If you’re looking for simple back to school hairstyles for girls you can easily recreate on the daily, we’ve got you covered!
As a mom to a feisty 8-year-old girl, I know firsthand how hectic school mornings can be. It seems like no matter how early I wake up – and how hard I hustle – we always end up behind schedule, forcing me to pick and choose which tasks I can see through to completion, and which ones will need to wait until after dinner that evening.
I’m not entirely sure what takes up so much of my time in the mornings, but given my intense fear of lice, I always find a few extra minutes to ensure my daughter’s hair is brushed, styled, and sprayed to her head. It’s one of those things I simply will not budge on, and thanks to the wonderful world of YouTube, I have a decent collection of hairstyles I can recreate in minutes so my daughter’s hair looks styled and my paranoia is kept at bay.
Here are my favorite back to school hairstyles for girls!
4 Back to School Hairstyles for Girls with Short Hair
If your little one sports a bob or pixie cut, and you’re looking for simple hairstyles to help keep her hair out of her face on school days, these hair tutorials are super cute and oh so easy!
Ponytail Waterfall | Chrissie Hetkowski
This hairstyle works on pretty much any hair length, but I think it looks particularly cute on shorter hair. All you need is a pack of mini hair elastics and a comb, and you can recreate this waterfall effect in minutes.
Double French Twistback | Cute Girls Hairstyles
Again, this hairstyle will work with any hair length, and if your little one has short hair, it’s a great way to keep her hair out of her eyes and add a little style. Add a cute JoJo Siwa bow for a little flair when clipping the ends of the twists to your child’s hair and add this to your list of back to school hairstyles for girls!
Cascading Weaved Elastics | Easy Toddler Hairstyles
Hairstyles with multiple mini elastics are best for gals with short hair, and this cascading weaved style is one of my favorites. I love how she incorporates pigtails into this look, and if your little one’s hair isn’t long enough to pull this off, you can secure the ends of the weave with small clips like these for a little extra style.
Lace Braid Headband | Cute Girls Hairstyles
Headband braids are another one of my favorite back to school hairstyles for girls because they work with short, medium, and long hair. My daughter sported this style a lot when she was in kindergarten, and now that she’s older and her hair is longer, I often incorporate a headband braid into a ponytail for a little added flare and style.
6 Back to School Hairstyles for Girls with Medium Length Hair
If your little one has shoulder length hair or a lob, there are tons of fabulous ‘dos you can try to add a bit of style while also keeping her locks out of her face.
Twists into Side Flip | Cute Girls Hairstyles
If you’re looking for back to school hairstyles for girls you can recreate in minutes, this is a really simple way to dress up a basic ponytail. You can add a little flare using ribbon or a fun hair clip to make this style extra fun!
DIY Waterfall Braid | Cute Girls Hairstyles
This is probably one of the first hair tutorials created on the Cute Girls Hairstyles channel, but at the time I’m writing this post, it’s had over 30 million views. And for good reason! She shows you exactly how to create a waterfall braid, which is a timeless look you can use on all different lengths of hair.
Beautiful Waterfall Twist | Cute Girls Hairstyles
This is similar to the style above, but it’s positioned lower down on the head and as you can see in the tutorial, it’s a great option for gals with bangs. I think this looks particularly nice with curly or wavy hair, and you can always bring the hair into a ponytail or bun for a more structured ‘do.
Messy Bun | Cute Girls Hairstyles
Some mornings, I’m just not up for braiding and messing around with hair elastics, but given my lice phobia, I still need a way to ensure my daughter’s hair is secure to her head. This messy bun hairstyle has been a lifesaver to me! I add some colored extensions for kids and/or some stylish clips to give the illusion that I spent more time on this style than I actually did!
Double-Bun Half Up | Cute Girls Hairstyles
This is a super cute way to get your little one’s hair away from her face, and it’s the perfect style for medium to long hair. It also looks great with curls and waves, and it’s a great in-between style for those who are trying to grow out their bangs.
DIY Half-Up Bun | Cute Girls Hairstyles
If you’re not digging the Princess Leia inspired double-bun half up – or want another stylish variation – this is another one of my favorite back to school hairstyles for girls as it takes next to no time to create and looks so adorable.
8 Back to School Hairstyles for Girls with Long Hair
From braided updos to half up half down hairstyles, you’ll love these step by step hair tutorials for long-haired gals!
French Twist into Rope Braid | Cute Girls Hairstyles
This is one of my favorite back to school hairstyles for girls as it’s slightly different than a basic French braid, but super stylish and easy to recreate.
Waterfall Braid Combo | Cute Girls Hairstyles
If you’re a fan of the waterfall braid and want ideas on how you can incorporate this style into an updo, this tutorial has 4 different ideas – you can leave it as is with gorgeous curls or waves, incorporate it into a hair-wrapped high ponytail, use it as an accent for a bun, or add it into a messy bun for a casual yet styled look.
How to Create an Infinity Bun | Cute Girls Hairstyles
This is a fun twist (did you see what I did there?!) on a basic bun, and I love how she incorporated a French braid into this style. This is a great ‘do for gals who are trying to grow their bangs out!
Waterfall Twist Rope Braid | Cute Girls Hairstyles
This is another one of my favorite back to school hairstyles for girls as it’s simple, classy, and so easy to recreate. I also love that it has a summery feel to it, and think it’s the perfect style for school photos!
Pull Through Braid | LittleGirlHair
This is a fun style my daughter and I have tried many times. You can use thick elastics of various colors to compliment your little one’s outfit, and we find this a great option to add a bit of color to dress up my daughter’s uniform on holidays (i.e. we use red elastics on Valentine’s Day, orange and black on Halloween, etc.).
Dutch Braid/Inverted French Braid | LittleGirlHair
I’m a huge fan of the French braid as it keeps my daughter’s hair close to her head, but it can get a little boring after a while. This inverted style – aka the Dutch braid – is a great alternative, and super simple once you get the hang of it!
Сlassic French Braid Weave Around Head | LittleGirlHair
Another way to dress up a French braid is to weave it around your little one’s head instead of doing the classic version that goes from top to bottom. Add a fun bow or create a bun at the side of your child’s head for added flare!
Lace Braided {Sophia Lucia} Bun | Cute Girls Hairstyles
This hairstyle is a tad involved for my liking, but it’s so classy and makes the perfect updo for girls in dance or ballet. And given how tight to the head this style is, it’s a great option for moms who are paranoid about lice like me!
I hope these back to school hairstyles for girls inspire you to find new and creative ways to style your little one’s locks throughout the school year. While I tend to rotate through 3 hairstyles from September through June, colored hair elastics, ribbon, and a stylish bow can completely transform each style. And if you master the waterfall braid, you can use it as a base to dress up so many looks – a ponytail, pigtails, and a side bun, to name a few!
