The 4-year-old in your chair is screaming.

Mom is apologizing. You're sweating. The line is backing up.

And you're getting paid $15 for this.

The kids' haircut dilemma

Every barbershop owner faces this question: Should we even do kids' cuts?

On one hand, kids bring families. Dad comes in, brings the son, maybe becomes a regular himself.

On the other hand, kids are unpredictable. They squirm. They cry. They take twice as long and pay half as much.

There's no universal right answer. But there is a strategic answer for your shop.

The real cost of a kids' cut

Let's do the math.

Adult haircut:

Price: $35
Time: 25 minutes
Revenue per hour: $84

Kids' haircut (typical pricing):

Price: $18
Time: 30 minutes (with wiggles and breaks)
Revenue per hour: $36

That's a 57% revenue drop for a kids' cut.

Now factor in:

The emotional energy of managing a crying child
The risk of a bad review if the parent isn't happy
The disruption to other clients waiting

Underpriced kids' cuts don't just cost you money. They cost you peace.

How to price kids' cuts properly

Option 1: Charge by age

This is the most common approach:

Under 5: $20
5-12: $25
13+: Adult price

The logic: younger kids are harder, so the discount is earned by the easier ones.

Option 2: Charge by behavior

Some shops have a "wiggle fee." If the child can sit still, standard price. If they can't, add $5-10.

This is controversial. Some parents love the transparency. Others feel judged.

Option 3: Charge adult prices

Radical? Maybe. But hear it out.

Kids take the same skill. Sometimes more. They occupy the same chair. They take the same time (or longer).

Why discount?

Shops that charge adult prices for kids report:

Fewer kids overall (but that might be the point)
Parents who value quality over bargains
Less stress, same revenue

Option 4: Don't do kids at all

This is valid.

Some shops are adult-only. They position it as a premium experience. No crying, no chaos, no cartoons on the TV.

If kids don't fit your brand, that's okay.

If you do take kids: survival tactics

1. Set expectations before the cut

Talk to the parent first:

"How does he usually do with haircuts? Any triggers I should know about?"

This gives you intel and sets the tone that you take this seriously.

2. Keep the chair low

Kids feel safer closer to the ground. Use a booster if needed, but keep them feeling secure.

3. Let them hold something

A comb. A spray bottle (empty). A toy from home. Occupation reduces anxiety.

4. Work fast

Kids have a 10-minute patience window. Front-load the hard stuff (neckline, around ears) while they're still cooperative.

5. Don't force it

If a child is truly distressed, stop. Tell the parent: "Let's try again in a few months when he's ready."

Forcing a traumatic haircut creates a client who will hate barbers for years.

6. Reward the win

Lollipops. Stickers. A high-five. Make the ending positive so they remember the good part.

The family strategy

Here's where kids' cuts can actually pay off.

Tommy, a shop owner in Chicago, prices kids' cuts at $22—slightly below adult. But here's his rule:

Kids only get appointments if a parent is also booking.

Result: Every kids' cut comes with an adult cut. Average ticket per visit: $57 instead of $22.

The kids' cut becomes a loyalty play, not a revenue center.

What about "first haircut" packages?

These can be gold.

Parents are sentimental. A baby's first haircut is a milestone. They'll pay premium for:

A certificate
A lock of hair in a keepsake envelope
A photo opportunity
Extra patience and time

Price: $40-50. Time: 30-45 minutes.

Margins are good, and the experience creates word-of-mouth.

Your shop, your rules

There's no law that says you have to cut kids' hair.

If it drains you, price it higher or stop offering it.

If it brings families you want to serve, price it strategically and build systems to make it manageable.

The worst position is the middle: underpriced, understaffed, and resentful every time a parent walks in with a toddler.

Make the choice intentional

Kids' haircuts can be:

A loss leader that brings in families
A premium service with first-cut packages
Something you simply don't offer

All three are valid. What's not valid is accidentally losing money on them because you never thought it through.

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Build something that works for your shop—on your terms.

Cutting Kids' Hair: How to Price and Handle Young Clients