Child safety seats including energy absorbing elements in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In a variety of embodiments, a child safety seat includes a seat body comprising an outer surface and at least one energy absorber coupled to the outer surface, the energy absorber including an outwardly facing surface facing away from the outer surface of the seat body, an inwardly facing surface facing towards the outer surface of the seat body, and at least one energy absorbing element located between the outwardly facing surface and the inwardly facing surface, wherein the energy absorber absorbs energy in response to an impact.