3 Reasons Cutting Kids Pays Off Long-Term
Robb Hanlon
Let’s be honest—most barbers and stylists don’t love cutting kids.
They’re fidgety.
They cry and throw tantrums.
They get impatient.
And the first appointment can feel like it takes forever.
So it’s no surprise many hair professionals think kids’ haircuts aren’t worth the time, energy, or effort.
But here’s the truth: kids’ haircuts are only hard in the beginning. Once you understand how familiarity, timing, and trust work together, kids’ haircuts can easily become one of the most reliable and profitable parts of your business.
Here are 3 reasons kids’ haircuts are absolutely worth your while.
1️⃣ Familiarity Changes Everything (Patience Pays Off)
The biggest mistake barbers make with kids is assuming every haircut will be as difficult as the first one.
In reality, once a child becomes familiar with the haircut process, everything becomes easier.
After the first or second visit, most kids:
Know what the haircut feels like
Recognize the tools and sounds
Trust you as their barber
Feel less anxious and more cooperative
Yes—the first appointment may require extra patience—but that patience is an investment.
Once kids understand the haircut process, haircuts become faster, calmer, and easier.
2️⃣ Kids’ Haircuts Are Simple, Fast, and Easy
Once kids are familiar with the process, kids’ haircuts typically take 12–18 minutes. That’s an easy $30–$40 in under 30 minutes. Plus, a young kids’ haircut should always be simple—since young kids have very short attention spans, there should be no skin fades or designs. A simple 3” or 4” on the sides with a little off the top does the trick.
Over the course of a day, those quick, efficient cuts add up—especially when you’re booked back-to-back.
3️⃣ Families = Guaranteed Repeat Clients
Here’s where kids’ haircuts really become a game-changer. Parents don’t shop around once they find a barber they trust with their child.
They stick with you—and they bring the whole family.
Let’s break it down:
A dad comes in with his three kids.
That’s $120–$160 in under an hour and a half—not including tips.
And that’s not just a one-time visit. Families usually return every few weeks, year after year.
When you win over a child, you don’t just gain one client—you gain:
Parents
Siblings
Word-of-mouth promotion
Long-term loyalty
Consistent, predictable income
The Real Takeaway
Kids’ haircuts feel hard when you treat them like a one-off inconvenience.
But when you view them as:
A long-term investment
A trust-building opportunity
A gateway to family clientele
They become one of the smartest moves you can make as a barber or stylist.
With patience, the right techniques, and a focus on familiarity, kids’ haircuts stop being inconvenient chaos and start being consistent, profitable, and repeatable.
Final Thoughts
The barbers who succeed long-term aren’t the ones who avoid kids’ cuts — they’re the ones who master them.
Once kids trust you, families stay with you. That’s where real growth happens.
Want to Make Kids’ Haircuts Easier (and More Profitable)?
If you want kids’ haircuts to take less time, feel less stressful, and lead to more loyal family clients, the right training makes all the difference.
✨ Get Kids’ Haircut Certified here — for FREE!
Learn proven techniques to calm kids, build familiarity, and turn stressful kids’ haircuts into smooth, efficient appointments. Plus, get listed in our Haircut Heroes app database so parents can easily find and trust your shop.
