New York City
Cozy's Cuts for Kids
1416 Second Ave., (212) 585-2699.All ages. $28 ($10 for bang trims). For additional locations: cozycuts.com.
At this cheerful, over-the-top salon, which has a full-blown toy, crafts, and hair-accessories store attached, meltdowns are allowed—a boon for parents of tantrum-prone tots. Diversions include videos, Nintendo GameCubes, lollipops, balloons, and assistants who entertain by blowing bubbles and singing songs.
Doodle Doo's
543 Hudson St., (212) 627-3667.All ages. $30 for cuts, $15 for bang trims.
Super-cute and chemical-free, with a patient staff and a separate area for parental cuts and styling. Diversions include loads of educational toys and books—and a dedicated space to enjoy them. Kids get free bubbles with every cut.
Ouidad Salon & Curl Education Center
37 W. 57th St., 4th floor, (212) 888-3288.Ages 2 and up. Starting at $115.
While pricey, the salon deploys a specialized curl-specific "carving and slicing" technique to reduce excess volume, and first-timers spend at least an hour with stylists learning how to care for their hair. Non–New York parents of curly-haired kids can locate a Ouidad-certified salon at ouidad.com.
Salon AKS
689 Fifth Ave., 10th floor, (212) 888-0707.Infant to 12. Top stylist haircut $110, other stylists $75.
Posh yet warm and inviting, with stunning views of Fifth Avenue. Young swimmers swear by the revitalizing conditioning treatment that takes out chlorine deposits. Weather permitting, older kids and tweens might enjoy a bit of fresh air on the outdoor terrace, open during the spring and summer months.
St. Paul
Kids' Hair
2040 Ford Pkwy., (651) 699-0900.Infant to 17. Cuts $16, French braids from $6, gum removal from $5.
This salon is part of a 13-shop Minneapolis/St. Paul–area chain founded by a husband-and-wife team. Services are offered by appointment only, and tots are accompanied by parents at every point in the process. Diversions include toys, suckers, TVs hooked up to VCRs at every station, and staff that occasionally wear costumes.
Washington, D.C.
Ury and Associates
3109 M St. NW, Suite 300, (202) 342-0944.Ages 1 and up. $30—once kids hit age 13, they're charged as adults.
Entered through the adjacent Steve Madden shoe store via a quick elevator ride, the salon itself is airy and bustling. Request Fatima, Murat, or Patricia Williams, who've noticed that boys are favoring longer hair, while girls prefer bobs—just like Mom. Lollipops keep kids occupied during the cuts.
Paul Bosserman
3214 N St. NW, (202) 337-0020.All Ages. $85 to $125 for girls, $65 to $80 for boys.
A very cute little space in a Georgetown row house, nestled on a side street. While all the stylists are good with kids, Bach Lam specializes in tots. A selection of children's books keeps kids from getting the fidgets.
National Chains
Cartoon Cuts
There are televisions, DVDs, and art tables at every station. The shampoo area has comfy beds, so kids can stretch out and be rinsed with an elephant-trunk hose. Bath toys on sale include rubber duckies and dinosaurs.
Snip-its
Adventure Club passes, used at the individual Snip-its Adventure Play Stations, feature customized computer games and activities with Snip-its characters. At the end of their hair visits, kids can trade in passes for prizes. The salon also hosts parties, has a VIP Club, and sells accessories and its own hair-care line.
A Few Tricks
While most children's salons are stocked with playthings, you still may want to keep a few tricks up your sleeve.
Book
Head off the shock of the shearing at the pass by giving kids a copy of No Haircut Today! by Elivia Savadier ($16 retail, $11 on sale, amazon.com).
Snacks
Keep copious snacks on hand: Try breadsticks, raisins—anything that can be doled out at a trickle so you can get the necessary mileage.
Toy
Exploit the thrill of a new toy: The Travel Etch A Sketch might divert his attention just long enough for someone to trim the sides. ($9, toys2wish4.com).
