Kids Resources

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Haircut for Little Kids and the best Haircut for Big Kids in the Bay Area, Snippety Crickets is a popular stop for shaggy-headed children. The walls are covered with photos of some of the scores who patronize the place. Haircuts are expert, if a bit too brisk at times. Appointments are encouraged but drop-ins always welcome.

The waiting room has toys that can help pass the time, but with each haircut taking no more than about seven minutes, it doesn't take long to get into the chair. Children leave with a new haircut and a tootsie pop.

Peppermint Cuts is a great place for the first haircut - newborns and older. The head hairstylist is a mother of four and knows how to soothe rattled nerves. Kids can have their hair cut on a pony, and the rates don't get any better.

Peppermint Cuts is a great place for the first haircut - newborns and older. The head hairstylist is a mother of four and knows how to soothe rattled nerves. Kids can have their hair cut on a pony, and the rates don't get any better.

Children's Choice Pediatric Dental caters to infants and children. The child-friendly office features treatment chairs equipped with movie screens, a children's play area, video games, and cutting edge products such as ice-cream flavored xylitol toothpaste.

Kenny Tse, Jr DDS is a pediatric dentist practicing in South San Francisco.

A busy medical office in Noe Valley with a good reputation. Call to see if the center is accepting new patients.

Doctor Sonja Huie has been in practice for twenty years, specializing in pediatrics. Her residency was at Children's Hospital in Oakland. She and Doctor Diana Tang have a medical office on Sacramento.

A store that sells exactly what it says it does - accessories, guitars, ukuleles, and mandolins. And oh what a lovely selection it has - big ones, little ones, expensive ones, and starters. It also carries an assortment of CDs and DVDs specializing in, yes, guitar music, along with racks of songbooks and methods.

The staff is knowledgeable and accustomed to answering questions from wanna be musicians ages four on up. You can rent a guitar at $30 a month if you decide to purchase one, the rental fees can be applied toward a purchase.

A bunch of nice guys work here and are prepared to match your child with a bike, whether it's a short-term rental or a long-term sale. Selection of children's bikes are limited, but of high quality. Repairs are reasonably priced, and fast.

A friendly little board shop where you can buy longboards,
skateboards, and snowboards. Known for their selection
of longboard demos. Snowboards are available for
rent, too. The staff takes the time required to offer
advice on style, fittings, and how cool it all looks.
They also have an uncanny ability to remember names,
and the effect is that you'll always feel welcome
here. Every Sunday is "Purple Sunday". Customers receive a ten percent discount on purchases if they are wearing the color purple, a Purple Skunk t-shirt or sweatshirt when you visit the shop on Sunday.

California Kids Jump is an outfit that rents out those big, inflatable jumpers that make up the centerpiece of many little kids' parties. We've been to affairs where one of these plus a cake is all the kids need to think the party's been great.

The rates are reasonable and the choices fairly broad. You can get a small jumper or a big combination one that includes slides. In addition to jumpers, California Kids Jump rents out cotton candy, popcorn, and sno-cone machines with supplies, and kid-sized tables and chairs (blue, red, and yellow).

If you don't have room for one of these in your backyard, and who does, call the San Francisco Recreation & Park Dept and reserve a park for the party.