Fabulous Hair Salon

Name and Purpose

Fabulous Hair Salon is a creative, connection-building activity that lets players express themselves while caring for a partner.
Players practise gentle touch, creativity, and taking turns in a calm and playful setting.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 6-20 players | 20-30 minutes | Seated indoor circle; any room with enough seats for the group

Materials

Soft fabric hair ties or rubber bands (8 per participant; fabric ties preferred for comfort and reuse)
Optional: phone or camera for photos
Optional: hand mirror for players to see their finished style
Collection bag or box for returning ties after play

Quick-Run Card

Players sit in a circle with 8 fabric ties each.
Staff model a gentle hair tie technique on a willing volunteer.
Each player designs a style on the hair of the person beside them (or on their own hair).
Group does a walking fashion show to share styles.
Everyone gently removes ties and returns them to the kit box.

Setup and Boundaries

Arrange seats in a circle close enough for players to reach the hair of the person beside them
Signal: staff clap once when it is time to move to the fashion show
Ensure good lighting so players can see what they are creating

How to Play

Players sit in a circle, each with 8 fabric hair ties.
Staff model a simple, gentle technique on a willing volunteer (e.g., a small ponytail, a loop braid).
On signal, each player begins styling the hair of the person to their left, using only the fabric ties.
Players have 10-15 minutes to design their style.
Staff walk around, narrate creative choices out loud, and encourage everyone.
When time is called, the group stands and does a slow lap of the room as a fashion show.
With consent, photos are taken.
Everyone gently removes all ties from their partner’s hair and returns them to the kit box.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Style the hair of the person beside you and have your own hair styled
S (Support): Pass supplies, help the group see each other’s styles during the fashion show, narrate creative choices
Q (Quiet): Style your own hair using the ties, working independently
O (Observer): Watch the fashion show, call out compliments, choose to join a round when ready

Inclusion Adaptations

Players with very short hair or no hair can style a small stuffed animal, a wig stand, or their own arm/wrist using the ties
Players who prefer not to be touched may style their own hair or the alternative prop

Stewardship Moment

Collect all fabric ties in the kit box for washing and reuse. Nothing gets thrown away.
Reflection: “How did it feel to take care of someone else’s appearance?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This activity involves gentle touch to style hair. For those not comfortable with touch, styling your own hair or a prop are equally great options.”
Mid-game check: After 5 minutes, check in. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How is this going for you?”
Opt-out / re-entry: Players can switch to self-styling or observing at any time. Rejoin the fashion show whenever they like.
Photo consent: before taking any photos, ask each player individually. Anyone who says no is simply not in the photo.

Risks and Mitigation

Hair ties pulled too tight or tangled: model gentle technique before play; staff monitor and narrate “soft hands” during the activity
Players feeling self-conscious about their hair: reinforce that all styles are celebrated; no comparisons or rankings
Ties lost on the floor: use a brightly coloured kit box and collect ties immediately after play

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Compliment Pass”: pass a compliment around the circle. Each person says one kind thing about the person to their left.
“Creative Warm-Up”: in 60 seconds, each player draws their dream hairstyle on a scrap of paper

Debrief Questions

What? “What did you create? What inspired your choice?”
So What? “How did it feel to have someone take care with your appearance?”
Now What? “When do we take the time to notice and celebrate what makes someone unique?”

Cleanup and Reset