Crazy Hair Day is one of those school spirit days kids actually look forward to – because the sillier the hair, the better! If you’re searching for crazy hair day ideas that are fun without requiring professional-level skills, you’ll find plenty of easy, simple, and cute suggestions here. These playful hairstyles include creative options for girls, for boys, and even plenty of ideas for guys AND gals who have short hair and might seem a little harder to style.
Whether your child has long hair or a shorter cut, there are plenty of creative styles to try. Some looks are quick enough to pull together before school, while others are wonderfully over-the-top. Expect colorful creations inspired by food, animals, favorite themes, and everyday objects. Pick one that matches your child’s hair, your morning schedule, and their appetite for attention.
Jump to a section of ideas based on your needs:
- Easy, Simple, but Crazy
- Updos for All Hair Types
- Braid and Pigtail Hairstyles
- For Boys and Girls with Short Hair
- For Very LONG Hair
- Curly-Hair Advantage Styles
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Easy, Simple Crazy Hair Styles
Top-Knot Ghost
This ghost bun is a fun Halloween hairstyle that looks impressive without being too complicated. A high top knot becomes the ghost’s head, while white cheesecloth drapes around it to create the flowing body.
Pull the hair into a high ponytail and twist it into a compact bun. Drape a square of white cheesecloth over the bun, then secure the fabric tightly around the base with a white hair tie. Let the edges hang loosely around the head, trimming them if they fall too far. Add two black oval eyes and a longer oval mouth with a fabric marker, and use a few hidden bobby pins if the ghost needs extra support.
Wrapped Candy Buns
This wrapped candy hairstyle turns two simple buns into an eye-catching Crazy Hair Day look. Each bun is completely covered in shiny holographic cellophane. The twisted ends make the buns look like oversized pieces of wrapped candy.
Start by parting the hair down the middle and making two high, compact buns, and secure them well. Drape a rectangle of cellophane over each bun so the hair is fully enclosed. Gather and cinch the extra cellophane at two opposite sides of each bun. Gently fan out the ends to finish the candy-wrapper shape.
Paint Palette
This artist palette bun is a colorful idea that looks creative without being overly complicated. A high bun becomes the center of a homemade cardboard paint palette, while a single paintbrush tucked through the bun finishes the artsy look.
Cut a painter’s palette shape out of leftover cardboard and add colorful painted “paint” blobs around it. Make a hole in the center large enough for a ponytail. Pull the ponytail through the opening, then wrap the hair into a high bun on top of the palette. Secure the cardboard with hidden bobby pins. Slide a lightweight paintbrush through the bun.
Rainbow and Clouds
This rainbow cloud hairstyle is colorful, playful, and surprisingly simple to put together. Two high buns become fluffy clouds, while colorful pipe cleaners form a rainbow between them. A little gold glitter gel adds extra sparkle.
Part the hair down the middle and secure each side into a high bun. Pin cotton balls loosely around each bun. One at a time, insert purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red pipe cleaners between the two buns, forming a stacked arch. Secure the pipe cleaners in the buns with bobby pins, hiding the ends beneath the cotton. Finish by dabbing hair-safe gold glitter gel randomly over the exposed hair.
Pipe Cleaner Craziness
This colorful Crazy Hair Day style turns dozens of tiny ponytails into bendy twists, loops, and spirals. Bright pipe cleaners add structure while making the hairstyle look playful and over-the-top. The finished look is perfect for school because it feels creative without needing professional skills.
Divide the hair into small sections and secure each one with a tiny elastic. Twist a colorful pipe cleaner around each ponytail, then bend the hair into curls, loops, zigzags, or upright shapes. Mix the colors and directions so the style looks intentionally wild. Fold any wire ends inward so they cannot scratch the scalp.
Updos for All Hair Types
Cupcake Buns
This cupcake bun hairstyle is colorful and playful, perfect for school. Two high buns become “cupcakes” with bright liners, tissue-paper sprinkles, and fluffy yellow pom-poms on top.
Part the hair down the middle and secure it into two high ponytails. Twist each ponytail into a loose bun and pin it firmly. Cut slits in colorful cupcake liners, then wrap and pin one (if necessary) around each bun. Attach yellow pom-poms to bobby pins and place them on top. Finish by pressing small tissue-paper rectangles onto the buns and hair as sprinkles, using tiny dabs of styling gel.
Spaghetti is Served
This spaghetti and meatballs hairstyle is wonderfully silly and surprisingly doable for Crazy Hair Day. A messy blonde top knot becomes the “spaghetti,” while red temporary hair spray adds the look of tomato sauce. Brown yarn balls clipped into the bun make easy faux meatballs.
Paint the middle of a paper plate red to resemble sauce. Pull the hair into a high ponytail, then slide it through a hole cut in the center of the plate. Twist the ponytail into a loose, messy bun and pull out several curled tendrils for noodle-like strands. Lightly spray parts of the bun red while leaving plenty of hair visible. Finish by clipping in a few brown yarn balls.
Bird’s Nest
This bird’s nest bun turns a messy updo into a fun style. Colorful plastic eggs and a small craft bird make the bun look like a tiny nest.
Pull the hair into a high ponytail, then loosely wrap and pin sections into a wide, messy bun. Leave a slight dip in the center for the decorations, and pull on bits of the hair to make them look messy. Secure two lightweight plastic Easter eggs and a small faux bird into the bun. You can hot-glue the eggs to clips; use a bobby pin on the bird’s legs.
Cherry Buns
This cherry bun hairstyle is such a fun and easy choice! Two bright red buns become oversized cherries, while green pipe cleaners and a faux leaf create the connected stems.
Part the hair down the middle and secure it into two high ponytails. Twist each ponytail into a round bun, pin it in place, and spray only the buns with temporary red hair color. Tuck one green pipe cleaner into each bun and secure it with bobby pins. Bend the stems upward so they meet above the head and twist them together, then attach a lightweight faux leaf where they connect.
Donut Hair
This donut bun is a cute choice for Crazy Hair Day because the hairstyle itself becomes the treat. A high bun forms the “donut,” while a paper plate underneath makes it look like it is being served. Pink felt frosting and colorful sprinkles finish the effect.
Cut pink felt into a wavy frosting ring, glue on sprinkles, and let it dry beforehand. Start by pulling the hair into a high ponytail, then slide it through a hole cut in the center of a small paper plate. Shape the ponytail into a wide donut bun and pin it securely. Clip the felt frosting onto the top of the bun with hidden bobby pins or small hair clips.
Braids and Pigtails
Mermaid Barbie Braid
This mermaid doll braid turns a simple French braid into a fun, over-the-top hairstyle. The doll is tucked beneath the braid so her head, chest, and arms stay visible at the top. Her colorful fin sticks out from the bottom, making it look like a natural part of the hair.
Start a French braid high on the back of the head, then position the doll vertically underneath it. Continue braiding over the doll’s body, adding hair from each side as you work toward the nape. Secure the braid behind the doll’s fins. Finish with a few light smears of blue glitter over gel on the braid for the full ”scale” effect.
Medusa Snakes
This snake braid hairstyle turns a head full of small braids into a playful Medusa-inspired look. The braids bend in different directions, while green temporary color spray gives them a fun reptile effect.
Divide the hair into about 20 small sections and braid each one with a piece of coated wire hidden inside. Secure each braid with a tiny elastic, then gel the loose tip beyond the elastic into a tapered point to resemble a snake’s head. Bend the wired braids into loose curves and lightly mist them with green temporary hair color spray.
Doll Clothesline
This playful hairstyle turns two braided pigtails into tiny clotheslines for doll clothes. Clothespins woven into the braids make the clothes look like they are hanging right from the hair.
Start with two high pigtails and braid a flexible support (like coated craft wire) into each one so they can stick out sideways. As you braid, work clothespins into the plaits and secure the ends with elastics. Gently bend the braids into shape, then clip lightweight doll clothes onto the pins.
Octopus (or Spider) Hair
This octopus design is a fun choice for Crazy Hair Day, especially for kids with long, thick hair. A big top bun becomes the octopus’s main body, while eight braids hang around it like tentacles. Two oversized googly eyes make the creature effect instantly recognizable.
Separate a large section at the crown and twist it into a rounded bun. Divide the remaining hair into eight sections and braid each one, arranging them around the bun. Secure the braids with small elastics. Finish by clipping two large googly eyes onto the front of the bun.
Bonus idea: To turn this octopus into a spider, all you need to do is add flexible wire to each braid and bend them into spider legs! (And you could add additional smaller googly eyes with a bit of sticky hair gel.)
Hair Ladder
This colorful ladder pigtail hairstyle is a unique idea. Two high ponytails are stacked with bright elastics, while thin sections of hair stretch straight across between them. The finished look is bold, playful, and much easier than it appears.
Start by dividing the hair into two high pigtails. Using colorful elastics, take turns adding one to each pigtail by taking a small section from the inside of one and pulling it straight across to the other side. Secure it under the next elastic, then alternate directions as you work upward. Keep each section thin and horizontal so the strands form neat ladder-like rungs. While the connected strands will hold the pigtails close together, you’ll want a wire support to make sure they stand up straight.
Short Hair Showstoppers for Boys (and Girls)
Ocean Waves
This idea might seem TOO crazy, but it’s easier than it looks! Turn wavy hair into an underwater scene with blue temporary color, sea creatures, bubbles, and plastic seaweed. This ocean-inspired style works especially well on short hair with enough texture to hold small clips.
Glue lightweight sea animal figurines to hair clips beforehand. Style the hair into messy waves with gel or paste, then spray it all over with temporary blue hair color. Add a few clipped-in pieces of plastic seaweed along with your animal clips. Use thin thread to tie several clear craft ornaments onto bits of hair to look like bubbles. Finish with hairspray, and make sure every decoration feels secure before school.
Popcorn Spill
This popcorn hairstyle is a hilarious Crazy Hair Day idea that looks dramatic without requiring complicated styling. The popcorn-covered cap creates a huge, fluffy shape, while the upside-down popcorn box makes the whole look click.
Start by fitting a clear shower cap over the child’s hair, then decorating it off the head. Hot-glue plain, cooled popcorn all over the cap. Attach an upside-down popcorn box at the crown, then add a few more kernels around its base to hide the connection. Let everything cool completely before putting the cap back on and securing it with a couple of discreet pins if needed.
Monster Motif
This goofy monster hairstyle turns a grown-out crew cut into a funny creature with one giant eye and bat wings. The messy spikes and crooked smile make it playful.
Work strong-hold gel through the hair, then blow-dry it upward into a wall of hair. Clip a large googly eye near the front and pin in a bent white pipe cleaner for the smile. Finish with a bat wing headband or hair clips, hiding most of the band behind the raised hair.
Remy is in Control
This playful Ratatouille-inspired hairstyle makes it look like Remy is controlling the child’s hair from the top of her head. A small Remy plush sits securely on the crown while two sections of hair rise into his hands and continue past them, creating the funny “puppet string” effect.
To make it, create two small ponytails near the crown and secure the plush separately with clips or bobby pins so it isn’t pulling on the hair. Bring each ponytail up into one of Remy’s hands and fasten it with a tiny clear elastic, leaving the rest of the hair hanging beyond his paws.
This look can also be achieved on a child with somewhat grown-out short hair, including boys! As long as you can fasten Remy to the top of his head and the hair is long enough to reach his paws, it will work.
Dinosaur Spine
This dinosaur hairstyle turns a simple crew cut into a row of colorful prehistoric spikes. The short sides stay neat, while the longer hair on top is shaped into separate triangular points down the center of the head. Green temporary hair color on just the spikes makes them look like dinosaur plates.
To make it, divide small sections of hair along the center of the head from front to back. Work strong-hold gel or spiking glue through each section, then pinch the hair into a flat triangle with a pointed tip. Let the spikes set before carefully spraying only those sections with temporary green hair color. Finish with a light mist of strong-hold hairspray to help the dinosaur ridge last through the school day.
Walking in Spiderwebs
This creepy-cute spiderweb hairstyle is perfect for Halloween – or Crazy Hair Day! Short hair is tousled and covered with wispy faux cobweb material, while a couple of plastic spiders make it look like they have taken over his head.
Work a little gel or styling paste through the hair to give it texture and lift. Stretch a small piece of faux spiderweb very thin, then drape it loosely over the hair and tuck the strands around different sections. Secure any loose spots with hidden bobby pins if needed. Clip lightweight plastic spiders into the web so they stay put throughout the school day.
Working with Really Long Hair
Unicorn Horn and Mane
This unicorn hairstyle is a fun choice, especially if you want something dramatic without using a bunch of accessories. The silver horn stands out against the child’s natural hair, while the high, teased ponytail creates a wild mane effect that makes the whole style instantly recognizable.
To make it, roll a small piece of cardstock into a cone and secure it near the front of the head. Wrap a section of hair around the cone, plus a second one to fill in any gaps if necessary, and pin them in place. Coat just the horn with temporary silver hair color spray. Pull the remaining hair into a high ponytail directly behind the horn, then backcomb and fluff it to create plenty of volume like a wild mane. Finish with hairspray so everything stays put.
Erupting Volcano (with Water Bottle)
This volcano hairstyle turns long hair into a fiery little eruption. A mini water bottle hidden underneath gives the hair its cone shape, while red and orange ends spill over the top like lava. The result is bold and fun.
Start by combing the hair away from the crown of the scalp and secure an empty mini water bottle upright at the base. Brush the hair up evenly over the bottle and tie it just above the bottle, then twist it into a small knot while leaving the ends loose. Finish by spraying those dangling ends with temporary red and orange hair color to create the lava effect. Alternatively, you can weave red and orange bits of yarn through the hair elastic.
Bonkers Balloon
This balloon hairstyle is a hilarious choice for crazy hair day because it makes the hair look impossibly tall and round. The bright balloon peeking through the strands adds even more drama, while the tiny knot and bow on top keep it cute.
Start with a very high ponytail and secure a small, slightly underinflated balloon at the base. Spread sections of the ponytail up and around the balloon, leaving small gaps so the color shows through. Gather all the hair above the balloon with another elastic, then twist the remaining ends into a tiny knot. Finish with a bow and a little hairspray to keep everything in place.
Rapunzel Letting Down Her Hair
This Rapunzel-inspired hairstyle turns a long blonde braid into the princess’s famous hair spilling from a tower window. A lightweight cardboard tower sits at the crown, while small flowers tucked throughout the braid give it a whimsical, storybook finish.
Paint an empty toilet paper roll or trimmed paper towel roll to resemble a stone tower. Cut an arched window in the front and add a cardstock cone roof. Pull a high braid up through the roll, then bring the hair out through the window and secure the tower around the ponytail base with bobby pins or small clips. Tuck a few tiny artificial flowers in the plaits.
Crayon Rollers
This colorful crayon hairstyle is a fun choice for Crazy Hair Day. Small sections of hair are wrapped around real crayons, creating rows of chunky little coils with bright crayon ends sticking out in every direction. The mix of colors makes the finished style look wonderfully chaotic.
Working one bit at a time, separate a small section of hair and wrap it around a crayon. Secure the ends underneath the wrapped crayon with bobby pins. Repeat across the entire head, changing the crayon colors as you go.
Crazy Curly Hair
Lion’s Mane
Turn naturally curly hair into a wild lion’s mane by teasing and fluffing it until it looks extra big and puffy. Small beige cat ears tucked into the curls finish the look without making it feel too costume-like.
Start with dry hair and gently separate the curls with your fingers to create more volume. Lightly tease sections near the roots, especially around the crown and sides, then shape the hair outward into a rounded mane. Mist with hairspray to help it hold, and clip a pair of simple beige ears into the top of the hair so they peek out from the curls.
Cup of Ramen Noodles
This ramen cup hairstyle turns long curls into a hilarious pile of “noodles.” A real empty foam ramen cup sits around a high ponytail, while the curls spill over the rim. Two wooden chopsticks tucked into the hair finish the look.
Start with a secure high ponytail and, if hair is not naturally curly, curl the length into lots of springy ringlets. Cut a small hole in the bottom of a clean ramen cup, then pull the ponytail through it and pin the cup firmly around the base. Loosely pin some curls inside the cup in a messy bun to make it appear full, and let the rest cascade over one side. Add two lightweight chopsticks through the thickest part of the bun, making sure the ends stay well away from the scalp.
Literal Ribbon Curls
This colorful hairstyle works especially well with long, naturally curly or kinky hair. Bright corkscrew ribbons are tucked throughout the curls, creating a playful look.
Start by defining the hair’s natural curls with leave-in conditioner and styling cream. Use the edge of a scissor blade to give the curling ribbon a tight ringlet curl similar to the natural hair. Attach each ribbon close to the scalp with a clip or hairpin, hiding the clips under the surrounding curls. Use ribbons of different lengths with starting points all over the scalp for a fuller, more natural effect.
Circus ‘Do
This over-the-top circus hairstyle turns naturally curly hair into a huge, messy cloud with a slightly wild, vintage feel. A feathered hair accessory adds even more drama, while a few loose tendrils add charm.
Start by curling the hair (if needed), then divide the crown into a few small ponytails to create hidden anchor points. Tease each section for volume, loosely loop and pin the curls around the crown, and pull a few pieces outward to create an uneven, oversized shape. Finish with face-framing curls, an oversized feather clip tucked into one side, and plenty of hairspray to hold everything in place.
Before You Go…
Need some styling ideas for school days that aren’t so crazy? Check out these hairstyles for kids!
You can also grab some brain-stimulating questions to ask kids so you’ve got a new conversation starter at every school pickup. I’ve also got printable Would You Rather questions for kids!
