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Finding natural hairstyles for kids might seem daunting. Natural hair is a beautiful and versatile gift that offers endless creative and age-specific styling opportunities. For children, hairstyles represent a part of their cultural heritage, not just a way to manage their hair but also to express their individuality. From the fine, fragile strands of infancy to the coarser, more resilient hair of the teenager, each age presents its unique demands and opportunities for showcasing natural hair at its best.
While styling kids’ natural hair, looking for practical and protective options is wise. Kids are active; so, they need hairstyles that sustain playgrounds, school, and other daily activities with little or no upkeep. However, due to their different needs, it is wise to consider hairstyles for kids by their age group.
This article intends to balance comfort, functionality, and style with simple yet elegant natural hairstyles for kids of all ages. You will find ideas to make your child’s hair care regimen enjoyable and meaningful, whether you like easy, carefree looks or love trying protective styles and extensions. Now, let’s dive into the natural hair world and discover ways to celebrate it, one age group at a time!
Hairstyle for Infants (0-1 year) and Toddlers (1-3 years)
Like babies and toddlers, younger kids usually have softer hair and less resistance to more complex hairstyles. Hairstyles that require so much manipulation and cause tension to the hair can be painful and lead to hair damage, especially those that require putting in extensions and attachments. However, these types of hairstyles are bearable if they are done in moderation and made very carefully.
Here are some hairstyles I made on my daughter that were easy for me and comfortable for her while being stylish.
We started with the regular Afro when her hair was shorter:
Then we proceeded with small bundles with colorful hair bands:
At this point, her hair had gotten longer and could be easily put in fuller bundles:
It became easier to make cornrows when she turned one. It wasn’t stressful for her as well:
Baby and toddler hairstyles should be easy and lightweight, while being fun. If you want to experiment with extensions, you can visit our Children’s Natural Hairstyles board on Pinterest to check out several options. In my own case, I chose to skip the extensions to reduce the manipulations on my baby’s hair.
Hairstyles for Preschoolers (3-5 years) and Kids in Early Childhood (6-8 years)
Children of this age group are more active, and their hairstyles need to be practical and resilient for play and school but still leave room for creativity.
Hairstyles Without Extensions
Two-Strand Twists:
Great for low maintenance, twists keep hair detangled and neat.
Keep them fresh by moisturizing well and re-twisting every 1-2 weeks.
Bantu Knots:
These small, coiled buns are protective yet stylish.
They can be loosened later for a cute, curly look.
Cornrows with Fun Patterns:
Try creative designs in the shape of zigzags or hearts.
Colour with harmless hair bands for added flair.
Hairstyles With Extensions
Sleek Ponytail:
This hairstyle can be made with an afro or straight extension at the ponytail. It gives a hairstyle that is put together, out of your kid’s face and easy to maintain. And the fun part is, it can be put in place even without extensions. With just some gel, you’re good to go.
Braids with Beads:
Add beads in fun colours or rubber bands to your braids for a playful touch.
Go for feather-light attachments that will add no weight to the hair.
Jumbo Twists/Braids:
Use lightweight, small extensions to get twists/box braids for a long-lasting braid look.
Hairstyles for Tweens (9-12 years) and Teenagers (13-18 years)
Three of the best natural hairstyles for children in comfort, style, and protection include cornrows, two-strand twists, and simple braids.
Cornrows
Cornrows are one of those basic hairstyles for kids, and for years, they have been a favorite because of their durability and versatility. Since cornrows consist of braiding the hair near the scalp in neat rows, if properly taken care of, they could even last days or even weeks. This makes them very convenient for both parents and kids alike. This style is great for kids of all hair types, considering the fact that cornrows keep the hair in place and cannot get tangled or damaged.
One of the best things about cornrows is that they come with a lot of versatility. They can be styled in simple, straight-back rows to present a neat and tidy outlook or braided in intricate patterns, adding a little fun and creative flair to the fashion. With this hairstyle, you can add colored beads or hair cuffs to each of the braids’ ends to give the kids a bit of personality and make them own it.
Cornrows are protective styles, too, as they bury the ends to avoid exposure to elements causing dryness and breakage in hair. As an added advantage, cornrows don’t need daily manipulations, so it means a rest for hair, which is so good for hair health and growth.
Two-Strand Twists
Another great option for kids is two-strand twists. The style consists of sectioning the hair and twisting two strands around one another in soft, rope-like twists. Twists are gentle on the scalp because they are not made too tight. This makes them very comfortable for a younger child because they use less tension than other braided styles might require. Two-strand twists are relatively easy to manage once installed; they don’t take too much daily management other than a light spritz of water or leave-in conditioner to keep them moisturized.
There are various ways to wear two-strand twists. They can be styled in a ponytail or bun for school days, left loose and bouncy, or in every style in between. Since they are pretty easy to put in and take down, two-strand twists are perfect for families looking for a doable yet protective hairstyle option. They also prevent the hair from tangling and knotting; hence, changing the style on wash day is very easy.
Braids
Simple braids are highly recommended and among the easy ‘go-to’ styles for children with natural hair. They involve sectioning the hair, after which each section is braided from the root to the tip to reveal a set of loose braids. Simple braiding doesn’t pull on the scalp and is pretty low maintenance, so it is quite convenient for parents or caregivers.
Looser braids have several benefits for children’s hair. Because they don’t tangle or knot, they cut down on detangling and reduce hair breakage as a result. They will also not need to be as tight as other braiding styles, so they will be comfortable for kids to wear all day long, whether at school or playing around in the playground. With simple braids, kids can have fun and show their personalities in the many ways their hairdo can be styled and changed around, with options like low pigtails and half-up, half-down. This saves time with any morning routine since the braids remain neat and organized for a while, reducing daily touch-ups.
Each of these natural hairstyles will easily enhance your child’s hair, be easy to manage, and allow comfort with a touch of creativity. They also help with healthy hair growth, protect delicate strands, and let children wear their natural textures in ways that are playful, functional, and full of personality.
Maintenance Tips to Help Natural Hairstyles for Kids Hair Last Longer
Maintaining kids’ hairstyles requires care and consistency so that they remain neat, healthy, and comfortable. These tips will help extend the life of your child’s hairstyle while offering healthy hair growth. Here are some steps you can take to make sure their hairstyle stays neat and lasts longer:
1. Keep Hair Moisturized
Kids’ hair, especially African-textured hair, tends to dry out quickly. Keeping it hydrated prevents breakage and frizz.
How to Do It: Use a water spray bottle or a mixture of water and a leave-in conditioner. Sealing the moisture with natural oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, or shea butter is very important. Apply moisturizers to hair and scalp, especially on dry areas, regularly.
2. Protect Styles at Night
The friction from the bedding causes frizz and can loosen the hairstyle.
How to Do It: Use a satin or silk bonnet or scarf to protect the style while they sleep.
For younger kids who may not keep bonnets on, invest in a satin pillowcase as an alternative.
3. Refresh the Style Often
Hairstyles can shift or loosen over time, especially for active kids. Regular touch-ups keep them looking neat.
How to Do It: Retouch curls or twists by lightly spritzing hair with water or a hair refresher spray. Smooth edges with a soft toothbrush and a dab of edge control gel.
4. Clean the Scalp Gently
A clean scalp promotes healthy hair growth and prevents buildup.
How to Do It: For braided or twisted styles, cleanse the scalp once a week using a damp cloth or cotton ball with diluted shampoo. Apply in a small applicator bottle directly to the scalp without disturbing the style. Follow through with a light oil for continued scalp moisturizing.
5. Avoid Over-Manipulation
Breakage and tension will set in when your hair gets too much touching, pulling, and/or re-tightening.
How to Do It: Allow styles to naturally loosen instead of often redoing the style.
6. Protect During Activities
Sweat, dust, and chlorine can compromise the style’s freshness and health.
How to Do It: For outdoor play, tie up their hair in a ponytail or bun to reduce tangling. Before swimming, coat their hair with a protective conditioner and use a swim cap. After swimming, rinse their hair with fresh water to remove chlorine or salt.
7. Accessorize Wisely
Beads and clips add charm but can also pull the hair or cause discomfort.
How to Do It: Use lightweight and soft accessories that do not pull on the scalp. Take off tight accessories at night to minimize tension and tangling.
8. Address Loose Areas Promptly
Loose braids or twists will come undone and tangle, causing breakage.
How to Do It: Retighten loose braids or twists using minimum tension.
If parts of the hairstyle cannot be saved, then redo only that section; do not redo the entire style.
9. Do Not Keep Styles in for Too Long
Leaving styles in too long causes matting, breakage, and irritation to the scalp.
How to Do It: Remove your child’s protective style every 2-4 weeks, depending on its complexity and hair type. Follow up with a deep wash, deep conditioning, and detangling session.
10. Be Gentle When Taking Styles Down
Rough handling in takedown can damage hair and the scalp.
How to Do It: Use a detangling spray or oil to soften hair before taking out braids, twists, or cornrows. Work section by section, using a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle after removing the style.
By incorporating these maintenance tips into your routine, you can help your child’s hairstyle last longer while keeping their hair and scalp healthy, neat, and beautiful.
Conclusion
Natural hairstyles for kids celebrate culture, identity, and beauty that is far beyond just making their hair to keep it neat. Thankfully, you have endless options to apply, whether you’re styling an infant with very soft and delicate hair, choosing playful and low-maintenance styles for pre-schoolers, or experimenting with beautiful hairstyles for tweens and teens to express their emerging sense of style.
Wearing simple yet elegant hairstyles in natural hair instills a sense of self-confidence in your kids, which comes from being comfortable and satisfied with their hair. You are also simultaneously teaching children about patience with the natural hair journey, cultural heritage and hair care. In either case, whether you choose straightforward styles or add extensions for variation, it’s always about ensuring the health of their hair while helping them stay content and feel beautiful in their natural crown.
So, get creative, have fun, and always remember that each twist, braid, and puff is an opportunity to remind someone of the awesomeness of African natural hair! For much more styles, feel free to visit our Children’s Natural Hairstyles board on Pinterest
