6 School Hairstyles With Scrunchies That Survive the Whole Day

School hair has a specific brief. It has to be done quickly in the morning, survive a full day including games period, and not need fixing at lunchtime. Looking nice is a bonus, not the requirement.

These six styles all meet that brief. Each takes under five minutes.

1. The double bubble ponytail

A standard ponytail, then a second scrunchie a few inches down, and the section between gently pulled out to round it into a bubble.

It looks more involved than it is, and the second tie means that if the first loosens, the whole thing does not collapse. Two Minis in matching fabrics work best.

2. The half-up knot

Take the top third of the hair, twist, secure with a Mini. Thirty seconds.

Best for younger children and for anyone who complains that a full ponytail feels tight. It keeps hair out of the face without pulling on the roots at all.

3. The low double braid

Part down the middle, braid each side, tie off with a Mini at each end.

This is the most durable style on the list. Hair is contained along its entire length, which means it survives PT, the bus and the playground. It also comes out with a soft wave the next morning if you undo it before bed.

Tie off with something smooth — braid ends are the driest, most fragile part of the hair.

4. The sports bun

High ponytail, twist, coil into a bun, secure with a Classic wrapped twice.

The one to use on games days. Wrap firmly but not tightly — a bun that is too tight causes tension headaches, and children will pull it out by mid-morning.

5. The wrapped ponytail

Standard ponytail, then take a small section of hair from underneath, wrap it around the base and tuck the end under the scrunchie.

Takes an extra minute and looks considerably more finished. Good for assembly days and school photographs.

6. The twisted crown

Take a small section above each ear, twist each one back, and join them at the back of the head with a Mini.

Keeps the front pieces out of the eyes, which is usually the real problem, while leaving the length loose.

Choosing a scrunchie for school

Three things matter more than the print.

Fabric durability. School scrunchies get lost, found, sat on and washed with everything else. Cotton blends and polyester handle that. Silk does not.

Machine washable. Nobody is hand washing a child's hair tie.

Size. Mini for under eight, Classic from around eight upwards. Fine hair does not fill out a large scrunchie and it will slide out.

Our FSL Kids range was put together with this in mind — sturdier georgette and cotton blends in Mini and Classic, chosen because they hold up rather than because they photograph well.

Two things that prevent morning arguments

Do it on dry hair. Damp hair tied tightly sets into a crease and takes longer to work with.

Keep spares everywhere. In the school bag, in the car, at the grandparents. Scrunchies disappear, and a missing hair tie at 7:40am is a bad start to the day.

Not sure which size to buy? Our size guide has a quick test for working it out.