
LittleLife
Toddler Rein, Dinosaur
7.5/10 overall£16.00
A fun mini backpack that doubles as a tested and approved safety harness, giving toddlers a sense of independence.
Styling this as a mini backpack rather than obvious reins is a genuinely smart piece of design - toddlers tend to see it as their own bag rather than a restraint, and asking to wear "the dinosaur" solves the actual daily battle of getting reins on in the first place, which matters more in practice than any technical safety spec if your toddler point-blank refuses to wear plain reins. There's also a small internal pocket, useful for a toddler-sized snack or a favourite toy, which adds a bit of genuine backpack functionality beyond the novelty.
Against the John Lewis ANYDAY reins, the trade-off is clear: LittleLife wins decisively on getting a toddler to actually wear reins willingly, scoring notably higher on toddler appeal, but its rear clasp design is a little less secure than the ANYDAY's dedicated back-mounted clasp, scoring a point lower on security in our comparison. For most families the appeal factor matters more day to day, since reins that stay in the drawer because your toddler refuses them protect nobody.
Ideal for a toddler who actively resists or fights wearing plain reins, where the backpack framing is often the difference between reins actually getting used and them being abandoned in a bag. Less critical if your toddler already accepts reins without a fuss, or if you're prioritising the highest possible security for a toddler who's shown a tendency to bolt - the ANYDAY's clasp is the safer bet there.
The rear clasp, while perfectly adequate for a toddler who wanders rather than actively tries to escape, isn't quite as secure as a dedicated harness clasp design, so it's not the first choice for a toddler who's shown real determination to get free. The novelty design also means less flexibility if your toddler's tastes change and they decide the dinosaur design is babyish.
What we liked
- Backpack styling gets genuine toddler buy-in
- Small pocket adds real backpack functionality
- Comfortable padded straps
- Fun design toddlers ask to wear
Where it falls short
- Rear clasp less secure than a dedicated harness
- Not ideal for a toddler prone to bolting
- Novelty design may lose appeal over time
Specs
- Clasp
- Rear-mounted
- Design
- Mini backpack rein (dinosaur)
- Padding
- Padded straps
- Storage
- Small internal pocket
- Material
- Polyester
- Safety testing
- Tested to BS EN 13210
How we scored it
Security of Clasp
How hard it is for a toddler to unclip or escape the harness unassisted.
Slightly less secure rear clasp than a dedicated harness design.
Comfort & Padding
Padding quality and comfort over longer walks or outings.
Toddler Appeal
How willingly a toddler accepts wearing it, which affects real-world compliance.
Toddlers ask to wear "the dinosaur" rather than needing to be talked into reins.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
The alternative

John Lewis ANYDAY
ANYDAY Baby Harness and Walking Reins
Adjustable padded reins with a back clasp toddlers can't undo themselves, keeping confident walkers close on busy outings.