How to Braid a Boy's Hair

A French braid gives the illusion of short hair. It is good for occasions when a neat, close-to-the-head hairstyle is appropriate. The boy's hair must be fairly long to make a single French braid. Shorter hair can be braided into corn rows to keep it back and out of his face. A "cornrow" hairstyle consists of rows of French braids.

Instructions

French Braid

1. Comb all the boy's hair back as if your were going to make a ponytail in the center back of his head. Part the boy's hair in a semi-circle from temple to temple. The section should be about 3 inches long across his forehead and 1 inch wide front to back. This is the part of the hair that would make bangs if it were shorter and combed forward. Divide the hair into three equal sections. One in the middle and one on each side.

2. Wrap the right section over the left section. The right section is now the center section. Wrap the left section over the center section, making it the new center section.

3. Pick up a new section of hair at the hair line on the right side. This section should be 1/2 inch wide and should extend from the hairline to the center of the head where you are braiding. Combine this hair with the current section on the right side. Wrap the combined sections over the center section. You will be holding all three sections between the fingers of one hand and picking up the new sections with the other hand.

4. Part and pick up a similar section on the left side of his head and combine it with the existing left section. Again wrap the combined sections over the center section.

5. Continue braiding in this way down the back of his head until all the hair is picked up. Then braid by wrapping the right section over the center section and then the left section over the center section until you have only 1 inch of hair left. Wrap the end of the braid with a small rubber band.

Cornrows

1. Part his hair down the middle all the way from the front to the nape of his neck. Gather the left side into a hair clip or a ponytail. On the other side make a second part half way between the center part and his ear.

2. Grasp a 1/2-inch section of hair at the front hairline. Divide it into three parts. French braid this section.

3. French braid the lower section on this side. Remove the clip or hairband on the left side of the boy's hair. Part and French braid this hair in the same way.

Tips & Warnings

• When you get the hang of making cornrows you can part the hair into smaller and smaller sections.

References

• Longlocks: Hair Braiding: English, Fishtail, Dutch and French Braids