The best kids haircuts are the ones that take under five minutes in the morning, stay out of the eyes and survive a day of running around. This guide is for parents and covers 12 easy cuts for boys and girls, with what to say at the salon and how often to book a trim.
Before you book a kids haircut
- Pick a calm time. Go after a nap or a snack, not before one.
- Let your child see the chair first. A quick visit to watch a sibling or friend get a trim takes the mystery out of it.
- Ask about clippers. Some children dislike the buzz and the vibration on the neck. Scissor cuts are quieter, and many stylists will do a clipper-free cut on request.
- Bring a photo and say what matters. Out of the eyes, easy to brush, fine for school: your priorities help the stylist more than a style name does.
Short kids haircuts for boys and girls
1. Buzz cut
A buzz cut is one short length all over with clippers. It is the lowest effort cut there is.
- Who it suits: Any hair type; good for hot summers and sports.
- How to ask: Say which guard number, and ask for a longer number first.
- Upkeep: Trim every 2 to 4 weeks.
2. Crew cut
A crew cut is short and tapered at the sides with a little more length on top.
- Who it suits: Straight and thick hair that stands up.
- How to ask: Ask for short tapered sides and about an inch on top.
- Upkeep: Trim every 3 to 4 weeks.
3. Side part haircut
A side part haircut combs neat hair to one side over tidy sides.
- Who it suits: Straight and wavy hair; a cowlick may need a different part.
- How to ask: Ask for a natural part on the side the hair already falls.
- Upkeep: Trim every 4 to 5 weeks.
4. Textured crop
A textured crop has a choppy top worn forward over short sides.
- Who it suits: Fine hair that needs body, or thick hair that needs control.
- How to ask: Ask for a short textured top and a gentle taper at the sides.
- Upkeep: Trim every 4 weeks.
5. Low taper fade
A low taper fade gradually shortens only at the neckline and sideburns.
- Who it suits: All textures; the cleanest way to keep curls tidy.
- How to ask: Ask for a low taper and a clipper-free neckline if your child dislikes buzzing.
- Upkeep: Trim every 3 to 4 weeks.
6. Short curls with a taper
This cut leaves length on top for curls and tapers the sides.
- Who it suits: Curly and coily hair, since curls sit well at a short length.
- How to ask: Ask for scissors on top, cut dry, and short sides.
- Upkeep: Trim every 4 to 6 weeks.
Cuts with more length
7. Bowl cut
A bowl cut is one rounded length with a straight fringe. A modern version is softer and more textured.
- Who it suits: Straight, thick hair.
- How to ask: Show a recent photo so you do not get the old-fashioned version.
- Upkeep: Trim every 4 to 6 weeks.
8. Bob haircut
A bob is cut at one main length between the ears and the shoulders.
- Who it suits: Straight and wavy hair; fine hair looks fuller.
- How to ask: Say where it should fall: chin, neck or shoulder.
- Upkeep: Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
9. Pixie cut
A pixie cut is cropped at the back and sides and a little longer on top.
- Who it suits: Children who hate tangles, and fine hair.
- How to ask: Ask for a soft, longer top that can be brushed to the side.
- Upkeep: Trim every 5 to 6 weeks.
10. Long layers
Long layers remove weight from long hair without taking much length.
- Who it suits: Thick hair that is heavy to brush.
- How to ask: Ask for layers that start below the chin.
- Upkeep: Trim every 10 to 12 weeks.
11. Side bangs
Side bangs sweep across the forehead and tuck behind the ear.
- Who it suits: Children who want a fringe but keep losing hair clips.
- How to ask: Ask for a fringe long enough to tuck.
- Upkeep: Trim every 6 weeks.
12. Cornrows
Cornrows are flat braids close to the scalp that last for weeks.
- Who it suits: Coily and curly hair, and school mornings.
- How to ask: Book a braider who has done children's styles; ask for a looser tension.
- Upkeep: Redo every 3 to 4 weeks.
How to choose
Look at three things: hair texture, how much time you have in the morning and what your child will tolerate. Thick, curly hair usually does best with a cut that keeps some length on top, while very fine hair looks neater short. If your child has a cowlick at the front, avoid a fringe that has to lie flat.
Not sure what suits your child's face? Check the face shape guide for ideas. Most children have soft, round features, so almost any cut works.
See a cut before the appointment
Older children and teens often want a say. Upload a selfie to the AI hairstyle changer and look at a few cuts on their own face together. Photos are deleted automatically, and you can show the one you pick to the stylist.
Related reading: haircuts for boys, haircuts for girls and low maintenance haircuts.
FAQ
What is the best haircut for a toddler?
A simple scissor cut with a little length on top is easiest: a short bob, a crew cut or a trimmed fringe. Keep the first visit short and book a time when your child is rested.
How often should kids get a haircut?
Short cuts need a trim every 3 to 6 weeks. Longer styles can go 8 to 12 weeks, mostly to remove split ends.
What are good haircuts for kids with curly hair?
Cuts that keep length on top so curls can form, such as a short curly top with a taper, or a bob shaped dry curl by curl. Avoid cutting wet curls very short.
What haircut is best for school?
A tidy cut that stays out of the eyes and needs no product: a crew cut, a side part, a bob or a ponytail length. Check your school's rules on extreme cuts.
