Home / Guide / Kids' First Haircut

What to Know Before Your Kid's First Haircut

Published September 28, 2026 · 2 min read

The first haircut is a bigger deal for parents than it is for the kid — most of the time, anyway. Some toddlers sit perfectly still and act like they've been doing this for years. Others are convinced something terrible is happening. Either way, a little preparation goes a long way, and so does knowing what to ask for when you walk in.

Before you come in

The single most useful thing you can do is time it right. Don't schedule a first haircut right before nap time, right after a long car ride, or when they're already cranky from something else. A rested, recently-fed kid has a much better shot at sitting still for five minutes. If they have a comfort object — a stuffed animal, a snack, a tablet — bring it. Nobody here is going to judge you for handing over the iPad.

It also helps to talk about it beforehand without making it a big production. Something simple like "we're going to the barber shop to get your hair trimmed" is plenty. If you treat it like a normal errand, they often do too.

When you get to 17200 Ventura Blvd, feel free to let them watch another kid get a cut first if there's a wait — that alone can take the mystery out of it. Walk-ins are always welcome, or you can check in online before you leave the house so you're not waiting around with a restless two-year-old.

What to tell the barber

Keep it simple for a first cut. "Just a trim" or "clean it up around the ears and neck" is a totally reasonable ask. You don't need to come in with a detailed style in mind — a neat, even cut that's easy to manage at home is usually the right call for a first visit. If there's a photo you like, bring it, but don't worry if there isn't one.

Let the barber know upfront that it's their first time. That just means we slow down, talk through what we're doing, and make sure the kid feels okay before we start. It's part of the job, and honestly, first haircuts go better than parents expect more often than not.

Kids' haircuts are one of the services we do here regularly — it's not a specialty add-on, just part of what we do on Ventura Blvd any given day of the week. If you have questions before coming in, you can always call us at (818) 290-3522.