17 Easy Kids’ Hairstyles - Today's Parent (2024)

This quick braid is perfect for long or short hair!

1. Grab a two-inch section of hair and divide it into three strands—one small strand at the front and two large strands in the middle and back.
2. Braid hair as you would for a regular three-strand braid.
3. Once the braid is complete, use your thumb and pointer finger to pinch the large strand at the very bottom and pull it out in a fanning motion. Repeat, pulling out the large strands all the way up the braid.
4. Secure with an elastic and pin to hair: lift up a section of hair at the back of her head and secure the end of the braid using two bobby pins crossed in an X shape, then let hair fall over the pins.

Watch the video here:Kids’ hair how-tos: Rickrack braid

Turn a basic ponytail into a pretty updo with this easy hairstyle.

1. Tie the base of the hair with an elastic, and make a hole above the elastic.
2. Feel the ponytail through the hole.
3. Lightly tease the ponytail.
4. Roll and tuck the ponytail through the elastic.
5. Pin the hair to secure

Watch the video here: Kids’ hair: How to do a pony roll-up

Not sure how to do a fishtail braid? We show you how!

1. Gather hair on one side and divide it into two equal strands.
2. Using your pointer finger and thumb, grab a thin section of hair from the outside of the strand closest to her face.
3. Pull the thin section over the rest of the strand, and add to the other strand. Repeat.
4. At the bottom, secure with an elastic. For a looser look, lightly pull at the braids.

Watch the video here:Kids’ hair how-tos: Fishtail braid

Behold the sweetest braid ever—the pretzel! This hairstyle looks like a cute little broach at the back of your daughter’s hair.

1. Grab two sections of her hair, and make a loop with one section.
2. Tuck the other section around the loop.
3. Pull the hair under, and it through the loop, and pull it under, then go back through the loop.
4. Pull both ends of the hair, and pin to secure.

Watch the video here: Kids’ hair: How to do a pretzel braid

Does your kid want a fun new hairstyle to try? This half-up French braid is easy to do and super cute. Give it a try!

1. Divide the top of the hair into three sections, and braid them.
2. Add hair to start a French Braid, and work your way down the braid.
3. Add an elastic, and enjoy!

Watch the video here: Kids’ hair: How to do a half-up French braid

Are you ready to criss cross? This adorable braid is great for kids with fine hair.

1. Part hair normally and divide it into two sections. Tie them into two high pigtails. Secure each pigtail with elastic.
2. Braid each pigtail and secure them with elastic at the bottom.
3. Loosen the braid and flip it over the crown of the head.
4. Secure the hair with bobby pins.
5. Repeat with the other braid, and use pins to keep the hair in place.

Watch the video here:Kids’ hair how-tos: Criss cross braid

It’s hard (OK, pretty much impossible) to do a ballet bun on a kid with fine hair. But that’s where the donut bun comes in. Watch as this hair donut creates the perfect bun.

1. Brush her hair into a high ponytail and feed the ponytail through a hair donut.
2. Pin the hair donut to the base of the hair.
3. Spread the ponytail clockwise around the donut, and pin it to secure it.
4. Use a tail comb to smooth and tighten.
5. Pin and secure.

Watch the video here: Kids’ hair: How to do a donut bun

Put a bow on it! Grab a paper-based ribbon, and we’ll show you how to tie a pretty hair bow.

1. Brush her hair into a high ponytail, and secure it with an elastic.
2. Place a ribbon under the ponytail. Cross the two ends over each other and pull tight.
3. Make a loop with one side of the ribbon, wrap the other side around, and pull it through the hole, making a second loop.
4. Pull the loops tight, making a bow.

Watch the video here: How to tie a hair bow

The waterfall braid looks adorable on kids with either thick or fine hair.

1. Grab a two-inch section of hair and divide it into three equal strands.
2. Braid a three-strand braid for two cycles.
3. On the third cycle, add more hair to the back strand. Braid over the middle.
4. Drop the front strand.
5. Grab another strand from the front, and braid over the middle.
6. Pull the braid, drop, and repeat.
7. When you get about three-quarters of the way down, finish with a three-strand braid.
8. Secure with an elastic.

Watch the video here:Kids’ hair how-tos: Waterfall braid

Let’s twist again! Keep her long hair out of her face with this twisted topknot.

1. Brush the hair into a high ponytail, and secure it with an elastic.
2. Divide the ponytail into two equal parts. Twist each section.
3. Twist the sections together, and secure the bottom of the twists with an elastic.
4. Wrap the twisted hair around the top elastic to create a bun, and secure with bobby pins.

Watch the video here:Kids’ hair how-tos: Twisted topknot

Your kid can rock the coolest ponytail around!

1. Divide the top of the hair, secure it with an elastic, roll it back, and pin the hair down.
2. Divide the back of the hair into four separate ponytails, and secure each with an elastic.
3. Split the ponytails into two sections, and twist them together.
4. Twist in the next ponytail, and repeat.
5. Secure the bottom of the hair with an elastic.

Watch the video here:Kids’ hair: How to do a twisted pony hawk

If your little one loves princesses, then this is the hairdo for her!

1. Grab a two-inch section of hair and pin it out of the way.
2. Brush the remaining hair into a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic.
3. Use a comb to lightly backcomb the hair, brush, and smooth.
4. Flip the hair, and wrap the tail around elastic. Secure with bobby pins.
5. Divide the front strand into one thin section and one thick section.
6. Twist the thin strand, slowly adding the rest of the hair.
7. Wrap the strand around the bun, and secure with bobby pins.

Watch the video here:Kids’ hair how-tos: Princess bun

Looking for a simple style to tame her tangled hair? Try a Dutch braid and then finish with a simple bun to keep her hair out of her face.

1. Part hair on the side and grab a two-inch section of hair from the front. Divide into three equal strands.
2. Do an inverted braid, pulling the front strand under the middle strand instead of over it. Repeat the inverted braid with the back strand. Add a small strand of hair to the front strand; repeat the inverted braid.
3. Add a small strand of hair to the back strand; repeat the inverted braid. Repeat until you reach the bottom.
4. Secure: lift up a section of hair at the back of her head and secure the braid using two bobby pins crossed in an X shape, then let the hair fall over the pins.
5. To add a bun, twist all her hair and wrap it like a pinwheel. Secure with pins.

Learn step-by-step here:Kids’ hair: How to do a Dutch braid

So you’ve mastered the fishtail and the waterfall, and the rickrack braid, too. So what’s next? You’ve gotta try the four-strand knot braid—it’s super cute!

1. Divide her hair into two sections and gently knot them.
2. Pull in the first sections and knot them.
3. Repeat down the back of her hair.
4. Secure the bottom of the hair with an elastic.

Watch the video here: Kids’ hair: How to do a four-strand knot braid

Does your little one have thick hair that always seems to be in her face? Tame it with this topsy twist ponytail.

1. Grab a two-inch section of hair from both sides, make a ponytail, and secure it with elastic.
2. Pull the elastic slightly, make a gap in the ponytail, and flip the hair through.
3. Pull more hair back, combine it with the ponytail, and secure it with an elastic.
4. Repeat step two. Pull the elastic slightly, make a gap in the ponytail, and flip the hair through.
5. Pull back the rest of her hair and combine it with the ponytail.
6. Repeat.

Watch the video here:Kids’ hair how-tos: Topsy twist ponytail

A 5-strand braid might sound complicated, but once you get in the rhythm, it’s super-easy to do.

1. Divide hair into five equal strands, holding two in each hand and letting the middle strand hang loose.
2. Pull strand 1 over strand 2, then under strand 3, and drop it. (The old strand 1 is now strand 3; the old strand 3 is now strand 2.)
3. Repeat with the other hand: pull strand 5 over strand 4 and under strand 3, and drop it. (The old strand 5 is now strand 3; the old strand 3 is now strand 4.)
4. Repeat with both hands until you reach the bottom. Secure with an elastic.

Learn step-by-stephere:Kids’ hair: How to do a 5-strand braid

Heading to a party? Or a kindergarten graduation? This easy updo is perfect for all your kid’s special occasions.

1. Grab a small section of hair from the front and twist, adding more hair as you go.
2. Keep twisting, and secure with bobby pins, then repeat on the other side.
3. Divide the hair into two sections and drop one side.
4. Break the sections into two parts, then tie the hair into three loose knots. Pull the hair over, and secure with bobby pins.
5. Repeat on the other side

Watch the video here:Kids’ hair how-tos: Easy updo

Read more:5 quick kids' hair fixesPonytails, fishtails and buns—by Dad! Fathers get into the hairstyling actionHow to do a half-up boho bun