Dads get kids’ hairstyling tips over a pint

The quirky social event was dreamt up by Henna Karim-Sayer, who runs The Bairns play cafe in Sleaford, for would-be hands-on dads who may find themselves a little out of their depth when wanting to get more involved in preparing their daughters’ hair for school, sports or dancing classes.

Henna explained she set up their Pints & Ponytails event after the idea went viral online. She said: “We already host monthly girls nights but thought this was a great opportunity to bring together dads and give them a chance to ease the mental load of their partners, connect with their daughters and also build a community of dads.”

Mum-of-two Henna explained: “We know dads can find parenthood particularly lonely, not having anyone to chat to about the trials and tribulations of parenting.”

Over a beer, the dads were invited to an evening on the last weekend of April to book in and brush up on how to do tidy plaits, bunches and ponytails on school days or buns and braids for ballet lessons. They perfected their technques using a set of hairdressing training heads, rather than unlucky children!

Henna said: “It was a great event for teaching new skills (most mastered the plait and ponytail) but also an evening of connecting and sharing those feelings.

“We had dads of daughters starting school all the way through to newborns and expectant dads.

“The event sold out! We now have a new date available on Friday July 3 with tickets available now at https://bookwhen.com/thebairnsplaycafe

“We have also launched a prosecco and plaits night as there seemed to be an equal demand of mums wanting to learn new skills.”

The dads event is 7.30-9pm on July 3, £25 fee. The mums event is on Friday June 26, 7.30-9pm, £25 per person. Both events bring your own bottle (£2 corkage fee).

In a world of male loneliness and rise of the infamous ‘manosphere’, Henna said it was amazing to see so many dads breaking away from traditional gender roles and looking for connection.

Always innovative, Henna has also created a Sleaford Business Club card offering people working in the town the chance to get discounts and freebies when picking up their takeaway drinks from the cafe.

There is also free duck food for parents to head with their youngsters down to the river after a play session or when you purchase a takeout drink.