The kiddie hair salons today are really quite amazing – some have chairs in the shapes of cars, airplanes or motorcycles. They give out balloons and lollipops, there are arcade games, DVDs of your choosing, toys, books, and vending machines with small toys and prizes in them. You might as well be at Disneyland. And when you get the bill for your kid’s fifteen minute haircut, you’ll think that’s where you were.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good cheap kids haircut.

Here are 8 tips to get a cheap kids haircut:

• DIY. There was a boy in my son’s mommy-and-me class who had the most adorable buzz cut for summer. I was surprised when his mom told me she did it herself with an electric trimmer at Target! She swore it was easy and one haircut paid for the device! So I went out and bought the same electric trimmer, not realizing that my son had sensory issues. When I put that loud, whirring device to his head, he freaked out and was left looking like he’d been attacked by a weed whacker. It was back to the kiddie salon for us. So yes, doing it yourself can work, but it’s not for everyone. I had much better luck in trimming my daughter’s bangs and snipping the ends of her hair when she was little.
• Let it Grow. “Let it grow, let it grow, can’t hold it back anymore…” In the tradition of Anna and Elsa as well as many other Disney princesses, little girls love long hair. When my daughter wanted to be Rapunzel, she wouldn’t let me near her hair – which saved us a lot of money! And I have seen toddler boys with long “rocker hair” which is kind of cute if that’s your thing.
• YouTube Videos. There are step-by-step videos that show you exactly how to cut hair, do a French braid, or even make a “bow bun” in your daughter’s hair. And as you watch and cut, if your child can watch along, too, it’s reassuring for them, and they might even think it’s cool.
• Google for Coupons and Discounts. Also, check the back of your grocery store receipts and Val-Pack inserts for a few dollars off. Some places even take competitor’s coupons. Look for mid-week specials, as they are more common than weekend deals.
• Supercuts/Fantastic Sam’s/Etc. There are many local haircutting places that offer cheaper cuts and punch cards. My son’s last haircut was free! When we first went there, my kids were disappointed to leave the kiddie salon with their five cent Dum-Dums lollipops and balloons which cost me about ten dollars more. But when I explained that this was a “big kid” salon, they were better about it. I brought my own lollipops and handed my kid my iPhone for entertainment.
• Mystery Shops. A friend of mine, who always has perfect-looking hair, goes “undercover” as a mystery shopper to high-end salons where she gets her hair cut and colored for free. All she has to do is write a report. Some mystery shopping companies offer shops for children’s haircuts.
• Cosmetology School. When I was a teen, I’d let beauty school students cut my hair for a fraction of the price. It takes awhile, but if your kid is older, he or she should be able to sit still a little longer. If not, there’s always lollipops and a hand-held devices for distraction.
• And now, just for a laugh:  Kids’ Haircuts That Will Make You Cringe.

How do you save money on your kids’ haircuts?