10 Fun Summer Hairstyles for Girls

By Melissa Willets, Parenting

According to New York City based Milk & Cookies Spa & Salon co-owners Jataon and Teychenne Whitley, this season's hot hairstyles for little girls are all about braids. We'll give you two guesses as to why, but you're only going to need one: Elsa from "Frozen," of course! But our list also includes less time-consuming looks for little ones who won't sit still for braid creations.

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The Elsa Braid

Zulily

Creating an Elsa braid is actually pretty easy. First, pin up a top section of your little girl's hair, leaving some pieces loose in the front. Tease that top section, then secure it using a clear ponytail holder. Now, incorporating some of those loose front pieces, begin to braid the half-ponytail. French braid the rest of the hair. Secure with another clear elastic. Use a small scissor to cut the top elastic. Voila! Your aspiring ice queen will love her "Frozen" inspired hairstyle, for a special occasion or just for fun. The Whitleys of Milk & Cookies Spa & Salon recommend using a little hair gel so the braid lasts longer.

Side Dutch Fishtail Braid

Pretty Hair is Fun

Do you want to really impress the other moms at the next block party? Try a beautiful side Dutch fishtail braid. Your child will need to have a bit of patience for this braid because it takes at least 10 minutes to pull off. Pretty Hair is Fun says second-day hair works best for this style. Or, hairspray your little girl's mane first. You'll start the style with a deep side part. Section off a large piece of hair from the side of the part with more hair. Divide that section into two smaller sections, and begin your braid. The big difference between this and a French braid is that instead of crossing the smaller sections of hair over, you cross them under. About halfway down her head, you will begin to incorporate pieces of hair from the other side of the part. So the small sections will literally come all the way across the back of the head to make this a side braid. At the end, secure with an elastic. Shake out your tired hands! Pat yourself on the back.

Watch a video of how to perfect this fairly difficult hairstyle here.
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The Bang Braid

Heart and Habit

Here's a hairstyle that works really well if you are trying to grow out a little girl's bangs, according to Heart and Habit. It's the Bang Braid, essentially a mini-side French braid. Just part hair, section off the bangs, and begin the braid, adding smaller sections, and finishing the braid as you normally would. Secure with a tiny elastic. Hit the park, the beach or the pool without worrying that your little one's hair is in her eyes.

The Flower Headband

A Girl's Right to Dream

For a summer wedding, a nice outdoor party, a dinner out, or hey, just because, add a flowered headband to your little girl's loose summer tresses. Pick wildflowers or use fake ones; stick them in a pre-measured, craft store hoop of floral wire, suggests Fashion Laine. You can secure the flowers with thinner floral wire if you need to. The more colorful, the better!
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The Bob Haircut for Kids

Tala Hair Life

Jataon and Teychenne Whitley say, "This summer, the shoulder length bob haircut is a favorite pick for warm weather. It's the perfect way to stay cool and look chic. And this cut works on thin hair because it adds volume and fullness. Plus, if you keep the length at the shoulders, it can still be pulled back to a ponytail."

Afraid to see too much of your little girl's hair hit the salon floor? Try a long bob, like the one featured on Tala Hair Life's Blog.

The Flower Braid

Cute Girls Hairstyles

Cute Girls Hairstyles says the flower braid wouldn't survive an active day, say at the beach boogie boarding and playing Frisbee. But that evening, when you take the kids out for a nice dinner on the water, try this sweet and pretty hairstyle. You'll start by parting the hair in the middle and creating two, thin braids on each side; secure each with an elastic at the ends. Take a third elastic and tie the two braids together close to the scalp. Now undo the bottom parts of the two tiny braids and braid that hair into another braid. You can twist this braid into a spiral to create a flower effect; then secure it with bobby pins.
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Summer Curls

A Sprinkle of Pretty

Curly hairstyles are "in" no matter the season! The Whitleys say, "It's just something about curls that makes girls feel like it's a special occasion. You can experiment with different curling iron barrel sizes to create tighter or looser waves." Try adding a wide, flowered headband to the curly look for a pop of color and fun! Nothing says summer like a pretty pastel color.

Baby Beach Waves

Minq

Beachy waves look good on girls of all ages! Minq.com suggests using braids to achieve beach waves without a heat source, which is safe and easy for kids. French braided pigtails are the perfect hairstyle, because they're adorable Day 1, and then the next day, your darling can bop around with a head full of cascading waves. All you need to do is part the hair in the middle and French braid each section, securing with a soft hair tie so as not to leave an obvious indentation. Later, or the following day, undo the braids and finger comb the wavy pieces.

Need the hair out of the way? "Once the braid is done, you can unwrap and have cool waves that can be pulled back loosely into a low pony that has texture," suggest the Whitleys.

Need the hair out of the way? "Once the braid is done, you can unwrap and have cool waves that can be pulled back loosely into a low pony that has texture," suggest the Whitleys.
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Glitter Girl

Add some pizzazz to every summer hairstyle with glitter gel! Take a clean jar or container, and mix hair gel and regular old craft glitter. Rainbow Hair Colour suggests a ratio of 4-5 grams of glitter per 15-20 grams of gel to create the glitter gel. Mix each color with a separate tint brush, then apply to pre-styled hair.
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Braided Ribbon Crown

A Cup of Jo

A Cup of Jo presents the ultimate in girly summer hairstyles: the Braided Ribbon Crown. Center a long piece of ribbon on the bottom of your child's hair, after parting it down the center as if you were creating pigtails. Now weave half the length of ribbon into each of two braided pigtails, leaving several inches of slack at each end. Secure each braid with a hair tie. Now pull the braids to the crown of the head and tuck the ends under, securing with bobby pins. The remaining ribbon is tied like a bow on top. What a cute little present!

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