20 Christmas Kids Hairstyles That Are Cute and Easy to Do

Finding the perfect holiday look for your little ones shouldn’t be a source of holiday stress. Between school plays, family dinners, and morning photos, you want styles that stay put and look festive. These ideas use everyday items like hair ties, pipe cleaners, and ribbons you likely already have at home. You can create these looks in minutes, even if you aren’t a professional stylist. These practical styles focus on comfort so your kids can play freely while looking ready for the season.

1. The Reindeer Antler Buns

This style is a hit for school parties. Start by parting the hair down the middle. Create two high pigtails and twist them into firm buns. Secure them with clear elastics. Take brown pipe cleaners and fold them into “Y” shapes.  Slide these into the base of the buns to act as antlers. For a budget fix, use brown felt or even cardboard if you lack pipe cleaners. Add a tiny red ribbon or a red pom-pom in the center of one bun for a “Rudolph” nose. This stays secure even during active play. It works best on medium to long hair.

2. Candy Cane Pull-Through Braid

A candy cane look is easy to achieve with ribbon. Start at the temple and create a small ponytail. Pull it through a second ponytail just below it. Repeat this down the side of the head. Before you finish, thread a red and white ribbon through the loops. Use a plastic craft needle to make threading faster. You can buy a spool of ribbon for a dollar at most craft stores. This keeps hair out of the face all day. It looks complex but only requires basic elastic bands.

3. The Glitter Root Part

If you are short on time, use glitter. Style the hair in a clean middle part. Smooth the sides down with a little water or hairspray. Apply a small amount of hair gel along the part line. Sprinkle biodegradable craft glitter over the gel. You can use gold, silver, or green for a festive touch. This covers up messy parts and adds instant holiday spirit. It washes out easily with regular shampoo. This is a great solution for short hair that won’t fit into braids.

4. Christmas Tree Pull-Braid

You can mimic a Christmas tree shape with a wide braid. Start with a tiny ponytail at the top of the head. Add more hair as you move down, making each section slightly wider. Once the “tree” is formed, lace green ribbon through the sections. Attach a small star-shaped clip at the very top. If you don’t have a star clip, a yellow hair tie works fine. This style is sturdy and lasts through a long day of opening presents.

5. Ornament Bubble Ponytail

Bubble ponytails are the easiest “fancy” style for beginners. Put the hair in a high ponytail. Move down two inches and add another elastic. Pull the hair between the ties to create a rounded bubble. Repeat this until you reach the ends. For the holiday version, clip tiny, lightweight plastic ornaments to each elastic. You can find these miniature ornaments in the dollhouse section of craft stores. Ensure they are plastic so they aren’t heavy or breakable.

6. The Gift-Wrapped Top Knot

Turn a standard bun into a present. Sweep all the hair into a high bun and secure it tightly. Take a wide holiday ribbon and wrap it around the base. Tie a large, floppy bow right at the front or side of the bun. This makes the child’s head look like a wrapped gift. Use a ribbon with wire edges so the bow stays upright and full. It’s a fast way to dress up a basic hairstyle for a family photo.

7. Holly Berry Hair Pins

This is a subtle and elegant option. Style the hair in a simple half-up look or a low bun. Take red wooden beads and green felt. Glue the beads to bobby pins to look like berries. Cut the felt into small leaf shapes and tuck them behind the beads. Slide these pins into any hairstyle. It adds a touch of nature and holiday color without being overwhelming. It’s an affordable DIY project you can do with the kids.

8. Snowball Side Braid

Create a thick Dutch braid or a simple three-strand braid to the side. Once finished, use “snowballs” to decorate. These are just white craft pom-poms. You can attach them using small U-shaped hairpins or a tiny dot of hair-safe adhesive. Space them out so they look like falling snow. This style is soft, whimsical, and works well for winter weddings or parties.

9. The Ribbon Crown

A ribbon crown is festive and keeps hair back. Take two long pieces of ribbon. Incorporate them into a thin braid that starts at the temple and wraps around the back. Secure the braid on the opposite side. The ribbon should be the star of the show. You can use velvet ribbon for a more traditional, high-end look. This is a gentle style for children who have sensitive scalps.

10. Santa Hat Headband Braid

You don’t need a real hat for this look. Create a headband braid from ear to ear. As you braid, weave in a thick red ribbon. At the end of the braid, attach a white fuzzy scrunchie or a large white pom-pom. It creates the illusion of a Santa hat resting on the head. This is a fun, “costume” style that kids love for school spirit days. It’s practical because it keeps hair completely out of the eyes.

11. Tinsel Wrapped Braids

Use leftover tree tinsel to add sparkle. When braiding pigtails, treat a strand of tinsel as one of the three hair sections. It adds a metallic shimmer that catches the light beautifully. Make sure to use the thin, soft tinsel rather than the thick, scratchy kind. This is the most budget-friendly way to add “lights” to hair. It’s perfect for evening events where there will be lots of holiday lamps.

12. Poinsettia Low Bun

The poinsettia is the classic Christmas flower. Pull the hair into a low, sleek bun at the nape of the neck. Use a bit of gel to keep flyaways down. Pin a silk poinsettia flower to the side of the bun. You can find these flowers on cheap holiday clips or even pull one off an old garland. It creates a sophisticated look for formal church services or dinners.

13. Starry Night Hair Rings

Hair rings are a modern trend that works great for holidays. Curl the hair into loose waves. Randomly clip small gold star rings throughout the length. These rings are inexpensive and easy to snap on and off. They don’t pull the hair, making them a good choice for kids who dislike tight styles. Gold stars look especially striking on darker hair colors.

14. Angel Wing Half-Up

Create a half-up ponytail. Split the ponytail into two sections. Loop each section upward and pin it to the head to create “wing” shapes. You can add white ribbon or even a few white feathers to enhance the effect. This is a sweet, angelic look for a nativity play. Use hairspray to keep the loops from sagging throughout the performance.

15. The Snowflake Bun

This style is perfect for a “Frozen” or winter theme. Put the hair in a tight, high ballerina bun. Use a “donut” hair former if the hair is thin to get a perfect circle. Place several small snowflake clips all over the bun. You can make these by gluing plastic snowflake sequins to bobby pins. It’s an easy way to make a standard bun look like a winter wonderland.

16. Triple Twist with Holly

If your child has shorter hair, try twists. Take a small section of hair from the front and twist it toward the back. Secure it with a clip. Do this three times, stacking the twists. Use red and green clips to stay on theme. This keeps the hair secure without needing the length for a full braid. It’s a very fast style for busy mornings.

17. Pinecone Braided Crown

For a rustic holiday look, use natural elements. Braid the hair in a circle around the head. Use small, decorative pinecones (the kind used for wreaths) and wire them onto hairpins. Tuck them into the braid. This looks wonderful for outdoor photoshoots. Ensure the pinecones are cleaned and lightweight so they don’t fall out.

18. Peppermint Swirl Pigtails

This is a playful take on pigtails. Secure two low pigtails behind the ears. Wrap a red ribbon and a white ribbon together around the base. Spiral them down the length of the hair, crossing them over each other. Secure the bottom with another elastic. It creates a peppermint stick effect. This works best on very straight hair.

19. The Grinch Green Bow

For fans of the classic story, a Grinch-themed style is fun. Create a slightly messy bun to match the character’s chaotic energy. Add a large, bright lime green bow. You can pin a small red heart to the center of the bow. It’s a humorous and easy way to participate in holiday themes. Kids usually find this style very exciting.

20. Simple Velvet Ribbon Tie

Sometimes simple is best. Take the top half of the hair and secure it with a plain elastic. Tie a long, high-quality velvet ribbon over the elastic. Let the ends of the ribbon hang down long with the hair. Velvet adds an instant touch of luxury and tradition. It’s the fastest way to get a child ready for a formal event while keeping things comfortable.

Conclusion

Getting your kids ready for the holidays should be a fun part of your traditions. These twenty hairstyles offer a range of options from playful reindeer to elegant velvet ribbons. You don’t need expensive tools or professional skills to make these look great. Most of these styles rely on basic braiding and simple accessories you can find at any local store. Choose a style that matches your child’s personality and the event you are attending.