How do you decide on an age-appropriate hairstyle for your 4-year-old?
You want a style that will protect their gorgeous curls and coils. But also be suitable for their active lifestyles.
So this article highlights 45 adorable and practical natural hairstyle ideas for your busy toddler to try.
What is the best hairstyle for natural hair?
Some popular natural hairstyles include protective styles, such as single plaits, twists, crochet extensions, box braids, and textured puffs.
How do I take care of my afro hair?
It is also important to properly wash, condition, and moisturize your or your child’s natural hair. Remember to keep it hydrated with water-based and sulfate-free products.
How can I style my toddler’s natural hair?
Styling your child’s natural hair can be fun. Start by gently detangling their hair with a wide-toothed comb or brush, making sure to section off small areas at a time. After that, apply a tiny amount of leave-in conditioner or oil to the strands to lock in moisture.
How do I prep my child’s natural hair for braids?
Use kid-friendly gels or styling creams to help hold the curls together while they air dry. If you’re adding heat, choose a heat protectant before blow drying the hair, ensuring the hair is stretched so braiding is easier.
Do I need gel for short natural hairstyles?
Hair gel isn’t needed on short hair. It can keep the edges tamed, but if you wish to just use a deep conditioner, fun creative looks can still be achieved with shorter lengths.
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1. Natural Long Afro
If your child wishes to wear their afro out, prep it for the day. Remember to condition the scalp, use an afro pick comb to detangle it, and hairspray to keep its shape. This style will last a day.
2. Summertime Afro with Butterfly Clips
Embrace your child’s natural afro with this beautiful style. Add some partings in the front with butterfly clip accessories, remembering to gel down the baby hairs to finalize the look.
3. Jumbo Double High Puffs
These jumbo double high puffs are perfect for longer lengths. They keep the hair out of your child’s face, while the coils can be defined with a styling cream.
4. Double Slick Bantu Knots and Leave Out
This 3-in-1 hairstyle is so cute and age-appropriate for your little one. Use a kid friendly gel to achieve the curls at the back and adorn the Bantu knots with matching hair bows.
5. Double Puff with Single Plaits and Beads
As your toddler’s hair grows, you can start adding cute plaits, as we see here, the double high puff has two mini braids with beads for more detail.
6. Type 4 Side Puffs with Accessories
For a fun twist, these side puffs will look stunning on your child’s natural type 4 hair. Here we see butterfly clips in two large puffs with slicked baby hairs.
7. Jumbo High Puff with Baby Hairs
For children with long and thick afro-textured hair, choosing a jumbo high puff is a practical style for school or playdates. It keeps the hair out of their face and looks neater with slick baby hairs.
8. Double Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA) Puffs
Shorter natural hair looks fun in simple double TWA puffs. It can be brushed into place daily with an edge control gel to keep flyaways down.
9. Minnie Mouse Double Puffs with Bantu Knots
High double puffs are adorable, especially these Minnie Mouse-inspired ones we see with double bows. Give these puffs more excitement with small Bantu knots at the front.
10. Type 4 High Puff
This style is perfect at showing off that 4a to 4c coily texture. Smooth the edges and sides with gel and braid the puff before your child sleeps so that it lasts a couple of days.
11. Thick Double Puffs with Slick Baby Hairs
Double puffs are the best choice for thick type 3 and 4 hair. They accentuate the natural curl or coil pattern and look great in the summer with slicked baby hairs.
12. Double High Puff with Gold Cuffs
Accessorize your child’s natural double puffs with gold cuffs. The contrast of the slicked hair on the scalp and the textured puffs makes this look stylish and sweet.
13. Double Top-Knots with Front and Back Cornrows
For shorter hair, tie your child’s locks into top knots, which you can keep neat if you style them daily. Then braid cornrows around the scalp to keep those edges protected.
14. Textured Updo Puff
Updo puffs are simple to do on your 4-year-olds. Remember to use a hair gel suited to naturally textured hair and a brush to slick it up.
15. Small Double Puffs with Slick Baby Hairs
For a quick hairstyle, try high double puffs. Perfect for short and long hair, complete these with baby hairs slicked down and a variety of colored accessories to match their cute outfits.
16. Sleek Top Knot and Baby Hairs
For children with longer locks, slicking them into a top knot with exaggerated baby hairs is a quick style to do. It can last up to a couple of days with a strong hold edge control gel.
17. Twisted Ponytails with Cornrows
Try these twisted ponytails on your child’s natural afro-textured hair, with cornrows in between for more fun. These are easy to achieve and can be accessorized with cute hair ties and beads.
18. Jumbo Curly Double Puffs
You can highlight the natural texture of your 4-year-old’s hair by putting it into jumbo curly double puffs. The curls can be more defined using a styling cream to achieve this.
19. Chunky Twist Out Ponytails with Beads
Transform your child’s simple twist-out ponytails by adding smaller twists at the front of the scalp. Part the hair into four sections and complement it with changeable colorful beads
20. Parted Twist Pigtails for Type 3 Hair
If you’re not much of a braider or want to try something different, consider changing how you part the hair. Here we see multiple twisted pigtails, with beads keeping the hair stretched.
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21. Triple Pigtails for Thinner Hair
If your child has thinner textured hair, choose a hairstyle with less tension, like these triple pigtails. They can be twisted and kept stretched with cute beaded hair ties.
22. Twists Locs with Colorful Hair Ties
Many toddlers love color in their hair, so make these parted loc twists pop using bright hair ties. Don’t forget to use edge control to keep those baby hairs in place.
23. Double Rubber Band Low Buns
Switch up your child’s hairstyle with rubber bands and two puffy low buns. It’s perfect for school and can last up to a week. Include colored bows to match the band color.
24. Small High Puff and Front Twist
If high puffs seem simple, you can add a couple of twists in the front of your child’s hair. Whether short or long hair, these twists will look adorable with changeable colored hair clips.
25. Type 3 Braided Pigtails
For long textured curls, separate your kid’s hair into pigtails and braid them to keep the ends secure. Here we see four pigtails neatly braided with exaggerated baby hairs and yellow accessories.
26. High Ponytail with Long Twists
Try this high ponytail and add smaller twists for longer hair. You can decorate with beads and cute hair ties.
27. Pigtails with Twists
The more pigtails the better when it comes to children’s natural hairstyles. You can twist each one and add colorful clips and hair ties to bring the look together.
28. Stitch Braids with Heart and Top Knots
Stitch braids are popular, but be mindful that they’re not too tight for your child’s scalp. You can add this heart detail using a rattail comb, making it more adorable with high top knots or ponytails.
29. Single Plaits into a Top Bun
Single plaits look great on your child’s natural hair, as there isn’t too much tension on the scalp. You can add extensions for this puffy bun look or wear the hair down.
30. Middle Part Fulani Braids with Beads
This protective style is ideal for preventing breakage. Ensure the hair isn’t braided too tightly onto the scalp, and finish it with baby hairs and beads on the ends.
31. Diagonal Cornrows with Twist Ponytails
Try these larger cornrows with twisted ponytails. Finish them off with changeable cute bubble ties and hair clips. This style can be kept neat for three to four weeks.
32. Cornrows with Top Knot and Front Ponytail
Make your child’s cornrows last with this hairstyle. The top knot keeps most of the hair secure, while the braided front ponytail adds more excitement to the look.
33. Criss-Cross Design with Braids
Colored rubber band styles add beauty to your daughter’s hair, as we see above. Create a criss-cross pattern with braided ends and beads so it lasts a couple of weeks.
34. Stitch Braid Top Knot with Braided Side Bangs
Instead of a simple top-knot, add stitch braids with radiant colorful threads braided into the hair. They keep your child’s hair secure, and the braided bangs add a cute finish to the style.
35. Fulani Braids in a High Ponytail
Fulani braids are perfect for protecting your little one’s hair for a few weeks. You can add extensions for more length, some beads, and a cute bow to complete the look.
36. Patterned Cornrows with Top Knot Bun
Straight cornrows are fun, so imagine how exciting zig zag braids can be. Braid their hair into a high pony and add extensions to create a thick top knot bun. Include colored rubber bands and thread to complete the style.
37. Mini Stitch Braids with Beads
These stitch cornrows can also look cute on little girls. Make them kid-friendly by adding colorful beads. Secure her hair at night with a satin bonnet, so that the beads stay in place.
38. Stitch Braids with Twisted Ponytails
This double-braided ponytail hairstyle looks adorable on any 4-year-old. Accessorize it with some colorful beads and matching bubble hair ties.
39. Heart Design Cornrows and Braided Top Knot
Get creative with your toddler’s hair by including heart-shaped braids. If their hair length can cover their face, this hairstyle keeps it protected and out of the way for up to four weeks.
40. Freestyle Cornrows with Two High Pigtails
Braiding your child’s hair into pigtails will guarantee each strand is secure. And adding a heart design and side part bangs makes this look even more stylish. Topped off with beads to last three to four weeks.
