Easy As 1,2,3 Back To School: 6 Tips On Buying Perfect Kids’ Shoes

The back-to-school madness is in full swing, meaning parents across the nation are scrambling to stores in an effort to get their kids ready for scholastic action. Buying new school shoes for your little ones is likely on the list, but the experience doesn’t have to be stressful. Follow these back to school shoe shopping tips to make the outing smooth and help your child put his or her best foot forward in the new school year. Kids shoes made easy!

Kids’ feet are still growing and developing, meaning that choosing the right pair of shoes is perhaps even more important than shoe shopping for adults. Not only will the right pair of shoes help protect their delicate joints, ligaments and bones, certain shoes can help increase coordination and childhood reduce trips and falls.  While many parents still opt for athletic shoes and sneakers as the first shoe of choice, new studies show that minimalist footwear might actually be better for the development of a child’s feet. Speak with your kids’ doctor before buying shoes to figure out what is best for your children.

If it’s financially feasible, try to shop at stores that offer service personnel to help you with your children’s shoe buying experience. An experienced and knowledgeable sales associate can take a lot of the headache out of buying kids’ shoes. Shopping at the same store every year can also help keep things easy, as the personnel will get to know you, your child, and your child’s lifestyle needs.

Most kids would rather die than wear the shoes their parents choose for them, but parents should stand firm and insist on comfortable shoes that offer stability, support and maximum comfort for long days filled with running, playing and other school activities. Luckily, sneakers are very trendy at the moment, meaning most parents won’t have to deal with a Game of Thrones worthy meltdown when insisting their children choose comfy shoes. Just be sure to go with quality brands that incorporate health-conscious components rather than cheaply made shoes that are slapped together and don’t offer much support. Additionally, be sure to avoid shoes with no backing, as they don’t provide as much protection for little feet.

It’s much easier to leave the kids at home when battling the back-to-school crowds, but shoe shopping is a time when it’s best for the child to be present. It’s important that his or her foot is properly measured so the shoes fit right and give the appropriate amount of support. When parents estimate their children’s shoe sizes and/or buy shoes a size too big to “stretch out” their wear, they risk giving their kids permanent foot, ankle and knee problems and pain.

A general rule of thumb while shopping for kids shoes is there should be a finger's width of space between the back of the shoe and the child's heel (your finger, not theirs). You should also press down on the toe area while the child is in the shoes to make sure there is plenty of space for toe wiggling. 

As with adults, allowing your kids to wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row should be avoided. Not only do shoes need time to “breathe” so they don’t start to stink, frequently swapping out a child’s shoes can reduce rubbing, blisters and other discomfort. Bonus: Ensuring your child has at least two pair of well-fitting shoes will cut back on wear and tear and reduce the amount of potential shoe shopping you’ll have to do within the year.

The saying that kids grow like weeds is true, and their feet are no exception. Older kids will often tell their parents if their shoes feel too tight, but younger children don’t have the ability to do so. Therefore, podiatrists recommend checking your child’s shoes several times per month to ensure they’re fitting properly.

Editor’s Note: Signs that a young child’s shoes are too tight include blisters, redness, crying when the shoes are put on and flat out refusal to wear shoes. Do yourself and your little ones a favor by ensuring their shoes fit perfectly, each and every time.