Children's Shoes
From LoveToKnow Shoes
They may not need a pair to match every outfit, but children go through just as many pairs of shoes as adults do.
When to Buy Children's Shoes
How many times have you heard a new parent bemoaning the cost of keeping their children in shoes? It's not because they're shopping at Manolo Blahnik. Children's feet grow amazingly fast! No sooner have you bought one pair of new shoes, than it's time for another.
Part of the problem of shopping for children's shoes is that children won't always tell you when their shoes start to feel tight or frayed around the edges. Normally, it's up to the parent to make sure the shoes still fit and are in serviceable condition.
In general terms, you should be able to insert your little finger between the back of the shoe and the child's foot. Any tighter than that and the shoes may need an upgrade. If it's looser, the shoes are too big.
Speaking of shoes that are too big, it's never a good idea to buy shoes for your children to "grow into". If a child's shoes don't fit properly, they will chafe and cause blisters or other problems. You wouldn't like to slope around in shoes that don't fit, so don't make your children do it either!
It's a good idea to get into the habit of checking your children's shoes periodically to make sure that they're still in good condition. Look out for soles starting to part company from the uppers, laces that are on their last legs, and signs of general wear and tear.
Fitting Kid's Shoes
There's really only one thing we need to tell you about fitting children's shoes: have a professional do it.
Most shoe stores have measuring equipment. A sales representative will be able to measure your child up in a jiffy and provide a selection of shoes to try. This is particularly important if your child would rather be anywhere but stuck in a shoe store!
Here are some more tips for fitting your children's shoes:
- Shop in the afternoon.
Just like adults, children's feet will swell slightly during the day. Take them shopping in the afternoon to make sure that the shoes you pick out will accommodate this "afternoon" increase!
- Measure the feet while your child is standing up.
The feet spread out slightly when bearing weight, so make sure that your child tries on the new shoes while standing up. You should also encourage him or her to walk around in the shoes to ensure that there are no areas that rub.
- Not too stiff!
New shoes are often stiff and unyielding, until we wear them a few times. Well, adult shoes are. Children's shoes should never need "wearing in" – they should be soft enough to be worn right away without any discomfort.
More tips on fitting children's shoes are available from epodiatry.com
Kid's Shoe Styles
If it was up to them, children would probably wear sneakers all day long. They're hard wearing and comfortable. However, they may not be completely appropriate for school, clubs, and other events.
That's not to say, of course, that your child shouldn’t have a say in the style of shoes you pick for him or her. Children's shoes come in so many styles and colors that it should be possible to find something that's both appropriate and fun. From your point of view, the most important points are that:
- The shoes fit correctly.
- They can be easily put on and removed. If your child isn't quite able to tie his or her own shoelaces yet, stick to Velcro or buckle fastenings.
- The sole is thick enough to be safe, even when the child is running and jumping.
Once those points are covered, the choice is yours-–or rather, your child's!
Where to Buy Children's Shoes
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