Half-term and holidays: how barbers handle the kids rush

Every school holiday, parents all think of a haircut on the same day. For a solo barber that means a busy week, short appointments and some tired children. A little planning makes it smooth.

Know your timings

A kids cut often takes less time than an adult fade, but not always. Some children sit still, some do not. Give each kids cut a realistic length, such as 20 or 30 minutes, rather than squeezing them in.

Open specific kids slots

Setting aside blocks, for example 10:00 to 12:00 on certain days, keeps the rest of your diary calm and tells parents when to book. It also stops a run of small cuts breaking up your longer appointments.

Ask for the key details

• Child's name and age.
• Any worries, like clippers noise or a first haircut.
• Whether a parent will stay.

Make the booking easy for parents

Parents book in the evening, in a rush, with one hand. A link that shows free times and lets them choose a slot is much easier than a back and forth about "anything after school?"

Keep the chair calm

A few simple things help: a booster seat, a quick chat about their football team, and a sticker or a lolly if that is your style. Children remember a friendly barber and their parents remember how easy it was.

Plan for no-shows

Holiday plans change fast. A short reminder the day before, with a way to message you if they need to move, saves you from empty slots in your busiest week.

The takeaway

Open dedicated slots, give kids realistic times and make booking one tap for parents. Bookable lets you set service lengths and block times, so your holiday week stays under control.

Keep reading

• Walk-ins and appointments: how barbers can run both
• How to put your prices up without losing clients
• Your first week with a booking link: a simple checklist