Family vacations to 30A are magical-building sandcastles at Seaside, biking through Rosemary Beach, splashing in the pools at WaterColor. But between all that sun, sand, and salt water, your kids’ hair can become a tangled, sun-bleached mess. That’s where we come in.
As a family-friendly salon serving Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach, and all of 30A, we specialize in making kids’ haircuts a positive, even fun experience. Whether your child needs their first haircut ever or they’re getting a fresh style before school starts, we’re here to help.
Our Kids’ Hair Services
Kid’s Cut – Starting at $40 Our standard kids’ haircut service includes:
- Age-appropriate consultation (we talk to both parents and kids about what they want)
- Patient, gentle cutting technique
- Fun, comfortable atmosphere
- Styling tips parents can use at home
- A positive experience that builds confidence
Kid’s Cut + Blowout – Starting at $65 For kids who can sit through a full styling session, we offer cuts with professional blowouts:
- Complete wash, cut, and blow-dry
- Perfect for special occasions
- Great for teaching kids about hair care
- Especially popular with tweens and teens
- Makes kids feel grown-up and special
Creating Positive First Haircut Experiences
A child’s first haircut is a milestone moment. How that experience goes can shape their attitude toward haircuts for years to come. Here’s how we make it special:
Age-Appropriate Approach: For toddlers (18 months – 3 years), we work quickly and efficiently, understanding that attention spans are short. We let them hold a toy or watch videos if it helps them stay still.
For preschoolers (3-5 years), we engage them in conversation about what they want, making them feel involved in the process.
For school-age kids (5-12 years), we treat them with respect, asking their opinions and explaining what we’re doing.
Parent Involvement: Parents are always welcome to stay close, especially for younger children. We encourage you to:
- Hold your child’s hand if they’re nervous
- Bring a comfort item from home
- Take photos of this milestone moment
- Celebrate afterward to create positive associations
Distraction Techniques:
- Conversation about their interests (favorite shows, sports, hobbies)
- Explaining the process in kid-friendly terms
- Working efficiently to minimize discomfort
- Praise throughout the process
Why Vacation is the Perfect Time for a Haircut
Many families schedule kids’ haircuts during their 30A vacation. Here’s why it makes sense:
Fresh Start: Start the vacation with a clean, manageable cut that will be easier to maintain throughout your trip. Shorter, neater hair means less tangles after swimming and less time spent on hair care during your vacation.
Easier Beach Hair: Long hair + salt water + wind = disaster. A strategic trim before beach activities can save everyone frustration. We can cut just enough length to prevent massive tangles while keeping the style your child loves.
Special Occasion Preparation: If you have family photos planned, a wedding to attend, or special dinners at restaurants in Seaside or Rosemary Beach, a fresh haircut ensures your kids look their best.
Souvenir Experience: For some families, getting haircuts on vacation becomes a fun tradition. Kids remember “that time we got haircuts at the beach” years later.
Convenience: While you’re already on vacation and relaxed, why not take care of this task without the rush of regular weekday schedules?
Back-to-School Haircut Headquarters
If your 30A vacation falls in July or August, we’re the perfect spot for back-to-school haircuts:
Timing Strategy:
- Early July: Good for kids starting school in early August
- Mid-July: Perfect for most back-to-school timeframes
- Late July/Early August: Last-minute cuts before school starts
Back-to-School Styles: We stay current with what’s popular among different age groups:
- Elementary ages: Classic cuts that are neat but still fun
- Middle school: More trendy options while remaining school-appropriate
- High school: Contemporary styles that express personality
School Dress Code Compliance: If your child’s school has hair length or color requirements, let us know. We’ll ensure their cut complies while still looking great.
Popular Kids’ Styles by Age Group
Toddlers (1-3 years):
- Basic trims to shape baby-fine hair
- Bangs that stay out of eyes
- Short, easy-care cuts
- Goal: Quick and simple
Preschool (3-5 years):
- Bob cuts for girls (easy for parents to maintain)
- Short cuts for active boys
- First “real” hairstyles that make them feel big
- Goal: Cute and manageable
Elementary (5-11 years):
- Layered cuts for girls with medium-to-long hair
- Pixie cuts for active, sporty girls
- Modern textured cuts for boys
- Goal: Age-appropriate and stylish
Tweens/Teens (11-15 years):
- More input in style decisions
- Current trends that work for their lifestyle
- Longer options for teens who can manage them
- Goal: Expression and confidence
Managing Kids’ Hair in Beach Environments
After the haircut, here’s how to keep kids’ hair healthy during your 30A vacation:
Before Swimming:
- Wet hair with fresh water from showers at beach access points
- Apply leave-in conditioner for a protective barrier
- Braid long hair to prevent tangles
After Swimming:
- Rinse immediately with fresh water
- Don’t roughly towel-dry-gently squeeze out water
- Use a wide-tooth comb, starting from ends and working up
- Apply detangler spray liberally
Daily Care:
- Don’t wash every day-every other day is plenty
- Use sulfate-free, gentle kids’ shampoo
- Condition ends, not roots
- Protect from sun with hats or leave-in conditioner with SPF
For Curly-Haired Kids: The humidity can be especially challenging. Consider:
- Our K18 treatment ($45+) for kids with damaged curls
- Specialized curl-cutting techniques
- Product recommendations for frizz control
- Embracing the natural texture rather than fighting it
Special Considerations for Different Hair Types
Fine, Straight Hair:
- Sun can make it look stringy and oily
- Keep it shorter for easier vacation management
- Use dry shampoo between washes
- Light products only
Thick, Coarse Hair:
- Humidity makes it expand and frizz
- Strategic thinning makes it more manageable
- Brazilian Blowout options for older kids (teen years)
- Strong hold products for styling
Curly or Wavy Hair:
- Can either look amazing or awful in humidity
- Proper cutting technique that works with curls
- Embrace natural texture with right products
- Don’t brush when dry
Color-Treated Hair: For teens with highlights, fashion colors, or other treatments:
- Sun fades color quickly
- Chlorine can turn colors brassy or green
- Use color-protecting products
- Consider a gloss treatment ($45+) before or after vacation
Family-Friendly Atmosphere
We understand that bringing kids to a salon can feel daunting. Here’s what makes our environment work for families:
Patience: We never rush kids or make them feel bad for being fidgety. Haircuts happen at their pace.
Flexibility: Need to take a quick break? No problem. Child melting down? We can reschedule without penalty.
Understanding: We’ve seen it all-tears, tantrums, sudden bathroom needs. Nothing fazes us.
Positive Reinforcement: We praise kids throughout the process, celebrating their cooperation and bravery.
Coordinating Family Appointments
Make it efficient by scheduling multiple family members:
The Family Haircut Day:
- Book sequential appointments for all family members
- Kids go first while they’re fresh and cooperative
- Parents get their services while kids are occupied
- Knock out everyone’s hair care in one visit
Sibling Coordination:
- For families with multiple kids, we can often cut them simultaneously if two stylists are available
- Reduces total time in salon
- Siblings can encourage each other
Parent + Child Combos:
- Mom gets a blowout ($65+) while daughter gets a cut ($40+)
- Dad gets a trim ($60+) while son gets his cut ($40+)
- Bonding experience plus efficiency
Teaching Kids About Hair Care
A salon visit is a great opportunity to teach kids about taking care of themselves:
For Younger Kids (5-10):
- Why we need haircuts (hair health, not just appearance)
- How to brush without causing damage
- The importance of rinsing after swimming
- Basic hygiene habits
For Older Kids (10-15):
- How to communicate what they want in a haircut
- Product knowledge for their hair type
- Styling techniques they can do themselves
- Taking pride in appearance
Life Skills:
- Being patient and sitting still
- Communicating with service providers
- Making decisions about personal appearance
- Respecting the professional expertise of stylists
Serving Families Across 30A
We’re conveniently located to serve families staying in:
- Watercolor: Popular with families for the pools and beach club
- Seaside: Iconic family-friendly town with bike paths and amphitheater
- Grayton Beach: Laid-back vibe perfect for families seeking quieter beaches
- Blue Mountain Beach: Family-owned shops and great beach access
- Rosemary Beach: Upscale but welcoming to families
- Alys Beach: Increasingly family-friendly with amazing pools
- Inlet Beach: More affordable options for family vacations
- Seacrest Beach: The Lagoon makes it perfect for young kids
Preparing Your Child for Their Appointment
Help your child feel comfortable by:
Talking About It Ahead:
- Explain what will happen in age-appropriate terms
- Show them photos or videos of kids getting haircuts
- Never use threats (“If you don’t behave, they’ll cut it really short!”)
- Frame it as a positive, special experience
Timing Matters:
- Schedule when your child is usually well-rested and fed
- Avoid nap times or late in the day when they’re tired
- Morning appointments often work best for young kids
Bring Comfort Items:
- Favorite stuffed animal or toy
- Tablet with their favorite show (if needed for distraction)
- Snack for afterward as a reward
Set Expectations:
- It might feel a little strange but won’t hurt
- They need to sit as still as possible
- The whole thing will be over quickly
- There’s something fun planned afterward
What Not to Do Before a Kids’ Haircut
Don’t cut it yourself first: Sometimes parents try to “fix” a haircut gone wrong at home, which can make our job harder. Bring them in as-is.
Don’t promise drastic changes: If your child has long hair and loves it, don’t promise the stylist will do something radically different without discussing it first.
Don’t show up with soaking wet hair: Damp is fine, dripping wet makes cutting more difficult.
Don’t bribe with candy during the cut: Save treats for afterward so they associate the completion with the reward.
Making It a Positive Memory
Turn the haircut into a fun family memory:
Before Photos: Take a picture with their “before” hair During Photos: Capture them in the chair (if they’re comfortable) After Photos: Show off the new look Celebration: Ice cream at Seaside, treats from a local bakery, or extra beach time
Some families even create a “First Haircut” certificate or save a lock of hair from that first cut-we’re happy to help with these traditions.
For Parents: While Your Kids Are in the Chair
Bring backup activities: Quiet toys, coloring books, or tablets for siblings waiting Consider tag-team: One parent stays with the child getting cut while the other takes siblings for a walk Schedule your own service: Get your haircut while your partner watches the kids, then switch
Teens and Pre-Teens: A Special Note
Older kids and teenagers have different needs:
Respect Their Input: They should have the primary say in their haircut at this age Style Consultations: We’ll discuss what works for their hair type and lifestyle Independence: Teens may prefer to be in the chair without parents hovering Trendy Options: We stay current with teen styles and can recreate looks from Instagram Special Services: Teens can access our full menu including color, treatments, and styling
Common Questions from Parents
Q: What if my child won’t sit still? A: We’re experienced with wiggly kids. We work quickly and efficiently, and can take breaks if needed.
Q: How often do kids need haircuts? A: Every 6-8 weeks for short styles, every 8-12 weeks for longer styles. It varies by how fast their hair grows.
Q: Can I stay with my child during the cut? A: Absolutely. Whatever makes your child most comfortable.
Q: What if they’re scared? A: We’ll go at their pace. Sometimes just sitting in the chair without cutting is a victory for the first visit.
Q: Do you offer any discounts for multiple kids? A: Contact us about family packages, especially during back-to-school season.
Book Your Family’s Appointments
Ready to give your kids a great haircut experience during your 30A vacation? Whether you’re here for a week or you’re local to Grayton Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, or anywhere along the coast, we’re here to help.
Book online for maximum convenience, or call us to discuss your family’s specific needs. We look forward to meeting your kids and creating positive hair care experiences that will last a lifetime!