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Boy hair, when short, is a bit deceptive. It likes to appear low-maintenance and carefree, when in reality it’s pretty demanding and not very forgiving. It needs to be cut often, it needs to be cut right, and by the time you’ve realized it — it needs to be cut now.
For these reasons, you may be looking to cut your toddler’s hair yourself. Here are some strategies and tips from both real parents and experts on how to give your little boy a haircut.
Toddler boy haircut styles
First, pick a style. In “50 Cute Little Boy Haircuts”, Taylah Brewer of The Trend Spotter recommended “a low maintenance cut that still looks cool.” She suggested an undercut or a sideswept fringe.
Mother of two Vanessa Sanchez said that her 3-year-old son loves his mohawk. “It’s surprisingly versatile,” Sanchez told Mom.com, saying that he can wear it “rock and roll” style (curly), or “baby handsome” style — straight and combed over to the side.
How to cut boys’ hair: Equipment, games, and other essentials
Watch this Quick and Easy Home Haircut Tutorial from the YouTube channel, Like To Style, for an overview before you start cutting and supplement with the following guidelines:
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUnkenMZDcQ
1. Invest in the right equipment
- Barber’s shears (not household or multipurpose scissors)
- Clipper, trimmer, or razor, depending on your selected style. (Feeling a little clueless? WAHL Home Products explains the difference.)
- A comb with a pointed end, preferably with wide and fine teeth
- Spray bottle
- Additional items: a chair with a low back and arms (a highchair will work well), towels, washcloths (to dust those tiny hairs away from your child’s eyes), and some tried-and-true entertainment
2. Prep your work area
Pick a quiet, calm environment. “Overstimulation can make them hyper, thus making them move around even more,” professional stylist Natalia Stolearenco told People magazine. In front of a mirror or in the backyard are also good options. Cover the floor with towels for easy cleanup.
3. Prep your child
Secure a towel over your child’s neck and shoulder area with a clip. (If your child is resistant, try a large T-shirt that can be easily removed, instead.) Stolearenco also recommended that you show the child how all the tools work before using them. “This will build trust and it helps avoid the shock of new sounds and feelings,” she said.
Consider allowing your child to role-play with the trimmer. Mom of three Katy Anderson previously wrote for Mom.com about how her son “trimmed” his stuffed monkey’s hair while she trimmed his.
4. Bring on the entertainment
Turn on that TV and gather a variety of your child’s favorite snacks and toys, because you’re going to need him to sit still for about 30 to 45 minutes! His attention span is estimated to be two to three minutes per year of his age, which means a 3-year-old will need an activity switch at least every six minutes, a 4-year-old every eight minutes, and so on. Sanchez shares that rotating through her son’s favorite TV shows even helps calm his anxiety about the sound of the razor.
5. Make sure your child’s hair is clean and dry
“Wet hair lies,” celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook told lifestyle site MindBodygreen.com. She suggested letting your child’s hair air-dry if curly, and blow-drying it smooth for straight hair.
6. Start from the front/top
You’ll want to cut the most visible part when your child is most willing to sit still, which is at the beginning of the session.
7. Cut vertically or at an angle
Unless you want your toddler’s hairstyle to mirror a bowl cut, steer clear of a horizontal cut! Hold your scissors vertically, or cut at a 45-degree angle. Celebrity colorist George Papanikolas also recommended to MindBodyGreen.com to lift the hair at 90-degree angles for a softer cut, and to keep the hair in the front longer than it is in the back. Another way to create a softer, textured cut is to twist the pieces of hair before trimming them, according to Brooks.
8. Use longer guards first when using a clipper
Papanikolas recommended a guard of two or higher. “The longer guard length is more forgiving on mistakes and imperfect blending,” he said. Fun Cheap or Free provides a simple five-step process for cutting with clippers.
9. Reward!
Give some positive reinforcement while treating yourself and your little one to a special reward — you did it!
Expert tips for haircuts
- Limit sugar. Sugar causes restlessness (and wiggles)!
- Be a role model. Let your child watch you cut a small piece of your hair first, so he can see it doesn’t hurt.
- Trim hair regularly. Your little guy will get used to haircuts and you’ll both be spared of extended hair-cutting sessions.
- Have your child sit on your or your spouse’s lap. This will help him feel more secure.
- Cut hair during a time of day when your child is his happiest. Not when hungry or in need of a nap!
- Avoid cutting hair shorter than the distance from the tip of your finger to your second knuckle. “Hair-cutting scissors are very sharp, … and toddlers can move unexpectedly, so be prepared to act quickly to move the scissors away,” Adams warned.
- Remember that you are not a professional. Don’t put that pressure on yourself! View your at-home trims as maintenance cuts, and know that your kid is a cutie no matter what… even if he has to wear a hat for two weeks straight.
