Cornrow Braids

• While not recommended for more brittle hair types, cornrows offer a long-term solution to a 5-year-old girl's hair care. Cornrow braiding does not require any chemicals and can last for up to two months without causing damage to the scalp or hair. Care should consist of twice weekly shampooing and light application of hair oil to the scalp to ensure it does not become dry. Cornrows can vary in tightness and size of the individual braids but are designed to lay close to the scalp without causing tension. Hair must be at least five centimeters for curly hair and seven centimeters for straight hair in order to be placed in cornrows
  
  

French Braids

• French braids are another versatile braiding option for little girls. The braids, which closely hug the head of the wearerm, can be arranged into single ponytails or pigtails. Traditional pigtail designs can serve for everyday wear, but more elaborate styles also exist. For example, a lace-up effect can be mimicked on the top part of the scalp between the two braids by sectioning that hair using four small elastic bands. These sections are incorporated into the side braids which run horizontally around the sides and to the back of the head.
  
  

Loose Side Braid

• For 5-year-old girls with longer hair, a loose side braid is a quick casual style. Hair is brushed smooth and gathered to the side in a loose braid which starts at the nape of the neck. Variations of the loose braid can also be performed, alternating using both sides of the head or centering the braid are some choices. In addition, a four-sided, three-dimensional version can be done to make each side of the braid appear the same regardless of the angle from which it is viewed.
  
  

Decorative Braids

• Decorative braids for 5-year-old girls encompass many levels of difficulty and intricacy, from accessories for simple braid styles to all-braid designs. For example, to celebrate Independence Day, American girls can adorn their French braid pigtails with glow sticks bought at a local discount or party store. For added effect, the braids can be arranged on the crown of the head in the shape of a five-pointed star with the remaining hair gathered into pigtails at the nape of the neck.