The holiday season is finally here! It’s that magical time of year filled with twinkling lights, cosy jumpers, and the buzz of excitement as the big day approaches. For parents, it’s also the season of school plays, family gatherings, and holiday parties—perfect occasions to show off festive hairstyles for kids. While finding the perfect outfit is often top of the list, adding a special touch with a festive hairstyle can make the occasion even more memorable for your little ones. That’s why we’ve created this guide packed with festive hairstyles for kids to help you capture the fun and spirit of the season.
Festive hairstyles for kids don’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. Whether you are looking for something simple and sweet or a bit more dazzling, there are plenty of ways to add some Christmas cheer to their look. We have gathered some of our favourite festive hairstyle ideas for kids that work for various hair types and lengths. These styles are perfect for trying at home, or if you prefer a stress-free experience, our team at Kids Hair Play is always ready to help.
Festive Hairstyles for Kids: Simple Yet Stunning Styles for Girls
For parents looking to create a bit of magic without spending hours in front of the mirror, these festive hairstyles for kids are winners. They balance practicality with that all-important sparkle.
The Reindeer Bun
This is a firm favourite every December and is surprisingly easy to achieve.
- Create a classic bun: Gather the hair into a high ponytail and twist it into a neat bun, securing it with pins or a hair tie.
- Add the antlers: Use brown pipe cleaners to shape antlers and gently tuck them into the base of the bun.
- The finishing touches: Pop a red pom-pom in the centre for the nose and glue googly eyes onto hair clips to place just above it.
This look works best on medium to long hair and keeps strands neatly tucked away during energetic party games.
Glitter Roots and Partings
If you are short on time but want maximum impact, glitter is your best friend. This trend is fantastic for all hair lengths and textures.
- Style as usual: Whether it’s space buns, plaits, or loose curls.
- Apply the sparkle: Mix some hair gel with chunky, cosmetic-grade glitter. Using a tint brush or your fingers, paint the mixture along the parting or at the roots.
It catches the light beautifully and washes out easily—just make sure to use tips on maintaining healthy hair afterwards to ensure all product is removed gently.
Ribbon Braids
Weaving a festive red, green, or gold ribbon through a standard plait instantly transforms an everyday look into a party style.
- Secure the ribbon: Tie a length of ribbon around the base of a ponytail or the top of a hair section.
- Braid together: Treat the ribbon as part of one of the three hair sections as you braid.
- Secure: Tie off with a bow at the bottom.
This works wonderfully for French braids or simple side plaits and adds a lovely pop of colour.
Cool and Creative Festive Hairstyles for Kids: Boys’ Holiday Looks
Boys often get left out of the creative hair conversations, but there are plenty of ways to jazz up short hair for the holidays too. Here are a few festive hairstyles for kids that boys will love.
The “Grinch” Spike
For boys who love a bit of fun and attention, this style is a showstopper.
- Spike it up: Use a strong-hold gel to spike the hair up at the front or all over.
- Green spray: Use a temporary green coloured hair spray (available at most fancy dress shops) to colour the tips.
- Optional fun: You can even shape the front spike to curl slightly like the Grinch’s famous tuft!
Festive Stencil Art
If your child has a fresh fade or very short hair, hair stencils are a brilliant option.
- Choose a shape: You can buy or make stencils in shapes like stars, snowflakes, or Christmas trees.
- Spray: Place the stencil against the side of the head and lightly spray with temporary coloured hair spray or glitter spray.
It’s temporary, safe, and looks incredibly cool for a party.
Festive Hairstyles for Kids: Accessories Make Everything Better
Sometimes, the hairstyle itself can be simple if the accessories are doing the talking. If you aren’t confident with complex braiding or styling products, accessories are the perfect solution for festive hairstyles for kids.
- Headbands: From velvet reindeer ears to sparkly snowflakes, a headband can tame flyaways and look adorable.
- Decorative Clips: Swap standard grips for clips featuring holly, stars, or Santa hats.
- Scrunchies: A velvet or sequinned scrunchie can turn a basic ponytail into a festive statement in seconds.
For more inspiration on dressing your children for the season to match these great festive hairstyles for kids, check out this guide on holiday fashion trends for kids.
When to Leave it to the Professionals
We know that December is a hectic month. Between wrapping gifts and planning dinners, you might not have the time or energy to wrestle with hairspray and bobby pins. That is exactly where we come in.
At Kids Hair Play, we specialise in making haircuts and styling a fun, positive experience. Our salons are designed with children in mind, featuring car-themed chairs, bubbles, and sensory-friendly environments to keep little ones happy while we work our magic. Whether you need a fresh trim before the family photos or a specific party up-do, our patient stylists are here to help.
If you are looking for previous hairstyle inspirations or just a tidy-up before the new school term, we would love to see you.
Visit Us Across the West Midlands
We have three convenient locations ready to welcome you this holiday season:
- Sutton Coldfield: 2 Beeches Walk, Sutton Coldfield B73 6HN. Book your appointment here.
- Hagley Road: 556 Hagley Rd W, Oldbury B68 0BS. Book your appointment here.
- Wolverhampton: 30 Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton WV3 0TN. Book your appointment here.
Tips for a Stress-Free Hair Experience
If you are trying these festive hairstyles for kids at home, remember that the experience should be fun, not a chore.
- Distraction is key: Let them watch their favourite festive cartoon or play with a toy while you style.
- Be gentle: Use detangling spray to avoid pulling, especially with winter-knotted hair.
- Keep it quick: Kids rarely want to sit still for long, so choose a style that fits their patience level!
We hope these festive hairstyles for kids inspire you to get creative this Christmas. Whether you opt for a DIY glitter look or visit us for a professional pamper session, we wish you and your family a wonderful, stylish holiday season.
