Whether your family is heading back to school in person, or remotely, we have a feeling at least one person in the house is in need of a haircut, stat. With NYC in Phase 4 of reopening, hair salons are open, albeit with new safety precautions, online booking, masks and reduced capacity. (Need a kid’s mask? We like these from local makers.) The good news is that NYC is home to lots of hair salons for kids, with fun features like chairs the shape of cars and often, toys for sale. Baby’s first haircut? Most places know you want a certificate and souvenir lock of hair. Read on for our picks of the best NYC salons for kids’ haircuts! Take note: many salons have introduced new cancellation policies, so be sure to read before booking.
photo: via LuLu’s Cuts and Toys Facebook page
Brooklyn
LuLu’s Cuts and Toys
This popular Park Slope salon and toy store combo can spiff up your tot with a classic John John Kennedy haircut, fauxhawk, stylish bob or rock n’ roll shag. (It’s also one of the spots that helped parents out with curbside pickup and delivery of toys a few months back.) To keep things safe, haircuts are by appointment only (make the reservation on LuLu’s website), and lots of other precautions are taken here, including masks on everyone over two years old, a maximum of one parent and child per appointment, and waiting to enter the salon until your booked time. (Read all of the safety measures here.) The salon is home to a variety of stylists who have been at LuLu’s for many years. The salon asks that your child’s hair is washed and tangle-free prior to your appointment. (Need some help with that? Try this affordable and great-smelling detangler!)
48 5th Ave.
Park Slope
718-832-3732
Online: luluskidscuts.nyc
photo: Edamama Cute Cuts and More via Yelp
Edamama Cute Cuts and More
The brainchild of a former ad exec (the eponymous “Eda”, one of our Power Moms in 2016), this salon for kids with an under-the-sea-theme also serves as a happening neighborhood hotspot. Cuts are by appointment only, which you can make online here. Safety measures are in place, such as face masks and shields on stylists, masks required for all clients over two years old, and one adults per child appointment. For their haircut, kids can choose the maritime-inspired station they like best (The Octopus, The Mermaid, The Submarine or the Shark) and enjoy a video while they get trimmed and styled. Also on site, a selection of best-selling and award-winning kids’ books that are a cut above and fun toys—but only touch if you’re ready to buy. Bonus: Edamama does sibling cuts and even haircuts for adults, too.
568 Union Ave.
Williamsburg
718-388-3663
Online: edamama.com
photo: Mimi O’Connor
Runnin Wild Toys
Don’t let the name fool you, this Carroll Gardens toy store (not to be confused with Runnin Wild Shoes down the street) is also a popular spot for trimming tresses. Resident stylist GG cuts Monday to Wednesday and weekends. While there’s no tricked-out chair here, a selection of videos (Frozen screens often), cute barrettes and lollipop rewards — as well as quality cuts— are. You can also pick up some new masks for the kids while you’re here. Call 718-222-2444 to make an appointment.
369 Court St.
Carroll Gardens
718-222-2444
Online: runninwildtoys.com
photo: Cozy’s Cuts for Kids
Manhattan
Cozy’s Cuts For Kids
Founded by New Yorker Cozy Friedman, Cozy’s Cuts has sheared more than one million kids over 20-plus years. Kids haircuts are by appointment only, and numerous safety protocols are in place at the salon, including temperature checks for stylists and clients, increased sanitization, reduced capacity and more. At Cozy’s, experienced and patient stylists have all the distractions your child needs to get a fantastic haircut: car styling chairs, the latest videos at each station, along with an awesome collection of DVDs, bubbles galore, video games and toys. You can even schedule a special “first haircut”, or a styling session for a special occasion at the “braid and blow bar.” Chock full of personality, Cozy’s is super cute inside and employs yummy-scented shampoos, conditioners and detanglers that you can also buy to use at home.
1416 Second Ave.
Upper East Side
212- 585-2699
Online: cozyscutsforkids.com
photo: Rob P. via Yelp
My Little Sunshine
Attention multi-taskers: You can get a lot done at this clothing store/toy store/salon. Haircuts happen in a zippy, cool, red airplane chair in the back of the shop. Haircuts with the longtime resident stylist Denni, who has a loyal fanbase of local clients, happen Tuesday through Saturday. This shop doesn’t use electronics to entertain kids (unless mom brings a gadget herself for child to use, of course).
145 Hudson St.
Tribeca
212-966-8840
Online: mylittlesunshinenyc.com
photo: Milk & Cookies Kids Salon and Spa
Milk & Cookies Kids Salon and Spa
Kids get pampered here with cuts, styling, and kid-friendly manicures, and safety protocols keep them safe while they primp. Trained and skilled employees at this literally sweet salon understand that some kids are scissor-scared and have great tactics to distract them and ease their little nerves. The kiddie salon and spa carries fun-smelling beauty products and offers an entertainment experience while the kids are waiting for their service; clients can watch their favorite TV show or movie on a tablet or play video games. Hairstylists make the smallest of guests feel comfortable by placing them in modern, comfortable Bloom high chairs, and after each service every customer visits the Cookie Cafe to enjoy a freshly-baked cookie and a cup of flavored milk.
1196 First Ave.
Upper East Side
646-850-4032
Online: milkandcookieskidsspa.com
photo: Cherie V. via Yelp
Doodle Doo’s
Another combo kid’s salon and toy store, Doodle Doo’s is a longtime NYC favorite for kids cuts, with clients coming from all over the city for service. The spacious storefront houses fun chairs (NYC taxi, boat, etc.) as well as toys from more than 100 vendors (with a bent towards educational ones) as well as a tween area. Doodle Doo’s is closed on Mondays.
11 Christopher St.
West Village
212-627-3667
Online: doodledoos.com
photo: Sharkeys K. via Yelp
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids
At Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids — a franchise children’s salon with a Manhattan location — stylists know that kids and parents want something fun when it comes to haircut time. Kids can choose from a large selection of novelty salon chairs (Dodge Police Cruiser, Barbie Jeep, Lightning McQueen Race Car, Buzz Light Year Vehicle, Hummer and a Mini Cooper are just some of the options) and then settle in to watch their favorite cartoons or Netflix. Sharkey’s also sells its own line of shampoos and other hair care products, and hosts “Glamour Girl” birthday parties as well.
1359 2nd Ave.
Upper East Side
646-559-2150
Online: sharkeyscutsforkids.com
photo: Steve 3000
Queens
Steve 3000 Barbershop
While the Whitestone location of this shop caters to adults, the Bayside outpost of Steve 3000 is haircut heaven for little dudes and dames. Superheroes and cartoon characters decorate the walls, along with family-friendly movies on large screens that kids can watch as they sit in one of six fun stations that include a plane, train, car and others. Kids can play video games in a special section of the salon before or after their haircut and the shop also sells little toys and cool T-shirts. On the other side of the salon, adults can get a haircut or shaping, so it’s a one-stop-shop for mom, dad and kid.
196 Northern Blvd.
Bayside, Queens
718-428-6760
Online: steve3000barbershop.com
photo: Nat K. via Yelp
LIC Royal Barber Shop
Head to this Long Island City salon for an old school barber shop vibe for parents and a colorful fun space for the kids. Gentlemen can cut a cut, head shave, hot towel shave and more, and kids get car-shaped seats and TV to distract them. Mom, you can get a cut here, too! Lots of safety measures are in place, including temperature checks, masks, contactless payment and more. Book appointments online here.
10-54 47th Ave.
Long Island City
718-937-1234
Online: licroyalbarbershop.com
Kiddy Kutz
This popular spot for kids’ haircuts in Astoria is back in action and ready to trim some locks. The kids-only salon is outfitted with fun cars for sitting in, as well as toys to distract. Like many places, with a baby’s first haircut, you get a certificate and a lock of hair with your snip. New COVID-19 safety measures are in place, including mask use, sanitizing, reduced capacity and temperature checks. Staff is also tested for COVID-19 every two weeks. The salon is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and haircuts are by appointment only. Make your appointment online here.
22-77 Steinway St.
Astoria
718-301-5852
Online: kiddykutz.com
— Rachel Solkol
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