Box braids are very simple and dont require a whole lot of skill. They can be done on anyone any age... from babies on up to adults!
Its best to start with a fresh washed head of hair (in my experience).
Then i comb her hair out... I spritz her hair with water if it starts to dry. You dont want it dripping wet, just damp enough to make it easier to work with.
Plan out the design you want before you start braiding. Im doing just a basic brick box design... put an elastic at the base of the hair section.
Seperate into three sections and braid...
When you get to the bottom you have several options on how to end your braid. If your child has really tight curls, you can get a bit of gel on your fingertip, and just twist around your finger a few times. It will curl and hold itself naturally. HOWEVER, my daughters hair doesnt do this. So, i either end the braids with beads or barrette clips:
Barrettes are much faster to put in, but beads last longer... Jissella can wear beads for up to 4 or 5 days, but clippies only a few hours. I dont recommend letting your child sleep with clips in, unless losing one or two (or all) is okay with you lol For this post im doing clippies... i will do another post on beads though, so take heart if that is what you are trying to learn!
Wrap the end of the hair around the clip a few times, then snap it closed...
Continue on up your childs head. You can do the whole head in box braids or put a pony at the top... I have a particularly active kiddo, so i like to leave the top in a pony so her hair isnt in her face...
Seperate the pony into a few small braids and put clippies on the end just like with the box braids...
The finished product:
Happy Braiding!!
-Tashena