How to tie shoe laces using the bunny ears method

Follow our visual guide on how to tie shoe laces using the ‘bunny ears’ method. You can also download a copy of this guide by following the link on the right.

How to tie shoe laces using bunny ears – a step-by-step guide

Using different colour laces can help you teach your child how to tie their own shoe laces.

Step 1

Put the blue lace as shown in the picture on the right hand side and the red lace on the left hand side to start with.

Picture shows a shoe with a red lace on the left and a blue lace on the right

Step 2

Cross the red lace over to the right hand side beside the blue lace.

Picture shows a child's shoe with the red lace crossed over beside the blue lace

Step 3

Cross the blue lace over to the left hand side to create an X.

Picture shows the blue lace crossed over the red lace to create an x

Step 4

Take the end of the red lace (with your right hand) and place it under the X (top to bottom).

Picture shows the end of the red lace placed under the X

Step 5

Pull the red lace (with your right hand) and blue lace (with your left hand) together at the same time.

Picture shows someone pulling the red lace with their right hand and blue lace with their left hand together at the same time

Step 6

Picture shows both laces pulled tight

Step 7

Loop one lace into a rabbit ear shape.

Picture shows the red lace looped into a rabbit ear shape

Step 8

Hold the loop in place with your pincer fingers.

Picture shows someone Holding the loop in place with their pincer fingers

Step 9

Repeat step 8 with the other lace.

Person repeating step 8 with the other lace

Step 10

Hold the rabbit ears at the bottom next to the knot.

Person holding the rabbit ears at the bottom next to the knot

Step 11

Cross the rabbit ears over each other so that the red ‘ear’ is in the front of the blue ‘ear.’

Person crossing the rabbit ears or laces over each other so that the red ear or lace is in the front of the blue ear or lace

Step 12

Pull the blue ear over the red ear (lace) and push through the ‘hole’ beneath where they cross.

Person pulling the blue ear or lace over the red ear or lace through the hole beneath where they cross

Step 13

Pull the blue ear (lace) right through to the other side.

Person pulling the blue ear or lace right through to the other side

Step 14

Pinch each loop with your pincer fingers.

Person pinching each loop with their pincer fingers

Step 15

Tighten the rabbit ears into a bow.

Person tightening the rabbit ears into a bow

Step 16

You have done it!

Person with their thumbs up having completed the task of tying their shoe laces