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The New Year is a fantastic time for fresh starts and new styles, especially for kids looking to ring in the year with a fun and unique look. This article presents 31 stylish, age-appropriate hairstyles for kids that are perfect for any celebration, school day, or family gathering. From easy, cute hairstyles for school to festive party styles with accessories, there’s something here for everyone. Curious about which hairstyles will have your kids feeling like stars? Read on for hairstyle ideas tailored to different hair lengths, textures, and occasions, along with helpful tips on styling and maintenance.
Sparkling Braided Crown with Glitter Highlights
This glamorous braided crown is perfect for special New Year celebrations, creating a magical halo effect around the head. The braid circles the crown, finished with subtle glitter highlights woven throughout, adding a sparkling touch that shines with each movement. This hairstyle is ideal for kids with medium to long hair and works well with naturally straight or wavy textures. Short-haired kids can still achieve this look with a partial braid at the front, accessorized with glitter pins.
To maintain this look, use a light hold hairspray like John Frieda Frizz Ease Moisture Barrier for flyaway control without stiffness. For added shine, consider a glitter spray like Glamour Glitter Hair Spray for a festive touch. Avoid too much product to keep the hairstyle from looking weighed down.
Double Dutch Braids with Colorful Ribbons
Double Dutch braids are a fantastic choice for active kids, especially when dressed up with colorful ribbons for New Year festivities. These braids start near the scalp and continue to the nape, creating a bold, neat style. Perfect for kids with medium to long hair and adaptable for various hair textures, Double Dutch braids are also practical, holding hair back for sports or outdoor activities.
To keep the braids fresh, prep hair with a detangling spray like SoCozy Detangler Leave-In Conditioner before braiding to prevent breakage. Incorporate vibrant ribbons for a festive twist and secure them with small, clear elastic bands.
Messy Top Knot with Star Clips
A messy top knot is perfect for kids who prefer a fun, casual look. This style gathers hair at the crown in a loosely tied bun, with some strands left out for a relaxed, whimsical effect. Accentuated with star-shaped clips, this hairstyle shines at New Year parties or family gatherings. Suitable for medium to long hair and any texture, this style is also easy to refresh throughout the day.
For best results, use a dry shampoo like Batiste Dry Shampoo to add volume and texture before gathering the hair. Finish with decorative star clips for a magical touch, and spritz a lightweight hairspray for hold.
Side-Swept Curls with Miniature Bow Accessories
This style features side-swept curls with a few miniature bow clips for an extra-cute effect, making it perfect for New Year’s parties or family photos. The curls are lightly styled and swept to one side, adding a touch of elegance that’s still playful. Best suited for medium to long hair and works especially well with naturally curly or wavy hair, although straight-haired kids can rock this look with a curling wand.
To style, apply a heat-protectant spray like L’Oréal Paris Kids Tangle Tamer and use a curling wand for soft, long-lasting curls. Add bow clips on one side for a sweet finishing touch.
Fishtail Braid with Festive Beads
The fishtail braid is a stylish twist on the traditional braid, with intricate weaving that gives a unique texture. Adding festive beads throughout the braid creates a holiday-ready look. This style works beautifully with long hair and can be adapted for both straight and curly textures.
Use a leave-in conditioner like SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Extra-Moisturizing Detangler to ensure smooth, tangle-free braiding. Place a few bright beads along the braid for a festive touch, secured with mini rubber bands at the end.
Half-Up Half-Down with Twisted Sections
The half-up, half-down style with twisted sections combines elegance and practicality, holding hair back from the face while allowing the rest to flow. Twisted sections from each side add interest to this simple yet sophisticated look, making it ideal for kids with medium-length hair of any texture.
Use a lightweight styling cream like Cantu Care for Kids Styling Custard for control and shine. Twist small sections from the temples and secure them with small, decorative hairpins for a festive touch.
Sleek Low Bun with Shiny Hair Pins
This sleek low bun with shiny hairpins is a classic, sophisticated option for New Year celebrations. Hair is pulled back smoothly and twisted into a low bun at the nape, giving an elegant, polished look. This style suits kids with medium to long hair and can be especially striking on straight hair.
To achieve a smooth finish, use a smoothing cream like Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Smoothing Cream before styling. Finish with shiny hairpins for a touch of glam.
High Ponytail with Glitter Spray
The high ponytail with glitter spray is an exciting choice for kids who want a fun, glamorous look. Positioned at the crown, this high ponytail is sleek and tidy, while the glitter spray adds an element of festive sparkle, perfect for New Year’s celebrations. Ideal for kids with medium to long hair and suited to all hair textures, this hairstyle works beautifully for kids with naturally straight or slightly wavy hair but can be adapted with soft curls for a fuller look.
To keep this style sleek, use Aussie Kids Bloomin’ Apple Detangler to tame any flyaways and smooth hair before tying it up. Finish by spritzing a gentle, kid-safe glitter spray like Glam Twinkles Glitter Spray to add shimmer, making sure to apply at a slight distance for even coverage.
Loose Waves with a Floral Headband
Loose waves paired with a floral headband bring a sweet, bohemian vibe perfect for the New Year. This style is gentle and relaxed, with natural waves that flow freely, adding softness to the look. It’s especially suited for medium to long hair and works well on naturally wavy hair but can be created with a curling wand for straight-haired kids.
To keep the waves soft and bouncy, use a lightweight mousse like Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Activating Mousse to add definition. Position a floral headband for a delicate, celebratory touch, balancing comfort and style.
Braided Pigtails with Ribbon Bows
Braided pigtails with ribbon bows are a playful and timeless style, perfect for New Year’s events or casual celebrations. These braids are secured at the nape and decorated with bright ribbon bows, creating a youthful, joyful look. Suitable for kids with short to medium hair and all textures, these braids stay in place throughout the day, making them great for active kids.
To prevent tangling, use Johnson’s No More Tangles Detangling Spray before braiding, which helps to keep hair smooth and manageable. Finish by tying each braid with a colorful ribbon bow for a charming touch.
Twisted Space Buns with Sparkling Clips
Twisted space buns with sparkling clips bring a fun, trendy look to the New Year. This style features two small buns positioned on either side of the head, with each bun secured and decorated with sparkling clips to add a festive touch. It’s a versatile style suited for kids with medium to long hair and works well with straight, wavy, or slightly curly textures.
To create smooth twists, apply Cantu Kids Curling Cream to tame any frizz and help secure the buns. Use sparkling clips for a playful, glittery accent that’s perfect for the New Year’s celebration.
French Braid with Mini Star Ornaments
A French braid adorned with mini star ornaments adds elegance to any celebration. Starting at the crown and braiding down to the nape, this style keeps hair neatly contained while the mini stars add a festive sparkle. This look is particularly flattering on long hair and works well with all hair textures, especially on kids with naturally straight or slightly wavy hair.
For easier braiding, start with a smoothing serum like Paul Mitchell Kids Taming Spray to control any flyaways. Place small, clip-on star ornaments along the braid for a New Year’s-appropriate sparkle.
Curly Bob with Headband and Rhinestones
This curly bob adorned with a headband and rhinestones is a cute and stylish choice for New Year. The bob is shaped to frame the face, enhancing natural curls, while the headband with rhinestones adds a sparkly, holiday-ready touch. Ideal for kids with short curly hair, this style is also great for those with medium-length bobs looking to add a bit of flair.
Use a curl-defining product like CurlyKids Mixed Texture HairCare Curly Gel Moisturizer to keep curls soft and bouncy. Add a rhinestone-studded headband for an extra bit of sparkle that will hold all day.
Half-Up Bow Bun with Glitter Gel
The half-up bow bun is an adorable and festive style that’s easy to create yet looks intricate and special. This look involves gathering the top half of the hair and forming it into a bow-shaped bun at the crown, adding a touch of glitter gel for sparkle. This style is great for kids with medium to long hair and works with both straight and wavy textures, though it can be adapted for curly hair with a bit more smoothing.
To achieve the bow shape, use a strong-hold gel like Eco Styler Gel to keep the bow bun intact. Apply glitter gel, such as Mane Magic Glitter Gel, to the bun for an extra festive touch. The remaining loose hair can be straightened or curled for a polished look.
Simple Braids with Metallic Hair Ties
Simple braids adorned with metallic hair ties bring subtle elegance to any New Year celebration. This hairstyle involves two traditional braids, one on each side, with metallic ties adding a sparkly accent to the ends. It’s an ideal style for kids with medium-length to long hair and suits all textures, from straight to curly.
To keep the braids neat, start with a light detangling spray like SoCozy Detangler. Secure each braid with a metallic hair tie for a touch of glamour, perfect for a New Year’s event while remaining comfortable and low-maintenance.
Low Ponytail with Sequin Scrunchie
The low ponytail with a sequin scrunchie is a stylish yet practical look, keeping hair out of the face while adding a touch of sparkle. This hairstyle involves gathering the hair at the nape of the neck and securing it with a sequin scrunchie, which adds a festive feel. Suitable for all hair lengths and textures, this style is especially good for kids with longer hair who want something simple yet trendy.
Before styling, use a smoothing spray like Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine to keep hair frizz-free. Finish with a shiny, sequin scrunchie for an eye-catching accent that’s perfect for New Year.
Mini Top Buns with Holiday Clips
Mini top buns are an adorable style for younger kids, especially when accented with holiday-themed clips. This look gathers two small sections of hair on top of the head and secures them into buns, leaving the rest of the hair down. Holiday clips, such as stars or snowflakes, add a delightful festive touch. Suitable for short to medium-length hair, this style is adaptable for all textures.
To achieve this look, use a gentle styling gel like Cantu Care for Kids Styling Custard to keep the buns in place. Add decorative holiday clips for a fun New Year’s look that’s comfortable for all-day wear.
Curly Afro with Gold Headband
The curly afro with a gold headband is a bold and beautiful style that celebrates natural curls. This look embraces volume and texture, enhanced with a gold headband to add a touch of glamour for New Year’s celebrations. Perfect for kids with short to medium-length curly hair, this style is easy to achieve and highlights the beauty of natural curls.
To maintain curls, use a defining cream like Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La Defining Curl Custard to keep curls soft and frizz-free. Add a gold headband for a stylish accent that brings warmth and sparkle to the look.
Slicked-Back Style with a Festive Clip
The slicked-back style with a festive clip is an elegant, sophisticated look that’s perfect for formal New Year’s gatherings. Hair is smoothed back from the face and secured at the nape with a clip, keeping it neat while adding a stylish touch. This style works well for kids with medium to long hair and is particularly striking on straight or slightly wavy textures.
To achieve a smooth finish, use Moco de Gorila Snot Gel for all-day hold. Finish with a festive clip, such as a sparkling snowflake or jewel-encrusted accessory, for a polished look that’s ideal for celebrating the New Year.
Crown Braid with Glitter Hairspray
The crown braid with glitter hairspray is an enchanting style perfect for New Year’s celebrations, creating a beautiful circular braid that wraps around the head. This hairstyle is ideal for kids with medium to long hair and works especially well on straight or wavy textures. The braid itself adds elegance, while the glitter hairspray provides a festive sparkle that captures the holiday spirit.
For a neat finish, use SheaMoisture Kids Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Butter Cream to smooth flyaways and give the braid a polished look. Finish by applying glitter hairspray like Glam Squad Hair Glitter along the braid for a magical touch. This style stays secure and comfortable, making it ideal for parties or family gatherings.
Layered Bob with Sparkling Barrettes
The layered bob with sparkling barrettes is a chic and stylish option, especially for kids with shorter hair. This haircut features subtle layers that add movement and volume, making it suitable for all hair types. Adding a couple of sparkling barrettes to one side gives this look a festive and trendy touch, perfect for a New Year’s celebration.
To keep the hair soft and manageable, use Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Detangler + Air Dry to maintain smoothness without the need for heat styling. Clip in a couple of sparkling barrettes on one side to add that festive shine, turning this classic cut into a holiday-ready style.
Side Parted Hair with Star-Shaped Clips
Side-parted hair decorated with star-shaped clips is a simple yet eye-catching style, making it perfect for kids who prefer a minimal look with a hint of holiday sparkle. This style involves a deep side part with the front sections pinned back using star clips, giving it a celestial and charming appeal. It’s a great option for short to medium-length hair and works on both straight and wavy textures.
Start by using Mielle Organics Kids Taming Cream to keep hair smooth and free of flyaways. Place a couple of star-shaped clips along the part for an extra-special New Year’s touch. This look is perfect for both casual gatherings and family celebrations.
Twisted Pigtails with Holiday Beads
Twisted pigtails with holiday beads add a playful, festive flair to traditional pigtails. This hairstyle involves creating two twisted pigtails and adorning each with bright, colorful beads, making it perfect for kids with medium to long hair. This style holds well throughout the day, making it ideal for active kids attending New Year’s parties or outdoor gatherings.
Use a moisturizing product like Just For Me Curl Peace Hair & Scalp Butter to keep the twists smooth and frizz-free. Secure the ends of each twist with small holiday-themed beads for a vibrant touch that brings holiday cheer to any occasion.
Choosing a fresh hairstyle can be a great way for kids to celebrate the New Year with style and confidence. These 31 New Year hairstyles range from easy, everyday styles to more festive, party-ready looks, making sure there’s something for every occasion and personality. Try out these styles and watch your kids’ confidence shine as they start the year with a fresh new look. Have a favorite style or tip? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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