15 Back to School Hairstyles for Girls

The step diagram shows a centre part with a Dutch braid worked tightly against the scalp down each side, each finishing in a small secured tail behind the ear. If one hairstyle should be learned properly for the school year, it is this one, because nothing else on this list survives a full day as reliably. The braid is woven against the scalp, which means there is no loose hair to catch, tangle, or work free during recess. Part down the centre and clip one side away. Take three small sections at the front hairline and cross the outer strands *under* the middle strand rather than over — that under-crossing is what distinguishes a Dutch braid from a French one and what makes it sit raised on top of the hair rather than tucked into it. Add a small amount of new hair to each outer strand before every cross, working steadily back along the scalp. Keep the tension even but not tight; a braid pulled hard at the hairline causes a headache by lunchtime and she will pull it out herself. Finish behind the ear and secure. Repeat on the other side. Around five minutes with practice, and it will still look intact on the bus home.

The step diagram shows a mid-height ponytail divided by four evenly spaced elastics, each segment gently pulled outward into a rounded bubble. The reason this style belongs in a back-to-school list rather than only a quick-styles list is the multiple securing points. If the top elastic loosens during PE, the three below it hold everything together, so the style degrades gradually rather than collapsing. That is a genuinely useful property for a school day. Secure a ponytail at mid-height rather than high, so it does not press against a chair back. Add elastics at roughly two-inch intervals down the length, then pull the sides of each section outward to round them. Use seamless elastics in a matching color. This works on medium and long hair and holds particularly well on thicker textures.

The step diagram shows a low ponytail twisted along its length, coiled around its base, and pinned around the outer edge. A low bun is the specific answer to a PE day, and the position is the reason. A high bun presses against a chair back, sits awkwardly under a bike or riding helmet, and comes loose during floor work. A low bun sits below all of it. Secure a low ponytail at the nape, twist the length in one direction until it starts to coil naturally, wind it around the base, and tuck the end underneath. Pin around the outside edge, pushing each pin *inward* toward the scalp rather than downward — inward-pushed pins grip the base and hold, downward ones slide out within an hour. Three or four pins is enough for most hair thicknesses.

The step diagram shows a single French braid worked from the crown down the back of the head, transitioning into a plain ponytail at the nape. This is the compromise between full-braid security and morning speed — the woven section at the top holds everything in place, while finishing as a ponytail rather than braiding to the ends saves two minutes. Start with three sections at the crown and cross the outer strands *over* the middle, adding a little new hair to each outer strand before crossing. Work down to the nape, then gather everything into a single elastic. The braided section against the scalp is doing the securing work, so the loose ponytail below stays put far better than a plain ponytail would.

The step diagram shows two side braids brought up and across the back of the head, crossed over each other, and pinned above the opposite ears. This keeps all the hair completely contained, which makes it one of the best options for a swimming day, a messy art session, or a windy playground. Braid each side as a plain three-strand braid starting behind the ear. Then take the left braid up and across the back of the head and pin it behind the right ear, and do the same in reverse. Cross the pins in an X shape at each anchoring point — crossed pins grip several times more securely than parallel ones. Nothing hangs loose to catch or tangle, and it stays neat for a full day.

The step diagram shows the top half of the hair pulled into a small bun at the crown, with the lower length secured into a low braid beneath it. Combining two securing points is what makes this a school style rather than a weekend one. The top bun keeps hair off her face; the lower braid stops the loose length from tangling through the day, which is where half-up styles usually fail. Gather the top section from ear level upward and secure into a bun using the half-pull loop method — pull the hair only halfway through the elastic on the final pass and tuck the end under. Then gather the remaining length and braid it loosely, securing at the end.

The step diagram shows a braid worked around the perimeter of the head like a headband and pinned in place, with the remaining hair gathered underneath. This is the most secure style on the list and the right choice for a school photo day, a performance, or any day that needs to look neat at three in the afternoon. Work a Dutch braid from one temple around the front hairline and along the opposite side, gathering hair from below as you go. When you reach the starting point, finish as a plain braid, tuck the tail under the crown, and pin. Every strand of front hair is contained. It takes around seven minutes, which is more than a normal morning allows, but it holds better than anything else here.

The step diagram shows the hair parted down the centre with each side divided in two, twisted individually, then wrapped around each other in the opposite direction and secured. A rope twist looks like a braid but is considerably faster, because it involves two sections rather than three. Divide one side into two equal sections. Twist each section individually in the same direction — say, clockwise — then wrap the two around each other in the opposite direction, counterclockwise. That opposing direction is what locks the twist and stops it unravelling; twisting both the same way produces something that falls apart within the hour. Secure the end. Repeat on the other side. Roughly half the time of two braids with similar holding power.

The step diagram shows hair being misted lightly with water, brushed smoothly upward, and secured into a high ponytail with no visible bumps. The neatest possible ponytail depends almost entirely on moisture, not technique. Mist lightly with a spray bottle until damp but not wet, then brush in long strokes from the hairline toward the gathering point. Damp hair lies flat and stays there; dry fine hair springs back and creates the bumps that make a ponytail look untidy within minutes. Secure with a seamless elastic wrapped one turn more than feels necessary, since high ponytails work loose faster than low ones through a day of movement.

The step diagram shows three thin braids worked along the front hairline, all gathered together with the rest of the hair into a single mid-height ponytail. This is a good middle option — more secure and more interesting than a plain ponytail, considerably faster than full Dutch braids. Take three small sections along the front hairline on one side and braid each one plainly down to about ear level. Then gather everything, braids included, into a single ponytail. The braids keep the front hair contained, which is where school hairstyles usually fail first, while the rest of the style takes seconds.

The step diagram shows a mid-height ponytail with a small section of hair taken from underneath, wrapped around the base, and pinned upward. This is the finishing detail that makes an ordinary ponytail look intentional, and it also serves a practical purpose — the wrapped section adds friction around the elastic, which measurably slows how quickly the ponytail slips through the day. Take a pencil-thick section from the underside of the ponytail, wrap it around the base two or three times, and pin the end upward into the base. Taking the section from underneath rather than the top hides the join.

The step diagram shows a centre part with the hair on each side gathered high and coiled into two small buns, each pinned around the edge. Space buns are among the most requested styles by children themselves, and the version that survives a school day is the pinned one rather than the elastic-only one. Part down the centre, gather each side into a high ponytail, twist the length, coil it around the base, and pin around the outside pushing inward. Elastic alone will hold for perhaps two hours; pins take it to a full day. Position them slightly back from the very top of the head so they do not press when she leans back.

The step diagram shows all the hair gathered over one shoulder, low behind the ear, and worked into a plain three-strand braid. This is the most comfortable style on the list and the right one for a long day, a school trip, or any child who complains that styles hurt. Nothing pulls at the scalp, nothing presses against a chair, and it can be leaned on. Gather everything to one side and secure loosely at the nape first if she fidgets, then braid down and finish. Working in front of you rather than behind her head roughly halves the time of a centred braid. Secure the end with an extra wrap, since side braids loosen from the bottom.

The step diagram shows two front sections twisted back from the temples, secured at the crown with a small elastic, and reinforced with two snap clips on either side. Adding clips to a twisted half-up is what converts it from a two-hour style into an all-day one. Twist each front section inward — toward the back of the head — and secure both at the crown with one small elastic. Then place a snap clip on each side over the twist, close to where it meets the rest of the hair. The clips take the strain off the elastic and stop the twists loosening at the temples, which is where this style normally fails.

The step diagram shows damp hair divided into two sections and braided loosely before bed, then unbraided in the morning to reveal soft waves. This is the style that removes the morning entirely, which is worth considering for the first week of term when everything else is already difficult. Braid lightly damp hair into two loose braids before bed — loose rather than tight, since a tight overnight braid creates a crimped rather than a wavy result and is uncomfortable to sleep on. In the morning, unbraid and separate gently with fingers rather than a brush, which would pull the waves out. The result holds through a school day and requires nothing at all from the morning routine beyond taking the elastics out.