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7 Best Shampoos & Hair Products for Kids with Curly Hair (2025 Reviews)

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Kids with curly hair are absolutely adorable! But, it can be difficult to keep their hair looking and feeling amazing. Kids’ hair is more sensitive, and curly hair is even more so. It’s prone to dryness, tangles, and frizz. Fortunately, the right shampoos and hair products can help you to tame your child’s curls.

There are hundreds of options on the market, so I’ve created this list of the 7 best shampoo and hair products for kids with curly hair to help you find the one that’s right for your child.

Best Shampoos & Hair Products for Kids with Curly Hair

  • 1. Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Combo Pack - Includes Kids Curling Butter Cream, 6 Oz & Kids Curl & Shine 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner

    (Most Hydrating — $$)

    Why it’s great: Shea Moisture creates skin and hair products for kids and adults. This set of 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner and buttercream was specially designed for kids with curly hair. They both contain natural ingredients that nourish and hydrate your child’s hair. They don’t contain any harmful ingredients and will leave your little one’s hair shiny and smooth. Coconut oil helps add curl definition, hibiscus flower adds shine, and slippery elm extract soothes and smooths curly hair. The buttercream helps tame frizzy hair and flyaways while also defining curls. 

    Keep in mind: This is better for kids with thick curly hair and may be a little too much for kids with fine hair. 

    Good for: Kids with thick curls who need more hydrating hair products that help tame their curls.

    Shea Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Johnson's Curl-Defining, Frizz Control, Tear-Free Kids' Shampoo

    (Best Budget Option — $)

    Why it’s great: Johnson’s curl-defining shampoo is effective and affordable. It helps to keep frizz and flyaways tamed and contains shea butter to moisturize and nourish your child’s curls. It’s a gentle shampoo and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. It’s also hypoallergenic and tear-free, making it the perfect choice for kids with more sensitive skin and hair. It helps to define curls and smooth frizz, making it easier to comb through after a wash. 

    Keep in mind: For best results, you’ll need to purchase the matching conditioner as well. 

    Good for: Parents on a budget who need a shampoo that’ll help tame their child’s curls.

    Johnson's Kids' Shampoo

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. SoCozy, Curl Spray LeaveIn Conditioner For Kids Hair

    (Best Conditioner — $)

    Why it’s great: This leave-in conditioner contains ingredients like vitamin B5, jojoba oil, and olive oil, which help to soften and smooth your child’s curly hair. It moisturizes their hair and reduces breakage while also improving elasticity and defining curls. This spray also acts as a detangler, making it easier to brush through and style your child’s curls the way you want. It doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients and is safe to use on wet or dry hair. 

    Keep in mind: A little goes a long way, and it’s best to concentrate the spray on the ends instead of the top of the head. 

    Good for: Kids who need a leave-in conditioner to help reduce frizz, keep their hair healthy, and help detangle curls.

    SoCozy Conditioner For Kids

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. Just For Me Kids Curl Peace Hair Products Combo

    (Best Natural Set — $$$)

    Why it’s great: This set of shampoo, conditioner, and wonder spray is made of all-natural ingredients. The shampoo and conditioner both contain ingredients such as marshmallow root extract, cocoa butter, and raw honey, which help to moisturize and nourish dry hair. The combination of these two will help to keep your child’s hair hydrated, healthy, and clean. The wonder spray is a 5-in-1 that detangles, reduces frizz, nourishes, heat protects and adds shine. These products all help to soften, smooth and keep your child’s curls healthy. They also help to refresh and define curls, kinks, and coils. 

    Keep in mind: This set is pricey, but you do get three large bottles of product. 

    Good for: Kids with all different textures of curly hair.

    Just For Me Kids Curl Peace Hair Products Combo

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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  • 5. Natural Kids Detangler Spray for Curly Hair

    (Best for All Hair Textures — $$)

    Why it’s great: This detangling spray helps to keep your child’s curls manageable and easier to brush. It’s made with plant-based ingredients that are gentle and won’t irritate your child’s sensitive skin. It helps to condition and nourish your child’s curls while also eliminating frizz and smoothing flyaways. This spray works on curly hair of all textures, whether coarse, thick, straight, frizzy, wavy or anything else. It doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals and has a pleasant light scent. 

    Keep in mind: This is a great detangling and conditioning spray, but you’ll still need to buy shampoo to clean your child’s hair. 

    Good for: Kids with all different textures of curls who need a product to help them get the tangles out of their hair.

    Natural Kids Detangler Spray for Curly Hair

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 6. Fairy Tales Curly-q Daily Hydrating Shampoo for Kids

    (Best Shampoo — $)

    Why it’s great: This Curly-Q shampoo can do it all when it comes to curly hair. It cleanses, hydrates, nourishes, detangles, reduces frizz, and defines curls. It uses ingredients like quinoa, avocado butter, aloe, and jojoba oil to gentle moisturize and keep curly hair healthy and strong. These ingredients prevent breakage, hydrate, and add shine to curly hair. This shampoo doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients and is gentle on sensitive skin. It’s also gluten, soy, nut, and dairy-free. 

    Keep in mind: This can leave your child’s hair a little tangled on its own, but you can pair it with the conditioner for better results. 

    Good for: Kids who need a moisturizing and curl-defining shampoo.

    Fairy Tales Shampoo for Kids

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. CurlyKids Mixed Hair HairCare Set Super Detangling Shampoo, Conditioner, Spray 6.0, Curly Crème Conditioner

    (Most Complete Set — $$$)

    Why it’s great: This is a complete curly hair care kit. It comes with a bottle of shampoo, conditioner, detangling spray, and styling creme. They work well on any curly hair texture, whether it’s curly, wavy, kinky, frizzy, or coiled. They all contain ingredients that help to moisturize, nourish, and prevent breakage in curly hair. This set has everything you’ll need to clean, style, and care for your little one’s curls. They also promote healthy hair growth. 

    Keep in mind: These are smaller bottles, but a little goes a long way. 

    Good for: Kids with all different textures of curls that need a complete set of hair care products to manage their curls.

    CurlyKids Mixed Hair Shampoo

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Combo Pack - Includes Kids Curling Butter Cream, 6 Oz & Kids Curl & Shine 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner

The Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Combo Pack - Includes Kids Curling Butter Cream, 6 Oz & Kids Curl & Shine 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..

Shea Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about Shampoos & Hair Products for Kids with Curly Hair

  • 1. Do I need to buy special products for kids with curly hair?

    Curly hair comes in different textures and curl patterns, but it does require special products to tame it. Curly hair is usually drier and fragile, making it more susceptible to damage. Using regular products or products that are designed for straight hair could also end up leaving your child’s hair a tangled mess. Products designed for curly hair take this into account and contain ingredients that help to moisturize and tame curls.

  • 2. Can I use adult curly hair products on kids?

    It’s best to use products that are designed for kids. Adult products contain more harmful ingredients and skin irritants, which can be a problem on kids’ sensitive skin. Kids’ skin and hair are not the same as adults’ and need special formulas to keep them healthy.

  • 3. How can I care for my child’s curls?

    Using products designed for curly hair is the best way to care for it. However, there are some other things you can do to help, too. When you’re washing their hair, don’t pile it on top of their head. This causes more tangles. You don’t need to shampoo very often; every few days is fine. Otherwise, you’ll dry out their hair even more. Use more conditioner, as this helps the hair more than shampoo. Also, only detangle your child’s hair when it’s wet.

  • 4. What should I avoid in hair products for kids with curly hair?

    In any product for kids, you’ll want to avoid harmful ingredients, such as sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicone, and anything harsh. For kids with curly hair, it’s especially important to steer clear of any alcohol-based product, as this will dry out their hair even more.

  • 5. What ingredients should I look for in curly hair products for kids?

    Moisturizing ingredients are beneficial for curly hair since it tends to be drier than usual. Look for things like shea butter, coconut oil, aloe, vitamin B5, jojoba oil, and other nourishing ingredients.

Conclusion

Taming your child’s curls doesn’t have to be a nightmare. You can keep them styled and smoothed easily by using the right products. Whether it’s shampoo, conditioner, or a styling product, make sure that it is designed especially for curly hair. This list offers a variety of choices that are all nourishing for healthier curls. You should be able to find one that you like and that works to keep your child’s curls looking and feeling great!