14 Trendy Practical Kids Hairstyles for School Days

By Nur Gunday | March 24, 2025 | In Hairstyles

Introduction: A Fresh Start to Every School Morning

Every school morning brings a familiar challenge for parents and caregivers: getting kids ready on time — clean, dressed, fed, and looking neat. One often overlooked, yet impactful, aspect of the morning routine is hair styling. Whether your child has long flowing locks, short curls, or fine straight strands, the right hairstyle can transform both their appearance and confidence.

In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the world of trendy yet practical kids’ hairstyles for school days. The goal? To make your mornings smoother, your child happier, and their look school-ready without any fuss.

We’ll walk you through easy-to-achieve styles, hair care tips, and smart accessories while keeping everything optimized for parents juggling packed schedules. These hairstyles are designed to look cute, feel comfortable, and last throughout the day — perfect for classrooms, playgrounds, and beyond.

Why Practical Hairstyles Matter for School

Before we get to the styles, it’s important to understand why practical hairstyles matter:

• 🕒 Saves Time: Quick hairstyles help parents and kids avoid last-minute chaos.
• 🌟 Boosts Confidence: Neat and styled hair can positively impact a child’s self-esteem.
• 🎯 Minimizes Distraction: Hair kept away from the face helps kids concentrate better in class.
• 🧼 Promotes Hygiene: Styles that keep hair tied reduce the chance of lice, dirt, and oil buildup.

Practicality doesn’t mean boring. With a bit of creativity, these hairstyles can strike the perfect balance between function and flair.

Hair Prep 14: The Secret to Long-Lasting Styles

Before jumping into styling, ensure the hair is properly prepped:

• Brush through knots: Always begin by detangling hair gently using a wide-tooth comb or soft-bristle brush.
• Use leave-in conditioner or detangling spray: Especially useful for curly or textured hair.
• Dry hair properly: Avoid styling dripping wet hair unless you’re doing a protective braid or twist.
• Parting tools: Use the tail of a comb for neat partings — middle, side, or zigzag for variety.

Spending 2–3 extra minutes preparing the hair makes styling quicker and keeps the look intact throughout the school day.

1. The Quick Morning Ponytail

The Quick Morning Ponytail is the ultimate go-to style for hectic mornings. It’s fast, reliable, and can be dressed up or down.

How to Create It:

1. Brush hair back from the face.
2. Use a hair tie to secure into a low, mid, or high ponytail.
3. Tame flyaways with a dab of leave-in conditioner or styling cream.
4. Add a bow, scrunchie, or fabric band for flair.

Style Variations:

• Side Ponytail: Perfect for medium-length hair and adds a playful twist.
• Bubble Ponytail: Tie hair every 2-3 inches down the ponytail length for a bubbly effect.
• Twist Wrap Pony: Take a small section of hair, wrap it around the hair tie, and pin for a polished finish.

Best For: All hair types | Ages 5–12
Time Required: 2–5 minutes

2. Twisted Low Bun Style

This hairstyle combines elegance and simplicity, great for class presentations, photo days, or regular school mornings when you want to elevate the look slightly.

How to Create It:

1. Part the hair in the center or to the side.
2. Gather into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck.
3. Twist the ponytail and coil it into a bun.
4. Secure with bobby pins and a light mist of hairspray.

Pro Tip: Add a mini floral clip or sparkly pin for a bit of charm.

Style Variations:

• Double Low Twists: Part the hair in half and create two twisted buns for a balanced, youthful look.
• Braided Bun: Braid the ponytail before wrapping it into a bun for added texture.

Best For: Medium to long hair | Ages 6–13
Time Required: 7–10 minutes

3. Half Up Half Down with a Twist

The Half Up Half Down hairstyle gives kids the best of both worlds — their hair is partially pulled back but still flowing.

How to Create It:

1. Section off the top half of the hair from temple to temple.
2. Tie it back with a small elastic or clip.
3. Optionally add a twist, braid, or even a bow where the hair is secured.

Why It Works:

• Keeps hair out of the eyes.
• Quick to do and incredibly versatile.
• Works well with curly, straight, or wavy hair.

Creative Variations:

• Mini Braids on the Top Half
• French Twist Before Securing
• Mini Claw Clips in Pastel Colors

Best For: Shoulder-length or longer hair | Ages 4–14
Time Required: 5 minutes

4. Simple Three-Strand Braid

Braids are timeless and reliable. The three-strand braid is the first step to mastering more complex braid styles.

How to Create It:

1. Brush the hair and divide into three equal sections.
2. Cross the right over the middle, then the left over the new middle.
3. Continue down to the ends and secure with a small band.

Add-On Ideas:

• Start from the crown for a full braid.
• Add colorful beads or small clips along the length.
• Tie it with a ribbon for a charming finish.

Best For: All hair types | Ages 5–15
Time Required: 5–7 minutes

5. Top Knot for Short Hair

Kids with shorter hair might feel left out with styles usually designed for long hair. The Top Knot offers a trendy, practical solution.

How to Create It:

1. Brush hair upwards into a high ponytail.
2. Twist and coil the ponytail into a small bun.
3. Secure with a mini elastic and pins.
4. Optional: Add small clips to hold loose strands.

Bonus Tip: Use a soft gel or mousse to keep the edges neat.

Best For: Short to shoulder-length hair | Ages 3–9
Time Required: 3–5 minutes

6. Tucked Away Braided Crown

The Braided Crown exudes elegance but is surprisingly achievable with practice. It’s great for picture days or themed school events.

How to Create It:

1. Part the hair and create two side braids.
2. Lift one braid across the top of the head like a crown and pin it.
3. Do the same with the other braid, tucking ends underneath.

Options:

• Use floral pins or pearl clips for special occasions.
• Braid the crown with colorful yarn for fun events like Spirit Day.

Best For: Long hair | Ages 6–14
Time Required: 10–15 minutes

7. Pinned Back Curls

For kids with natural curls or soft waves, this style enhances texture while keeping hair off the face.

How to Create It:

1. Lightly spritz hair with water to refresh curls.
2. Take two small sections from the front and pin them back.
3. Fluff the back with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.

Finishing Tip: Use curl cream or light oil to add shine and define texture.

Best For: Naturally curly or wavy hair | Ages 4–12
Time Required: 5–7 minutes

8. Classic Two Pigtails

A nostalgic yet practical style that never goes out of trend.

How to Create It:

1. Part hair down the middle.
2. Create two even ponytails on either side.
3. For added style, braid each pigtail or twist them.

Style Additions:

• Use mismatched scrunchies.
• Clip-in hair charms for theme days.
• Crisscross bobby pins for flair.

Best For: All hair types | Ages 3–10
Time Required: 5 minutes

9. Messy Bun with Volume

A casual and cool look that suits all age groups and works well even if your child has a case of bedhead.

How to Create It:

1. Gather hair into a high or mid ponytail.
2. Loosely twist and secure with a scrunchie.
3. Pull out a few strands near the face for softness.

Maintenance Tip: Use a satin pillowcase to avoid tangling and frizz overnight.

Best For: Wavy or thick hair | Ages 7–15
Time Required: 3–4 minutes

10. One Minute Updo (For Emergencies!)

Running late? This emergency updo will save the day.

How to Create It:

1. Gather hair like a ponytail.
2. Twist and fold it under to create a faux bun.
3. Secure with a claw clip or hair stick.

It’s chic, fast, and perfect for those “no time to think” mornings

11. Double Dutch Braids

Double Dutch braids offer a stylish and athletic look — perfect for active kids who want to keep their hair neat during sports or busy school days.

How to Create It:

1. Part the hair down the middle to divide into two equal sections.
2. Starting at the front hairline on one side, divide a small portion into three strands.
3. Begin braiding by crossing the outside strands under the middle one (this creates the Dutch braid effect).
4. Add small sections of hair as you go down, incorporating them into each crossing.
5. Braid all the way to the ends and tie with a small elastic.
6. Repeat on the other side.

Why Kids Love It:

• It stays secure all day.
• Looks sporty and sleek.
• Can be accessorized with colorful elastics or mini beads.

Best For: Medium to long hair | Ages 6–15
Time Required: 10–15 minutes

12. Side Braid with a Twist

The Side Braid with a Twist is a fun and slightly dressy option that works especially well for kids with long or thick hair.

How to Create It:

1. Part hair deeply to one side.
2. On the larger section, take a small front portion and create a twist or mini braid toward the ear.
3. Gather all hair to the same side and start a loose braid.
4. Secure the end with a tie or a ribbon.

Pro Styling Tip: Tug gently on the braid loops for a fuller, boho-chic effect.

Variation Ideas:

• Use a fishtail braid instead of a regular braid.
• Add glitter hair gel for special occasions.

Best For: Long hair | Ages 7–14
Time Required: 7–10 minutes

13. Criss-Cross Rubber Band Style

This super cute and playful style is not only practical but also visually interesting — ideal for themed days or picture day.

How to Create It:

1. Part the hair into multiple sections at the top (usually 6–8 small squares).
2. Secure each section with a colorful elastic band.
3. Take each front section and criss-cross it diagonally with a section behind it.
4. Continue until all are connected, and gather remaining hair into a ponytail, bun, or let it hang loose.

Why It’s a Hit:

• Keeps hair off the face.
• Looks intricate but is easy with a little practice.
• Kids love the colorful elastics.

Best For: All hair types | Ages 4–12
Time Required: 10–12 minutes

14. The Sleek Side Sweep

The Sleek Side Sweep is a polished, easy-to-maintain look — perfect for picture day, presentations, or when your child wants something more “grown up.”

How to Create It:

1. Apply a small amount of smoothing serum or leave-in conditioner to damp or dry hair.
2. Create a deep side part.
3. Comb hair to one side and secure the longer side behind the ear using bobby pins or a clip.
4. Tuck the shorter side neatly and secure if needed.

Optional Additions:

• Use a sparkly barrette for elegance.
• Curl the ends lightly for added sophistication (no-heat curls are a safe option).

Best For: Fine to medium hair | Ages 6–15
Time Required: 3–5 minutes

Conclusion: Making School Mornings Beautifully Simple

Whether your child prefers braids, buns, ponytails, or curls, there’s a school-friendly hairstyle here to match their personality and routine. Remember, the goal is not perfection — it’s confidence, comfort, and convenience.

The best styles are the ones your child feels good wearing. Encourage their input, let them explore different accessories, and turn hairstyling into a creative bonding activity instead of a daily struggle.

Start your school mornings on the right note — with smiles, a dash of style, and a lot less stress.