15 Easy and Cute Christmas Hairstyle Ideas for Kids
Quick, gentle on young hair, and easy enough to recreate at home — even on a busy holiday morning.
Christmas mornings, school parties, family photos, and holiday recitals — December is packed with moments where you want your little one looking extra adorable. The good news is that you don't need to be a professional stylist to pull off a cute, festive look. This roundup of Christmas hairstyle ideas for kids is designed to be quick, gentle on young hair, and easy enough to recreate at home, even on a busy holiday morning.
From simple pigtails to sweet braided crowns, there's something here for every age, hair length, and event on your holiday calendar.
Table of contents (tap to expand)
- Why festive hairstyles are great for kids
- Reindeer Braid with Bows
- Candy-Cane Braided Pigtails
- Low Bun with Velvet Bow
- Sparkly Pigtails, Snowflake Clips
- Christmas Crown Braid
- Santa Hat Braided Pigtails
- Double Dutch Braids with Bells
- Half-Up with Plaid Ribbon
- Soft Curls, Holly Headband
- Braided Ponytail with Tinsel
- Space Buns, Ornament Clips
- Waterfall Braid, Red Ribbon
- Twisted Pigtail Buns
- Elegant Braided Holiday Updo
- Simple Bow Ponytail
- Styling tips
- FAQs
- Final thoughts
Why Festive Hairstyles Are Great for Kids
Kids love feeling special, and a fun holiday hairstyle is an easy way to add extra magic to their Christmas season. Whether it's a school party, a trip to see Santa, or Christmas morning photos, festive hair gives kids something to be excited about — and gives parents a sweet, low-effort way to mark the occasion.
The best Christmas hairstyle ideas for kids share a few things in common: they're quick to create, gentle on delicate hair, and durable enough to survive a day of playing, eating, and unwrapping presents. Every style on this list checks those boxes.
01Reindeer Braid with Bows
A simple side braid gets a festive upgrade with tiny red and green bows woven in, plus a playful reindeer headband on top. This look is fun, comfortable, and perfect for holiday parties or a quick photo before heading out the door.
02Candy-Cane Braided Pigtails
Two braided pigtails wrapped with alternating red and green ribbon create a sweet candy-cane effect. Add tiny bells at the ends for a bit of jingle and movement throughout the day.
03Classic Low Bun with Velvet Bow
A neat, low bun topped with a rich red velvet bow is simple, elegant, and holds up well through a long day of holiday activities. It's an easy go-to for younger kids who don't love a lot of fuss.
04Sparkly Pigtails with Snowflake Clips
Soft, bouncy pigtails decorated with a few snowflake clips and a touch of shimmer bring instant Christmas cheer. This style is easy to create in just a few minutes and photographs beautifully.
05Christmas Crown Braid
A braid wrapped around the head like a crown keeps hair neatly out of the face while looking like something out of a storybook. Tuck in a few small star or holly accents for extra sparkle.
06Santa Hat Braided Pigtails
Braided pigtails accented with tiny Santa hat clips and snowflake pins add a playful, unmistakably Christmas touch. This is a favorite for kids who love spotting all the small festive details.
07Double Dutch Braids with Bells
Two neat Dutch braids finished with small jingle bells at the ends keep hair secure for active play while adding a fun sound and sparkle. This is a great option for kids who won't sit still for long.
08Half-Up Style with Plaid Ribbon
A simple half-up ponytail tied with a plaid or tartan ribbon is quick, classic, and works for almost any hair length. It's one of the easiest Christmas hairstyle ideas for kids on busy mornings.
09Soft Curls with a Holly Headband
Loose curls paired with a slim holly-print or red headband create an effortless, festive look with minimal styling time. This is a great low-fuss option for toddlers or kids who don't like braids.
10Braided Ponytail with Tinsel
A single braid running down a high ponytail, woven with a bit of silver or gold tinsel, adds sparkle and movement. This style works especially well for holiday photos under indoor lighting.
11Space Buns with Ornament Clips
Two space buns topped with tiny ornament-shaped clips give a playful, modern twist on holiday hair. Kids love this fun, quirky style, and it's become increasingly popular on Pinterest.
12Waterfall Braid with Red Ribbon
A waterfall braid woven with a thin red ribbon lets loose waves cascade beneath a neat braided line. It's a slightly more advanced style, but still simple enough for a home tutorial.
13Twisted Pigtail Buns
Two twisted buns, each secured with a small red or green bow, offer a cute alternative to traditional braided pigtails. This no-braid style is great for parents short on time or hair-styling experience.
14Elegant Braided Holiday Updo
For older kids attending a formal event, an intricately braided low updo finished with a bold red bow brings a polished, grown-up touch to the holiday season.
15Simple Bow Ponytail
Sometimes simplest is best. A smooth ponytail finished with a single oversized bow is a timeless, no-fuss look that works for kids of any age and any event.
Tips for Styling Kids' Hair for the Holidays
- Keep it gentle. Kids' hair and scalps are more sensitive, so avoid pulling braids or ponytails too tight.
- Choose comfortable accessories. Soft ribbons, fabric bows, and lightweight clips are best — avoid anything heavy or sharp that could cause discomfort during a long day.
- Prep the night before. Braiding hair the evening before an event can create soft, holiday-ready waves by morning with zero extra effort.
- Have a backup plan. For kids who don't sit still, simpler styles like a half-up ponytail or twisted buns are easier to finish quickly.
- Test accessories first. Make sure clips, bells, or ribbons aren't itchy or irritating before committing to a style for a full day out.
FAQs
What is the easiest Christmas hairstyle for kids?
A half-up ponytail with ribbon or a simple bow ponytail are the quickest options, taking just a couple of minutes with minimal tools.
How do I keep a kid's hairstyle from falling apart during the day?
Braided styles like Dutch braids or braided pigtails tend to hold up best through active play, especially when secured with soft elastics rather than clips alone.
What accessories are popular for kids' Christmas hairstyles this year?
Snowflake clips, small jingle bells, plaid ribbons, and ornament-shaped hair clips are especially popular this season, both for their festive look and Pinterest appeal.
Are these hairstyles suitable for toddlers?
Yes, many of them are. Soft curls with a headband, simple pigtails, and a basic bow ponytail are gentle, quick options that work well for toddlers with shorter attention spans.
Can these styles work on short hair?
Yes. Half-up styles, space buns, and soft curls with a headband all adapt well to shorter hair. Braided crowns and waterfall braids typically need a bit more length.
Final Thoughts
You don't need advanced hairstyling skills to make your child's holiday season a little more magical. With a handful of easy, comfortable, and adorable Christmas hairstyle ideas for kids on hand, you can be ready for every school party, family gathering, and photo-worthy moment this December.
Save this list to your Pinterest board so it's ready whenever the next holiday event comes up, and enjoy watching your little one feel just as festive as they look.
