When buying kids’ shoes, you’ll want to be savvy and smart. You’ll want your kids to have shoes that’ll last them through seasons and various occasions. After all, kids grow up fast. The pair of shoes you’ve bought recently will likely be too small in the next few months. Besides the right size, there are other crucial factors to consider when buying shoes for your little ones.
A Guide In Choosing Kids Shoes For All Occasions
Sure, you want your kids to look all fashionable and cute. But it would help if you didn’t sacrifice style for comfort and practicality. Kids shoes fit differently, and every child has their preferences, so you have to be particular about that as well.
With that said, remember this guide as you soon get out and shop for your little one’s brand-new pair of shoes.
Shop Later In The Day
Suppose you’re planning on taking your kids with you when you shop. It’s highly recommended to do it in the afternoon. The reason is simple. Feet tend to swell over the day. Buying comfortable shoes that won’t budge even when your kids’ feet become swollen assures you that they’ll feel comfortable wearing them for the rest of the day or even longer. By the way, this helpful tip applies when shopping for adults’ shoes, too.
Avoid Shoes With Fancy Shapes
This may sound straightforward but still worth emphasizing. The best shoe shape for kids mimics the natural shape of their feet. For example, many fashion-forward pairs aren’t necessarily the best for kids’ feet. Pointed shoes that narrow down at the tip may look nice, but it’ll probably take only a few steps until your little girl starts complaining about painful and sore feet.
As much as possible, be very keen on the shoe shape. The shoes you buy should fit your child’s foot comfortably and not squeeze their toes in or arch their feet too much. You don’t want your kids wearing shoes that could harm their tiny, delicate feet.
Be Particular About Flexibility
The younger your kids are, the more flexible their shoes should be. When choosing shoes, try to bend the soles with your hands without exerting much effort. The best kids’ shoes should be those that’ll turn effortlessly with your child’s toes. This fact makes walking with those shoes easier and a lot more comfortable.
Avoid Overspending
The fourth tip in this guide may very well be one of the hardest for parents—keeping down expenditures for their children. It’s normal to want the best or the cutest and most stylish pair available for your munchkin. And it’s not surprising how parents can spend more on their children’s shoes than their own.
There’s no problem with this because it’s for the parents to decide how much they will – and can – spend on kids’ shoes. But parents have to avoid overspending as they’ll likely regret it later on, especially after realizing their kids’ expensive shoes no longer fit them less than a year after buying.
Select The Fastenings Well
If you’ve tried buying shoes with shoelaces for your young kids, you’ll know the annoyance and the dread of even getting those laces tied up. Putting on your kids’ shoes can sometimes feel like a production number. So, the less effort it takes to put on shoes, the better.
Thus, another feature you have to be selective about is the fastening. Instead of shoelaces, the best would be rip tape or buckle fastenings. These are easier to place on your children’s feet than regular shoelaces. If your child has to wear the shoes at a party or at school where they have to remove and put them back on frequently, a rip tape or buckle is going to be easier on you and your kids.
Give Room For Toes
Here’s another item on this guide that emphasizes practicality. Avoid buying shoes that are the same size as your kids’ feet at the moment. But don’t buy shoes that are too big as well.
A good rule of thumb is to give some room for your kids’ toes to wiggle and move freely. While your child is standing, you should be able to press a finger through the shoe without your child’s toe being squished or feeling too tight.
Final Thoughts
If you’re daunted by the prospect of buying shoes for your little ones, this guide should help calm your nerves down. Yes, there are many things to consider when purchasing kids’ shoes that your children can wear for all occasions. But it doesn’t always have to be a nerve-wracking experience. Follow these tips to ensure that whatever pair you decide to buy is stylish, comfortable, and something your kids will have for a long time.