Have you noticed that kids’ haircuts become more fun, and different during December? It’s not just about looking good for the holiday family card. December holidays inspire so many parents to do different stuff with the hair of their kids. Maybe it’s a party or event the kids will attend, or just the holiday spirit in general. Whatever it is, December is when parents really get behind a big change in their kids’ hairstyles. A few years ago, one mom used to bring her daughter in for a trim every month. It was pretty boring cause it was the same cut every time. But just before Christmas, she said, “How about a bob?” The girl was thrilled to see her transformation in the mirror. It was a lovely moment.
My latest collection features some of the most fun children’s hairstyles I have ever made. There are looks for every hair type, including straight hair, and bouncy curly cuts, edgy cuts for boys, and girls waves who just want their locks to sit right. I have strong opinions about this collection, and you’ll see it in my comments. Forget the latest trends captured in these salon Instagram posts. Real kids are going to get these children’s cuts, and that is what really matters!
#1: That Shoulder-Length to Bob Chop That Changes EVERYTHING
Let’s talk about this transformation, because this is what I live for! Going from that casual shoulder length hairstyle to a clean chin length bob is one of those moves that makes a child look older overnight, and in the best way possible. The before is a very easy, wash and go style, but that bob? It gives the entire face something to work with. If your little one has that nice light brown hair with a little wave to it, a bob is going to sit really well! It is going to be a super cool style to have. I will say you are going to be back in my chair a little more regularly because bobs lose shape really fast on kids who are, you know, kids! But the payoff is SO worth it! Hot tip: it’s actually easier to brush in the mornings, which is the part no one really talks about.
#2 That Textured Crew Cut Boys Actually Get Excited About
I LOVE this cut on little guys because it’s one of those styles where the kid is happy and the parents are happy, and that almost never happens at the same time. The top doesn’t look like a boring buzz cut but it’s short enough that you’re not fighting with a comb every morning, and the texture gives it personality. The scissor taper around the ears and neck is really nice here, it keeps things soft instead of that harsh skin fade look that honestly I think is a lot for younger kids. If your kiddo has super fine hair, you might want to work a tiny bit of texturizing paste through the top to get it to actually DO something. Otherwise it can just lay flat and you lose that whole vibe.
#3 The Wavy Bob That Basically Styles Itself
What a joy to see this! It’s such a good example of how you don’t have to do a lot for a nice looking hairstyle on a child. The waves and highlights look good and the cut is the frame. If your daughter has medium thickness hair and some natural movement, then a simple bob is perfect. You’ll need to come back for a trim once the ends start getting straggly because a wavy bob can go from “effortlessly cute” to “we forgot about this” really fast. The secret is to scrunch some mousse in and leave it alone.
#4 Curly Top with Tapered Sides, aka the Cut Every Curly Haired Boy Needs
If your son has natural curls, don’t let him lose them! This cut is great for showing off the curls on top while also keeping the sides neat for a tidy look. It’s super low maintenance once you have the cut down, which brings me to my main point. You need a stylist that knows how to work with curly/textured hair because this is not a ‘any barber can do it’ type of deal. The curls on top are going to be shaped based on how they get cut, and if they just go in and cut them wet and don’t understand the spring factor, it’s going to be bad. When it’s done well, it looks so good on round and square face shapes and it gets better as it grows in just a little.
#5 Tousled Shoulder-Length Waves That Look Like a Beach Day
Kids with tousled waves is the picture of playful hair and childlike freedom. I could be here all day. Shoulder length hair with some sun-kissed highlights is the most effortless and lived-in hair look that I love. Lived-in hair is best with thinner to medium density hair. With highlights, kids look like they just roamed the streets of California to achieve the effortless style, and let’s be honest, kids are the first to stay put in the chair out of boredom. Thank the hair gods for avoiding a highlight disaster and weaving in some sun-kissed strands. I’m going to be real with you, this hair WILL tangle. Not just a little, probably a lot. So grab some detangling spray, and get ready to brush it. You might find yourself brushing it every night.
#6 The Spiked Top Fade That Little Dudes Go Absolutely Crazy For
Boys under 10 with spiked hair run to the mirror and feel themselves. The best part of my job is seeing the kids enjoy complimenting themselves. The spiked hairstyle works best on thick, straight hair since the spikes stay up and don’t fall over by lunch causing a sad flop. With the precision fade on the sides, it all looks sharp and intentional. To be honest, your child will need some hair gel or hair paste for those spikes in the morning so if you’re a “we barely have time for breakfast” family just make sure to plan a little extra time in the morning. But putting on the spikes takes super little time, about 30 seconds worth of product and you’re done.
#7 Long Layers with Face-Framing That Grows Out Like a Dream
If your daughter is trying to grow her hair as long as possible, this is the way to go. Long layers will prevent the hair from falling into her face like a curtain. The longer front layers bring the whole style together. Also, there is less maintenance with this cut since the ends are textured, so even 3 day old hair will look nice. This is great for busy families. You will want a good leave in conditioner because the layers will tangle and look bad quickly. These layers will need regular trims to look good. We are talking about every 8-10 weeks.
#8 Messy Textured Top with a Side Part That’s Giving Main Character Energy
This haircut gives lots of personality! With the side part it looks really intentional and the messy top is perfect to avoid the “little gentleman at a wedding“ vibe. And the natural crown swirl, cutest thing ever. I always get requests to cut to avoid the cowlick, but I always say no, LEAN INTO IT. I love it! This looks great fine to medium hair because the cut will give the illusion of more volume. Light styling cream will be needed to define your texture and with regular shape up trims the daily effort will be minimal!
#9 The Classic Mid-Length Cut That Never Lets You Down
This is one of those hairstyles that can seem deceptively simple at first but will look amazing in the end. The cut is straight across and midlength, and the color has some nice sun-kissed highlights. The hair looks super healthy and fuller, which is ideal since kids’ hair usually gets really dried out after spending a lot of time in the sun and swimming in the pool. I know parents can feel overwhelmed with choices, and I always suggest this cut because you can’t really go wrong. It’s because of how easy the maintenance is, and it’s a hairstyle that doesn’t require you to use a ton of products. Plus, it’ll be nice for all of the upcoming holiday photos! Just remember to get regular trims so the ends of the hair look blunt and even, because that’s what keeps the hairstyle polished and crisp.
#10 The Angled Bob with Curled Ends That I Wish More People Asked For
Angled bob haircuts for girls are just adorable! This bob style is way more fun than other simple bobs. If not straight and fine hair, this style is perfect for your daughter. It will add the fluff needed to your daughters hair. This style is keeps neat through out the day, unlike other styles which is one of the most common concerns that i hear from parents. The curled ends will grow out and the hair will need to be cut to keep the ends curled. Once the ends are long enough that the bob shape starts to vanish, it won’t look nearly as fun. I also want to mention that this style holds up super well throughout the day!
#11 The Brushed-Up Crew Cut for Boys Who Want Cool but Easy
This style is great for boys with thick and straight hair. The styling is already done for you. The clean and short sides are sharp, and the top is long enough to be pushed up and forwards to create an edgy lift, and the natural hair texture does the rest. The best part is that this style grows out very well. Even in week five, it’ll still look intentional. The only thing I noticed is that the lifted top will require a little bit of work in the morning. Just a little bit of product and maybe some damp hair will get it to stand the way you want. I’m talking about 15 seconds of work here. That’s all there is to it.
#12 Straight Mid-Length for Girls Who Want Pretty and Practical
This hairstyle gives the I woke up like this vibe in a good way! The cut smooths out in a laid back way. Great for girls who want to feel good about their hair without spending time doing it. The cut has a great natural flow to it. When girls walk the hair will move with beautiful ease. It may sound unimportant but it really adds to the value of the cut. Trust me this cut will look great with even the most basic styling. If your daughter has hair that is too fine or sparse, this may not be the right cut to give her because it will lack fullness and not look very good. Medium to thick hair? Perfect.
#13 Those Chestnut Waves with Face-Framing Highlights, I Mean COME ON
I absolutely adore this hairstyle! The way soft waves and warm chesnut colors with cute little highlights around her face perfectly frame her face is incredible! I bet her parents instantly started to spam these pics into the family group chat. The waves in her hair give such nice texture and highlights also add to more dimension so the hair doesn’t appear flat, it looks so nice. This hairstyle would work best on fine to medium hair. For active kids it’s great that it the hairstyle looks really nice and even when it is messy it looks intentional. To keep this hairstyle looking polished, I recommend that a curl defining product is put into the hair while it is still damp.
#14 The Faux Hawk That Actually Looks Age-Appropriate
I’m not going to lie, some little boys with faux hawks come off as um…extra. But this one is good! The sides are tapered, but not too extreme, and the top has great natural texture, so you can even achieve the faux hawk look without having to use a ton of product to slick it down. I mean this in the best way possible, but it does basically look like the “cool kid at preschool” hairstyle. It gives the impression of a little faux hawk with some extra style. The cut works best with thick hair, as you need the natural volume for the top shape that is desired. My only suggestion is that to look good, the edges should be kept nice and clean. This means you will need trims every four to five weeks. If you let it go too far, you can lose the definition in the tapered sides, and it will look more like a regular overgrown hairstyle instead of a faux hawk.
#15 Natural Curls That Just Need a Good Cut and Some Love
Anytime I spot a kid rocking curls like this, I get pumped! This hair type is so much more fun to work with when you go with the hair rather than against it. With this cut, I get to let the thick natural curls do their thing while adding shape to the cut to frame the face. A cut like this gets better as it grows longer, because the curls fill in and give you more volume and that gorgeous halo effect. The biggest selling point of this cut is the moisture! You’ve got to keep those curls hydrated, otherwise everyone is going to be unhappy. Frizz and tangles galore. A leave-in conditioner is not optional.
#16 Side-Swept Bob That’s Secretly the Most Versatile Cut on This List
I appreciate how many different styles you can do with this cut. You can tuck it behind your ear, do a side clip, holiday headband, leave it unstyled, and it still looks good. The highlights and light brown base require no dye which is ideal for kids. This style works for fine hair since it looks fuller, bouncier, and thicker without all of the weight. You’ll want to do regular trims to keep the shape sharp. If your kid’s hair grows quickly, the bob can look intentional or like it’s just growing out, which are two totally different vibes.
#17 The Slicked-Back Undercut for Your Little Guy’s Fancy Moments
This style is great for family pictures or holiday parties, or if you just want your kid to have that “just stepped out of a magazine” look. With an undercut, the sides are all very clean, and the back and tops looks neat enough to wear to a Tuesday lunch or any more formal events. This style is best for medium-densitiy straight hair, since it will need to lie down and not cause a bunch of problems. You’ll have to come in to trim the undercut a lot since the fuzzy bits grow out quicker than you’d think. For styling, all you’ll need is some pomade and a comb.
#18 Mid-Length with Soft Bangs, the Cut I Recommend More Than Any Other
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard parents say, “I don’t know what to do with her hair.” I suggest bangs and they look at me like I’ve just insulted their entire family. But they end up loving it! Straight across bangs plus this mid-length soft cut brighten up the entire face, really makes the eyes pop, and gives the style identity instead of just ‘long hair.’ Plus for schools that require hair up, it’s the perfect length for ponytails and braids, but still looks nice down. The one thing with bangs that you will have to commit to is trimming because when they start getting in her eyes, it goes from cute to annoying in no time and then everyone starts blaming me even though I warned you at the appointment!
#19 Short Spiky Crew Cut for the Kid Who Cannot Sit Still
This post is for parents who are TIRED. Tired of the brushing, tired of the \”hold still\” s, tired of the end of day hair finds. I get it. This short spiky texturized crew cut is as low maintenance as it gets while looking like you put effort into it. The texturing is what adds volume and interest to fine/thin hair that otherwise would just sit flat and look like a buzz cut. The hairu2019s natural texture will do most of the styling for you so in the mornings it will just be a \”run your hand through it\” type of situation. To maintain the shape of the cut you are going to need to do regular upkeep. Otherwise it will quickly lose that sharp look.
#20 Tapered Sides with a Textured Top That’s All About the Volume
The contrast here is quite strong and noticeable, with the tight tapered sides and fuller front section of the hair creating visual balance, showing that the cut is very intentional. For straight and medium thickness hair types, the shortened sides push the hair on top to be fuller and more dynamic, which is a good trick when working with hair that is in that in-between density where it’s not thin, but it’s also not very thick. This style is exceptionally low maintenance, as all that is really needed is a little push in the wanted direction and the hair should fall back into the desired position. The sides will need a bit more attention and maintenance from the stylist as the hair grows in to keep the look of contrast create the cut.
#21 Soft Auburn Waves That Make Everyone Ask “Is That Her Natural Color?”
Of course! The great thing is you are improving on what she has already. The gentle waves create more volume around the face and the layered ends help everything remain weightless. This is fantastic for active kids, as heavy hair means more tangles, and no one wants that at bedtime! Additionally, that auburn color is very photogenic! It captures warm light beautifully just in time for the holidays. This is going to be a definite “why didn’t we do this sooner” moment for girls with medium to high density hair and oval or heart shaped faces.
#22 Side Part Perfection for Toddler Boys
Getting haircuts for toddlers can be a challenge because of their inability to stay still, fear of the hair clippers, and the preferences they have yet are unable to voice. For these reasons, I want to share my experience of luck in finding a place to get a toddler haircut that is awesome and realistic. This haircut features a side part and a textured top, which is ideal for toddlers. Sides that are short eliminate hair getting in to their face and over their ears. The part adds to a polished look and the texture is fun. With this hairstyle, he will not have to deal with hair in his face or over his ears. This hairstyle is good to pretty much any shape of face because the side part is very flattering and the shape is well balanced and proportioned. The haircut is great for straight hair of fine to medium thickness, because the layered cut enables a nice volume and fullness. The sides do need to be cleaned up to be neat, and that is the only maintenance the haircut really requires.
#23 Copper Waves with Layers That Catch the Light So Beautifully
I can always tell when a certain shade and a certain haircut seem to match and go together in that way that feels perfect. This example is a perfect match. The soft, gentle layers of hair look AMAZING with the light copper color. Everytime the hair moves, the layers get into a different light and create a new light spot, giving a shimmery effect. For kids, hair at this length is super easy to manage; it’s long enough to pull back, but not so long that it’s getting sat on or dipped under water. The longer flowing layers are great with medium to thick hair as they create a nice fullness without the bulk. Now, if this copper is her natural shade, consider yourself lucky (well, copper). If you are keeping a color like this, get ready to visit the salon often to maintain that bright copper shade because it fades faster than almost any color.
#24 Curly Top with Tapered Sides and That Subtle Hard Part Detail
The hard part detail is a nice touch that instantly elevates this style and gives it some edge. It may be subtle, but it separates the tapered sides from the curly top and modernizes the look. The length on top is just right so those tousled curls are able to have some personality and style without being too messy. This is perfect for curly-haired boys as it provides a clean look without any effort in the morning. Overall this cut is really low maintenance and the tapered sides do most of the work, so the only styling you have to do is on top. The added volume is nice for oval and heart-shaped faces as it balances everything out.
#25 Sun-Kissed Blonde Texture That Screams “I’m a Fun Kid”
This cut is super cool and really encompasses the chill vibe we are going for! Loving the soft blond hair with subtle texture! The buzzed taper around the ears and nape is also super clean! The fuzzy ends make the cut really work with the natural growth direction and pattern. You can’t style thick hair like this forward or back without good natural movement. The cut is also going to look good straight after the cut and 6 weeks after when grown out. A trim every 6 to 8 weeks is ideal, but even if you push it to 9 or 10 weeks it is still going to look intentional. Awesome look for the busy family!
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