Seven fun and easy kids’ hairstyles: products and tips for parents

Real talk: Taking care of a child's tresses can sometimes make caregivers want to pull out their own hair! But with a little know-how and the right tools and products, doing a child's hair can be a fun way to spend time together, even on busy mornings.

A few master stylists have shared their favorite hairstyles for kids below. Whether a child wants a unique 'do for the first day of school or just feels like a change, caregivers can say goodbye to those bad hair days.

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Products for kids’ hairstyles

The first step is to make sure a child gets a quality haircut. This lays the foundation for easier styling. If their locks are uneven, for example, even the most skilled stylist would struggle to execute a presentable look.

"To save parents time and stress, it's important to start with a haircut that works best for their child's hair texture," says Yvey Valcin, master stylist and founder of Yvey Salon in Seattle. Consider asking children what they want or feel comfortable with. How they choose to cut and style their hair can be key to their gender identity and self-expression.

It also helps if their hair is relatively clean before styling. Super greasy hair or knotted hair may make things slightly more challenging.

Products for straight hair

When it comes to styling straight hair, Valcin recommends using moisturizing creams. Muchas hydrating products can help give straight hair a healthier looking shine.

Texturizing spray para el cabello can also come in handy when going for an intentionally messy bun or ponytail, Valcin adds.

Products for wavy or curly hair

Para curly haired kids, consider using mousses y frizz-control products, which can help define curls and keep flyaway hair in check.

Hair accessories for kids

Accesorios para el cabello can also take a hair masterpiece to the next level. Consider adding a bright hair elastic or oversized scrunchie to a ponytail to give it a pop of color or emphasis.

If a caregiver doesn’t have a ton of time in the mornings, they can try adding a tasteful cinta para el cabello instead of pulling out all the bells and whistles. Hair clips are also a fun way to bring some personality to a look. They're a great tool for keeping stray strands out of a child's face throughout the day. And don't forget about adding some extra pizzazz with claw clips! 

Easy and fun hairstyles for kids

Remember that the length and texture of a child's hair will play a big role in how easy or difficult it is to achieve certain looks. Don't be discouraged - even where there's a mismatch, a few styling hacks may help.

Styles for short to medium hair

• Classic side part. Sarah Roberts is a licensed hair and beauty specialist and founder of A Beauty Edit. Both she and Terry Hendershot, a stylist at The Canyon Salon in California, love this look. The style works well for all hair textures, including curly, straight and wavy hair. It's polished and put together, and it's suitable for both everyday wear and formal occasions. Just dampen a child's hair slightly and apply a mousse, pomade or styling gel for some hold. Then use a comb to create a clean side part, combing one section of hair to the side. Comb through the hair again to distribute the product and keep the style neat.

Products needed: a comb and mousse, pomade or styling gel.

• Easy side braid. Even kids with short or medium-length hair can enjoy braids. Kristy Jarvis is another master hairstylist at The Canyon Salon. She notes that this style is great for all hair textures as well. Part the hair to one side with a brush or comb. Gather a section of hair from the heavier side and create a simple three-strand braid, then secure it with a hair tie. Let the rest of the hair hang loose or gather it in a low ponytail.

Products needed: a comb and hair elastics.

• Messy textured crop. This look is great, low maintenance and stylish for active kids with straight or slightly wavy hair, explains Roberts. All a caregiver needs to do is apply a small amount of a lightweight product, such as texturizing pomade or wax, to damp hair. Then they can use their fingers to create a relaxed, messy finish. "The textured crop provides a trendy yet effortless appearance," Roberts adds.

Products needed: texturizing pomade or wax.

Styles for medium to long hair

• Bubble ponytail. "This playful style works well for both short and long hair," Roberts says. It's an easy way to elevate the classic ponytail. Gather the hair into a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic band. Next, place additional elastic bands at regular intervals down the length of the ponytail. This creates a "bubble" effect. Gently tug at the sections between the bands to add volume and enhance the bubbles. For maintaining the bubbles and adding shine, apply hair serum.

Products needed: hair elastics and hair serum.

• Easy Dutch braids into messy bun. This up-do idea from Jarvis is perfect for parties, dances or other special occasions, but it takes a little more technical skill to execute. Instead of alternately crossing the two outer strands over the middle strand (like a French braid), in a Dutch braid, the strands go under the middle. Brush the hair and part it down the middle. Apply a light-hold gel or pomade. Create a Dutch braid on each side (two total), securing each with an elastic band. Gather both braids at the nape and twist them into a messy bun. Secure it with bobby pins or an additional elastic band.

Products needed: bobby pins, detangling brush, hair elastics and light-hold gel or pomade.

• Messy bun mohawk. This is a fun look for kids with medium to long hair with thick textures, Jarvis explains. Create several ponytails down the center of the head with elastic bands. Twist the ponytails into small buns and secure them with bobby pins and medium-hold hair spray.

Products needed: bobby pins, hair elastics and medium-hold hair spray.

• Scrunched curls. Kids with curly hair and their parents will adore this super easy style. Apply curl-enhancing cream or gel to clean, wet hair to define curls. A caregiver can lean their child's head forward and use their hands to gently scrunch the curls from the ends up toward the scalp. Allow the hair to air dry or dry it with the diffuser attachment on a hair dryer, which won't disrupt the curl pattern.
• Products needed: curl-enhancing cream or gel and a hair dryer with diffuser attachment (optional). 

Safety considerations for styling kids’ hair

In general, it's best to keep hair products out of reach of small children. Consult with a health care provider before implementing new products into a child's hair care routine.

While most hair products are considered safe, shampoos, conditioners and styling products come into contact with the scalp and other parts of the skin. Irritation or even a rash is possible. If a child has sensitive skin, do a small skin test with the desired product to confirm it does not cause any irritation or rash. If irritation occurs and seems to be severe, bothersome or long-lasting, call a health care provider (like a pediatrician or dermatologist) for an evaluation.

Parents should also take care to keep products from getting into their kid's eyes, even products that are labeled "tear-free." Certain products, like shampoo and hair spray, may cause temporarily irritation, such as redness.

Heated tools - particularly flat irons and curling irons - can burn the skin. Parents should not let young children use these tools. Children who may be able to use them should be supervised. Unplug heated tools when they're not being used. Parents should also use the product as directed and consult the packaging for safety and warning information.

Hair loss from styling is also possible, as heat from curling irons, flat irons and hair dryers can damage hair. Keep heat settings as low as possible, use a heat protectant and try not to use these tools too often.

Hairstyles that pull on the hair can also lead to hair loss. These styles include tight buns, ponytails, braids, cornrows and dreadlocks. It is recommended that kids do not wear braided styles for more than two to three months and that the braids and up-dos are a bit thicker and looser.