Skip to main content

3 cute kids hairstyles for your kindergartner’s first day of school

What does your child need for their first day of kindergarten? Obviously, all the right school supplies, which you’ve likely had purchased for weeks. A confidence-boosting pep talk from mom or dad (and, don’t worry — you can get one from each other to help quell those first-day-of-school tears after you’ve safely seen your child to the classroom). And then, of course, an amazing outfit and hairstyle to help your child make the best impression possible. A cute hairstyle or braid will also make those first-day-of-school photos look extra stylish and like you totally should win a parent of the year award (even if we all know just how frazzled and stressful the first day of school always is behind the scenes). 

To help make that first day of kindergarten a little easier and a little less stressful, here are 3 cute kids’ hairstyles perfect for making the right impression. 

Recommended Videos

The princess up-do

Send your little princess off to her first day of school looking like, well, a princess. Even if she can’t wear that favorite princess dress to kindergarten, this easy up-do will have her feeling like royalty regardless. 

It’s easy and simple, so long as you have a sock bun. Just pull your child’s hair up into a high ponytail, slide on the sock bun, and then cover the sock bun with hair (you may need to use some bobby pins to keep everything in place). Add in a Cinderella-esque headband, and you’re good to go. 

Don’t have a sock bun? This tutorial shows you how to create the same up-do without one. 

The fake braid

Search for kids’ hairstyles, and braids is one of the first options that comes up — for good reason. Braids keep your child’s hair secure and out of their face all day long, and they look super cute. But if you’ve never really caught the hang of braiding, you may find these children’s braids tutorials more frustrating than helpful. So, try out the fake braid. 

This faux braid tutorial shows you how you can create an elegant braided look on short hair, but it would easily work well for long hair, too. If you can tie a ponytail, you can create this impressive ’do. While the tutorial includes pulling the faux braid up into an up-do, there’s no need to do so — you can leave it hanging for a faux French braid. 

The busy parent’s shortcut “hair-do”

Still not sure if these other two easy hairdos will be successful the first hectic morning of school? Don’t worry.

If you find yourself at a loss at 6 a.m. and there’s not enough coffee in the world to coax your fingers into creating a decent braid, just go with a plain ponytail or bun and add a cute accessory. A sparkly headband, bow, barrette, or clip is just the thing to add a little extra sparkle and pizzazz to your child’s normal ’do, making them feel special without a lot of extra effort on your end. 

child getting hair cut
Moon Safari / Shutterstock

What about the boys? 

But don’t forget about the guys in the family! Kids hairstyle tips often leave out the boys, but that’s no reason not to make sure your little guy isn’t feeling his most handsome on the first day of kindergarten, too. 

Before you send him off, take a trip to the barber as a special outing and spiff him up a little with a new haircut and style. From a faux-hawk to a man bun, whatever he ends up with, the experience is sure to make him feel special.

Send your child off to their first day of school in high style

The first day of kindergarten is one to remember, a special occasion. Make sure that your child is looking their best for the big event with one of these hairstyles, whether you spend an hour braiding before they catch the bus, or you just add a bow to a bun and send them on their way. The important thing is that you made them feel important and were able to snap a few pics for posterity on their way out the door. 

Looking for more hairstyles, particularly those that’ll keep your gal’s hair off her neck during the heat? Check out these favorite girls’ hairstyles for summer.

Holly Riddle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Holly Riddle is a freelance food, travel and lifestyle journalist, who also dabbles in copywriting, ghostwriting and fiction…
7 kids’ school lunch ideas you can put together in no time
Tasty lunches kids won't want to trade or toss
A child eating her school lunch

Do you dread packing lunch for the kiddos during the school year? You're not alone. This evening ritual can be daunting, especially when your children keep begging you to let them buy the school lunch. Even though creating lunches during the week can be a chore, parents know bringing food from home is healthier and cheaper than purchasing a meal from school.

The problem is lunches can get boring. There are only so many things you can put in a lunchbox or bag for kids. The grass is always greener, too, because someone usually seems to have a cooler lunch or a better snack than your kids. So, if you need some delish and healthy kids' school lunch ideas, we've got the inspiration you need to take the bore out of this nighttime chore.
School lunch tips

Read more
Wow your kids with these fun facts about animals
Teach your kids something interesting
Kids at a zoo watching a snake

Kids are naturally inquisitive so why not wow your kids with some fun facts about animals? Even if you don't have time to tour the local zoo or aquarium; that doesn't mean your kids can't always be learning about animals. Whether you're talking about exotic wild animals or domesticated ones, it's always fun to find out some new and interesting facts about animals of all kinds. Here are six fun facts about animals that will excite your kids.
The fur of a polar bear isn't white

Although most of us commonly assume that a polar bear has white fur, that isn't the case. Polar bears have black skin, which helps attract the sun and keep them warm, and translucent fur. The fur only appears white because it reflects the light.
An elephant's trunk contains more muscles than the human body

Read more
Why you should celebrate your kids’ inchstones
These important moments are a reason for recognition
Cute baby crawling across a rug.

Marking baby milestones is certainly not a new trend. Parents have been capturing baby's first steps and words for ages. Baby milestones are always a big focus because they pinpoint important developmental achievements of little ones as they grow. The lack or delay of certain baby milestones is often a red flag for pediatricians, which is why so much attention is placed on them.

A new parenting trend taking hold recently is celebrating inchstones. While inchstones isn't a contemporary term, it may be unfamiliar to many parents. Inchstones is typically a word used by parents of children with special needs as they inch their way toward bigger milestones. So, why is the practice of recognizing inchstones growing in popularity, and why should parents get on board?

Read more