Ace Your Look: Stunning Back to School Hairstyles for 2024

Going from lazy summer days to packed schedules calls for back to school hairstyles that are not only stylish but also practical.

I have two girls with long gorgeous hair so we love to play around with different styles and looks – when we have time.

I’m all about a style that looks great but doesn’t take forever to do.

Let’s explore a variety of hairstyles that will keep your kids looking fabulous from homeroom to extracurriculars.

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Whey not try the double updo hairstyle with long bangs surrounding the face. Space buns far apart

Updo’s

Whether you’re styling out for a back-to-school bash or just looking for a little hair inspiration, an updo is always in style.

Try a Celtic Knot Style with a curling wand and a small braid – a cute and easy hairstyle for school

Go for a Half-Up Hairbow with night-before curls and a hair bow – a trendy hairstyle for high school

Create a Curly Pull-Through Braid with a curling iron and clear elastic bands – a stylish pull-through braid for school.

Now that your hair is styling, you’re ready to throw the best Back-to-school Bash!

Double Dutch Braids – are popular, versatile, and perfect for school.

Knotless Box Braids – are trendy and less bulky than traditional box braids. This is modern and stylish.

Double Braid Pigtails – super fun take on traditional pigtails and I love the waves you get when you take them out.

Back to school hairstyles - braid the top half and then criss-cross the ahir for a cute style

Criss cross the hair for a cute back to school look

Back to school hairstyles - fishtail braid and then secure with a hairtie at the bottom.

Above pic from Everydayhairinspiraiton.com

Braids

Braids are a classic look on any girl. There are so many options. Having two daughters, my husband has even learned to braid and I love it. I think the criss-crossed look (pictured) is especially cute and one I’ve been doing quite a bit lately with my youngest girl.

One of my favorite hairstyles is the fishtail braid like the one pictured above. You simply split the hair in two and take a small section on the left and pull it over to the right.

Then take a small section on the right and pull it over to the left. Do that over and over again until you get to the bottom.

It’s so simple and pretty and will go perfectly with the best back-to-school outfits.

Moms got to join the fun - Start your bubble hairstyle at the scalp and work you way down the length of the hair.

Bubble Hairstyles

The bubble look is one of the most trendy hairstyles right now.

There are a variety of ways you can do it just make sure you have plenty of hairties. The key is pulling and spreading the hair once you’ve put it in the hairtie to get that extra poofy bubble look.

Updos and Buns

I love a good messy bun.

A messy bun on a little girl is adorbs.

Matching mom and daughter messy buns, even better. The best part, they’re super quick to do and the point is for them to look messy so perfection is certainly not the goal.

The twisted ballerina bun is one of my favorites – just keep in place with bobby pins.

Back to school - my girl had short hair and little curls here but we managed get the bows in the pigtails

Pigtails and Ponytails

Rock a High/Low Bun with a high bun on the crown of the head or a low bun at the nape of the neck – a neat and stylish hairstyle for school

Try a Stretched High Ponytail with heatless stretching techniques like braiding or banding.

Go for a Pineapple Ponytail with a Scarf with a high ponytail on top of the head and a vibrant scarf – a fun and youthful style.

A side ponytail always has a fun look and is super easy to do.

I love pigtails on a little girl and pigtails with bows are too adorable.

Criss - crossed hair pulled across the back of the heaid

Criss-Crossed Style

There are loads of different ways to crisis -cross the hair and my girls always get lots of compliments when they wear it like this.

You could do this style with as many sections as you want, just realize the more sections you have, the longer it will likely take to put together.

If you put braids in with wet or even slightly damp hair, you'll get the crimpy look when you remove the braids.

I know cornrows take a lot of time - especially depending on the lengh of the hair but they're so pretty.

Natural Hair Options

Embracing Your Natural Hair

Embrace natural curls with a Wash-and-Go with Accessories – a perfect hairstyle for active kids

Use a wide-tooth comb to shape and fluff natural afro with an Accessorized Fros’ – a stylish and comfortable look

Try a Natural Curls hairstyle with a leave-in and gel for a stunning look.

If you don’t have natural curl add your own with a curling iron.

You can also embrace the crimpy look when you remove the braids from your daughter’s hair.

Quick and Easy School Hairstyles

5-Minute Hairstyles

Go for a Quick Bubble Ponytail with an elastic tie and a “bubble” look – an easy back-to-school updo

Try a Curly Ponytail with Scrunchie with a ponytail and a cute scrunchie – a quick and easy hairstyle for school

Another quick and easy option is the ponytail pull-through. Wear a low ponytail and pull the hair all the way through the center of the ponytail above the hair tie. This creates a simple yet stylish twist.

Teacher Headband Pink Knotted Headbands Cute Apple Ruler Palette Headband Pearl Rhinestone Jeweled Hair Accessories for Woman Back to School Hair Decoration 1 Pcs (Pink)

How cute is this hairbow that says 2nd grade.

I got this cute 2nd-grade hair bow for my daughter at a store called Bad Kitty in Avalon, New Jersey. They have an entire wall of some of the cutest hairbows I’ve ever seen.

Why not embrace a little color with hair chalk? We made a rainbow braid look on crazy hair day.

Above pictured synthetic hair extensions.

isheeny 2 PIECES Afro Puffs Natural Black Afro Puff Hair Bun For Kids, 100% Remy Human Hair Small Drawstring Ponytail For Little Girls, Curly Hairpiece Natural, Soft, And Durable For Repeated Use

Hairstyle Accessories

Don’t be afraid to accessorize with fun hair chalk, extensions, and hairbows.

Claw clips offer a quick and stylish look.

Headbands are fun and functional. They keep hair away from the face and come in a ton of different styles.

Ribbons are in style right now as well so mix and match.

Hair extensions and wigs are a great way to quickly and easily achieve a different hairstyle for school. Synthetic hair often offers better volume and texture and can be easily styled with a wide-tooth comb.

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Conclusion

As you embark on a new school year, remember that your hairstyle is more than just a look—it’s a reflection of your personality and confidence.

Embrace creativity, experiment with different styles, and above all, choose a hairstyle that makes you ready to conquer anything that comes your way.

Make sure you’re styling from head to toe with the best back-to-school shoes.

And remember, if the hair isn’t working for you, you can always just stick a bucket on your head and call it a day! (Like my family did in the pic below) I kinda just love that pic and wanted to include it.

Here’s to a stylish and successful school year ahead!

If you can't find a cute school hairstyle, throw a bucket on your head! Ha!

Erica Fox

Hi I’m Erica! TV news anchor and mom to 4 littles. I’m obsessed with creating those “wow” moments in life through crafting at home, cool travel adventures and special celebrations with loved ones. Thanks for joining me on this adventure!