As we know, children’s hair has a magic of its own. It can stick up like a dandelion, curl itself into spirals overnight, or create that bedhead fuzz at the back of their head. Caring for your little one’s locks can often be a challenge, but our collection of children’s hairbrushes are designed to take the tears out of tangles and help teach them how to care for their hair themselves.
Whether you’re brushing a toddler with wispy baby hair or a pre-schooler with Rapunzel locks, caring for your children’s hair doesn’t have to be a battle. With the right tools, it can become one of the gentlest, most bonding moments of the day.
Here’s our guide to understanding hair types for children, caring for them, and styling them with confidence.
UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN’S HAIR TYPES
Children’s hair is typically finer, softer and more delicate than adult hair. Knowing what you’re working with helps you choose the right brush and create the right routine.
1. Fine & Flyaway Hair
Soft, silky and easy to brush, but loves a good tangle? This is fine hair. Fine hair benefits from the power of a bristle and nylon mix, and our PR01 Peter Rabbit™ Large Bristle Nylon Mix Hairbrush and PR02 Squirrel Nutkin™ Small Bristle Nylon Mix Hairbrush are the perfect hairbrushes to care for this hair type. The nylon quills have fantastic detangling power, whilst the natural bristle smooths the hair and provides fantastic benefits to the scalp.
2. Wavy Hair
If your child has gentle bends through their hair, sometimes fluffy, sometimes beachy? Then they have wavy hair, and you can’t go wrong with a great paddle brush. The PR03 Flopsy™ Fine Quill Paddle Brush is designed to combat knots and tangles with ease, leaving waves in place but with a beautifully smooth finish.
3. Curly & Coily Hair
From loose curls and spirals to tightly wound curls and coils. Hydration, detangling power and gentle handling are the key to maintaining the structure of the curls. Gently detangle your child’s hair with the PR03, or if you’re looking to create slick ponytails, use the PR01 or PR02. The bristle and nylon quill mix will grip the hair, leaving the perfect finish to any up-do and add shine to the hair.
“Whatever your child’s hair type, the golden rule is the same:
gentle tools + gentle habits = happy hair.”
4. Baby Hair Care: Soft, Sweet & Simple
Newborns and babies don’t need much, just comfort, cuddles and a brush that is soft to the scalp. Our PR04 Jemima Puddle-Duck™ Soft Bristle Brush and Comb Set is just what you need.
The soft, natural bristle gently caresses your baby’s scalp, stimulating circulation and encouraging healthy hair growth, whilst the comb can be used for longer locks and detangling any nighttime tangles. Why not let them hold the brush themselves (it becomes a game!). This daily activity will soon become a soothing ritual in your baby’s bedtime routine.
5. Toddlers & the Tangly Years
The age where everything is sticky, including their hair. Tangled hair is a badge of honour for toddlers, but the right brush can prevent tears, theirs and yours!
Try to detangle daily (morning and evening). Brush from the bottom upwards, holding the mid-section to avoid tugging. A little trick is to add a detangling spray for extra slip.
The flexible quills on our hairbrushes gently ease knots without pulling and are designed specifically to glide through tangles. The air-cushioned head makes brushing more comfortable, and the size of the PR05 Peter Rabbit™, PR06 Flopsy™ and PR07 Jemima Puddle-Duck™ hairbrushes is designed with little hands in mind to encourage autonomy and confidence in caring for their own hair. They’re the perfect size to pop in the car, school, dance or sports bag!
6. Curly Hair Routine
Curly and coily hair is glorious, expressive and full of personality, but it needs its own approach. We encourage you not to brush out curls on dry hair, as the integrity of the curl structure may be lost.
Curls and coils love moisture, so keep them hydrated and aim to detangle damp hair in sections to provide less pull to the scalp. Our paddle brush features rows of flexible quills and a soft air-cushion pad that moves with the hair and shape of the scalp, meaning less breakage and a more comfortable brushing experience.
Twirl and curl damp hair with your fingers after brushing to maintain that beautiful texture. Bristle hairbrushes are fantastic for creating up-dos. From buns and bunches to plaits and ponytails – the bristle grips the hair and is an excellent tool for creating hair-up styles.
STYLING IDEAS FOR EVERY CHILD’S HAIR TYPE
Parents often think styling kids’ hair is tricky, but simple styles and the right brushes make it surprisingly fun. Here’s a little collection of simple hairstyle inspiration that you can recreate on your little ones:
1. The Everyday Sweep
Use a cushioned bristle & nylon brush such as the PR01 or PR02 to brush everything gently back into a tight, neat ponytail. The nylon quills detangle whilst the bristle smooths the hair and adds shine. Finish with a clip, bow or ribbon, and you’re done!
2. Space Buns
Part the hair straight down the middle using a comb such as our A8T tail comb. Once parted and you’re happy the sides are equal, use a paddle brush (PR03) or a bristle and nylon hairbrush like the PR01 to smooth the hair into two neat ponytails. You can choose to place them high on the crown of the head or lower near the nape of the head for a more subtle look. Take the ponytail and twist it until it naturally starts to turn in on itself and turn itself into a bun. Secure with a hairband. Repeat on the other side, then add scrunchies, bows or ribbons to hide any flyaway hairs and give it that professional finish.
3. Braided Pigtails
As above, start by sectioning your child’s hair straight down the middle. You can choose to start braiding straight away or create ponytails first. To braid, split the hair into three equal sections, folding each one on top of the others until you have a plait, then secure at the bottom with a hairband.
4. Bubble Hair
Whether you choose a ponytail or pigtails, bubble hair is a really easy and fun way to get creative with your child’s hair. Once you’ve brushed the hair into a neat ponytail or pigtails, grab yourself some extra hairbands (extra points if they’re fun colours). Starting from the top, add a new hairband every 2-3cm down the length of the ponytail. Then, with your fingers, gently open the gathered hair to create a bubble shape!
MAKE BRUSHING FUN!
There are lots of little ways to turn hair brushing into a moment they look forward to rather than dread. Start by letting them pick their own brush, and children are going to fall in love with our Official Peter Rabbit ™ Collection.
Why not put their favourite song on whilst brushing, the distraction of singing along will make detangling a breeze. Also, encourage them to learn how to brush their own hair. Section the front of the hair for them to brush, whilst you tackle the back! Why not create a “hair ritual basket” with a brush, detangling spray and clips? Hair care really can become a joy when it’s shared.
WHY THE RIGHT BRUSH MATTERS FOR CHILDREN
Children’s hair is delicate, growing, and easily damaged, which is why choosing the right hairbrush is so important. Our hairbrushes feature gentle bristles that protect the scalp, flexible pins that avoid tugging and tears, soft cushioned pads for comfort and in many cases, smaller brush heads for little hands and little heads.
GENTLE MOMENTS MATTER
Brushing your child’s hair is one of those small rituals that becomes a core memory for you and your child. From creating simple, everyday hairstyles before school, to combing out curls after swimming or smoothing down wispy baby hair after a bath. When you choose the right hairbrush, you’re not just grooming, you’re caring, comforting and creating connection. So, here’s to soft, luscious locks, shiny curls, smooth ponytails, and the joyful chaos of children’s hair.
Explore the full Official Peter Rabbit ™ hairbrush collection HERE>
NEED MORE ADVICE?
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our hairbrush specialists.
