There is something about pigtails. The second they go in, your daughter starts shaking her head side to side just to watch them swing.
Pigtails are one of the first real hairstyles most moms learn, and they grow right along with your girl. Tiny tufts on a two year old turn into braided pigtails for kindergarten, then into loops, buns, and twists by the time she is eight and has opinions about everything.
This list of pigtail hairstyles goes past the basic two ponytails. You will find braids, twists, puffs, buns, fun parts, and a few party ideas, each with the hair length it needs, how long it takes, and a small trick that keeps it comfortable on a little scalp.
Before you start, gather a spray bottle with water and a bit of detangler, a rat tail comb for parts, a wide tooth comb, and a small bowl of soft elastics. Then let her pick a style and a show to watch while you work.
1. Classic High Pigtails With a Clean Center Part
This is the look most of us picture when we hear the word pigtails. Two bouncy tails up high, one on each side, and a part straight down the middle.
- Mist the hair until it is just damp and comb out every knot.
- Draw the tail of a comb from the center of the forehead straight back to the nape.
- Clip one side out of the way.
- Brush the other side up and tie it just above and behind the ear.
- Repeat on the second side, checking in a mirror that both sit at the same height.
The part is what makes this style look neat or messy. Take your time on it, and fix any zigzag by laying the hair back down and drawing the line again.
Quick tip: to match the height, line each pigtail up with the top of the ear on its side. Your eye can be off, but her ears are usually even.
2. Braided Pigtails for School Days
Plain pigtails can tangle by recess. Braiding them keeps every strand together until pickup, and they still look tidy the next morning if she sleeps carefully.
Part the hair down the middle and tie each side into a low pigtail behind the ear. Split one pigtail into three equal strands and braid it to the ends. Tie it off with a small elastic, then do the other side.
Starting from a pigtail, instead of braiding loose hair, makes this easy for beginners. The elastic at the top holds everything while you work, so the braid never loosens at the root.
Good to know: braid the right side while she looks left, then switch. Kids hold still longer when they have a direction to look and a reason to look there.
3. Dutch Braided Pigtails That Sit Close to the Head
Dutch braids are the sporty cousin of regular braided pigtails. They start at the hairline and hug the head all the way down, so nothing slips loose during soccer, swim lessons, or a long day at camp.
Part the hair down the middle. On one side, take a small section at the front and split it into three. Cross each outer strand under the middle one, not over, and add a little hair from the side each time. When you reach the nape, keep braiding the loose length and tie it off.
Crossing under is the whole secret. It pushes the braid up so it sits on top of the hair instead of tucking into it.
Best for: girls ages five and up who can sit for about fifteen minutes. Younger kids usually get wiggly halfway through the second side.
4. Low Pigtail Buns at the Nape
When pigtails keep getting grabbed by a baby brother or tangled in a car seat strap, roll them into small buns. They stay put and look sweet for dance class, church, or a family wedding.
Tie two low pigtails behind the ears. Twist one pigtail until it starts to coil, wrap it around its own base, and secure it with a scrunchie or a second soft elastic. Repeat on the other side.
Keep the buns low. High buns press into the back of a car seat, and low ones sit just above it.
Use scrunchies or fabric elastics with no metal joint.
Wrap buns loosely so they move a little when she turns.
Take buns down before naps so she can rest her head flat.
Bobby pins on toddlers, who pull them out and put them in their mouths.
Twisting so tight that the scalp lifts around the base.
Placing buns where they press into a car seat headrest.
5. Heart Part Pigtails for Valentine’s Day and Birthdays
A heart drawn into the part turns plain pigtails into a party look. It is the one that gets stopped in the grocery store line.
Start with a center part from the forehead to the crown. At the crown, use the tail of a comb to draw one rounded hump curving out to the left, coming back to the center point lower on the head. Draw the matching hump on the right, then bring both sides down to a point near the nape. Gather the hair on each side of the heart into a pigtail.
Damp hair holds the shape best. Comb a little gel along the edges of the heart if her hair is very fine or slippery.
Quick tip: practice drawing the heart with the comb tail on your own palm first. Your hand learns the curve, and the real part goes faster.
6. Rope Twist Pigtails
Rope twists look like braids but take half the time. They also keep curls defined instead of brushing them into frizz.
- Tie two low pigtails.
- Split one pigtail into two equal strands.
- Twist each strand to the right until it feels firm.
- Cross the strands over each other to the left, and keep going to the ends.
- Tie it off with a small elastic, then repeat on the other side.
Twisting one way and crossing the other way is what holds the rope together. If it starts to unravel, the strands need a few more turns before you cross them.
A dab of leave in cream on each strand before twisting adds hold, especially on curly or wavy hair.
7. Half Up Pigtails With the Rest Left Down
Some girls want their hair down so everyone can see how long it is. Half up pigtails give her that and keep the front out of her eyes.
Part down the middle. On each side, trace a line with your thumb from the top of the ear up toward the crown. Gather only the hair above that line into a small pigtail and tie it. Leave everything below loose.
These little pigtails are also a good fix for growing out bangs. Sweep the short front pieces into the top sections and they stay put all day.
Long hair worn down looks lovely at breakfast, then falls into her cereal, sticks to her lip balm, and blocks her view of the coloring page.
Two little pigtails up top clear her face, the long length still shows off down her back, and the whole look takes about three minutes.
8. Puff Pigtails for Curly and Coily Hair
Two puffs are a classic for a reason. They show off her natural texture, go up in minutes, and leave the coils soft instead of stretched flat.
Mist the hair with water and a little leave in conditioner until it is damp and soft. Part down the middle with your fingers or a wide comb. Smooth each side up gently with your palms, then slide a large satin scrunchie or a stretchy fabric headband folded in half over the hair to hold the puff. Fluff and shape with your fingertips.
Here is why a wide scrunchie beats a thin elastic for puffs:
- It spreads the hold over a wider band of hair.
- It does not snag or break delicate coils.
- It slides out at night without tugging.
Gentle reminder: go easy on the edges. A soft brush and a small dab of edge cream are plenty, and giving the hairline a rest day keeps it healthy.
9. Ribbon Woven Braided Pigtails
Adding ribbon to braided pigtails takes them from school ready to party ready. Kids love choosing the color to match their outfit.
Tie a low pigtail, then knot the middle of a long ribbon around the elastic so two equal tails hang down.
Split the hair into three strands and lay one ribbon tail along each of the two outer strands.
Braid as usual, treating each ribbon and its strand as one piece, all the way to the ends.
Tie the end with a small elastic, then knot the ribbon tails into a bow on top of it.
Thin ribbon, about a quarter inch wide, is easiest to braid with. Wider ribbon bunches up and makes the braid look lumpy.
Styling detail: grosgrain ribbon grips better than satin. Satin is shinier for photos, so save it for the party and use grosgrain for everyday.
10. Fishtail Pigtails With a Loose, Pulled Finish
A fishtail looks detailed but uses only two strands. Once you get the rhythm, it is almost relaxing.
Tie a low pigtail and split it into two halves. Take a thin piece from the outside of the left half and cross it over to join the right half. Then take a thin piece from the outside of the right half and cross it over to the left. Keep alternating to the ends and tie it off.
The thinner the pieces you cross, the prettier the pattern. When both sides are done, gently pull the edges of each braid with your fingertips to make them look fuller.
Best for: longer hair, beach days, and girls ages six and up who can sit through two braids.
11. Looped Braided Pigtails Pinned Up
Looped braids have a sweet, old fashioned look that is lovely for holidays, recitals, and family photos. They also solve the problem of long braids getting sat on.
Make two braided pigtails as in style two, tying the ends with small elastics. Fold one braid up so the end meets the base behind the ear. Tie the end to the base with a soft elastic, then cover it with a ribbon bow. Repeat on the other side.
Check the size of the loops in a mirror before tying. Shorter loops look neater and swing less, which matters if she will be dancing or running around.
12. Tiny Pigtails for Short or Bob Length Hair
Short hair can still do pigtails. They just end up tiny, sticking out like two little paintbrushes, and that is the cutest part.
Part down the middle and gather each side at about ear level, or slightly higher, depending on where the hair reaches without pulling. The shorter pieces at the nape will not make it, and that is fine. Leave them loose.
If the pigtails keep sliding out, mist the hair with water or use a light spray of dry shampoo first for grip. Small snag free elastics hold short hair better than big scrunchies.
13. Two Strand Twist Pigtails With Beaded Ends
This style lasts. Done on a Sunday afternoon, two strand twist pigtails can carry her through most of the school week with just a satin bonnet at night.
Part the hair down the middle and tie two loose pigtails low behind the ears. Working on one pigtail at a time, split it into three or four smaller sections. Twist each section in two strands from root to tip with a little twisting cream. Slide a few beads onto the ends and finish with a small soft elastic.
Beads add a happy click when she moves, but they are best for kids who no longer put things in their mouths. Most moms wait until about age four or five.
Good to know: the base pigtails should be loose enough that you can slide a finger under the elastic. These are worn for days, so comfort matters more than a tight, sharp look.
14. Double Stacked Pigtails on Each Side
Four pigtails instead of two. It sounds wild, and girls who like a little extra think it is the best idea ever.
Part down the middle, then make a second part on each side running from just above the ear back to the crown. Tie the top section on each side into a small pigtail near the crown. Bring that pigtail down, add it to the hair below, and tie both together in a second pigtail behind the ear.
Linking the top pigtail into the lower one keeps the style from looking scattered. It also locks in short layers, which makes it a smart choice for sprinkler days and pool days when hair gets soaked and heavy.
15. Curled Ends Pigtails for Picture Day
Picture day calls for a little extra polish. Soft curls at the ends make simple pigtails look finished in photos without any heat on her hair.
The night before, after her bath, braid her damp hair into two braided pigtails. In the morning, take the braids out and undo only the bottom few inches into loose waves. Tie fresh low pigtails, add a ribbon to each, and twist the ends around your finger to shape the curls.
No curling iron means no burns and no squirming near a hot tool. The overnight braids do the work while she sleeps.
Quick tip: pack a small comb in her backpack. Picture day lines are long, and a quick smoothing right before her turn makes a big difference.
Pigtails should never hurt. If she winces, rubs her scalp, or gets a headache, loosen them. Switch the height from day to day, and take everything out at bedtime so the same spots are not pulled night after night.
Finding Her Favorite Pair
Pigtails grow up with your daughter. They start as two tiny tufts and slowly turn into braids, loops, puffs, and twists that she will ask for by name.
Begin with the style that fits her hair length and your mornings. Classic high pigtails and tiny pigtails for short hair take only a few minutes. Save the Dutch braids, the heart part, and the ribbon braids for slower weekends and special days. Keep the elastics soft, the parts gentle, and the scalp comfortable.
The best pigtail hairstyles are the ones that make her giggle and shake her head just to watch them swing.
Save this list to your little girl hair board so your next pair of pigtails is ready to go.