29 Christmas Hairstyles for Kids: Cute and Easy Ideas for Short, Long, and Curly Hair

Christmas is a magical time of year, and while we’re busy decorating the tree and picking out festive outfits, kids deserve to shine just as much with hairstyles that complement the season. Whether it’s a school play, a family gathering, or a visit to Santa, the right hairstyle can make your child feel extra special. From easy styles for short hair to fun and playful designs for long hair, these Christmas hairstyles are sure to bring joy and festivity to your little ones. Below are adorable and creative hairstyle ideas that will not only look great but are also fun to create.

The Grinch Bun

For kids with long hair, the Grinch bun is a fun and festive style that mimics the look of the Grinch’s quirky hairdo. This hairstyle is ideal for holiday parties, school Christmas plays, or just a playful day at home during the holiday season. The hair is styled into a tall, quirky bun that can be wrapped with a green scrunchie or adorned with a Grinch-themed decoration. It’s perfect for kids who love the movie and want to embody the mischievous spirit of the Grinch. This look works especially well on kids with round faces and natural curly hair, as the volume adds extra fun to the style.

To achieve this cute look, gather the hair into a high ponytail, securing it with an elastic. Twist the hair into a tall bun and secure with bobby pins. For an extra festive touch, wrap the bun with tinsel or use black ribbons with green accents to represent the Grinch. Use a light styling gel to keep the hair in place, and finish with a festive scrunchie or accessory. A child-safe hair spray will help keep everything intact through all the holiday fun.

Tinsel Braids

This easy style is perfect for kids with long hair or black hair with beads, adding sparkle and shine to a simple braid. Braids are a classic, timeless option for children’s hairstyles, and adding tinsel makes them feel extra special for the holiday season. Ideal for Christmas morning or a family dinner, this style keeps hair neatly in place while still allowing a touch of sparkle that reflects the lights on the Christmas tree. For black hair or curly hair, this look works wonderfully because the tinsel contrasts beautifully against the darker hair tones, giving it a magical glow.

To create this look, simply braid the child’s hair as you normally would, but weave thin strands of tinsel into the braid. You can add tinsel by securing it to the base of the braid with a small elastic or tying it at the end of the braid. A detangling spray can help prep the hair before braiding, while a light shine serum will enhance the hair’s natural sheen and keep the tinsel in place.

The Candy Cane Braid

What better way to celebrate Christmas than with a hairstyle that mimics everyone’s favorite holiday treat? The candy cane braid is a festive twist on a standard French braid, using red and white ribbons woven into the braid to mimic the look of a candy cane. It’s perfect for school Christmas parties or family photos and is especially suitable for black simple hairstyles because the vibrant colors pop against darker hair. This style looks great on children with oval or round faces and adds a touch of Christmas magic to their look.

To achieve the candy cane braid, you’ll need red and white ribbons. Start by braiding the hair in a traditional French braid but weave the ribbons through as you go. Secure the ends with a festive bow or elastic. You can enhance the look with Christmas-themed hairpins or clips at the base of the braid. A smoothing serum will help keep flyaways at bay, while a soft-hold hairspray can keep everything in place throughout the day.

Simple Twisted Half-Updo

For those who prefer a simple yet elegant look, a twisted half-updo is a fantastic option. It’s a natural and easy hairstyle that works well for both short hair and long hair. The twists add a touch of sophistication while keeping hair out of the face, making it a great choice for holiday dinners or church services. This look is perfect for kids with all face shapes and hair textures, from curly hair to straight hair, and adds a festive touch without being overly elaborate.

To create this look, section the hair into two parts from the temple area. Twist each section backward and pin it in place with bobby pins or festive clips. Add some shine with a leave-in conditioner to enhance the hair’s natural texture. For those with shorter hair, use smaller sections to create mini twists. The look can be kept neat with a light hold hairspray to ensure the twists stay in place throughout the day.

The Black Bun with Beads

For black hair, a bun adorned with beads is a classic, timeless option that brings an extra element of fun to holiday celebrations. This hairstyle can be worn for more formal events such as church services or family gatherings, while still keeping it festive with the addition of colorful beads. It’s a versatile style that looks great on children with natural curly hair or short hair. The beads can be chosen to match a Christmas theme, incorporating colors like red, green, or gold to complement holiday outfits.

To create this look, gather the hair into a neat bun at the crown of the head. Secure with an elastic and bobby pins, then add beads to the ends of the hair before wrapping it into the bun. A light styling gel can help smooth the edges, and a satin scarf or pillowcase will help preserve the style overnight.

Tinsel Ponytail

If your child loves to add a bit of sparkle to everything, then the tinsel ponytail is a must-try! This easy style can be achieved in just minutes, making it perfect for a last-minute Christmas hairstyle that still feels festive. It works well for all hair lengths, including short hair and long hair, and looks especially magical on curly hair. This cute and simple ponytail is ideal for casual family get-togethers or playdates during the holiday season.

To achieve this look, simply tie the hair into a high or low ponytail. Take several strands of sparkly tinsel and tie them around the base of the ponytail, allowing them to cascade down with the hair. Secure with a festive hair tie or ribbon. A bit of leave-in conditioner will keep the hair smooth and prevent tangling, while a spritz of light-hold hairspray will keep the tinsel in place without weighing the hair down.

Reindeer Buns

Another adorable and fun option is the reindeer bun, a playful style that’s great for both school and family events. This look works for children with black or curly hair, as the volume of the bun makes the “antlers” stand out even more. With a little bit of creativity, your child’s hair can be transformed into Rudolph’s antlers, complete with a red nose made from a small bow or clip. This hairstyle is ideal for younger children who want to feel festive and fun.

To create reindeer buns, start by sectioning the hair into two parts and creating two high buns on either side of the head. Secure them with elastics and add brown pipe cleaners twisted into antler shapes. A little red bow or hair clip can be added in front to mimic Rudolph’s nose. Use a styling gel or mousse to keep everything smooth, and finish with a shine spray to keep the buns in place.

Braid with Christmas Ornaments

For a more intricate holiday look, try incorporating mini Christmas ornaments into your child’s braid. This look is perfect for older kids who want to stand out at a holiday party or school event. It works beautifully on long hair and can be styled on curly hair or black hair to give the braid even more dimension and texture. The ornaments add a festive touch and can be matched to your child’s outfit or the party theme.

To create this look, braid the hair as you normally would, then carefully weave small ornaments throughout the braid. You can use mini hooks to secure them, or tie them in with thin ribbons. A light shine serum will help keep the hair smooth, while a gentle hairspray will ensure the ornaments stay in place.

Frosted Twists

For kids who want a frosty winter wonderland look, frosted twists are a perfect choice. This hairstyle works particularly well for black curly hair, as the texture allows for easy twisting and styling. The twists can be decorated with white hair chalk or temporary spray to create the frosted effect. This look is ideal for both formal and casual holiday events and works on short hair as well.

To create frosted twists, section the hair and create small twists all over the head. Use a bit of styling gel to keep the twists neat, then apply white hair chalk to the ends of the twists for a frosted appearance. Finish with a spritz of light-hold hairspray to keep everything in place throughout the day.

Candy Cane Pigtails

Candy cane pigtails are a fun and festive option for kids with long hair or medium-length hair. This style is perfect for holiday parties or school events, where the candy cane effect adds a touch of Christmas magic. The pigtails are created by wrapping red and white ribbons around two sections of the hair to mimic the iconic candy cane stripes. This look works best on straight or curly hair, and it’s especially cute on kids with round faces as the playful shape of the pigtails adds charm to their features.

To create this style, part the hair down the middle and create two high or low pigtails. Secure each with an elastic and then wrap red and white ribbons around the hair, alternating to create the candy cane effect. For an extra festive touch, finish with a red or green bow at the base of each pigtail. A leave-in conditioner will keep the hair smooth, and a bit of shine serum will add gloss to the finished look.

Christmas Tree Braids

If you’re looking for a standout style, the Christmas tree braid is an absolute showstopper. This hairstyle is ideal for kids with long hair as the braid is formed into the shape of a Christmas tree, complete with small decorations like hairpins or beads. It’s perfect for family gatherings or holiday events where your child can show off their festive spirit. This style suits oval and heart-shaped faces, and it works beautifully with straight or wavy hair.

To achieve this look, start by braiding the hair into a French braid but pull sections out slightly to create the triangular shape of a tree. Secure the braid with elastics at the end, and then decorate the “tree” with small ornaments, hairpins, or beads. A bit of hairspray will keep the braid in place, and a smoothing serum can help with any flyaways.

Frosty Buns

Frosty buns are a great option for short hair or medium-length hair. This festive hairstyle features two small buns on either side of the head, decorated with white hair spray or tinsel to mimic a frosty, snow-covered effect. It’s a quick and easy style that’s perfect for both casual holiday events and more formal family gatherings. The frosted buns add a touch of winter magic, making this style a favorite for younger children. This look suits kids with round and square faces, and works well on black hair or curly hair.

To create frosty buns, part the hair down the middle and create two high buns on either side of the head. Secure with elastics and then spray a light dusting of white hair spray or attach small pieces of tinsel to the buns. A light hold hairspray will keep the style in place, and a bit of styling gel can help smooth down the edges.

Rudolph Braid

The Rudolph braid is a playful style that incorporates small antlers made from pipe cleaners into a simple braid. This hairstyle is perfect for school holiday events or family gatherings and is especially fun for younger kids who want to feel festive. The braid can be decorated with a small red bow or clip to represent Rudolph’s famous red nose. This style works well on long hair and is particularly cute on kids with oval or round faces.

To create this look, start by braiding the hair as you normally would. Once the braid is complete, attach small pipe cleaners to the top of the braid to form Rudolph’s antlers. Secure the braid with a red bow or festive clip at the end. A smoothing serum can help keep the braid neat, and a spritz of hairspray will ensure the pipe cleaners stay in place.

Christmas Ribbon Curls

For kids with curly hair, Christmas ribbon curls are an easy way to add some festive flair to their natural curls. This hairstyle works well for holiday parties, church events, or family photos. Simply add colorful ribbons throughout the child’s curls to give them a holiday-themed look. It’s a simple yet festive style that looks great on black hair or long hair and suits kids with oval or round faces.

To create this style, take small sections of hair and tie colorful ribbons around the curls. You can use red, green, or gold ribbons to match the holiday theme. A bit of leave-in conditioner will help keep the curls smooth and hydrated, and a light hold spray will ensure the ribbons stay in place.

Twisted Halo

The twisted halo is a more elegant option, perfect for formal Christmas events or family dinners. This style works well for kids with short hair or long hair and involves twisting sections of hair around the crown of the head to create a halo effect. This hairstyle is ideal for school concerts or holiday church services and suits all face shapes. The twists add a touch of sophistication while still keeping the hair out of the child’s face.

To create the twisted halo, section the hair at the front and twist it backward toward the crown. Secure each twist with a bobby pin, and continue twisting sections around the head until a halo effect is achieved. A bit of styling gel will help keep the twists in place, and a light hairspray will ensure the halo lasts all day.

To achieve this look, tie the hair into a high ponytail and attach small sleigh bells or holiday-themed clips throughout the ponytail. A leave-in conditioner can help smooth the hair, and a bit of shine serum will give the ponytail a glossy finish. A light-hold hairspray will ensure the decorations stay in place.

Elf Braids

Elf braids are a whimsical, festive style that incorporates tiny braids and colorful elastics to mimic the look of an elf’s hat. This hairstyle is perfect for school holiday events or family parties, where kids can channel their inner Christmas elf. The braids work well on black hair or long hair, and the colorful elastics add a fun and playful element to the style. This look suits kids with oval or round faces.

To create elf braids, section the hair into small parts and braid each section, securing the ends with colorful elastics. You can alternate between red and green elastics to match the holiday theme. A bit of styling gel will help keep the braids neat, and a spritz of light hold hairspray will ensure the style lasts all day.

Sparkle Bun

The sparkle bun is an elegant, natural hairstyle that works well for both casual and formal Christmas events. This style involves creating a high bun and adding sparkly hair accessories or glitter to the bun for a festive touch. It’s perfect for long hair or short hair and suits kids with black curly hair or straight hair. The sparkle bun adds just the right amount of holiday cheer without being too over-the-top.

To create this look, gather the hair into a high bun and secure it with bobby pins. Add small sparkly hair clips or dust the bun with a light layer of hair-safe glitter for a festive touch. A light hold hairspray will keep everything in place, and a bit of smoothing serum will help keep the bun neat and sleek.

Christmas Bow Hairstyle

The Christmas bow hairstyle is a fun and festive look that involves tying the hair into a large bow, mimicking the look of a gift. This hairstyle is perfect for kids with long hair and works well for holiday parties, school concerts, or family photos. The bow adds a playful element to the style and is sure to make your child feel like the star of the holiday season.

To create this look, tie the hair into a high ponytail and then separate the hair into two sections to create the loops of the bow. Secure the loops with bobby pins and use the remaining hair to wrap around the center of the bow. A bit of styling gel will help keep the bow neat, and a spritz of hairspray will ensure the style lasts throughout the event.

Conclusion

These Christmas hairstyles are perfect for making the holiday season even more magical for your little ones. Whether it’s black simple buns, easy ponytails with tinsel, or whimsical grinch buns, there’s something festive and fun for every child to enjoy. We encourage you to share your favorite styles in the comments or show us your creative takes on these ideas!