Styling a toddler’s natural hair can be challenging because they might have a different hair texture from you and their older siblings. Sometimes they may not be willing to sit through a hair styling session.

Therefore as moms, it’s crucial that you keep things simple and try not to force anything at this point. You will have the opportunity to try out different hairstyles on your daughter when she gets older.

That’s why in this post, I want to share 30 cute and easy natural hairstyle ideas you can try on your toddler’s hair.

These natural hairstyles for toddlers vary in styles so that they can accommodate your child’s temperament level, how much time you have on your hands, your daughter’s hair length and texture, and most importantly, your hair styling skill level.

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DISCLAIMER

The majority of these pictures are sourced from Pinterest. To be credited for your personal picture, please contact me with the exact picture and I’ll be sure to credit you. I’ve also added some affiliate links to this post, which means that I earn a small referral commission when you make a purchase with my link, at no additional cost to you. 

Natural Hairstyle Ideas for Toddlers With Short Hair

Let’s start off with toddlers with short natural hair. Just because your daughter doesn’t have long hair yet doesn’t mean that you can’t be creative and playful with her hair. If you feel restricted and can’t think of more ideas, here are some inspirations for you.

1. Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA) with a cute bow

To achieve this hairstyle, spritz her hair with a leave-in conditioner spray, then use your fingers to fluff her hair. To accessorize the style, add a hair bow, flower clips or headband or any hair accessory of your choice.

Duration: One day

2. Afro puff with a headband

This style can be achieved the same way as the style above. If you fancy defined edges, you can use an edge control gel to define her edges. Then, adorn this cute and simple hairstyle with a beautiful headband of your choice.

Duration: One day

3. Flat twists with double puffs

This style is perfect for toddlers with medium-length hair. To accessorize this hairstyle, add some ponytail elastics or mini hair bows of your liking.

Duration: The front can last up to a week and you can re-style the back. You can even leave the back as an afro, instead of double puffs.

 

Buns, Knots, and Puffs

Going somewhere fancy? Need a hairstyle that will last longer than a day? Try one of these adorable hairstyles on your daughter.

4. Triple Mohawk

This hairstyle can be styled in various ways, as shown in this image by @kali.doll. You can accessorize this hairstyle with any kids’ hair accessories of your choice.

Duration: Up to five days. You can also re-pack the buns if they start loosening up.

5. Double Mega Puffs

This is such a cute hairstyle for toddlers with a lot of hair. If you’re running out the door and don’t have the time to twist or braid her hair, just pull her hair into these cute double puffs. To accessorize this hairstyle, just add some beads, bows or headband. 

Duration: One day. Although you can re-style this hairstyle every morning. To keep her hair stretched at night, you can twist each puff and take it down the following morning.

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6. High Puff

This is such a beautiful hairstyle for any toddler, it’s also a perfect matching mother-daughter hairstyle because this hairstyle can be worn by all ages. Just add a cute hair accessory like a hair flower and she’s out the door!

Duration: One day, although you can restyle daily. To keep the puff stretched at night, plait her hair or put it into chunky twists.

7. Afro puff with a side part

If your daughter’s hair needs a break from braiding, this hairstyle by @mizz_divaa0607 makes a perfect in-between hairstyle. Simply spritz her hair with a leave-in conditioner, add a light oil like coconut oil and fluff it out with an afro pick. Then, use an edge control gel to lay her edges. To adorn this hairstyle, add a cute hair bow on the side.

Duration: One day.

8. Type 3 Pony Puff

This is such a cute hairstyle for toddlers with longer hair. Accessorize it with mega bows and you’re good to go.

Duration: Three days. You can re-style mid-week.

 

9. Mickey Mouse Selfie Puffs

These puffs are so cute they deserve a selfie! After taking down a protective style, pull her hair into two puffs, and accessorize it with mega bows. You can change up the hair accessories to match her outfit.

Duration: Up to five days.

10. Cornrows with Puff

If you have more time on your hands and basic braiding skills, you can braid the front part of her hair into these simple braids. Then pull the hair at the back into a puff.

If your daughter’s hair isn’t that long, you can still work with what you have instead of adding hair extension pieces that might be uncomfortable. To accessorize, add some hair ringson the cornrows.

Duration: Up to a week. You can re-style the puff so it stays fresh all week.

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11. High Afro Puff With Ankara Headband

Need to head out the door in the next five minutes? This simple hairstyle is the perfect choice for your toddler. Just put the front hair into a high puff and leave the rest of the hair at the back.

Then accessorize the hairstyle with a cute headband like this matching Ankara headband/skirt from Etsy.

Duration: One day

12. Mega Knots

Need a simple hairstyle for church, birthday party or a semi-casual event? This elegant hairstyle by @mizz_divaa0607 is the best hairdo for a fancy occasion. Just add a cute hair accessory to match the theme of the event.

Duration: Up to a week

13. Cute Double Buns

Cuteness overload! This hairstyle is not only simple, it also protects your daughter’s ends and prolongs moisture retention. To add some finishing touches, use a soft edge brush and an edge control gel to define her edges. And if you have a fancy occasion to go to, simply add a cute bow or hair flower. 

Duration: Up to a week

14. Bantu Knots Quadrants With Fulani Braids

This is a perfect in-between hairstyle because it keeps her hair stretched and ready for the next hairstyle. If you decide you want to cornrow her entire hair, just take down the Bantu knots and style her hair. Add hair beads to accessorize.

Duration: Up to a week

15. Triple Knots With Fulani Braids

This is a perfect hairstyle for girls who are tender headed for braids. Simply pull her hair into chunky knots and add about four cornrows. Add beads to the Fulani braids and hair braid rings on the cornrow at the back.

Duration: One week

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16. Summer Top Knot

This is such an adorable and classy hairstyle. It’s so versatile that you can wear matching hairstyles with your daughter. Add a floral headband, and she’s ready for an outdoor event.

Duration: Up to five days.

17. Braided Double Knot

For a longer-lasting hairstyle, you can add a small amount of kanekalon hair to braid each puff. Then wrap it around the bun to form a knot.

Duration: Up to a week.

18. Knotted Turban

Started a hairstyle but don’t have the time to finish it? Just throw on this kids turban and you can be out the door in minutes. Kids Ankara skirt can be purchased from these Etsy stores.

Duration: One day

Cornrows and Beaded Cornrows

Looking for a hairstyle that will last all throughout the week and withstand daycare? Try one of these cornrows for her next hairstyles.

19. Braided Mohawk or Patewo

This is a perfect hairstyle for kids who can sit through cornrows and whose scalp can handle it. Be sure to be gentle-handed and don’t braid too tight. This hairstyle can be accessorized with hair rings, beads, or headbands. 

Duration: Two weeks

20. Twists and Beaded Cornrows

This is such a great hairstyle for days when you started braiding her hair and she can’t sit long enough to complete her hairstyle. Rather than getting annoyed, you can let your creativity shine by parting the front hair into chunky twists.

Add a cute ponytail holder at the front, some hair beads on the cornrow ends and for more fanciness, some braid rings on the cornrow tracks.

Duration: Up to a week.

21.  Threaded Shuku or Cornrowed Bun

This is such a classy hairstyle with a modern twist. It’s an easy hairstyle for a toddler with an active hairstyle. To finish off, wrap some colorful wool around each braid, for a fun look. You can also add hair rings on the cornrows.

Duration: Up to ten days

22. Side Sweep Toddler Lemonade Braids With Beads

This hairstyle is versatile and can be worn by an adult for a matching mommy-daughter look. Hair extension pieces can be used for kids with fine hair. Add some beads and hair rings for a playful look.

Duration: Up to two weeks.

23. Wavy Lemonade Braids With Crystal Beads

This is such a cute hairstyle for kids with an active lifestyle because this hairstyle will last for at least two weeks.

You might need a hairstylist to style her hair if she won’t sit still for this intricate hairstyle. Whatever you do, don’t braid too tight. You can also do a blowout before styling so that it will be easier to part through her hair. Add any hair beads of your choice to complete this look.

Duration: Up to two weeks

24. Cornrows With Middle Parts

This is such a cute hairstyle for a little girl. I remember doing a similar hairstyle when I was a little girl myself.

To accessorize this hairstyle, just add beads to the ends of each cornrow and your little girl is set for the week.

Duration: Up to 10 days, depending on your daughter’s hair texture and her sleep routine, though she can wear kids satin bonnet to sleep to reduce frizz.

Two Strand Twists or Plaits

25. Twisted Double Puffs

This hairstyle by @momoftwincesses is such a classic and traditional hairstyle for any toddler. After washing and deep conditioning her hair, pull her hair up into two puff, then twist the ends of each puff into mini twists.

Add a hair accessory of your choice such as a hair bow, to match her outfit. To maintain this hairstyle during the week, spritz her hair with a curl refresher and brush up her edges. You can also re-style this hairstyle mid-week.

Duration: Up to 5 days.

26. Side Sweep Inter-Locking Two Strand Twists

This is a beautiful hairstyle for a toddler with long hair. Simply twist her hair up and style this simple hairstyle in whatever style you fancy. You can also add some hair rings to the twists, for a bit more glam.

Duration: One Week.

27.  Mini Plaits With Rubber Bands and Beads

If your daughter’s hair gets frizzy much faster in two-strand twists, you can opt for plaits instead. The cool thing about this hairstyle is that you can take it down for a braid out when it’s time to wash her hair.

If your daughter loves colorful hairstyles, just add colorful rubber bands and secure the ends with cute beads. 

Duration: Up to a week.

Extensions and Braids

28. Box Braids With No Extensions

If you’re looking for something that will last at least two weeks, box braids are the way to go. This is such a classic and versatile hairstyle for a toddler. You can always accessorize this hairstyle by adding some hair rings, beads, or bows to switch things up.

Duration: Up to two weeks

29. Mini Braids with Extensions

If your daughter can withstand the extra time to have braids in her hair, you can add a few hair extensions to her hair. This is a great hairstyle for toddlers with short hair.

To reduce irritation from the braids, be sure to pre-soak the hair in apple cider vinegar and wash with shampoo before installation. Also, try not to braid the hair too long and too tiny. And be sure to braid loosely.

To accessorize this hairstyle, just add a hair bow or any hair accessory of your choice. 

Duration: Up to three weeks. I won’t recommend going beyond this, otherwise, your daughter might end up with a major hair loss.

30. Chunky Box Braids

If your daughter’s hair is too short for the above hairstyles and you need something to last for about a week or two, you can style her hair in these chunky box braids. Add some kanekalon hair for length.

To accessorize this hairstyle, you can add some colorful rubber bands, hair rings, or beads.

Duration: Up to two weeks

Black Kids Protective Hairstyles Maintenance Tips

You want to keep your daughter’s hair in a satin bonnet while she sleeps at night.

When she showers, make sure she wears a shower cap.

To keep her scalp moisturized, use an anti-itch scalp oil that will keep her scalp fresh and supple.

To keep her hair moisturized, lightly spray her hair with a curl refresher spray. You can either buy one or you can make yours in a spray bottle. A basic hair spritz includes water, leave-in conditioner, and oil.

To take down the hairstyle, lightly spray her hair with the leave-in spritz so that her hair is moisturized and doesn’t break off when you take it down. Also, be sure to detangle as you go, so you won’t have much work afterward.

Which hairstyle have you tried and which will you be trying? Let us know over on the Instagram page.