How to Cut Your Kid’s Hair at Home (And Actually Enjoy It)
Let’s be real: kids’ haircuts add up fast. A $20–$30 trim every 6–8 weeks per kid means hundreds of dollars a year, plus the time and stress of wrangling your child into a stylist’s chair. Cutting your kids’ hair at home isn’t just a budget-saver, it’s also a time-saver and can actually be a fun bonding experience with the right tools and mindset.
Why Cutting Hair at Home Saves Money (and Time)
Saves money 💰 – Literally saving thousands of dollars! Even a “simple” kids’ haircut can run $20–$30 each, not counting tips. Over a year or two, you’re easily spending hundreds per child. Clippers and scissors are a one-time investment you’ll use again and again.
Convenient & flexible ⏰ – Cut hair on your schedule, anytime, even mid-week. No more driving, waiting, or making appointments. You can do it on your own schedule, after bath time, during a Saturday morning cartoon, or while your toddler munches on snacks.
Less stress for kids 😌 – Avoid long waits, unfamiliar stylists, and salon anxiety. Many kids feel anxious at the salon. Cutting hair at home means they’re in a familiar space and more relaxed.
Bonding & confidence ❤️ – Your child feels safe with you, and you gain confidence in a new skill.
Control over style ✂️ – You decide how short or styled it is; perfect for picky toddlers (or moms).
Quick touch-ups 🔄 – My favorite perk!!! Fix split ends or uneven spots instantly without a salon visit. Picture day coming up? Do a quick touch up on the fly!
All My Favorite Haircutting Tools: https://amzn.to/3VWRK6x
You don’t need a professional setup, but a few basics make the job easier! These are my go-to tools for cutting my kids’ hair at home. All you need is a few video tutorials on the style you want. I started by doing it in the backyard, but now do it inside while the kids watch TV, to keep them still, with a cool hair catcher cape so there’s no mess.
- ***Kids Hair Catching Umbrella Cape (love this!). https://amzn.to/46Y3XxK
- ***Full Set- Kids Clippers with guards and guides! for even trims and buzz cuts (not just for buzz cuts! I do my son's entire head with clippers instead of scissors, and have done a ton of different hair styles this way!). https://amzn.to/4pCQWRD
- ***Sharp hair-cutting scissors and thinning shears (not craft scissors) for clean, even cuts. https://amzn.to/46LQpEv
- Silent, Gentle Haircutting Kit for Children with Autism and Sensory Sensitivity. https://amzn.to/46GU4TU
- Baby Hair Clippers, Professional Quiet Hair Trimmer for Kids and Toddler. https://amzn.to/46qqdQW
- Regular hair cutting cape. https://amzn.to/42IVtbo
- Continuous Mist Spray bottle of water to lightly mist and control hair. https://amzn.to/4gHb7dj
- Comb and sectioning clips to keep hair neat while cutting. https://amzn.to/42gzdFM
- Handheld mirror so you can see the back (and so kids can see too). https://amzn.to/3VEHBuZ
- Haircutting/Barber shop toys to get them familiar with the tools or practice with them for pretend ahead of time. https://amzn.to/4mC58b2
- Snacks or screen time as a distraction for wiggly toddlers.
Quick-Search YouTube Keywords for Parents!
Copy and paste these search phrases directly into YouTube to find step-by-step haircut tutorials:
For Boys
-
Boys easy haircut tutorial for beginners
-
Boys buzz cut tutorial
-
Boys fade haircut tutorial
-
Boys modern mullet tutorial
-
Boys scissors cut at home tutorial
-
Boys undercut haircut tutorial
-
Boys curly hair trim tutorial
For Girls
-
Girls easy hair trim tutorial for beginners
-
Girls bang haircut tutorial
-
Girls layered haircut tutorial
-
Girls bob haircut tutorial
-
Girls long hair trim tutorial
-
Girls blunt cut tutorial
-
Girls curly hair trim tutorial
General
-
How to cut toddler hair at home
-
Kids haircut tutorial with scissors
-
DIY kids haircut step by step
-
Cutting hair at home with clippers and scissors
Easy beginners hair cutting tutorial for parents
Tips for Success
-
Start small: Trim a little at a time, especially bangs or ends. You can always take off more.
-
Use the right environment: Bright, natural light helps. A kitchen or bathroom with easy cleanup is ideal.
-
Keep it playful: Turn it into a “hair salon” game. Let your child spray water on their own hair or hold a comb to feel part of the process.
-
Begin with damp hair for scissor cuts, or dry hair for clippers.
-
Watch a tutorial: YouTube is full of simple, step-by-step videos for kids’ cuts.
Bonus Tips
-
If you’re nervous, start with trims instead of a full haircut.
-
Cut hair after a bath when it’s clean and tangle-free.
-
Have a small vacuum or broom handy to clean up hair clippings quickly.
Start when they're young so they get used to it early. By kindergarten, you'll be a pro!
It's never too late to start!
Remember, hair grows back ;) It's ok if you make a mistake when learning. Just be sure not to push any anxiety or disappointment on to your toddler- If you are happy and excited, they will be too.
Cutting your kids’ hair at home might sound intimidating at first, but once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner. With a small investment in tools and some practice, you can save hundreds of dollars a year and reclaim your time, all while making haircut day a fun, at-home ritual instead of a dreaded chore.
