Back-to-school season is officially here, and that means busy mornings, new routines, and of course—adorable hairstyles to match all the excitement. Whether you’ve got a little one starting kindergarten or heading into middle school, these sweet and simple looks are just what you need to add a sprinkle of charm to their day. I’ve gathered my favorite styles that are cute, quick, and totally doable—even if you’ve only got five minutes and a hair tie. From playful braids to chic buns, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to keep those school days stylish. Let’s get into it—you’re going to love how easy these looks are!
#1 Braided Pigtails with Colorful Elastics
These low pigtail braids are jazzed up with colorful elastics—fun, secure, and low-effort. Great for fine, straight hair that’s shoulder-length or longer. The multiple elastics help hold thinner hair and add playful personality. A light tug during braiding helps create clean sections. Lovely on young girls with petite or oval face shapes.
#2 Waterfall Braid on Long Wavy Hair
This waterfall braid drapes across the crown with strands cascading into loose, natural waves—perfect for long, thick, wavy hair. The center part and braid combo keeps the top neat while leaving movement through the ends. It’s a beautiful choice for girls who want a polished style without pulling all the hair back. Time-consuming to create but holds well. Best for oval or heart-shaped faces.
#3 Half-Up Twists with Hair Clips
Half-up twisted sections secured with butterfly clips add charm without overwhelming the hair. This style keeps the top back while letting the rest flow, perfect for long, medium-density hair with a soft wave. Clips are adorable but need to be checked for slipping. Ideal for round and heart-shaped faces wanting hair out of the eyes but still loose.
#4 Short Bob with Headband Bangs
This classic bob with rounded edges and full bangs is accented by a wide fabric headband—easy, timeless, and perfect for fine to medium hair. The headband keeps bangs neat and adds a playful school touch. Best on straight or slightly wavy hair and great for oblong or heart-shaped faces. The style is low-fuss but may need a trim every few weeks to keep shape.
#5 Blunt Bob with Cute Hair Clips
A center-parted blunt bob is kept neat and playful with colorful clips placed symmetrically on both sides. This chin-length cut works best for fine to medium straight hair that holds its shape well. The center part adds balance, while the clips add personality without the need for styling tools. A great choice for girls who like structure but don’t want fuss. Flattering for oval or heart-shaped faces.
#6 Classic Ponytail with Navy Bow
This sleek high ponytail is neatly secured with a navy bow right above the crown, making it a standout style for uniform days. The slight side part gives a touch of softness while keeping it tidy. Best suited for medium to long straight hair with low to medium density. It holds well for active school schedules but may need a midday spritz to stay smooth. Works well on round and oval faces.
#7 Double Dutch Braids on Straight Hair
These tight, symmetrical Dutch braids run scalp-close and extend through the ends—great for all-day hold and no-fuss maintenance. Ideal for straight or slightly wavy medium-density hair, this is a go-to for active school days or PE class. Very secure, but can be snug on sensitive scalps. Great for oval or long faces.
#8 Braided High Ponytail with Beads
This protective style features crisp cornrows feeding into a high ponytail, finished off with neat braids decorated in colorful beads. A favorite for natural Type 3–4 hair, it keeps strands tucked away and lasts all week. The beads add a personalized flair but may click during activities. Works best on thicker hair and round or oval faces.
#9 High Curly Ponytail with Bow
This high ponytail lets natural curls stand tall with a vibrant bow for extra charm. The look gives height and draws the face upward—great for round or oval face shapes. Works best on coily or curly textures with medium to high density. It’s quick and easy, though shrinkage and frizz can creep in without leave-in product. A cute, playful style for any school day.
#10 High Pigtail Curls with Hair Ties
Voluminous curls are gathered into two high pigtails with a crisp center part, secured with bright hair ties for a playful, confident style. Works best on thick, curly or coily hair that holds shape and volume. The lift from the pigtails adds balance to fuller cheeks and round faces. Fun and expressive, though may need refreshing to control frizz by midday.
#11 Textured Pixie Cut with Side Bangs
This layered pixie cut features soft side-swept bangs and tousled texture that adds volume without effort. Ideal for thick, straight or slightly wavy hair, this cut keeps mornings easy and styling minimal. It’s lightweight and practical for active kids, but may need reshaping every few weeks. Great for square or oval faces and girls who prefer short styles with movement.
#12 Side Fishtail Braid with Pink Ribbon
This loosely woven fishtail braid drapes over the shoulder, tied at the end with a soft pink ribbon—feminine and great for picture day. It suits long, medium-to-thick hair with texture or wave. The braid adds visual interest but can unravel with too much movement. Looks especially sweet on oval and heart-shaped faces.
#13 Twisted Heart Half-Up Style
This delicate heart-shaped twist design turns heads on the playground. It’s crafted by pulling two side twists into a heart point at the center, finished with a dainty flower clip. Works best on fine to medium straight or slightly wavy hair. It’s high on charm but needs patience to create. Ideal for special school days or photo ops.
#14 Messy Curly Bun with Volume
A loose, airy curly bun worn high on the crown is ideal for natural volume and texture. This no-fuss style works best on thick Type 3 curls and is perfect for days when you want everything out of the way but still stylish. It’s breathable and casual, though flyaways may pop up by lunch. Great for round or square faces needing elongation.
#15 Crown Braids on Long Hair
Polished and practical, crown braids wrapped from each side into the back keep hair tidy all day. This style works great for medium to thick wavy hair with length past the shoulders. It’s secure enough for class and gym, though may need re-braiding if slept on. A smart pick for oval or heart-shaped faces and gives a youthful, classic finish without clips.
#16 Curly High Bun with Cornrows
This high curly bun is anchored by tight cornrows up front, giving both hold and flair. It’s an efficient protective style for high-density coily or curly hair and stays put through recess and PE. The bun adds volume and height, making it flattering on rounder faces. Requires product for hold and moisture but lasts for days.
#17 Soft Waves with Curtain Bangs
Soft, natural-looking waves paired with curtain bangs give this look an effortless charm. Best on medium to long layered cuts, especially with slight texture. The curtain bangs frame the face without being too heavy and grow out well. This style’s flexibility makes it great for all school days but needs heat styling or braiding overnight. Suits almost all face shapes.
#18 Half-Up Braids on Natural Curls
This half-up style blends tight curls with braided crown detail, giving structure while letting those beautiful natural curls shine. Ideal for black girls with coily or curly hair with high density. Keeps hair out of the face without sacrificing volume. It’s protective without being fully tied up. Can be tricky to braid on shorter hair. Great for oval and round faces.
#19 Bubble Braids with Crimped Ends
These structured bubble braids with crimped ends are both playful and long-lasting—a win for busy school mornings. The braids are anchored at the scalp and sectioned with elastics to create the bubble effect, while the ends are crimped for extra texture. Best on medium-density hair that holds style. Fun but can tug if tied too tight. Suits heart or oval faces.
#20 Space Buns with Face-Framing Tendrils
These sleek double buns with long tendrils soften the look and give it that cool-girl edge. A clean center part anchors the style, while the loose strands in front offer movement and frame the face. Best on medium to thick straight or slightly wavy hair. A bit more time-consuming but holds up through recess and class. Flattering for longer face shapes.
#21 Blonde Bob with Side Clip
This softly layered bob falls just below the chin with subtle waves that add bounce and fullness—perfect for fine to medium hair. The pearl side clip brings a polished touch without overdoing it. Low-maintenance and face-framing, this style suits square and oval face shapes well. Ideal for kids who prefer a quick morning routine but still want style.
#22 Side Braided Ponytail with Butterfly Clips
Whimsical and practical, this side braid feeds into a loose ponytail adorned with butterfly clips—super cute for school while keeping hair out of the face. Perfect for long, medium-density hair, especially if it’s naturally wavy. Clips add personality but can snag fine strands. Great for oval or round faces and girls who love accessorizing.
#23 Puffy Pigtail Curls with Braided Part
Big volume and playful texture make these puffy pigtail curls a favorite for girls with dense, coily hair. The standout feature is the tight cornrow-style braid down the middle part, which keeps the top neat while letting the curls shine. Great for active school days, though it can dry out without proper moisturizing. Best for Type 4 hair and round or heart-shaped faces.
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