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I've been coloring my hair since I was 12, so who am I to say no when my kids want to rock crazy hair colors like pink, orange, and neon green? To be fair, I stick to simple blonde highlights, but for them, I was on the hunt for the best hair dye for kids for Halloween costumes, spirit day at school, or just because it’s fun to have dyed hair. I’m cool with color–as long as it’s temporary.
“Let your kid have the color hair! It washes out and it is a great bonding time with you and your child!” says Grace Evans stylist and owner of Honeycomb Hair Studio. “Hair color is a great way to express one’s self at any time in your life!”
Ready to dive into the world of colorful and temporary? We found options that give vibrant results and wash out after a shower and shampoo so you can avoid any long-term commitment with a crazy color. If you’ve got little kids, big kids, or teens, looking for a new hair hue, these are the best hair dyes for kids that will have them looking fabulous and won’t leave parents in a panic.
Best Hair Dyes for Kids
- Best Overall: Punky Temporary Hair Color Spray
- Best Budget: Purple Ladybug Hair Chalk & Glitter Style Set
- Best Hair Chalk: Splat Hair Chalk
- Best Color and Glitter Combo: Hally Glitter Shade Stix
- Best for Creating Highlights and a Money Piece: Fun In by Sun In
What to Consider
Don’t go gray from trying to choose the right hair dye for your kids. But there are a few things you should look at when you're considering which will work best for your child. First and foremost, ingredients, ease of application, and how to remove the color.
Ingredients
Look for hair dyes with gentle ingredients—no ammonia or bleach. Natural dyes with plant-based pigments are a great option, and conditioning agents are your best bet for avoiding scalp irritation or damage. Always check the label for allergens, especially if your kid has sensitive skin.
Dr. Daniel DiGiacomo, MD, a pediatric allergist and immunologist at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital, recommends a patch test before trying out the dye. “Take a small amount of dye and apply it to an area of thin skin– behind the ear or on the wrist, [observe where you placed the dye] for several days.” He warns “having a negative patch test also does not guarantee a future reaction will not occur.” So if your child does have a reaction, he recommends speaking to an allergist or a dermatologist.
Ease of Application
Kids aren’t exactly patient, so you’ll want a dye that’s quick and easy to apply. Sprays and chalks are a breeze. Look for applicators like brushes or wands to keep things neat in your “home salon”. Aim for fun hair, not a disaster zone. Be armed with old towels, plastic gloves, and dress kids in old clothes in case of splashes and splatters.
How to Remove the Color
Temporary means it should wash out easily, usually with just one or two shampoos. Chalks and sprays rinse out fast, but semi-permanent dyes may last a few weeks.
So what should you do if the color won’t come out? “Don’t panic,” Evans says. “If the dye is not coming out, use hot water in the shower, a clarifying shampoo, and scrub vigorously. ”
If all else fails, Evans suggests contacting a stylist to do a clarifying treatment and suggests until the color is fully out, protect clothes and pillowcases—nobody wants extra laundry, right?
How We Chose
When it comes to finding the best hair dyes for kids, safety and ease were top priorities. After consulting with Dr. Daniel DiGiacomo and stylists like Evans, I focused on products that were free from harsh chemicals that could permanently alter or damage a child’s hair or irritate their sensitive scalps. That said, some of the more long-lasting options did contain small amounts of synthetic ingredients, but I kept it minimal where possible.
I also looked for dyes with hydrating ingredients to help maintain moisture in their hair, since coloring can sometimes dry it out. Well-established, trusted brands were a big focus—no random products from the depths of Amazon here.
Bottom line–if I wouldn’t put it on my kids heads—I’m not going to recommend it for your kids.
Why Trust Us
To find the best hair dyes for kids, I enlisted the help of my three kids, who were all way too eager to step into my makeshift salon–AKA their bathroom. With their varying hair types—one with thick, coarse curls, another with color-treated locks, and the youngest with fine, wavy hair—they gave us the perfect testing ground for each dye’s ease of application, the vibrancy of the colors, and how easy or not-so-easy it washes out. Bonus points were given for products that didn’t leave their hair crunchy and brittle or if the color or glitter ended up on the dog.
Armed with a rainbow of temporary hair colors, a stack of old towels, and a whole lot of patience, we got to work. Also, pro tip: always wear gloves—unless you want to rock accidental blue hands for the next few days. Ask me how I know.
In the end, these are the nine hair dyes that we found the most fun, vibrant, and most importantly– parent and kid approved options.
Pros
Color is vibrant even on dark and thick hair- Easy to wash out
- Multiple uses out of one can
- Application is super easy– just spray and go
Cons
- The spray can get messy
This one gets our vote for best hair dye for kids because it comes in bold and bright colors, is super easy to apply, and washes out completely after one shower.
My son has thick, coarse curly hair, and just a few sprays gave him a vibrant color that completely covered his alpaca hairstyle. Plus, there was zero color transfer—none of that dreaded “oops, I just got orange on your shirt.” It’s easy to apply, and if you get a little too close to their face — a little water removes the color. I’d still recommend keeping an old towel handy because things could get messy.
This surprised me — all that color in all that hair was poof gone in one shampoo. So no commitment, just a fun way to experiment with hair color.
Key Specs
| Colors | 14 |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Hold bottle a few inches from hair and spray |
| To remove | One shampoo and it’s gone |
Pros
- Kids can apply the color to their hair and skin
- Comes with fun accessories
Cons
- Some colors are more vibrant than others
- If you don’t like glitter—hide the glitter pots
If your kids are planning a sleepover and fixing each other’s hair is on the to-do list you need to get this set. The chalk pens work on both dark and light hair, so one box will have everyone covered. We tried it out on the whole family — a mix of blondes and brunettes and it was a colorful hit on everyone.
We found that some colors deposits better than others, but the real win is letting kids color their own hair, you just need to expect to step in with some help (and a lot of patience). My five-year-old got a bit carried away and the results were – a lot. Fun, but a lot.
I thought the glitter adds an extra touch of glam, and while the color isn’t going to last through a shower, it’s a fun, creative way to play with color for a day.
Key Specs
| Colors | 12 |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Use chalk pen or applicator wand |
| To remove | 1-2 shampoos |
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Pros
- Easy to use
- Really fun colors
Cons
- Won’t get an all over color
- Some color transfers
For a quick, temporary splash of color, hair chalk is the way to go. We found that the colors from this brand are super pretty and buildable—perfect for making lighter hues pop on darker hair.
But heads up: it can get messy fast, with chalk dust flying around like confetti. My bathroom sink looked like a Bob Ross masterpiece (don’t worry, it wipes up easily). If you’re heavy handed while applying (guilty!), the color might sneak onto your kid’s clothes, so avoid using their favorite outfit.
But the soft, buildable color is totally worth it making this chalk a best hair dye for kids. And honestly, you’ll probably want to try it yourself too.
Key Specs
| Colors | 8 |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Use sponge to drag color through hair |
| To remove | One shampoo |
Pros
- Buildable shimmer and color
- Doesn’t transfer to hands or clothes
Cons
- Glitter can clump in spots
- Color doesn’t show up on dark hair
Color and glitter? Now you’re speaking my language. This hair dye is for the kid who believes more is more. It's perfect because they get pops of color and so much glitter. Depending on their mood and level of glam needed for their day, kids can apply a lot for extra sparkle or just a hint for everyday shine.
Pro tip: my daughter found that rolling the wand down the hair instead of brushing spread the shimmer evenly. However, we saw that on darker hair, the color is harder to see but the glitter is still magical.
While you won’t get a bold, all-over color with this one, you’ll get a soft hue with plenty of shimmery shine, which is honestly a whole vibe on its own.
Key Specs
| Colors | 3 |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Use wand to drag the color and glitter through hair |
| To remove | Multiple shampoos |
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5
Best For Creating Highlights and a Money Piece
Fun In by Sun In
Pros
- Easily create highlights and streaks
- Color looks great the next day
Cons
- Product transfers onto hands
- Takes a few washes to remove
While you could use this dye for all-over color, it’s a great option for creating highlights, a defined money piece (the hair that frames your face), or colorful streaks. The thick formula and included brush made it super simple to apply right where I wanted it, with no spills, splashes, or mess. The thicker consistency makes it easy to control, but heads up: I went a little overboard and made my son’s hair crunchy. A quick brush through, and it was soft again, no biggie!
The color still looked fab the next morning, and even after one shower, it didn’t completely wash out. That was fine for us, but if you need it gone fast, keep that in mind.
Key Specs
| Colors | 3 |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Squeeze product through comb and brush through hair |
| To remove | Multiple shampoos |
Pros
- Shimmery colors
- Goes on and washes out easily
Cons
- Will need to brush through to soften hair
- Does transfer onto hands and clothes
If your little is craving soft pink and teal streaks to put their Taylor Swift Lover era on full display, this is the way to go.
Just pump the product onto your hands, work it through, and voilà— streaky, dreamy color-soaked hair. My daughter said the thick formula made it easy to create designs without the color running wild. She found that it washes out easily, but it also get messy, so wear gloves unless you want rainbow hands. It did leave her hair feeling a bit crunchy, but a quick brush-out will fix that. The name gets my five year old’s approval and the overall color gets a thumbs up from my daughter.
Key Specs
| Colors | 2 |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Pump onto hairs and work through hair |
| To remove | Use shampoo to wash out |
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Pros
- Shows up on dark hair
- Come in bright colors
Cons
- Will need more than one for long hair
- Leaves hair feeling crunchy
While other dyes on this list fall flat on dark hair—this one is a dark hair champion, making it the best hair dye for kids. It comes in multiple bright colors, so there's a range of choices.
We found that the small comb made it easy to apply and the colors really pop. But if you're thinking of full coverage, one tube won't cut it—you’ll need at least two. On my daughter’s hair, the color came out in just one wash, so no long-term commitment (or regret).
One downside– it leaves hair feeling crunchy, like their head’s been doused in hairspray. But for those of us who lived through the 80s, we’re not scared of crunchy hair. So for a quick color that shows up on dark hair, it's totally worth it.
Key Specs
| Colors | 5 |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Use brush attachment to apply |
| To remove | Washes out in one shampoo |
Pros
- Easy to apply
- You control how much color
Cons
- Not as many fun colors
- Not great for really dark hair
For the kid who’s more into soft, subtle hues rather than bold, look-at-me shades–this hair dye foam is a winner. It’s perfect for building color. You start with a light touch, and then just keep adding until you get the vibe you want. But if your kid's looking for neon pink or electric blue, they’ll be disappointed.
My daughter said this dye made her hair feel really soft while others left her hair feeling dry and crunchy. She also liked squishing the foam through her hair instead of painting on another color. The plus side: It's conditioning, so their hair gets a little TLC while they experiment. However, after a few washes, the color was still hanging around, so it’s not a one-and-done dye. But if they're into soft, buildable color for a few days this one’s a dreamy pick.
Key Specs
| Colors | 11 |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Rub foam into wet or dry hair to reach desired color |
| To remove | Shampoo a few times |
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9
Best For More (Semi) Permanent Color
Lime Crime Unicorn Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Pros
- Colors lasts for weeks instead of one day
- So many fun colors to choose from
Cons
- Messy when applying
- Fades after every wash
For the kid who's not messing around with temporary color, this one is a solid option. It offers fun, long-lasting shades without bleach, so no permanent hair damage. Instead, it fades over a few weeks after every shampoo session.
Heads up— It’s messy. Grab old towels, plastic gloves, and a hair dye brush you can toss after using. And learn from my mistake and wipe up spills immediately. Surprisingly, I found it doesn’t have the typical hair dye smell, which is a bonus for kids with sensitive noses. We opted for just a few pieces instead of the whole head, but there’s enough in the container for a lot of hair.
If your kid wants bold colors that fade gradually without commitment, this one’s a fun, semi-permanent choice.
Key Specs
| Colors | 15 |
|---|---|
| How to apply | With hair color brush (not included) |
| To remove | Will fade gradually over a few weeks |
Tips From a Veteran Hair-Dyeing Mom
One of our senior editors, Cat Bowen, has dyed her 13-year-old's hair multiple times. And not just dyed — bleached! She has a few tips for parents new to this fun world.
- Get thee a plastic shower curtain and cut a hole for their head in the center. This is cheaper and easier than buying a cape or ruining their clothes. Truly the best $5 you'll spend.
- Do it outside if possible. It's just easier and the light is better.
- If you can't do it outside, spread out the shower curtain to cover things you don't want damaged. Use painter's tape or clips to keep everything stable.
- For all colors that aren't spray or chalk — do the first wash kneeling in front of the spigot of the tub or in the sink. It can get everywhere.
- Buy real surgical gloves for application. The gloves they give you (if they give you any) typically suck. They're also great for cleaning up the bathroom or doing the litter box.
Amanda Mushro
Freelance Writer
Amanda Mushro is a freelance writer and content creator whose creative tips, tricks, and life hacks have reached millions of people through TV segments, videos, and her writing. Amanda has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and TV stations across the country. Her writing has been featured in TIME, Forbes, TLC, and Highlights Magazine. When she’s not hosting TV segments, creating DIY and life hacks videos, or writing articles that cover parenting, home, and everything in between, she’s at her favorite job, being a mom of three.
