Tie your hair into a ponytail with @Oliviosa
Follow @Oliviosa's step by step video to learn to tie a neat ponytail using a brush and elastic, asking an adult for help if needed.
About this activity
Follow @Oliviosa's step by step video to learn to tie a neat ponytail using a brush and elastic, asking an adult for help if needed.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Stand in front of the mirror so you can see your whole head.
- 2
Step 2
Pick up your hairbrush.
- 3
Step 3
Gently brush your hair to remove any tangles.
- 4
Step 4
Find @Oliviosa's step-by-step ponytail video.
- 5
Step 5
Press play on the video.
- 6
Step 6
Watch until she shows where to place the ponytail.
- 7
Step 7
Pause the video at that spot so you can try it yourself.
- 8
Step 8
Gather your hair at the chosen spot for the ponytail.
- 9
Step 9
Hold the gathered hair with one hand.
- 10
Step 10
Smooth the gathered hair with the brush to remove bumps.
- 11
Step 11
Wrap the elastic once around the gathered hair.
- 12
Step 12
Wrap the elastic again if you want a tighter ponytail.
- 13
Step 13
Tuck any stray hairs into the elastic or smooth them with the brush.
- 14
Step 14
Ask an adult for help now if the elastic is hard to wrap or if you need assistance.
- 15
Step 15
Share your neat ponytail on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I follow @Oliviosa's video to tie a neat ponytail step by step?
Start by watching @Oliviosa's full step-by-step video so you know each move. Sit or stand in front of a mirror, brush hair to remove tangles, then gather hair at the height shown in the video. Smooth with the brush, hold hair with one hand, and wrap the elastic around with the other hand as demonstrated. Finish by tucking loose pieces and asking an adult for help if any step feels tricky.
What materials do I need to tie a ponytail with @Oliviosa?
You need a soft brush or wide-tooth comb, at least one elastic hair tie (no metal), optional small clips to hold sections, and a mirror. Optional items include a detangling spray, light hairspray for hold, and a soft scrunchie for gentler wear. An adult nearby is helpful for beginners. Skip sharp tools and tight rubber bands that can pull or break hair.
What ages is this ponytail activity suitable for?
This activity suits different ages: toddlers (3–5) can try with close adult help, practicing brushing and holding hair. Elementary kids (6–9) often learn to follow the video and tie a ponytail with some supervision. Older children and teens can usually follow independently. Adjust expectations for fine motor skills and patience, and always offer help if the child gets frustrated or the hair is tangled.
What safety tips should parents follow when helping their child tie a ponytail?
Supervise young children and avoid pulling hair too tightly to prevent scalp pain or hair breakage. Use soft elastics or scrunchies rather than tight rubber bands. Be careful with detangling tools; work gently from ends toward roots. Keep scissors or sharp accessories out of reach. If hair is wet, be gentler as it's more fragile. Encourage breaks and watch for discomfort, asking an adult to help if needed.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
I don't have a hair elastic—what can I use instead to finish the step where you "wrap the elastic once around the gathered hair"?
If you don't have a hair elastic, use a soft scrunchie, a ribbon tied in a small knot, or a clear rubber band to wrap around the gathered hair after you've smoothed it with the brush.
My ponytail keeps getting bumps and won't look neat—what part of the instructions should I redo to fix it?
If your ponytail is bumpy, hold the gathered hair with one hand, smooth the gathered hair with the brush to remove bumps, then rewrap the elastic as described and pause @Oliviosa's video to rewatch the placement step if needed.
How can I adapt this activity for a toddler versus a preteen using the same steps like "hold the gathered hair" and "ask an adult for help"?
For toddlers, have an adult hold the gathered hair and wrap the elastic while the child practices brushing and watching the video, and for preteens let them follow the full steps independently, pausing @Oliviosa's video to try different ponytail placements and wrapping the elastic twice for extra hold.
How can we make this ponytail activity more fun or personalized after we've "tucked any stray hairs" and finished the elastic?
After tucking stray hairs and smoothing with the brush, personalize the look by adding a ribbon or decorative scrunchie, braiding a small section before wrapping the elastic, or photographing the neat ponytail to share on DIY.org.