A protective helmet for use by children is provided, with a top portion formed as a hollow dome, containing a plurality of ventilation openings. The top portion includes a stretch panel which extends from the top of the dome to a rim of the top portion. The protective helmet also includes a padded brim which is formed as a band mounted to and encircling an outer circumference of the top portion at the rim, and includes a stretch panel adjacent to the stretch panel of the top portion. The protective helmet further includes a first strap and a second strap mounted to the padded brim that are attachable to and detachable from each other. Each strap has an ear protection portion at the point of attachment to the padded brim that is configured to provide protection to the ears of the child, with a plurality of ventilation openings therein for the passage of air and sound. The top portion, padded brim, first strap, and second strap all have an inner and outer layer with flexible, resilient padding disposed therebetween and are constructed of an inexpensive, disposable material.