If your daughter has ever asked you to make her hair “like Elsa” five minutes before school, you already know how this goes. She has a picture in her head. You have a brush, two elastics, and a bowl of cereal going soggy on the table.
Here is the secret that makes it easier. Almost every princess look comes down to one simple shape you probably already know: a ponytail, a braid, a bun, or loose hair with one special detail. The detail is what makes it Jasmine instead of just a ponytail. A row of elastics. A red ribbon. A flower tucked behind the ear.
These Disney princess hairstyles for kids keep the recognizable part of each look and skip the parts that only work in animation. Each one comes with the hair length it needs, roughly how long it takes, and a tip that keeps it comfortable on a busy little head. There are options for short bobs, very long hair, thick curls, and coily hair, so every princess fan can find her favorite.
Before you start, gather a wide tooth comb, a soft bristle brush, a spray bottle of water, a pack of small clear elastics, a few bobby pins, and a basket of ribbons, bows, and flower clips. That basket is half the fun. Let her pick the accessory, and she will usually sit still for the rest.
1. Jasmine Inspired Bubble Ponytail
Start here. It is the easiest princess look on the list, it works on almost any hair longer than the shoulders, and kids spot it instantly.
- Brush the hair back and tie a high ponytail at the crown.
- Wrap a thin ribbon or a colored band over the first elastic if you want the jewel look from the movie.
- Slide a clear elastic about two inches down the ponytail.
- Gently pinch the hair between the two elastics and pull it outward a little to make a round bubble.
- Keep adding elastics and puffing bubbles until you run out of hair.
Space the bubbles evenly. Two inches apart looks neat on most lengths, while three inches gives bigger, softer bubbles on very long hair.
Quick tip: on fine hair, tease the inside of each section with a comb before you puff it. The bubbles look twice as full and stay round all day.
2. Snow White Inspired Bob With a Ribbon Headband
Short hair gets a princess too. Snow White has the most famous bob in animation, and it is a natural match for kids with chin length cuts.
Brush the hair smooth. If you want the soft curl at the ends, wrap each section around a large velcro roller for ten minutes while she eats breakfast, or simply turn the ends under with a round brush and a hair dryer on low. Then take a red ribbon about two feet long, slide it under the hair at the nape, bring both ends up over the top of the head, and tie a bow just off center.
The ribbon also works as a real headband, so it keeps short layers out of her eyes at school.
Good to know: a satin ribbon slips on silky hair. Use grosgrain ribbon, the kind with tiny ridges, and it will stay in place through recess.
3. Belle Inspired Low Ponytail With a Blue Bow
This is Belle’s everyday village look, and it is the princess style moms reach for most on busy mornings. It looks sweet, it takes two minutes, and it is gentle on a tender scalp.
Brush the hair back loosely, leaving a few short pieces out around the face. Gather it at the nape and tie it with a soft elastic. Do not pull it tight. Belle’s ponytail sits low and relaxed. Then tie a wide blue ribbon over the elastic and make a big, floppy bow.
For the soft waves, braid the hair the night before and take the braid out in the morning before you tie the ponytail.
Quick tip: cut the ribbon ends on a slant. They fray less and look more finished.
4. Ariel Inspired Bouncy Waves With a Big Bow
Ariel’s hair is all about volume at the front and a lot of bounce down the back. You can get close without any heat.
The night before, braid damp hair into four or five loose braids all around the head. In the morning, unbraid gently and break the waves apart with your fingers. Now flip her head upside down for a few seconds and shake the roots. Flip back up, then gather the top section, from the temples to the crown, and push it forward slightly before you tie it. That small push creates the lift at the front. Add the biggest bow in the basket.
It is the favorite for birthday parties and beach days, and it looks even better on the second day.
Good to know: naturally wavy and curly hair already has the bounce. Just scrunch in a little leave in conditioner, gather the top, and you are done.
5. Elsa Inspired Loose Side Braid With a Swept Back Top
Nearly every princess fan asks for this one at some point. The good news is that it is not a French braid. It is a plain three strand braid with two small tricks.
First, the top. Brush the front hair straight back and tease it lightly at the roots for a bit of height. Smooth the surface with a soft brush.
Second, the braid. Gather all the hair loosely behind one ear and braid a regular three strand braid down to the ends. Tie it off, then gently pull the outer loops of the braid wider, starting at the bottom and working up. That loose, wide look is what makes it Elsa.
Finish with a few snowflake bobby pins or tiny star clips along the braid.
Quick tip: pull out two thin pieces at the temples before you braid. Those soft wisps around the face complete the look.
Let her choose the princess and the accessory before you pick up the brush.
Keep elastics snug but soft, especially along the hairline.
Take every pin and clip out before bedtime.
Hot curling irons on young kids who wiggle. Heatless waves are safer.
Glitter hairspray on the scalp, which itches and is hard to wash out.
Heavy metal tiaras that dig in behind the ears.
6. Anna Inspired Twin Braids With a Side Swept Front
Anna’s two braids are the sister style that pairs with Elsa, and siblings love wearing them together.
Make a deep side part. Sweep the longer front section across the forehead and tuck it behind the ear, or hold it with a small clip. Part the back straight down the middle. On each side, gather the hair low behind the ear and braid a plain three strand braid to the ends. Tie with small elastics and bring the braids forward over the shoulders.
That is it. Plain braids keep it quick, and they hold up well under a winter hat.
Good to know: for the famous white streak, clip a single pastel or white clip in extension into the front section. It snaps out at night and costs a few dollars.
7. Rapunzel Inspired Flower Braid With a Ribbon Woven Through
Rapunzel’s braid is the one with flowers tucked all the way down. Even on hair that reaches only the middle of the back, the flowers do most of the work.
Tie a loose ponytail at the crown. Knot a long thin ribbon around the elastic so both ends hang down. Split the ponytail into three strands and lay the ribbon alongside one of them, then braid loosely to the ends. The ribbon becomes a pop of color running through the braid. Gently widen the loops, then tuck small fresh or silk flowers into the gaps, about every two inches.
Silk flowers on short stems stay put longer than fresh ones. Daisies from the yard work for an afternoon.
Quick tip: for a long Rapunzel braid on medium hair, braid a matching colored yarn or a clip in ponytail into the braid. It adds length, and she will feel like her hair goes on forever.
8. Cinderella Inspired High Bun With a Blue Headband
Cinderella’s ballroom look is an elegant high bun with a slim headband. It is the one to save for dance recitals and fancy dress parties.
Leave out two thin pieces at the temples. Brush the rest of the hair up into a high ponytail at the crown and tie it securely. Twist the ponytail until it starts to coil on itself, wind it around the base, and pin it with four or five bobby pins pushed in toward the center. Slide a pale blue headband on about an inch behind the hairline, and push it forward a little to give the front a soft rounded lift.
A donut bun form makes a neat round bun on thinner hair. Pull the ponytail through the donut, spread the hair over it, and tuck the ends underneath.
Good to know: pin toward the center of the bun, not straight into the scalp. It holds better and never pokes.
9. Tiana Inspired High Puff With a Flower Headband
Tiana’s polished updos translate beautifully into a high puff, one of the gentlest and quickest styles for coily hair.
Spritz the hair with water and smooth in a leave in conditioner, then a light curl cream. Gently gather the hair up toward the crown with your hands rather than a fine comb. Slip a fabric puff band or a soft stretchy headband over the hair and slide it down to the hairline, then let the coils puff up above it. Fluff and shape the puff into a round crown with your fingers. Add a flower headband or a single white flower clip for the lily pad touch.
Keep the edges soft. A soft brush with a little gel smooths them without any pulling.
Good to know: sleep with the puff loosely pineappled under a satin bonnet, and you can refresh it with a spritz of water for two or three days.
Try Jasmine, Elsa, Rapunzel, or Cinderella. Smooth hair shows off bubbles, braids, and sleek buns, and it holds elastics well.
Try Tiana, Moana, or Merida. These looks celebrate volume and texture, so the curls do the hard work for you.
10. Moana Inspired Messy Top Bun With a Hibiscus Clip
Moana’s hair is big, wavy, and made for adventure. When it is down, it looks wonderful. When it is time to swim, climb, or run, a messy top bun keeps it all off her neck.
Flip her head forward and gather the curls loosely on top of the head with your fingers. Twist them once and wrap a large soft scrunchie around them, pulling the hair only halfway through on the last loop. Spread that loop into a round, messy bun and let the ends spill out. Tuck a big flower clip into the side.
Messy is the goal here, so there is no wrong way to do it, and it takes about two minutes.
Quick tip: for loose Moana waves on a day off, scrunch in a curl cream after a bath and let the hair air dry with the flower clip behind one ear.
11. Merida Inspired Wild Curls With Tiny Hidden Braids
Every girl with big curls deserves to see Merida. This look celebrates her hair exactly as it is, with a small detail that keeps curls out of her eyes.
Start with freshly washed hair soaked in leave in conditioner. Scrunch in a curl cream and let the curls form without brushing. Once the hair is dry or nearly dry, take a very thin section at each temple and braid a tiny three strand braid back toward the ear. Tie the ends with the smallest elastics you have and let the braids disappear into the curls.
Those tiny braids hold the front back all day, and nobody sees how they work.
Good to know: never brush dry curls. Detangle only when the hair is wet and full of conditioner, using your fingers or a wide tooth comb, ends first.
12. Mulan Inspired Half Up Top Knot With a Flower Comb
Mulan’s top knot is neat, strong, and practical, which makes it a great choice for karate, gymnastics, or any day when she wants to feel brave.
Section the top half of the hair, from just above the ears to the crown, and brush it smooth into a ponytail at the crown. Twist the ponytail tightly, wrap it around its base into a small round knot, and secure it with two or three bobby pins. Slide a flower comb into the base of the knot. The rest of the hair stays loose and swingy.
Silky straight hair can slip out of a knot. A small elastic around the finished knot holds it much better than pins alone.
Quick tip: skip pointed decorative hair sticks for young kids. A flower comb or a bun cover is just as pretty and much safer during play.
13. Aurora Inspired Heatless Curls With a Soft Tiara
Aurora is the sleeping princess, so it makes sense that her curls happen overnight. No curling iron, no hot tools, just a quick bedtime routine.
After a bath, let the hair dry until it is just slightly damp. Split it into six to eight sections. Wrap each section around a soft foam roller or a flexible bendy roller, rolling from the ends up to just below the ears, and fold the roller closed. Have her sleep with a satin scarf over the top. In the morning, unroll each curl gently and separate it with your fingers. Slide a comb tiara in just behind the hairline.
A satin heatless curling ribbon, the kind you wrap hair around like a headband, works too and is a little more comfortable for side sleepers.
Good to know: use soft foam, never hard plastic rollers, at bedtime. Hard rollers press into the scalp and keep kids awake.
Let her pick the princess the night before, so nobody is deciding at seven in the morning.
Do any braids, rollers, or curl prep at bedtime, when there is time and no rush.
In the morning, detangle, style the base shape, and add the accessory last.
Snap a quick photo for her. Kids love seeing the back of their princess hair.
14. Belle Inspired Ballroom Half Up With Soft Curls
The golden ballgown moment gets its own hairstyle. It is a half up bun on top of soft curls, made for holiday parties, weddings, and family photos.
Start with heatless curls from the Aurora routine above, or braid waves from the Ariel look. Leave out a curl at each temple. Gather the top section from the temples back to the crown, push it forward slightly for a little height, and tie it at the back of the crown. Twist that small ponytail into a round bun and pin it. Let the rest of the curls fall loose.
A thin gold ribbon tied around the bun finishes it off.
Quick tip: a light mist of flexible hairspray on your hands, smoothed over the top, tames flyaways without making the curls stiff.
15. Anna Inspired Coronation Bun Wrapped in Braids
Anna’s coronation updo is the grand finale. It looks like a lot of work, but it is just two small braids and a bun.
Make a soft side part. Take a thin section at each temple and braid a plain three strand braid to the ends, then clip each braid out of the way. Gather the rest of the hair into a low ponytail at the nape. Twist it and wind it into a bun, pinning as you go. Now bring the first braid back and wrap it around the base of the bun, pinning the end underneath. Wrap the second braid around in the opposite direction.
Add tiny flower pins, and she is ready for any wedding, recital, or royal tea party.
It takes about fifteen minutes. Give it a practice run on a quiet weekend before the big event.
She does not need the exact movie hair to feel like a princess. One recognizable detail, a bow, a flower, a row of bubbles, or a little braid, is all it takes. A comfortable style she is proud of beats a perfect copy every time.
Every Day Can Be a Princess Hair Day
Princess hair is less about copying a movie frame and more about one special detail your daughter can point to and name.
Start with the quick ones. The Jasmine bubble ponytail, the Snow White ribbon headband, and Belle’s low bow ponytail all take five minutes or less and work on busy school mornings. Try the Elsa and Anna braids next, then the Moana bun and Merida curls for textured hair. Save the Cinderella bun, the ballroom half up, and the coronation updo for parties and photos, when you have time to practice. Do curl prep at bedtime, keep elastics gentle at the hairline, and take out every pin before she sleeps.
The best Disney princess hairstyles for kids are the ones she asks for again and again, and the ones you can finish before the bus comes.
Save this list to your kids’ hairstyles board so the next princess request comes with a plan.
Meta Title: Disney Princess Hairstyles for Kids: 15 Magical Looks
Meta Description: Disney princess hairstyles for kids with easy steps, from Jasmine’s bubble ponytail and Elsa’s braid to Tiana’s puff and Anna’s coronation bun.
Slug: disney-princess-hairstyles-for-kids
Article Featured Image Prompt: Create a simple, clean aspect ratio 16:9 Pinterest blog featured image for an article about Disney princess hairstyles for kids. The image is a full bleed 4 photo collage with no text. COLLAGE LAYOUT: Four vertical editorial photographs fill the entire canvas in a clean 2 by 2 grid (top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right), separated by thin straight white dividers. No badge, no title, no graphics, no shapes, and no decorative elements. Only the four photographs and the thin white dividers. PHOTOS: Every photograph follows the same signature editorial front and back view style: the subject is seen in a three quarter or side angle with the head turned so that both the front of the hairstyle (the front hairline, the part, and the face framing pieces) and the back of the hairstyle (the length and back sections) are clearly visible, the face only softly visible and never the focus, the hairstyle is the hero of every shot and sits in the upper center of each photo. Top left photo shows a Middle Eastern girl about seven years old with long thick straight black hair in a high bubble ponytail sectioned every two inches with clear elastics into a chain of soft round bubbles, in a colorful outdoor fruit market scene, seen in a three quarter back view with the head turned toward a pyramid of oranges, wearing a teal crew neck t shirt, with striped awnings softly blurred behind her, lit by warm late afternoon sun rim lighting the hair. Top right photo shows a girl about eight years old with long fine straight platinum blonde hair swept back on top and gathered into a loose wide three strand side braid falling over her left shoulder with tiny silver snowflake pins, in a snowy winter path scene, seen in a three quarter front side view while catching a snowflake, wearing an icy pale blue crew neck knit sweater, with frosted pine trees softly blurred behind her, lit by soft winter daylight from behind rim lighting the hair. Bottom left photo shows a Black girl about seven years old with thick natural coily dark brown hair in a big round high puff at the crown with a soft green headband trimmed with small white silk lilies and softly laid edges, in a backyard garden party scene, seen in a three quarter back view while holding a small paper plate, wearing a soft sage green crew neck t shirt, with lanterns softly blurred behind her, lit by warm late afternoon sun from the side rim lighting the hair. Bottom right photo shows a girl about nine years old with very long straight golden blonde hair in one loose thick braid running from the crown past her waist with a thin lavender ribbon woven through and tiny daisies and blossoms tucked into the loops, in a wildflower meadow scene, seen in a three quarter back view while holding picked wildflowers, wearing a soft lilac crew neck t shirt, with tall grass softly blurred behind her, lit by warm golden hour sun from behind rim lighting the hair. In all four photos, keep every braid, twist, loop, section, layer, and curl crisp and clearly readable from the front and the back, with real hair texture, natural shine, and a few soft flyaways catching the light. Use a shallow depth of field so each background melts into warm, dreamy bokeh. Shot in the style of a Canon EOS R5 with an 85mm lens at f/1.8, candid natural moments rather than stiff poses, cohesive warm golden tones across all four photos with subtle film grain. There is no text, no logos, no lettering, and no watermark anywhere in the image. The final composition must be landscape 16:9, polished magazine look, suitable for a Pinterest blog featured image. Photorealistic photos, ultra-detailed, editorial quality, 4K resolution.