A strap that's too long for a young player lets the guitar hang too low to reach comfortably, and a strap that's too wide can dig into a small shoulder. A smaller strap fixes both. Here's how to choose one and set it up.
The kids straps mentioned here are from our own shop, $19.95 each, as of October 2026.
Why a kids strap, not just a shortened adult one
Many adult straps adjust down quite a way, but on a small player even their shortest setting can still be too long, especially with a smaller guitar. A strap sized for kids gets the guitar up where small hands can reach both the neck and the strings.
How to set the length
- Attach the strap and have your child stand up with the guitar on.
- Adjust the slider buckle until the middle of the guitar body sits around belt height.
- Check the fretting hand: they should reach the first fret without stretching their arm straight out.
- Check the picking hand: their forearm should rest naturally over the body, with the hand over the sound hole or pickups.
- Have them sit down and stand up again. The strap should hold the guitar in about the same place both ways, so practice habits carry over.
Kids grow fast, so recheck the length every few months.
If the guitar has only one strap button
Many acoustic guitars only have a button at the bottom of the body. Our kids straps include a tie cord for exactly this: loop it around the headstock, just above the nut and under the strings, and attach the strap's other end to the cord.
Our kids straps
- Kids Leopard Print strap: tan and black spots with black end tabs and an adjustable slider buckle.
- Kids Kiss Lips strap: pink, magenta and cream lip prints on black, with PU leather end tabs.
Both are sized for kids and smaller players, fit acoustic and electric guitars, and include the headstock tie cord.
When to move up to a full-size strap
Once the kids strap is let all the way out and the guitar still sits too high, or your child moves up to a full-size guitar, it's time for an adult strap. Most of our full-size straps adjust from about 34 to 56 inches and are 2 inches wide. See all guitar straps.
Free US shipping on every order, and 30-day returns with a free label, which is handy if you're guessing at fit for a gift.