best buys

The best toddler safety reins and harnesses 2023

First published on Thursday 29 March 2018 17:30 BST Last modified on Saturday 25 February 2023

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Learning to walk is an exciting milestone for your child to reach, but be aware you'll need to up your parenting game!

As well as needing eyes in the back of your head, you might want to invest in a safety harness, reins or wrist strap, to help support your baby's first steps (and keep them near you on trips out!).

Once your toddler is up on his feet, keeping him safe becomes a whole new ball game, especially when you’re out and about in public.

It’s all too easy for young children to wander (or run!) off, get separated from you in crowded places, or stray towards dangerous places like roads and riverbanks.

A set of reins, or a backpack or wrist strap, are a handy toddler safety product that will give you peace of mind by keeping your child within arm’s reach while you’re out of the house.

You might feel that you're taking your child for a walk on a leash, but it does give you greater peace of mind if your toddler likes to run off or if you're worried about them getting lost in a crowd.

For older toddlers, a backpack with a removable parent strap is a great easy to use option, as it gives them more freedom, but you're still in control. Once they're older, the strap can be removed and they can use the backpack by itself.

See our top product picks below and read our rein and harness buying guide for kids here .

What to spend

The cheapest solution is a wrist strap, which costs around £3 to £5.

Basic reins start from around £5, with more elaborate versions costing up to £20.

You can buy toddler backpacks, which combine a safety rein with a child-pleasing bag, from around £20 to £25.

Key features

The choice of whether you buy reins, a wrist strap or a backpack depends on various factors, such as your budget, the age of your child and how good he is at walking.

Reins generally have a harness of straps that goes over your toddler’s shoulders and around his torso, just below the armpits.

They fasten with a clip – ideally, this should be at the back so that little fingers aren’t tempted to undo it.

A strap clips onto the back of the harness for you to hold onto.

This can often be removed so you can also use the harness to secure your child in a highchair, for example.

Wrist straps are ideal for toddlers who are steady on their feet but liable to bolt or wander so will add a stronger link between you.

Reins tend to be good for toddlers who are just finding their feet, as you can use the reins to help to right him if he topples over.

However, if your child decides he’s had enough of walking, you might end up with him dangling from the reins like a puppet.

Some reins come in a choice of colours, and with toddler-friendly animal or character designs.

Cheaper harnesses and reins generally have simple nylon straps, while the more expensive ones are more substantial and often padded so they’re comfier to wear. Some also have reflective details for extra safety in the dark.

Whichever type of reins or harness you choose, make sure it can be adjusted to fit your child snugly, so they can’t wriggle out of the straps.

Wrist straps have a loop at each end, one of which goes around your toddler’s wrist and the other around your own.

You can also loop the parent end around the handle of your buggy.

These tend to be simple – and similar – in design, although there’s some choice of colours.

Wrist straps are generally better for toddlers who are steady on their feet but liable to skip off or wander.

They’re also handy for occasional use to stop older children getting lost in big crowds, such as at festivals or in busy shopping centres.

Having a wrist strap can be useful to have in your travel bag if you are going on holiday to help navigate new, unfamiliar surroundings and to keep your kid close by.

Backpacks work similarly to reins, but instead of just having a harness, they have a toddler-sized bag to which the parent strap attaches.

These come in a whole range of colours and styles to appeal to your child.

They’re a more expensive purchase, but have a longer lifespan than traditional reins and wrist straps because your child can use the bag independently once he no longer needs the security of the rein.
Even if you’re using reins, a wrist strap or a backpack, it’s a good idea to teach your child to walk holding your hand as well, especially when you’re around hazards like roads.

This way, when you eventually graduate to him walking independently without a safety rein, he’ll be used to staying close to you when needed.

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Should you use toddler reins and harnesses?

Even though they might look restrictive, using walking reins or a harness actually allows your child more freedom! If they want to walk, but aren't fully aware of the dangers of cars and other vehicles, it means they can skip alongside you and you'll have peace of mind.

There are three different types of safety reins or harnesses to help your child walk.

The first type is a simple strap that goes around a child's wrist that you can then hold. This is better for older toddlers, particularly ones that like to run off!

The second is a harness or belt with a strap for parents to hold onto. This type is better for younger toddlers and a baby that is just starting to walk as its easier to support them if they are a little unsteady on their feet.

The third type of safety harness is a backpack that has a handle or a strap for parents to grab onto. This type of harness is popular for older children as it will make them feel more independent and grown up.

What age can you use baby reins?

They can be used as soon as your child starts to walk securely, until they are old enough to have road sense and can be trusted not to run off!

This is normally between one to two years old.

Toddler reins and harnesses are easy to use and can help keep your kid close by, especially if they like to run off and can stop them getting lost in crowds, too.

What are the best toddler reins?

Brands such as Clippasafe and Littlelife are well known and have a wide range of reins, harness and backpacks to suit all budgets. Reins and harnesses are also available from online retailers such as Amazon, Argos and John Lewis. They are sometimes on offer with free delivery included in the price.

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Read on:

• The best safety buys to help keep your child safe out and about
• Products that could save your baby's life
• Childproofing buys to help keep your child safe