Natural hairstyles for kids

Natural hairstyles for kids are fun to select but can be hard to manage daily. Children just want to play, and likely are not concerned with their hair.

Parents want to find styles for their children that will last during the school day and play. There are quite a few fun, easy styles for African-American children with natural hair.

African hairstyles are unique and cute. Braiding, locs, coils, and twists are great options for children.

Hair designs can take hours. Parents and children most often cannot handle hours in a salon or be sitting on the floor at home.

Braids, locs, and twists will take two hours from start to finish without too much fuss. Bantu knots, rods, and French braids are perfect for children with natural hair.

Natural styles will likely last one to two weeks depending upon the daily maintenance.

Braided Hairstyles

Natural braided hairstyles for African American children are cornrows or flat twists. Cornrows can be installed with ease.

It’s recommended to shampoo and condition using detangling products. Proceed to make simple parts for the installation of braids.

The larger the size of the cornrows makes it easier to take down. Cornrows are beautiful.

It is highly recommended to find a stylist that specializes in this service and works with children. The key to healthy hair for children is installing loose braids.

Sometimes braids are installed very tight by the parent or a stylist; which can cause damage and unnecessary stress to your child’s edges. Cornrows should be installed with some looseness around the edges and nape of the neck.

Cornrows can last between one to two weeks for children ages four to twelve years old. Styles will likely have to be installed weekly on children under four years old.

Flat twists (also known has two strand flat twists) can be worn by children with natural hair. Two strand flat twists are a style that can be described as two strands that are twisted flat to the head.

This style will last about a week or two weeks on most children. The twists can be unraveled for a twist out.

Use coconut or olive oil to untwist during the second week. The twist out will give the appearance of a curly Afro.

The style is easy but creative. You can create unique or simple parts for this style.

The installation is about an hour. French braids are another braided hairstyle for children.

French braids are braids that are installed with an underhanded technique instead of overhanded technique like cornrows. French braiding is easier for most parents to install than cornrows.

This style can typically take an hour to install. There is an option to French braid a portion of the hair and place the rest of the child’s hair into long ponytails.

Hairstyles for kids with short hair

Coils (also referred to as comb twists) or Bantu knots are the best natural hairstyles for kids with short hair are. Since African-American hair shrinks with water, this style can be installed on semi-damp hair or hair sprayed with a leave in conditioner.

Children with short hair can wear coils or comb twists for up to a week. This style can be installed with a comb or rotated with your fingers.

Comb twists are installed with a rat tail comb. Parents that want to install this style at home should take shampoo and condition, and deep condition your child’s hair first.

Next, apply shea butter or a curl defining cream to the hair after rinsing out the conditioner. Twist the hair with a rat tail comb or using your fingers.

It is recommended to rotate with fingers clockwise with small sections of the hair. This will take between an hour to two hours to create beautiful coils.

The technique is the same if creating this style for your little one who has short hair; just twist with the fingers in a circular motion will form a Bantu knot. Use rubber bands to hold this style in place.

This style is harder to install on shorter length hair so it may be easier to find a stylist to install Bantu knots. Whether you create the style yourself or have a stylist do them the Bantu knots should last about a week.

Twists styles for children

Natural twists styles for children consists of two strand twists and two strands twists outs. A child should have four to six inches of hair for easy installation of two strands.

This style is versatile. This hair design will last for two weeks with proper installation.

Hair should be clean and detangled. Part the hair into small, medium, or large sections depending upon your liking.

It is not recommended to make two strand twists too small. You will save time making the two strands medium to large for children.

This style can be parted with a rat tail comb or parted with the fingers. Twist the two strands of hair clockwise to achieve this style.

Use your favorite penetrating oil, shea, or natural gel for the installation. Remember, the kinkier the hair the more it will get frizzy.

Frizzy hair does not mean the hairstyle is not cute. Children will likely play with their hair too.

Remember patience is required for natural hair styles for children.

Hairstyles for Girls

Hairstyles for girls with natural hair can range from twists to locs. African-American little girls can rock two strand twists, coils, braids, or locs.

Twists are a great option for parents that are not ready to lock their children’s hair. Twists give versatility and last longer than most natural hair styles.

Flat twists, two strands, and two strands updo styles are cute and comfortable for the little ones to wear to school. Less combing and manipulation can produce longer hair for children.

Children are prone to hair lost due to the constant combing and tugging on their curly tresses. Parents and stylists become frustrated because little ones have a hard time sitting for styles.

Two strand twists and locs are a fast and easy hairstyle for girls. Little girls love long hair.

Twists and locs are great styles that showcase length and volume. Cute natural hairstyles for girls can be easy with the understanding, and learning your child’s hair texture, and finding the ideal products.

Locs are a great alternative for little boys and girls also the hair is less likely to break. There are less combing and pain for children with the installation.

However, it is important to understand that locs still need maintenance for children. Maintenance will likely need to be performed every three to four weeks for children depending upon the texture of your child’s hair.

Children with curly hair or straighter textures may need maintenance every three weeks. Parents can shampoo, deep condition, and condition in between maintenance appointments.

Loc maintenance can break the hair if maintained or manipulated too often.

Ponytail Hairstyles

Ponytail hairstyles for children are super easy to install. Afro puffs are the most common style for African-American children.

Some parents will add braids or barrettes to make the style more appealing. Parents can place two strand twists into a ponytail too.

Please be careful and keep ponytails in for no more than two or three days; if left in longer the hair will become weaker and break. Natural hair styles for children should be simple and painless.

Some kids with natural hair also tend to have brittle hair which is why ponytails are recommended for children with healthy hair. Ponytails can pull and break the hair if the ponytail is too tight.

French braids can be installed and gathered into a ponytail for ease. This style can be worn for a few days.

Ponytail styles should not be worn for weeks at a time. Shopping for ponytail bands that best suit the child’s hair texture, length, and volume can be a task for most parents.

It is recommended to sample a few different hair bands and hairstyles until a favorite band and style is found. A rule of thumb is not to use rubber bands since curly hair tends to get tangled in them and always to use ponytail holders that are covered.

Parents are beginning to go back in time to the 1970’s when little African-American girls would simply wear Afro puffs. The hairstyles were cute, frizzy, and acceptable during the era of puffs.

Trends today promote manicured ponytails with edge control for children. This is not necessarily the case.

Ponytail hairstyles do not have to look perfectly neat. It is expected that a child may not have manicured hair after a day of playing.

Hair designs should be simple for children and carefree.

Hairstyles for Long Hair

Hairstyles for long hair consists of cornrows, two strands, and twist outs. Children with long natural hair often like to wear their hair out.

This is a parent’s nightmare to allow their children to wear their natural hair out. Braids and twists are the best options.

Managing long hair can be challenging without the proper products and styling options. Braids and two strands are comfortable styles for children with long natural hair.

Afro puffs are another option for long natural hair. The hair can be placed into a bun or ponytail with a large headband or ponytail holders.

This style can last for a few days if the proper maintenance is kept up. Long hair tends to be easier to style, and options for hairstyles are endless.

Children’s hairstyles can reflect the parent and child’s creativity. Styles should be fun and not complicated for easy installation and wear.

Hairstyles for children include locs, twists, and braids. Hair designs are comfortable with a daily plan to manage a child’s hair.

Natural hairstyles for kids are not complicated with simple ponytails or Afro puffs. Simplicity is the best policy for natural hairstyles for African-American children.