I have reviewed the best toddler safety harnesses and own a leash similar to the Smart n Comfy Portable Toddler Harness. We love our leash and while we do not use it all the time, we have found it to be a very convenient device that can readily be tossed into a larger purse or a diaper bag.
We keep ours in the car so that if we are in a situation where a stroller would not be helpful I can just grab it and go.
Best Toddler Harnesses with Leash
Smart n Comfy Portable Toddler Harness
The Smart n Comfy Portable Toddler Harness is a comfortable leash that goes around a child’s waist like a big hug and you will love its multifunctional use. In addition to a leash, it can be used to turn any chair into a high chair and can be used as a shopping cart belt.
I find this to be one of the best helpers available when there is no highchair available or usable, the leash goes around the waist rather than the shoulders which my first baby would not have liked at all.
Other mothers have used this device for grocery cart instead of the seat belts. I have not employed this type of leash this way, but plan to do so with my second as there were many times with my first that we had to use carts that had broken belt buckles.
We bought this so that we could avoid having one less thing to carry on an airplane. I like that the belt is attached around the waist and that the velcro is quite strong. I do not like the length of the leash or how it is attached.
Goldbug Monkey Baby Harness
The Goldbug Monkey Baby Harness represent a worthy choice for an 18-month-old child and older. This harness is available in a variety of adorable animals including; a monkey, lion, dog, elephant, giraffe, pig, frog or elephant.
The stuffed animal doubles as a small backpack. Children love the stuffed animal and frequently play with it when they are not attached to the leash.
The leash is adequately long at 3-feet. Reviewers note that the harness often does not fit as well as it should. Some parents have been frustrated that there is limited ability to adjust the straps of this harness.
The backpack is extremely small, (it is more of a pocket) so you can’t really plan to pack much of anything. Additionally, the placement of the adorable monkey can sometimes fit a child in an uncomfortable manner.
Best Toddler Backpacks with Leash
Skip Hop Zoo Collection Backpack with Detachable Leash
The Skip Hop Zoo Collection Backpack with Detachable Leash 9-inch backpack leash is incredibly helpful when you are tired of hauling all of your little one’s belongings. This backpack style has side mesh pockets allowing for sippy cup storage, which is essential when on outings.
The backpack comes in the bee, butterfly, ladybug, monkey, and Eureka Unicorn. The leash is only about 2 feet long which could help prevent issues in situations where you need your child close.
Munchkin Brica By-My-Side Safety Harness
The Munchkin Brica By-My-Side Safety Harness boasts high sales and great reviews. This is a 2-in-1 type harness because you can use it as a harness and backpack or simply as a toddler backpack for your little one! So your child will be able to keep using this long after they no longer need the tether feature.
Simply clip on the shock-absorbing tether whenever you need to use it. Because it clips on the bottom of the safety harness backpack, your child may not even notice it’s on there. The backpack itself comes in 4 different designs and features an outside mesh pocket for holding a sippy cup, snack, or toy as you both take a stroll together.
Best Wrist Leashes for Kids
Blisstime Anti Lost Wrist Link Safety Leash
The Blisstime Anti Lost Wrist Link Safety Leash connects your child’s wrist to your wrist.
The leash is coiled so it has some recoil to prevent your child from wandering too far. The leash comes in two sizes: 1.5 meters and 2.5 meters (which is about 5 or 6 feet long).
The stainless steel leash will not break if the leash is cut. While having a durable leash may set your mind at ease; some users have experienced breakage at the attachment point of the leash.
Additionally, some reviewers have had issues where wearers with smaller wrists slipped out of the 5-inch wrist band. The manufacturer recommends that this product is used with a child over the age of four and not with babies.
FITARTS Toddlers Leash + Wrist Link Safety Harness
Not all toddler harnesses need to be drab and boring! With the FITARTS Toddlers Leash + Wrist Link Safety Harness, your little one will be stylin’ while wearing the pink butterfly or yellow lion harness. The convenient part of this harness is that your child may love wearing it even without the leash attached, allowing them to become more comfortable with wearing it in the first place.
When you’re ready to go, simply attach the leash or the wrist links to the harness and you’re set. Many parents say their toddlers have enjoyed wearing this harness and it hasn’t felt like a burden. With these fun designs, keeping your little one safe can be fun for your child too.
Lehoo Castle Toddler Leash
The Lehoo Castle Toddler Leash comes in several styles and can lend you insight into if you prefer the wrist leash or the harness style harnesses.
Reviewers of this leash like the harness style better than the wrist leash which comes with it. There are a variety of animal options for your kids. At 8.2 feet long your child is unlikely to feel too confined and is the longest leash we are reviewing.
Kid and Toddler Harnesses Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Skip Hop Zoo Collection Backpack with Detachable Leash | 9.9 | 9.6 | 19.00 |
| Goldbug Monkey Baby Harness | 9.8 | 9.2 | 18.99 |
| FITARTS Toddlers Leash + Wrist Link Safety Harness | 9.9 | 9.2 | 12.99 |
| Blisstime Anti Lost Wrist Link Safety Leash | 9.9 | 9.0 | 7.99 |
| Munchkin Brica By-My-Side Safety Harness | 3.9 | 9.4 | - |
| Smart n Comfy Portable Toddler Harness | 9.0 | 8.2 | - |
| Lehoo Castle Toddler Leash | 9.4 | 8.6 | - |
Concerns About Toddler Harnesses
My first son is an active child who is always moving. Despite my reservations and feeling like I am not that mom who walks their child around like the family pet, I decided we should at least get a leash for peace of mind.
Interestingly enough, there has not been any child safety recalls on record with the one and only complaint filed with the CSPC was for a stuffed animal that had a sewing needle left in it.
The leash is a rope which inherently means there is a remote possibility of becoming entangled and/or strangled. So, it is important to store the leash out of the reach of children when not in use.
A safety concern is also automatic doors and escalators, these are spots where a leash can get tangled. This was something that I had not considered when I obtained it. However, it was only a concern once with a moving walkway. I just walked on the edges that were not on the moving belt.
You may be wondering about the psychological effects or the hazards of using a toddler harness with your child. Experts agree that a harness can be used safely and many believe this may be a way to keep your wilder kids safe.
While these may be socially awkward, using a toddler safety harness is a convenient way to provide your child some freedom while requiring them to stay close.
