite wide and bulky compared to other all-terrain or running buggies and may not fit through narrow spaces and doorways.  

Read next: Best all-terrain prams

When it comes to bicycle gear and accessories, Hamax is a popular brand amongst Mumsnetters who also gave a thumbs up to the Hamax Caress bike seat. 

If you have children of varying ages (and sizes) that you need to transport at the same time, it’s important to choose a big trailer with plenty of internal space, which is where the Hamax Traveller comes in. It has extra space in the front, which is great for older children with longer legs, plus the trailer itself has large wheels and good suspension for a smooth ride.

If need be, the trailer easily converts to a pushchair for walks or shopping trips. Another great feature is the height-adjustable handle and front swivel wheel for easy walking.

Safety-wise, we like that this trailer is made with front and rear reflectors and a five-point harness, as well as reflective lines on the sides and rear.

The fact that the Allen Sports Deluxe Bike Trailer weighs in at under 15 kg and is so simple to set up (no tools needed), folds flat and fits in almost any car boot makes it a worthy companion for day trips and holidays. We like that it can be used to explore new areas, both on and off-road thanks to its large 16-inch wheels and robust design (however, if you plan to go off-road a lot, a bike trailer with larger 20-inch wheels will offer an even smoother ride). Plus, it only needs one person to assemble. Bonus!

While not suitable for children under the age of 12 months, it’s roomy enough to fit an older child plus a toddler with additional storage space at the back and is made with mesh fabric and large front and side windows for great visibility. However, it’s worth noting that the side windows are plastic, and not mesh – offering less airflow than some other bike trailers we’ve tested.

The Allen Sports Deluxe Bike Trailer also has a safety flag (one of the tallest flags out of all the flags featured on our list), back reflectors, a well-padded five-point harness and protective top cover to ensure children are safe and snug inside. We also like the folding design with quick release wheels which makes for easy transport and storage. Another plus is that this trailer comes with a stroller conversion kit, making it good value for money overall.

Read next: Best car seats for toddlers

Pricey? Yes. But, when it comes to impeccable design and functionality, you can’t go wrong with Thule. The well-known Swedish brand has been designing and developing quality outdoor adventure products since 1942 and their bike trailers are made according to the highest quality and safety standards.

Thule’s high-end Chariot Lite 2 is a fantastic all-round bike trailer, jogger and stroller with additional ski touring accessories. It’s made with a clever VersaWing system, which is a winged-shaped aluminium piece that enables a seamless conversion between these activities for fun family outings year-round.

Even though the bike trailer is spacious enough to accommodate two little passengers, the steel frame is incredibly lightweight (but still sturdy and durable) weighing just 12.5kg versus the Samax Child Bike Trailer at 19kg. We like that the front mesh cover seals shut at the bottom – so the cabin can be loaded with snacks and toys without the risk of anything falling out.

More impressive features include a leaf spring suspension for a comfier ride (although it’s not adjustable like some other models), rear reflector lights for added visibility, a solid roll cage in case of an accident, a durable rain cover and sunshade that fits snugly, plus strategically placed, adjustable air vents for better airflow within the trailer.

The rain cover and sunshade are also included in the overall purchase, as are the strolling and biking kits (the ski and jogger kits are sold separately). Some noted downsides of the Thule Chariot Lite 2 are that the rain cover is a little tight to pull over the frame, the safety flag doesn’t slot into the hole as easily as other models and unlike the Thule Chariot Cross (which is currently out of stock as a newer version is launching at the end of the year), the Thule Chariot Lite 2 doesn’t have reclining seats.

In stroller mode, this bike trailer can be used for children under six months old, provided you purchase the Thule Chariot Infant Sling.

Burley deserves another spot on our recommendations with their ultra-spacious D’Lite X. While this bike trailer is wide so as to carry two older children comfortably, it’s still easy enough to pull with a road bike or touring bike thanks to its seamless design and large 20-inch wheels.

Like the Thule Chariot Lite 2, the Burley D’Lite X is another premium bike trailer that comes with a whole host of features to ensure a smooth, safe and relaxed ride such as the critical five-point safety harness, a flag and reflectors around the trailer, fully independent reclining seats (with three adjustable positions), a suspension dial to tweak if you’re travelling over more rugged terrain and pads for neck and back support. It also has plenty of room inside the cabin for children with wider shoulders to move around easily.

Another safety bonus is that you can fold the handle (used for running) over the top of the bike trailer when riding. This offers additional protection for your child should the trailer tip or roll, which is highly unlikely with a premium model like the D’Lite X. The trailer also has a high-quality braking system which ensures the trailer stays put around sharper bends or even when stopped on an incline.

But perhaps one of the best features of this bike trailer is that it’s large enough to comfortably carry a balance bike inside the storage unit at the back, so children can ride themselves should they wish.

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