Nothing is as fun as a beach holiday when you are a kid! No wonder Puerto Rico is among the favorite destinations for families. At Sunny Braids, many of our clients show up with their children, and the little ones are eager to get their hair braided too. Parents are always thankful because—let’s face it—taking care of their children’s hair isn’t easy!
In this article, I’ll tell you all about the top three braided hairstyles for kids and how to choose one. Also, since you are looking forward to family time in San Juan, I’ll share some great ideas for things to do in Puerto Rico with your children. Keep reading to find out how to make the most of your holidays—and keep your kid’s hair neat and manageable.
Beach Time and Your Kid’s Hair: A Challenging Combination
Teens and adults get braids on vacation because they love how they look and want to show them off in their pictures. Your child may or may not care about this! Still, taking them for a braiding appointment can be the difference between spending a week in paradise… or struggling with a comb and hair conditioner for hours! I can tell because I’ve been there: I remember how no one in my family wanted to style my hair when we returned from the beach because of how tangled it was!
Put yourself in your little one’s shoes (or flip-flops, LOL). You arrive at the beach, and all you can think about is running toward the shore, jumping into the sea, or chasing your siblings. You don’t want your parents combing your hair or redoing your pigtails every single time. Of course, the worst part is when it’s finally time to get out of the shower in the evening, and your hair is an indescribable mess. As a parent, you don’t want to hurt your child, but no matter how softly you try to detangle their hair, their scalp is sensitive, and sometimes, tears and screams follow.
Besides, after several days of exposure to the sun, wind, and saltwater, a child’s delicate hair may become damaged—to the point where cutting it off seems like the only solution.
Don’t worry: Here comes your braider to the rescue!
The 3 Most Popular Braided Hairstyles for Kids
At Sunny Braids, we offer a huge variety of vacation hairstyles you can choose from, based on your preferences and hair type. Here are the top three braids for kids—the most popular hairstyles for children who visit our studio:
1. Hair Wrap
This is the fastest, easiest style you can create! You braid a small section of hair, wrap it with a colorful string, and add beads or a charm. One great thing about hair wraps is that they can be customized to a child’s preferences. Kids get excited when they find out they can pick the color and the accessory! Older children and tweens who would love to dye their hair but aren’t allowed yet because of their age find that this style lets them play with colors.
Children love this style because it’s almost like an accessory they take everywhere! When they return home from their holiday in Puerto Rico, they can show off their hair wrap to their friends at kindergarten or school. Anyone can get a hair wrap, even children with short hair. Hair type isn’t an obstacle either!
Parents love hair wraps because they take less time than other hairstyles—never more than half an hour! That means less time trying to get their kid to sit still while the braider works, while still getting a cute hairstyle that lasts the entire holiday.
Besides, hair wraps are economical, making them ideal for families with multiple children on a budget.
Last but not least, what makes this style a favorite among children, including toddlers, is that they don’t experience any hair-pulling. You may dream of seeing your three-year-old with their entire head covered in micro box braids, but let’s face it—some young children can’t tolerate that much pressure on their sensitive little scalp.
2. Six Front Cornrows
Another popular style among children—and adults as well—is six front cornrows. This fast, practical style looks amazing on everyone. Keeping hair away from the face, this style enhances facial features—no more ruined family pics because a gust of wind covered your child’s face with hair!
If your child keeps losing hair accessories like hairbands, scrunchies, or clips, think of six front cornrows as a permanent headband that keeps their hair in place—even when they’re surfing waves, sliding down a water park slide, or running wild on the beach. Unlike box braids, which remain loose, cornrows are attached to the scalp, ensuring they stay put no matter how active your child is (like I used to be, LOL).
It takes less than an hour to create six front cornrows, so no parent will regret missing a whole afternoon of their trip. At Sunny Braids, you can book your appointment in advance (for you and your children) to better plan other fun activities in Puerto Rico.
With this hairstyle, you’ll still need to style the length of your child’s hair, but it will be much easier since the braids help keep everything under control.
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3. Two Dutch Braids
The two-braid hairstyle, also known as pigtails or boxer braids, is a favorite among active kids. With this style, they don’t have to worry about their hair getting in their way while biking, scuba diving, or surfing.
Unlike French braids, Dutch braids resemble cornrows because of their unique braiding pattern (each section is crossed under the middle one). They take little time to complete—between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on whether they cover the full head or just half. For children, I generally use only their natural hair, as extensions would add too much pressure to their scalp. Kids also love decorating their Dutch braids with accessories like strings, beads, or charms.
With two Dutch braids, your child’s hair will stay in place for the entire holiday. No more chasing them around with a comb before dinner! This vacation hairstyle is a great time-saver because their hair won’t tangle and will be easier to keep clean with the right products.
You and your child can choose from these or other braided hairstyles, but one thing you should always choose is a professional braider who is kind, patient (but fast!), and gentle with your little one’s head. Don’t worry—at Sunny Braids, we’ve got you covered.
