Taking your child for their first manicure is a milestone. They get to feel grown-up. You get photos. Everyone leaves smiling. But as a parent, you need to know: what age is appropriate, what services are safe for kids, and what it costs. This guide covers everything Jeannie Nails offers for children, with age recommendations and what to expect during the visit.
We welcome children aged 6 and older for all nail services. For ear piercing, we recommend age 8+ or when the child can sit still for 5 minutes and articulate consent. Children under 6 can sit with a parent during their service but can not receive nail polish or filing (the nail bed is too small and the polish chemicals are not recommended for very young children). We do not offer gel or acrylic services for anyone under 14 — these services require filing of the natural nail plate, which we do not perform on developing nails.
Classic manicure ($10): Shape and file nails, push back cuticles (gentle, no cutting), buff nail surface, apply polish. Kid-friendly colour selection includes pastel pinks, purples, sparkles, and seasonal colours. The process takes 20 minutes. We use water-based, non-toxic polish on request for sensitive or allergy-prone children. The child keeps their hands and feet, picks a colour, and watches. They can bring a phone or tablet. We do not remove cuticles on children under 14 — push only.
Classic pedicure ($25): Foot soak (warm water with gentle soap), nail shaping, scrub lotion, polish. Takes 25 minutes. We trim nails straight across (no rounding — reduces ingrown toenail risk). For children who are ticklish or nervous, we do not push — we do a "touch pedicure" where the feet are barely touched during polishing. Same kid-friendly colour selection as manicures.
Ear piercing ($15 single, $25 pair): Single-use, medical-grade needle (no piercing gun). Hypoallergenic surgical steel starter earrings included. We numb the area with ice and topical anaesthetic before piercing. Takes 5 minutes. Aftercare instructions provided. Steri-strips and saline solution given with every piercing.
Bring a distraction — phone, tablet, book. The 20-25 minute service is short enough for most kids, but a familiar video helps. Let the technician know if your child is nervous, ticklish, or has sensory sensitivities. We can adjust pressure, skip certain steps, and speed up the process if needed. Parents are welcome to sit beside the child during the service. We encourage it — especially for first-time visitors.
The polish is regular nail polish, not gel. It chips in 3-5 days. This is deliberate: kids grow fast and their nails grow fast. A gel manicure (2-3 weeks) is not appropriate for children whose nail beds are still developing. Regular polish comes off with non-acetone remover in 2 minutes and causes zero damage to the nail surface.
Classic manicure (any colour, ages 6+): $10. Classic pedicure (ages 8+): $25. Combo — manicure + pedicure: $30 (save $5). Ear piercing — single: $15, pair: $25 (includes starter earrings). Gift certificates available — good for birthday presents.
Walk-ins for kids services are welcome during regular hours (Tuesday-Saturday). For groups of 4+ kids (birthday parties, playdates, school events), please call ahead so we can schedule extra time and staffing. We can handle up to 6 kids simultaneously with 2 technicians. Minimum 48-hour notice for group bookings. No extra charge for parties — just the cost of services.
Bring your child for their first salon visit.
Jeannie Nails Sheet Harbour — Kids services from $10.
