If you’ve ever tried to wrangle a squirmy kid through a haircut, you know the drill: a cape that feels like a straitjacket, a bribery lollipop that barely buys you five minutes, and a lot of “just one more second, buddy.” So when I heard about Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, a kids’ salon with locations in Bolingbrook and Bloomingdale, I had to see for myself whether it was worth the hype. We visited the Bolingbrook location and my boys have already asked if we could go back for their next haircut.
This article is sponsored by Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, and all opinions are my own.
Walking In: It’s Not Your Average Salon
The second we walked in, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical haircut. Instead of stiff salon chairs, kids get to pick their seat: littler ones can climb into a Barbie Jeep or a Lightning McQueen car and watch a TV show of their choice (Bluey was playing during our visit, and my boys were thrilled), while bigger kids can sit at Xbox stations. My boys got to play Roblox during their cuts, and I’m not exaggerating when I say they were obsessed. It completely erased any haircut wiggles.
There’s also a bright pink “Tween Lounge,” complete with striped walls and mirrors ringed in dressing-room bulbs, where kids can come in for a full day of beauty with hair, makeup, and nails all in one spot.
What’s Included
Here’s the part that genuinely surprised me: I expected all of this to come with a hefty price tag, but it didn’t.
- Boys’ Haircuts ($34) include a wash, cut, blow-dry, fun chairs, cartoons, a balloon, and a lollipop.
- Girls’ Haircuts ($37) include all of the above, plus a “minicure” (a mini manicure) and a glamour ring.
- Every single visit, even for siblings tagging along who aren’t getting a service, comes with a balloon, a Sharkey’s tattoo, and a lollipop. Girls can also pick out a ring.
Both of my boys’ haircuts turned out great, and considering everything packed into the visit, it felt like a great deal.
Little Extra Touches That Made It Special
Beyond the core haircut experience, there were so many small details that made this feel like an event rather than an errand:
- A chalk wall in the bathroom, with a full bucket of chalk to choose from. My son thought this was the coolest part of the whole visit.
- A dress-up area with dresses and a disco ball
- A little shop near the register with toys and Dippin’ Dots for purchase, if you want to extend the fun.
Other Services to Know About
Beyond the standard boys’ and girls’ cuts, Sharkey’s also offers:
- Child’s First Haircut Experience ($40) — includes a certificate, a lock of hair to keep, and a photo of the milestone.
- Curls, Curls, Curls! — Tween Lounge time with a minicure and glamour ring while curls get styled to perfection.
- Up-Do Hairstyles — from ballet buns to wedding-worthy styles.
- Braids, Braids, and More Braids! — from classic French braids to fishtails.
The Verdict
This was such a fun, unique experience for my family, and it’s easy to see why kids beg to go back. Between the Xbox stations, the ride-on cars, the chalk wall, and the fact that every visit ends in a balloon and a lollipop, Sharkey’s manages to turn a haircut into something kids actually look forward to.
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids has locations in Bolingbrook and Bloomingdale and you can book appointments online using the links below.
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids
1260 W Boughton Rd, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(331) 318-8102
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids
358 W Army Trail Rd #150, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
(847) 648-7912
