10 Easy Back-to-School Hairstyles for Girls

Okay, let’s be honest—school mornings are chaos. You’re juggling backpacks, lunchboxes, missing socks, and maybe a kid or two who suddenly can’t find their shoes. Who has time for a 30-minute hairstyle tutorial at 7 a.m.? Not me, and probably not you either. That’s why I swear by quick, cute, and totally doable back-to-school hairstyles that get my little one out the door without looking like she just rolled out of bed.

Today, I’m sharing my 10 favorite easy back-to-school hairstyles for girls. They’re cute, they hold up during recess (mostly), and yes—some even work if you’re half asleep and running on coffee fumes. Ready to make school mornings a little less stressful? Let’s go.

1. The Classic High Ponytail

The high ponytail is the MVP of busy mornings. It’s simple, chic, and keeps hair out of the face during snack time and math class.

Why I love it:

Takes 60 seconds (maybe 90 if your kid wiggles).
Works on straight, wavy, or curly hair.
Perfect for showing off cute scrunchies.

Pro Tip: Spray a little water or leave-in conditioner before brushing to avoid that “I fought with my hairbrush and lost” frizz. Ever tried doing this on dry hair? Yeah, don’t. :/

2. Two Side Braids

Side braids are basically the definition of adorable. Even if you can’t French braid (no judgment), regular three-strand braids work perfectly.

Steps:

Part hair down the middle.
Braid each side and secure with a bright hair tie.
Optional: Pancake (loosen) the braids for a fuller look.

These are recess-proof, and IMO, they make every outfit instantly cuter. Bonus: they double as heatless waves if you leave them in overnight. Win-win!

3. The Messy Bun (aka “I Tried, Okay?”)

Some days, the messy bun saves my life. It’s perfect for mornings when you’re 5 minutes late and someone still can’t find their water bottle.

How to nail the look without trying too hard:

Gather hair into a high ponytail.
Twist and wrap into a bun, then secure with an elastic.
Pull a few strands loose for that effortless, “I woke up this fabulous” vibe.

Tip: Add a fun bow or headband to make it look intentional. No one has to know it’s really just a survival hairstyle.

4. Half-Up, Half-Down with a Twist

This one’s my go-to when I want my kiddo to look put together without spending forever on her hair.

Steps:

Take the top half of the hair and secure it with a clip or elastic.
Twist the section or braid it for extra flair.
Leave the bottom half flowing for a soft, cute look.

This style works for picture day, too—trust me, we learned that after last year’s “static flyaways everywhere” fiasco. 🙂

5. Bubble Ponytail

If you want to look like a Pinterest parent without the effort, the bubble ponytail is your BFF.

How to achieve the look:

Make a regular high ponytail.
Add small elastics down the length of the pony, spacing them out.
Gently pull each section to create “bubbles.”

It looks fancy, but it’s literally just ponytails + elastics. Ever wondered why TikTok moms love it? Because it’s ridiculously easy.

6. Simple Headband Look

On mornings when you just cannot, headbands save the day. Slip one on, smooth the hair behind it, and boom—instant effort.

Why it works:

Perfect for short hair or growing-out bangs.
Gives a cute, polished finish with zero actual styling.
No heat, no mess, no complaints.

Sometimes I even match the headband to her outfit, because honestly, why not go the extra 2%?

7. Low Twisted Pigtails

I love this one because it screams “I put in effort” when really, you didn’t.

Steps:

Part hair down the middle.
Twist each side into a low pigtail and secure with elastics.
Optional: Wrap a strand of hair around the elastic to hide it for extra cuteness.

This one holds up all day and is surprisingly comfy under hoodies or hats.

8. Quick French Braid

Okay, don’t panic—a French braid is easier than it looks. It’s perfect for mornings when you have an extra three minutes.

Quick breakdown:

Start with a small section at the top of the head.
Cross the sections over as you add hair from the sides.
Secure at the bottom with an elastic.

Pro tip? If your French braid looks messy, just call it “boho chic” and move on with your day. 😉

9. Half-Up Space Buns

When your girl wants something fun (or it’s spirit day at school), half-up space buns are a hit.

How to do it:

Take the top two sections of hair and make small buns on each side.
Secure with elastics or bobby pins.
Leave the rest of the hair down.

They’re cute, playful, and surprisingly secure, even for playground monkey bar champions.

10. The Lazy-Day Clip Hack

This one isn’t fancy, but it’s life-saving on chaotic mornings.

All you need:

A few big claw clips or barrettes.

Just twist a section of hair back and clip it. Repeat on the other side if you’re feeling ambitious. Done.

Why I swear by this: Kids love cute clips, and it makes them feel like they “helped” with their style. (Even if they just picked the sparkly one.)

Quick Tips for Back-to-School Hair Success

Because let’s be honest, cute hairstyles mean nothing if your kid looks like a frizzball by lunchtime.

Invest in leave-in conditioner: Tames tangles and frizz like magic.
Use soft elastics: Keeps hair secure without breakage.
Stock up on accessories: Headbands, bows, and clips instantly upgrade simple styles.
Practice a few styles ahead of time: School mornings aren’t the place to learn a fishtail braid.

Final Thoughts

School mornings will never be perfectly calm, but with easy, cute hairstyles like these, you can at least send your girl off looking put-together. Pick a few favorites, stock up on some fun hair accessories, and keep your routine stress-free.

And hey, if all else fails, remember: there’s always a messy bun and a sparkly headband. 😉