– last edited May 2026.
It probably seems like every second week you need to buy new shoes for your kids with their rapidly growing feet. Knowing a little bit about sizing and fitting, as well as the different shoe styles and what to look for in a good shoe, can help to make this shopping task a little bit easier as well as cost-effective.
Age of Your Child
The first factor to consider is your child’s age. Babies, for example, don’t really need shoes until they start to walk. In fact, it makes it easier for your baby to learn to walk if he or she has bare feet. For babies, it is simply recommended that you just use socks to protect their little feet from the elements.
Once your baby becomes a toddler, you will want to look for shoes that protect their feet as they toddle about. Their shoes will need to be breathable, with a firm yet flexible sole that will be easy for them to learn how to walk in.
By the time your toddler becomes a preschooler, you really need to choose shoes that can withstand the hard knocks your child will put them through every day. Durability and functionality are key when choosing shoes for your preschooler who will run, jump, and play in them daily.
What to Look for in a Good Kid’s Shoe
Your child’s shoes should have a flexible, non-skid sole to protect them as they walk indoors and outdoors. It is also recommended to choose lightweight materials, such as soft leather, canvas, or cloth, so that your child’s feet can breathe and move freely. You don’t want the material to be too tight, as is the case in most plastic or rubber shoes, but you also want to make sure they provide support and stability. Make sure you can bend the shoe in your hand without much effort.
The treads of the shoes for your child should have grooves that will prevent your child from slipping, but you also need to make sure that the grooves are not so deep that they may cause your child to trip on a rug or carpet.
And whilst it may be tempting to go with the trendiest and cutest shoes that you see, they might not really be good for your child to walk in if they don’t meet the criteria mentioned above.
How to Know If the Size Is Right?
It is recommended that you have your toddler’s feet properly measured so you get the right size shoe from the get-go. However, once you know their size, there is no need to invest big bucks on each pair of shoes, as their feet will grow again quickly.
For both toddlers and pre-schoolers, you will want to check that the fit is ok. It is recommended that you shop later in the day, as your child’s foot often expands and swells as the day progresses. You don’t want a shoe that was tried on in the morning to feel tight when you wear it in the afternoon!
Get your child to stand up when trying on shoes. First, check the heel and make sure there is enough space to fit your pinky finger between your kid’s heel and the heel of the shoe. Then check the front and make sure there is a thumb-width gap between the longest toe and the front of the shoe.
If the shoes will be worn with socks, make sure your child tries them with socks on so you can get the sizing just right. They shouldn’t be too big or too small, or they might make it hard for your kid to walk in, and they could also be unsafe. You also want to make sure the shoes won’t rub or cause pain anywhere on the foot when worn.
You might find you have to replace toddlers’ shoes every month, so do this fitting test regularly to make sure they are wearing shoes with a suitable fit.
Lace, Snap, or Velcro?
The final big choice you will need to consider is how the shoe will be fastened. This might depend somewhat on your child’s age and skill level. A toddler will find it difficult to do up laces and will probably find Velcro fastening easier for putting on and taking off their shoes.
If your pre-schooler is able to tie laces and you prefer this option, make sure the laces are long enough to double-tie so they don’t come undone and cause your child to trip!
At the end of the day, the best shoes for your child are ones that fit well and are functional – try to forget about fashion! That said, there are many trendy shoes that do fit the rules in this guide, so your kid can wear shoes that are both good for their growing feet and look good, too!
