How Do I Make My Child's First Salon Haircut Easy?

A first salon haircut goes best with a little preparation at home and a calm, unhurried appointment. Talk your child through what will happen, book a time of day when they are rested, bring a comfort item and tell us if they are nervous. Our child's haircut is for kids ten and under and includes a shampoo.

Key takeaways

• Our child's haircut is for kids ten and under, with a shampoo included.
• A short talk at home and a well-timed booking do most of the work.
• Tell us about nerves or sensory needs before the cut starts.

What Is Included in a Child's Haircut at SALT?

Our child's haircut is a personalized cut for kids ten and under. It includes a shampoo and is finished without a blow-dry, and it usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.

A blow-dry finish can be added if time allows. Call the salon to add it, so extra time can be scheduled. You can read about every cut we offer on our haircuts page.

How Do You Get Your Child Ready at Home?

• Talk about it ahead of time. Explain that someone will wash and cut their hair, and that cutting hair does not hurt.
• Practice at home. Let them sit in a chair, look in a mirror and pretend with a comb.
• Read a picture book about a haircut, so the idea feels familiar.
• Choose a good time of day. Pick a time when your child is rested and fed, not hungry or sleepy.
• Bring a comfort item. A small toy or a favorite book can help them settle.

What Should the Stylist Know About Your Child?

Tell us how your child feels about haircuts and whether they have had one before. Mention it if they are nervous, if loud noises bother them or if they want to sit on your lap.

Show us a photo of the style you like. Children's hair grows quickly, so tell us how you want it to look in a few weeks, not only on the day.

What If Your Child Gets Upset in the Chair?

It happens, and it is fine. Stay calm and steady, since children pick up on the energy around them.

Ask for a pause if your child needs one. A short, gentle appointment that ends well is better than a rushed one that does not, and a second try another day is always an option.

What Happens During the Appointment, Step by Step?

1. We say hello to you and your child and show them the chair.
2. We ask how you want the cut to look.
3. We shampoo their hair at the bowl.
4. We cut, keeping the pace relaxed and explaining what comes next.
5. We finish the style, with a blow-dry if you added one.

Talking to your child, not only to you, helps them feel part of it. Feel free to remind them that they are doing great.

Who Needs to Come Along to the Visit?

For the safety of all children and the comfort of our guests, children under 10 who are not receiving a service must be supervised by an adult who is not receiving a service. If you want to book a service for yourself on the same day, bring a second adult.

If you are bringing more than one child, tell us when you book so we can plan enough time. Please arrive on time, since guests arriving 10 to 15 minutes late may be asked to reschedule.

A tablet can help a child sit still. We ask that phones and videos stay quiet in the salon, so bring headphones, or ask us for a sanitized pair.

What If Your Child Has Sensory Needs?

Some children are sensitive to noise, touch or new places. If that is your child, tell us before the appointment so we can plan the visit around it.

Sit close if that helps them settle, and let them hold the comb before it touches their hair. A first haircut does not have to be finished in one go.

You can read each stylist's story and pick a stylist from our team before you book. Showing your child a friendly face ahead of time makes the salon feel less new.

How Do You Make the First Cut a Good Memory?

• Praise your child for being brave, whatever happens.
• Take a photo of the finished cut.
• Plan something small afterward, like a walk or a favorite snack.
• Book the next one before you leave, so the routine feels normal.

How Often Do Kids Need a Trim?

It depends on the style and how fast your child's hair grows. Shorter cuts lose their shape sooner, and longer hair can usually go longer between visits.

Between cuts, brush gently from the ends up and use a detangler if their hair knots easily. Once your child is older than ten, a women's or men's haircut is the right booking, and our guide to what to expect from a men's haircut covers that next step for boys.

For the bigger picture of how we cut, see our haircuts page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Age Range Does the Child's Haircut Cover?

Our child's haircut is for kids ten and under. Older kids book a women's or men's haircut.

Can I Get My Own Service While My Child Waits?

Children under 10 who are not receiving a service must be supervised by an adult who is not receiving a service. Bring a second adult if you want to book for yourself.

Can a Blow-Dry Be Added to My Child's Cut?

Yes, if time allows. Call the salon to add it so extra time can be scheduled.

Should My Child's Hair Be Washed Before the Appointment?

No. A shampoo is included in the child's haircut.

What If My Child Will Not Sit Still?

Tell us at the start. A shorter, gentler cut that ends well is a good first goal.

Book Your Child's First Cut

Ready for the first one? Book a child's haircut online or call (224) 788-8028 to talk it through, and see current times in the Haircuts + Styling menu.