Best detangling spray for kids

As parents, we all know that familiar screech when we try to brush our children's hair. It doesn't matter whether they have had a busy day at nursery or school, a good night's sleep or are fresh from the bath, you might even have used detangling shampoo, but when the brush touches their hair they wriggle, squirm and moan that it hurts, which causes both frustration and guilt as a parent. It is such a common problem, but detangling spray for kids can make the task a lot less painful for both you and your little one.

Of course, we don't want to upset our children, but at some point they do need their hair brushed and often it can be quite tangled after a day of adventures, or first thing in the morning. Sometimes it is tempting to get an easy to manage toddler haircut, but that won't please your little one either, especially if they are keen to grow their hair, so what can you do? Brushing hair when it is wet can make it easier, and there are some great detangling brushes which are more gentle, but ultimately, you need to get through those tangles!

A good detangling spray for kids will make their hair a lot easier to manage, and it is even a good product for curly hair. It is essentially a type of leave-in conditioner that smoothes and moisturises the hair and makes it less likely to tangle, but also, when tangles happen, it reduces friction between the hair shafts and makes breaking apart tangles simpler.

Best detangling sprays at a glance:

•Best for thick hair: Baby Love Kids 2-in-1 shea butter conditioning detangling spray

•Best for long hair: Johnson's No More Tangles Kids Conditioner Spray

•Best for sensitive skin: Childs Farm Kids Hair Detangler

If your little one loves their long locks, and is aiming for Rapunzel length hair, then you probably need a detangling spray for kids to make hair brushing less stressful for you both. Plus, often detangling sprays smell lovely and will leave hair even more soft and shiny. They are so nice you might even borrow them yourself for your own easy hairstyle! With so many on the market we have selected some of the best detangling sprays for kids, for all hair types, for you to choose from.

What is the best detangling spray for kids?

There are so many detangling sprays for kids on the market, choosing the best is a personal decision. To help decide it is worthwhile considering the type of hair you will be using the spray on. Is it long? Or curly? Thick? Wavy? Thin? Perhaps you need it for after swimming with your toddler? Or you want to use it on dry hair while brushing your little one's locks in the morning before school. Some sprays work best on wet hair, while some can be used on both wet and dry hair. Also consider if your little one has sensitive skin and might need a more natural product, or perhaps they get overwhelmed by strong smells and you might need to find a detangling spray for kids with a gentle fragrance.

Does detangling spray work?

We think it does! Of course some children will always dislike having their hair brushed, especially if they are tired, or don't want to sit still, but with a detangling spray it will make the task easier. A detangling spray for kids will condition the hair making it smoother and separating the hair strands to make it simpler to break apart knots and tangles. Not only do detangling sprays tackle tangles, they also make your little one's hair smell lovely and will make it soft, smooth and shiny. It will quickly become a lovely part of the bathtime routine.

Can adults use a detangling spray for kids?

There is absolutely no reason not to. The sprays will work on adult hair as well as kids' hair. In fact, your little one will probably enjoy watching you using the spray, and it might encourage them to use it too if they are a little hesitant. You could even let them brush the tangles out of your hair to show them how brave you can be. It might become a lovely activity to do together.

Do you use detangling spray on wet or dry hair?

You can use it on both but it might be easier with wet, or damp hair. However, if you are rushing in the morning and your little one won't let you brush their hair because it hurts, then a detangling spray will make things quicker and will help you ease those tangles out without too much distress, or without having to wash their hair and it will hopefully make your morning routine less hectic. Additionally, a detangling spray for kids will calm frizzy hair, or little cowlicks, so they can start their day with smooth, detangled and styled hair.

Laura Healy is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mum-of-two girls and loves writing about all things parenting. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and enjoys reading and attending literary festivals, as well as writing fiction.