Your Child's First Haircut: A Parent's Guide

A first haircut is a real milestone — for your little one, and honestly, for you too. It can also be a bit nerve-racking: new place, new person, a buzzing clipper, and a cape they’re not allowed to pull off. The good news is that with a little planning, most first haircuts are quick, calm and something you’ll want photos of.

Here’s what we tell parents at Moe’s Barbershop in Erin.

When should your child get their first haircut?

There’s no “right” age. Many families book the first cut somewhere between the first and second birthday, but plenty of kids go earlier or later. Better signs than age:

• Hair is falling into their eyes.
• It tangles easily or gets matted at the back.
• It’s growing unevenly — long at the back, wispy at the front.
• A family photo, holiday or special event is coming up.

Some families also time the first cut around a cultural or religious tradition. That’s wonderful — tell us what you have in mind and we’ll work around it.

Choose the right moment

Timing does more than anything else to make a first cut go smoothly:

• Go when they’re rested and fed. Mid-morning, or right after a nap, beats the late-afternoon meltdown window.
• Pick a calmer time. At most barbershops, weekday mornings are quieter than Saturday afternoons. We open at 9:30 a.m. every day.
• Don’t squeeze it in. Leave a little buffer so nobody feels rushed.

How to prepare your child

1. Talk about it beforehand. Keep it upbeat and simple: “We’re going to get your hair cut so it’s nice and neat.”
2. Play barbershop at home. A comb, a spray bottle and a pretend “haircut” on a favourite stuffed animal make the real thing feel familiar.
3. Let them watch first. If a parent or older sibling needs a cut, bring them along and let your child watch how easy it is.
4. Bring a comfort item. A favourite toy, a tablet with a show, or a (non-sticky) snack can work wonders.
5. Dress for it. A comfortable, loose shirt — and a spare one — helps with itchy little hairs.

What happens in the chair

A kids’ cut at Moe’s takes about 20 minutes, and we keep first cuts relaxed and unhurried. Very young children often feel safest on a parent’s lap — let us know when you arrive and we’ll set up whatever keeps them comfortable. You can stay right beside them the whole time.

A few things that help:

• Clippers can be loud. If the buzz worries your child, we can show it to them first and let them feel it on their hand. Scissors are quieter, so a nervous first-timer may get more scissor work.
• Short is fine. A first cut doesn’t need to be a big change. A tidy trim that takes hair out of their eyes is a great start.
• Tears are normal. If it happens, we pause, reset and carry on. Most kids settle quickly once they realize nothing hurts.

Keep the memory

• Save a lock of hair. Many parents like to keep a small lock as a keepsake — just mention it before we start.
• Take before-and-after photos. You’ll want them later, trust us.

How much does a kids’ haircut cost?

At Moe’s Barbershop, a Kids Haircut is $25 and takes about 20 minutes. Older kids who want something fun can book the Kids Haircut + Design for $30, which adds a custom shaved pattern. (See our full 2026 price guide for every service.)

After the first cut

Give your child a quick rinse or bath afterward to get rid of itchy clippings. For most short kids’ styles, a trim every 4–6 weeks keeps hair neat and out of their eyes — our guide to how often to get a haircut has a schedule for every style.

Once haircuts become routine, many parents book back-to-back so the whole family is done in one trip — and grandparents are welcome too, with our Senior Haircut.

A family barbershop in Erin

Families come to us from Erin, Hillsburgh, Ballinafad, Belfountain, Ospringe and all around Wellington County. We’re at 99 Trafalgar Rd, right in the heart of town.

Book your child’s first haircut online, or call (519) 855-4455 and let us know it’s their first time in the chair.