Haircuts for Toddlers

4 parent questions ▼
Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • where does one get a baby's hair cut?

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    Mar 24, 2024

    We have a 1.5yo with beautiful curly hair. It's starting to get into his eyes a little bit, but it's his best feature. How can we get it cut while keeping it long and good-looking? Is there a fancy salon that does kids' hair?

    Mar 24, 2024

    Stylists at fancy salons aren’t usually experienced in cutting the hair of a person who won’t sit still. And unless they have kids themselves they have no idea what might scare a kid and how to get them to cooperate.


    Take your child to a salon that specializes in kid’s haircuts. The stylists will be used to cutting while the kid wiggles and still will get a decent cut. They will also know how to keep the kid entertained and know how to introduce tools without scaring the kid.


    We have used Panda Room in Corte Madera and love it.

    Mar 27, 2024

    Snippety Crickets on Solano! It isn't fancy, but the woman who runs the salon is basically magical: she is fast, accurate, and competent. I used to cut my kids' hair until my boys grew their hair longer. Now we go to Snippety Crickets and the kids actually ask to get their haircut!

    Mar 27, 2024
    Recommended:
    Snippety Crickets

  • Hair stylist for curly hair toddler?

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    Nov 20, 2023

    Hi there! Our 2 year old daughter has lovely, wild, curly hair. We love it so have never cut it, but now it's starting to get in her eyes so we think it's probably time for her first haircut. Any recommendations on a hair stylist in the East Bay who is experienced with kids and curly hair? I (mom) have straight hair so can go most places but based on reading online it seems like for curly hair it's better to go to someone with specific experience. TIA!

    Nov 20, 2023

    hi! our curly haired toddler (boy) had a great haircut at Snips on College Ave.

    Nov 22, 2023

    My older son has curly hair and we have liked Miriam at Snips on College Ave in Rockridge who has been cutting his hair for 2+ years. I don't think curly hair is her specialty per se, but she does a great job and is very quick, which i think matters the most with little kids.

    Nov 22, 2023

    We see Leann at Northside Hair in Berkeley.  She has been amazing with my kid!  She was originally recommended to me by another mom with a kinder kid!  You can search for Northside Hair on yelp for more details.

    Nov 22, 2023

    We see Leann at Northside Hair in Berkeley.  She has been amazing with my kid!  She was originally recommended to me by another mom with a kinder kid!  You can search for Northside Hair on yelp for more details.
    Note: my kid doesn’t have super curley hair, her ability to work with kids is a bonus!!

    Nov 22, 2023

  • Toddler terrified of hair clippers

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    Jul 3, 2023

    Hi all - I have a 22 m/o son. We gave him his first haircut a few months ago with my husband's clippers, and he was totally fine with it. We sat him in his high chair, let him look at the Oakland Zoo's instagram videos, and he happily let my husband cut his hair. We just tried again last night and it was a disaster - he was terrified of the clippers and wouldn't let them anywhere near him, despite watching videos for distraction and sitting in the same high chair. My husband and I both tried showing him that it wouldn't hurt him - holding it to our own heads/bodies. But near his head - no way. We even found some videos of kids getting haircuts in the hopes it would reassure him, but no luck. Any tips for how to overcome this? Not sure we can let him go haircut free for the next few years.... 

    Jul 3, 2023

    Lots of places (especially kids haircut places like Snippety Crickets) will give haircuts with just scissors and no clippers. Speaking from experience as my now 6 year old is just beginning to allow clippers. :) 

    Jul 5, 2023

    My son was the same way around this age so I took him to Snippety Crickets on Solano. He cried/screamed the entire time but the stylists there are totally unfazed by it and just get the work done. I thought my son would swat at their hands but somehow the cape that covers him prevented him from even thinking that was an option? After taking him now 3 or 4 times, he still cries but it's less traumatic each time and he recovers almost immediately as soon as he's out of the chair. For $23 per haircut every couple months, it's worth it to me to have someone else do it!

    Jul 5, 2023

    Snips in the Rockridge area of oakland on college Ave. They are excellent with kids and have a great space where kids zone out on paw patrol. My 2 year old has had 2 successful cuts there despite his anxiety about haircuts. Appointments can be 1+ month out, but it’s worth the wait.

    Jul 5, 2023

    Can you just use scissors for a while? Seems like a typical fear that he’ll grow out of in the next couple years, and having a nice haircut probably isn’t worth the stress. 

    Jul 5, 2023

    Scissors? 

    Jul 6, 2023

    I found lollipops really helpful in this situation. Also... why not just use scissors until he gets old enough to be able to tolerate the clippers?

    Jul 19, 2023

    My son was also not into clippers. For several years we’ve been going to Alex, originally at The Shop in Berkeley and now at her own studio attached to her home in Richmond. She’s very patient and kind, and I’m happy to say that she has earned my son’s trust - she asks if he’s up for clipper or the hair dryer, and only uses them if he’s on board. She also cuts my hair, so it makes it very worth the drive for us.

    https://shear-talent.square.site

    Jul 26, 2023

    Hi! My boys became averse to clippers at some point so I bought a set of "Calming Clippers" from Amazon. It is really just scissors, but has different guard attachments so that you can give a similar type of cut to the clippers. There are videos as examples on youtube, too. I have had varied success with them, but it might be a good option, if you want to do the haircuts at home.

    Jul 26, 2023

  • Hair salon for toddler

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    May 16, 2018

    We used to get my daughter’s hair cut at Clips n Snips with Lourdes, but just found out she’s retiring in June. I know Snips for Kids is another option but we didn't get a good haircut there 18mo ago when she was younger. Other suggestions in the archives are pretty old and few and far between. Would love any recommendations for where to take my daughter who has fine, straight hair. Open to an adult salon as long as prices are around $25. Thanks!

    May 16, 2018

    Go see Lin at Snippety Crickets on Solano. She gives really great hair cuts. We've tried other people but are never as happy as when we see Lin.

    May 23, 2018
    Recommended:
    Snippety Crickets

    Snippety Crickets on Solano Ave between Albany and Berkeley

    May 24, 2018
    Recommended:
    Snippety Crickets

    Snippety Crickets in Albany is a place that specializes in kids haircuts.  We have taken our daughter their several times.  Kids love getting their haircut there and you can purchase small toys there as well.  Here are their Yelp reviews https://www.yelp.com/biz/snippety-crickets-berkeley  Linh is the best hairdresser there.  The other hairdressers are just ok.

    Jun 6, 2018
    Recommended:
    Snippety Crickets

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Haircut for toddler in Alameda

Nov 2004

I am looking for a good, moderately priced haircutter for my toddler in Alameda Jes

Recommended:

  • Images Hair Salon
  • Supercuts on Park
  • Yoko's Hair Classics

    Hair Salon for 2yr old twin boys

    May 2004

    I am looking for a recommendation for a children's hair salon. I have read through the archives and found some pretty old recommendations/ reviews many of them very mixed. I have 2yr old twin boys who do not like haircuts (at least from mom) and have a very hard time sitting still. I don't want to pay a fortune but I want it to be GOOD with someone patient, gentle and fun! Too much to ask? We live in Piedmont Ave part of Oakland. Thanks

    Recommended:

  • Snippety Crickets
  • Snips

    Toddler daughter's first haircut

    June 2003

    Any good recommendations for getting our toddler daughter's first haircut. I've trimmed her hair myself, but it's soooo long now that I want to get her one good cut that I can touch up myself. Much Thanks!!! I prefer on Solano, Albany, or El Cerrito.

    Recommendations received:

  • Albany Hair Salon (2) Albany
  • Ponytails Lafayette
  • Snippety Crickets (5) Albany
  • Snips Rockridge

    Haircut for squirmy toddler

    Dec 2002

    Anyone had a good recent haircut for their toddler? Especially ones who are good with squirmy or fearful kids? thanks!
    mom of a 20 month old

    Recommendations received:

  • Albany Hair Salon (2) Albany
  • Cool Tops (3) Lafayette
  • Ponytails Lafayette
  • Snippity Crickets (3) Albany
  • Snips (3) Rockridge