Set up a small salon station with a comb, hair clips, and a spray bottle of plain water. Take a willing customer — a parent, sibling, or doll — through a full pretend styling session: brushing, sectioning, clipping, and a final 'reveal' in a mirror.
What you need
- a wide-tooth comb
- hair clips
- a spray bottle of water
- a mirror
How to do it
- 1Seat the 'customer' in front of a mirror and set out the comb, clips, and spray bottle.
- 2"Welcome to the salon — what style are we going for today?" Ask for a preference before starting.
- 3Brush, section with clips, and mist lightly with water, narrating each step like a real stylist.
- 4Finish with a big reveal — spin the chair around to the mirror for the 'new look.'
Variations
- If hair play on a real person isn't wanted: a doll or stuffed animal with yarn hair works just as well as the customer.
- How it ends: the mirror reveal is a natural, satisfying close to every session.
💡 Parent tip
Being the willing customer yourself is often the most requested version of this game — it's a good five minutes of connection while you sit still.
What your child develops
- Fine motor control — combing, clipping, and sectioning small amounts of hair takes real precision
- Social role-play — the stylist-customer exchange is a structured, polite social script
- Sensory input — brushing and gentle hair play is calming for both the stylist and the customer
Safety notes
- Use only a plain water spray bottle, never any actual hair product without checking it's appropriate.
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