Does my child's bike helmet need MIPS?

MIPS (a rotational-impact slip-plane layer) is increasingly common and several high-trust testers treat it as a meaningful safety addition, but the reviewers we read are not unanimous. Specialist cycling communities note that a well-fitting non-MIPS helmet that meets CPSC certification still protects the head, and that fit matters more than any single feature. If budget allows, a MIPS option like the Giro Tremor or Giro Register II is a reasonable choice; if it doesn't, prioritize correct fit and CPSC certification.