A group of dads in the U.K. has gone viral after organizing regular meetups at local pubs to learn how to braid and style their daughters’ hair. The gatherings, which began as an informal way for fathers to help one another, have grown into a social movement celebrated online for challenging traditional gender roles around parenting.
March 17, 2026
The sessions are typically led by volunteers—often mothers, hairdressers, or dads who picked up the skills—and take place in relaxed community settings such as pub function rooms and village halls. Attendees bring brushes, bands and plenty of patience as they practice techniques like simple plaits, French braids and bun styles on willing little models.
Videos of the classes have racked up thousands of views on social platforms, showing men laughing as they fumble with sections of hair, then beam with pride when they master a style. Commenters have praised the initiative for promoting hands-on fathering and making caregiving skills more accessible. “It’s normalizing the idea that caring for children includes learning practical things—no shame, just skills,” one viewer wrote.
Organizers say the meetups provide more than just hairstyling instruction. They create a space for dads to share parenting tips, swap stories and support one another through the challenges of modern family life. For some attendees, learning to do their child’s hair is a way to spend more quality time together; for others, it fills a practical need when schedules make it difficult to rely on others.
Local hair professionals who volunteer note that patience and practice are key, and they emphasize starting with simple styles. Many sessions include short tutorials, hands-on practice and take-home guides so parents can replicate looks at home.
As the clips continue to circulate, similar groups have started popping up in other towns. Participants say the trend highlights a quiet shift: everyday caregiving tasks are increasingly shared, and learning to braid hair has become a small but meaningful symbol of changing expectations for fathers.