Picture Day Hairstyles: 31 Ideas For Middle, Preschool, Elementary And High School Kids

Picture day is one of those moments where you want your kids to look their absolute best while feeling comfortable in their own style. Whether your child is in preschool, elementary school, or middle school, the perfect hairstyle can capture their personality while complementing their outfit. From curly hair to short hair, we’ve curated 31 stunning ideas to help your child shine in their school portraits.

The Half-Up Braided Crown

A half-up braided crown is an elegant yet playful hairstyle that works well for all hair lengths. This style involves two small braids starting at the temples and meeting at the back of the head, leaving the rest of the hair flowing naturally. Ideal for kids with long hair or medium length tresses, it highlights their natural beauty while keeping the hair out of their face for a neat and polished look. It suits round or oval face shapes and makes blue or green eyes pop.

To achieve this look, start by sectioning the top half of the hair and braiding two small strands from each side. Secure them with a small elastic band or a decorative clip at the back. Use a detangling spray like Wet Brush Detangler for a smooth finish and hairspray to hold the style. Maintenance is easy—just ensure the braids are neat before school starts!

Twisted Pigtails with Curls

Twisted pigtails add a cute and modern touch to traditional pigtails. Perfect for kids with curly hair, this style is ideal for preschool or elementary school photos, where a touch of whimsy goes a long way. It’s especially flattering for square or heart-shaped faces and adds volume to thin or fine hair textures.

Divide the hair into two sections, twisting each side from the top down and securing them with colorful hair ties. Let the remaining hair cascade into natural curls or use a curling wand to define the curls for a polished look. Try Cantu Curl Activator Cream for hydration and definition. Add a spritz of light-hold hairspray to keep those twists in place throughout the day.

Sleek Low Bun with Accessories

A sleek low bun is a timeless choice that exudes elegance. Whether your child has short hair or shoulder length locks, this style can adapt beautifully. It’s particularly great for kids black hair, as it pairs well with their natural texture while keeping the look neat and stylish. This hairstyle suits oval or rectangular faces and is perfect for highlighting statement accessories like stud earrings or a pretty necklace.

To create this look, smooth the hair back using a soft-bristle brush and gather it at the nape of the neck. Secure with an elastic band and twist the hair into a bun. Use a shine-enhancing serum, such as OGX Coconut Miracle Oil, to add luster. Top it off with decorative pins or a small bow for a personalized touch.

Natural Box Braids

Box braids are not only fashionable but also practical for kids black hair, making them an excellent choice for middle school or elementary school picture day. This protective style works for long hair, shoulder length, or even short hair. Box braids suit all face shapes and can be accessorized with beads or cuffs for added flair.

Visit a trusted stylist or do them at home by sectioning the hair into neat squares and braiding each section with or without extensions. Keep the scalp moisturized with a product like Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner. Box braids are low maintenance, requiring only a light spritz of braid spray to maintain shine and softness.

High Ponytail with Locs

A high ponytail gives a chic and modern vibe, especially when paired with locs. This style is perfect for kids black hair, adding volume and personality to the look. It’s a fantastic choice for highschool students who want a bold yet polished style. This hairstyle enhances oval or oblong face shapes and looks great with neutral-toned makeup or accessories.

Gather the locs into a high ponytail at the crown of the head, securing with a sturdy hair tie. For added drama, wrap a few locs around the base to conceal the tie. A styling gel like Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel can keep edges sleek. Locs are already low maintenance, but a light mist of hair oil spray can keep them looking fresh.

Messy Bun with Cute Accessories

The messy bun is the epitome of effortless chic. It’s ideal for kids easy styles, especially those in preschool or elementary school. This hairstyle suits all hair lengths, but it’s particularly flattering on medium length or shoulder length hair. It complements oval or heart-shaped faces and works wonders with soft, pastel-toned outfits.

Pull the hair into a loose bun and secure it with bobby pins. Let a few strands frame the face for a soft, relaxed look. Accessorize with a floral headband or glittery clips to add a fun, youthful touch. Use a texture spray like Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe for extra volume and a tousled finish.

Cascading Curls with a Side Part

This natural curly hair look is all about volume and texture. Perfect for kids curly hair and long hair, cascading curls create a timeless, angelic vibe for school portraits. This style flatters round and square face shapes and enhances warm eye tones like hazel or amber.

Start with clean, detangled hair and apply a curl-enhancing cream like DevaCurl SuperCream. Use a diffuser attachment on a blow dryer to define the curls. Create a deep side part to add drama and secure one side with a decorative clip or pin for an extra touch of elegance.

Half-Up Half-Down with Twists

The half-up half-down style is a versatile and trendy choice for kids of all ages. Combining soft twists and flowing hair, it’s great for medium length or long hair. This hairstyle suits oval or diamond face shapes and highlights lighter eye colors like blue or green.

Divide the top section of hair and twist it back on each side, securing it with an elastic band or clip. Let the rest of the hair fall naturally or add soft waves using a curling iron. A shine spray like Kenra Shine Spray can enhance the final look, while a light hold hairspray will keep the twists intact.

French Braid Pigtails

French braid pigtails bring a classic yet playful vibe to picture day hairstyles. Perfect for kids short hair or medium length, this style suits round or heart-shaped faces and adds a youthful charm. It’s ideal for preschool or elementary school portraits.

Create two even sections and French braid each side, starting at the hairline and working down. Secure with colorful ties or small bows for added flair. A detangling brush and a styling gel like Ampro Shine ‘n Jam can ensure neat, polished braids. Finish with a spritz of hairspray for hold.

Twisted Side Ponytail

A twisted side ponytail is an elegant yet youthful style that works well for kids easy hairstyles. It’s ideal for curly hair, adding a whimsical element that suits school portraits. Best for medium length or long hair, it enhances round and oval face shapes while giving a polished yet relaxed vibe.

Start by parting the hair on one side and twisting small sections toward the ear, gathering them into a low ponytail at the side. Secure with a ribbon or decorative band. Use a curl-defining mousse like Aussie Miracle Curls to enhance the texture and add bounce to the loose strands.

Space Buns

Space buns are a fun and playful option that exudes personality, especially for kids in preschool or elementary school. This style works well for all hair lengths, especially medium length or short hair, and suits round or square face shapes.

Part the hair down the middle and gather each half into high ponytails. Twist each ponytail into a bun and secure with bobby pins or elastics. Use glittery hair accessories for extra flair. A light styling gel like Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel keeps the buns sleek while adding shine.

Classic Low Ponytail

A low ponytail is a simple yet chic style that works for all hair lengths, including short hair or shoulder length. This style is particularly flattering on heart-shaped or oval faces, offering a neat and tidy appearance suitable for elementary school or middle school photos.

Brush the hair back into a ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with an elastic band. Add a ribbon or bow for a touch of flair. Use a smoothing serum like John Frieda Frizz Ease to keep flyaways in check and ensure a polished finish.

Twisted Top Knot

The twisted top knot is a versatile and trendy updo that’s perfect for curly hair, natural hair, or kids black hair. This style is great for kids easy hairstyles and suits all face shapes. It works especially well with colorful or patterned outfits.

Pull the hair into a high ponytail and twist it into a bun, securing with bobby pins. Add a colorful scrunchie or bow for extra personality. Use a styling gel like Cantu Edge Stay Gel to keep the edges smooth and the bun secure throughout the day.

Side Swept Curls

Side swept curls offer a glamorous look that’s perfect for kids curly hair or those with natural curls. This style enhances round or square face shapes and pairs well with formal outfits, making it an excellent choice for school portraits.

Sweep the hair to one side and pin it in place with decorative clips. Define the curls using a curl-enhancing cream like Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La. Finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep the curls intact and frizz-free.

Twisted Headband Updo

The twisted headband updo is a sophisticated and unique style that works for all hair lengths, including short hair. It’s a great choice for kids black hair, natural hair, or kids with curly hair, as it highlights the hair’s natural beauty. This style suits oval or diamond face shapes.

Twist sections of hair along the hairline and secure them at the back with bobby pins, leaving the rest in a small bun or loose curls. Add a fabric headband for extra charm. Use a leave-in conditioner like As I Am Leave-In to keep the hair soft and manageable.

Smooth the hair back into a tight bun or chignon at the crown or nape. Add a bold, colorful bow for emphasis. Use a strong-hold gel like Gorilla Snot Gel to keep the hair in place all day, and a lightweight oil spray can add shine without greasiness.