Kids Shoes

That's why buying your kid's shoes isn't something you should try to accomplish in your lunch hour, or on the way home from work. Take the time to visit the shoe store with your child. Have him/her properly measured to make sure that the shoes you buy are the perfect fit.

Why Children's Feet are Different

Kids' feet grow much faster than you'd believe possible! They're also constantly developing and changing shape. For example, most toddlers are flat footed until plenty of barefoot walking develops the shape of the foot. That's why it's so important to make sure that those soft little feet aren't forced into shoes that are the wrong size or shape. Fashion isn't important to a toddler, but healthy feet most definitely are!

Like adults, most children have one foot which is slightly bigger or smaller than the other. While adults tend to just buy the same size shoe for each foot, these differences tend to be more pronounced in children whose feet are still growing. If your child has one foot larger than the other, it's best to buy shoes which fit the larger foot. You can use insoles to cushion the smaller foot. To learn more, check out this guide to children's feet.

When Do Kids Need Shoes?

When your children are babies, they won't need shoes at all; a soft pair of socks will be enough to keep those little feet warm. As your child develops into a toddler and starts to take those first tentative steps, it's still a good idea to allow him or her to go barefoot as much as possible. Not only is it much easier to learn to walk when your feet are in full contact with the ground, but walking barefoot will give the muscles in the feet time to develop.

Once your child is ready to begin walking outside of the home, of course, you'll want to think about protecting those feet from any hazards that may be waiting. Sharp stones, discarded objects, and other features of the outside world could cause damage to soft, new feet. That’s when it's time to think about buying kids' shoes with soles thick enough to protect them.

Don't choose soles that are too thick, though. Remember, it's far harder to walk in thick, inflexible soles. If your child is still a toddler, he/she will need a soft-soled shoe which is flexible enough to allow his/her feet to grip the ground.

Measuring Your Child's Feet

Measuring feet for new shoes is something that's best done by a professional. Take your child along to your nearest shoe store and have him/her measured.

When your child is trying on new shoes, have him/her walk around the store to make sure the shoes allow easy movement. Also, try inserting your little finger between the back of the shoe and the foot to ensure that there is just enough room for it to fit comfortably. Toes should be able to wiggle inside the shoe, and the fit should be snug but not loose.

Resist the temptation to buy shoes for your child to "grow into" – kids’ shoes should always fit correctly. For more information, check out Nordstrom's Guide to measuring for kids shoes.