Back to School Curly Hair Routines for Kids: Tips for Parents

The lunch is packed, the backpack’s zipped, and the permission slip is signed. You’re feeling like a back-to-school champion, until you look over and see your child’s curls have turned into a tangle of sleep and yesterday’s playground adventures. The school bus is coming. You’ve got minutes, maybe seconds. Sound familiar?

Curly-haired mornings can be beautiful and chaotic all at once. But here’s the good news: with a few smart routines (and a little prep the night before), you can set your child (and their curls) up for a great day, every day.

We previously spoke with Sai De Silva of Scout the City, who shares how she’s raising her daughter London to embrace her natural curls.

“The biggest challenge is constantly telling my daughter she doesn’t have to have Disney princess hair — a princess can have curly hair, too. I teach her to love her curls by leading through example. I decided to embrace my natural locks and show her that it’s okay to rock her curls.”

That’s the heart of it. Back-to-school curl care isn’t just about looking polished in class photos, it’s about building confidence, independence, and a love for their natural texture.

Build curl confidence early

The mirror is more than just a place to check for food in your teeth for kids, it’s where they start to shape how they see themselves. That’s why your voice and your example matter. Let them see you wearing your curls proudly. Talk about them in a way that’s positive, not apologetic. Swap “fixing” for “styling,” and “taming” for “shaping.”

If your mornings together are often rushed, turn hair time into connection time. Let them choose the hair accessory of the day. Ask them what they love about their curls. These moments stick, and so does the message.

Have a few go-to styles ready

School mornings don’t always leave room for complicated styles, so a shortlist of quick, reliable options is essential. Sai swears by the half-up top knot for her daughter, it’s playful, quick, and keeps curls out of her face.

Other curl-friendly school styles parents love:

• Low ponytail with loose waves: chic but low-maintenance

• Side braid with face-framing tendrils: keeps hair contained but still bouncy

• Two loose puffs: fun, secure, and perfect for active days

• Headband with hair down: instant polish with minimal effort

To make styles last beyond recess, apply a pea-sized amount of Curl Shaper Volumizing Jelly to damp hair before styling. It holds shape without stiffness and gives waves and curls a light, touchable bounce.

Use products sparingly but strategically

Here’s the thing: kids’ curls are naturally less damaged than adults’, which means they don’t need a full arsenal of stylers every day. Too much product can actually weigh their hair down or make it feel sticky.

Instead, focus on lightweight multitaskers:

• Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner: doubles as a detangler and all-day hydrator

• Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream: smooths frizz and keeps curls soft

• Curl Shaper Volumizing Jelly: defines and adds bounce without crunch

The trick is even distribution. Work the product through with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends where curls need the most moisture.

Create a bedtime routine for curls

Your secret weapon for stress-free mornings? A bedtime haircare ritual. This is where you win half the battle against morning frizz and tangles.

Here’s a parent-approved combo:

• Switch to a satin pillowcase: it reduces friction so curls don’t rub and frizz

• Pineapple the hair: loosely gather hair high on the head with a satin scrunchie

• Lightly mist with Botanical Boost Curl Energizing & Refreshing Spray before bed for soft, hydrated curls in the morning
  

Sai swears by the satin pillowcase and pineapple method, “It helps maintain the curls for less work later.”

Adjust as their curls change

Kids’ hair isn’t static. As they grow, curl patterns, density, and porosity can shift. A style that worked perfectly last year might not hold now, and that’s okay.

That’s why flexible products are your best friend. Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner can be used as a quick rinse-out when curls need light hydration, or left in for deeper moisture on drier days. Keeping routines adaptable makes it easier to respond to these natural changes without overcomplicating things.

Make wash days easy and fun

Wash day doesn’t have to be a chore. Turn it into a bonding activity and you’ll both look forward to it:

• Let them pick a special detangling brush or fun-patterned towel

• Play their favorite playlist while you wash

• Tell a short story or make up a “curl adventure” while conditioning

Products that keep wash day simple:

• Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo: gently cleanses without stripping natural oils

• Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Conditioner: locks in moisture and seals the cuticle for smoother curls

Encourage self-expression

Hair is more than just hair to a kid, it’s a way to express themselves. Whether it’s a rainbow headband, glittery clip, or a bright scrunchie, letting them choose their accessories helps them take ownership of their style.

It’s also a subtle way to help them connect with their curls. The more fun and personal hair time feels, the more likely they are to embrace their texture as they get older.

The five-minute morning refresh

Some mornings you’ve got all the time in the world. Others… not so much. For the latter, here’s your lightning-fast curl revival plan:

1. Lightly mist hair with water or Botanical Boost Curl Energizing & Refreshing Spray

2. Smooth a dab of Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream over frizz-prone areas

3. Scrunch gently to bring curls back to life

4. Add a clip or headband and go.

Seasonal curl care for kids

Just like adult curls, kids’ hair responds to the seasons. 

• In humid months, focus on frizz control with the Advanced Climate Control collection

• In drier months, keep moisture levels high with the Moisture Lock collection

• For styles that need a little extra structure any time of year, reach for Curl Shaper

Your back-to-school curl checklist

Wrapping it up

Back-to-school season is about more than supplies and schedules; it's about helping kids feel ready to take on the world, curls and all. A good hair routine isn’t just about styling; it’s about teaching them to love their natural texture, giving them the tools to care for it, and reminding them (and yourself) that some mornings will be picture-perfect, and others will be a little messy, and that’s okay.

With the right mix of gentle care, a few smart products, and a lot of love, your child’s curls can shine just as brightly in the classroom as they do on the playground.