Best Hair Accessories for Babies and Toddlers UK (2026)
Baby hair is fine, delicate, and grows slowly — the wrong clip or band can cause breakage or discomfort without you realising it. This guide covers what is safe, what works, and what is worth buying.
Accessories for baby and toddler hair need to meet a higher standard than adult versions. They must be secure enough not to fall off and become a choking hazard, gentle enough not to damage fine hair, and comfortable enough that a small child will not immediately pull them out. This guide covers the key safety considerations and the best options currently available.
Alligator clips and bow barrettes
Alligator clips have a serrated grip that holds fine baby hair without requiring the hair to be wrapped. They are the most secure option for very young children whose hair is too short or too fine for scrunchies or elastics. The critical safety consideration is size — clips smaller than 5cm can be a choking hazard if they come off. Always buy from sets designed specifically for infants with safety-appropriate sizing.
Alligator clips with fabric ribbon bows in pairs. Available in packs of 10, 20, 25, or 50. Sized appropriately for infant and toddler hair. Rated 4.9 stars — one of the highest-rated children's accessories on Zonify. The pairs design means you can do two symmetrical bunches easily.
Character and novelty clips for older children
For children old enough that choking is no longer the primary concern — generally from age 3 upwards — character and novelty clips are a fun choice that children are more likely to cooperate with. Print designs featuring animals, fruits, and cartoon characters work well for encouraging younger children to accept having their hair done.
40 pins in a variety of cartoon fruit, animal, and flower designs. Bright colours and lightweight construction. Rated 4.8 stars. The large quantity means plenty of variety and spares when some inevitably go missing.
Hair safety — what to avoid
Avoid bare elastic bands on baby hair — they wrap too tightly and cause breakage on fine strands. Metal clips with sharp edges or exposed prongs should be avoided for children under 5. Rhinestone or bead decorations are a choking risk on all accessories intended for young children. Look for fabric-covered clips, smooth edges, and secure fastenings that require deliberate pressure to open.
Always supervise young children when wearing any hair accessory, regardless of design. Remove before sleep.
Most hair accessories are suitable from around 6 months when hair length allows, but always supervise and remove before naps or bedtime. Alligator clips are generally safer for younger babies than scrunchies or elastics, which can loosen and become hazards.
Let them choose the design — children are more cooperative with accessories they have picked. Novelty and character designs work well for this. Apply clips quickly and distract immediately. Consistency helps — children who have hair done daily from a young age tend to tolerate it better.
Very fine baby hair can be damaged by standard elastic bands. Fabric-covered elastics or scrunchies in small sizes are safer. Avoid bare rubber bands entirely on young children's hair.
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