How to Care for Kids' Curly and Coily Hair Before Bedtime

 Bedtime routines are not just about brushing teeth and putting on pajamas—caring for your child’s curly or coily hair before sleep is just as important. Proper nighttime hair care can help prevent tangling, dryness, and breakage while making mornings easier. With a few simple steps, you can protect your child’s curls and ensure they wake up with healthy, manageable hair. Here's how to set up an easy and effective bedtime hair care routine for your child.

1. Moisturize Before Bed

Curly and coily hair tends to be naturally drier, so adding moisture before bedtime is key. Using a leave-in conditioner, curl cream, or lightweight oil can help lock in moisture overnight. Apply a small amount to their hair, focusing on the ends, which are usually the driest and most prone to breakage.

Tip: You can also use a water-based spray to lightly dampen their hair before applying moisturizing products to make it easier to distribute evenly through their curls.

2. Gentle Detangling

Detangling is essential to keeping curly hair healthy and preventing knots. Use a detangling brush or your fingers to gently detangle your child’s hair, starting from the ends and working your way up. If their hair is particularly tangled, a detangling leave-in conditioner can help make the process smoother and less painful.

Tip: Detangling before bed reduces the chances of waking up to matted or knotted hair in the morning.

3. Protective Styles to Minimize Frizz

Protective styles, like loose braids, twists, or buns, are perfect for preserving your child’s curls overnight. These styles help prevent friction between their hair and the pillow, which can cause frizz and breakage. Loose braids or twists will also make it easier to manage their hair in the morning with minimal styling.

Tip: Avoid tight styles that can pull on the scalp and cause discomfort. The goal is to gently tuck the hair away for the night without adding strain to the roots.

4. Use a Satin or Silk Bonnet/Pillowcase

One of the best ways to protect curly hair while sleeping is by using a satin or silk bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase. Unlike cotton, which can absorb moisture and cause friction, satin and silk materials help retain moisture and reduce frizz. If your child isn’t a fan of wearing a bonnet or scarf, using a satin pillowcase is a great alternative.

Tip: Satin or silk can make a big difference in maintaining the health of your child’s curls, so try introducing them into their bedtime routine early.

5. Refresh in the Morning

In the morning, simply undo their protective style and use a curl refresher spray, water, or a leave-in conditioner to revive their curls. 

This quick refresh helps bring their curls back to life without having to start from scratch. If needed, gently detangle any minor knots, and they’ll be ready for the day.

Tip: Keep a spray bottle with water and a bit of conditioner handy for easy morning touch-ups.

Final Thoughts

Caring for your child’s curly or coily hair before bedtime doesn’t have to be a long, complicated process. By adding a few simple steps—like moisturizing, detangling, using protective styles, and incorporating satin or silk materials—you can protect their curls overnight and make the morning routine much smoother. With a little preparation, you can ensure your child’s hair stays healthy, hydrated, and easy to manage every day.

At KindSprings, we understand the importance of gentle, nourishing hair care products that work with your child’s natural curls. Our plant-powered formulas are designed to keep curly and coily hair hydrated, detangled, and ready for any adventure—day or night!