Finding the Right Kids Shoe Size for the Non-Stop, Quickly Growing Child
We know. They grow up too fast.
Barely keeping up with those feet? We got you covered!
With kiddos growing every few months, weeks, or even day to day, sizing them correctly in any department, but especially shoes can be headache-inducing, anxiety-causing, and an overall stressful experience. Let’s avoid the meltdowns, (by children and their grown-ups!)
Getting them into their right shoe size is important not only for comfort throughout the day but for foot health as well. Many of the foot problems we encounter as adults, our podiatrists will tell us, stem from the types of shoes we wore as children and continue to wear into adulthood. So, let’s start our children on the right foot!
It’s good to start off with some basic guidelines when shoe shopping:
Best shoe fit for kids:
There should be no “break-in” period for shoes when considering the kid’s shoe size. The shoe should be comfortable right away.
Although as adults we may muscle through blisters and sore ankles for the perfect pair of boots, a child shouldn’t have to sacrifice style over comfort.
We all have one foot bigger than the other, commonly our dominant side is bigger due to muscle development and being that no one is perfect (although your kiddo is), but they probably have a bigger foot too. Measure shoe size according to their largest foot.
A good rule of thumb (pun intended) is to use your thumb!
Place your thumb between the tips of their toes through the shoe and feel around. Are their toes too close to the tip of the shoe? There should always be a thumb worth of room between the tip of their toes and the point of the shoe. After the thumb test, have them wiggle around, walk, run, play as normal for a few minutes to see how they feel in them. Are they comfortable? Can they maneuver around as normal?
A good rule of thumb (pun intended) is to USE your thumb!
Place your thumb between the tips of their toes through the shoe and feel around. Are their toes too close to the tip of the shoe? There should always be a thumb worth of room between the tip of their toes and the point of the shoe. After the thumb test, have them wiggle around, walk, run, play as normal for a few minutes to see how they feel in them. Are they comfortable? Can they maneuver around as normal?
Best types of shoes for kids:
The overall type or make of the shoe plays importance as well. Not so much for style, although that can be fun, for durability, flexibility, washability, breathability, and more.
Good things to look for in a great pair of child’s shoes are:
- Velcro- quick on/off: the ability for child’s independence until they can tie laces.
2. Breathable fabrics- prevent stench and overheating.
3. Cushioned soles- good for development, comfort, and arch support.
4. Flexible shoes- without heels or stiffness are ideal for foot development and early walking years.
Check out the Beanstalk online shops to find the right style and fit for your child:
You can purchase gently used shoes online and orders over $100 can be shipped free anywhere in the contiguous United States.
Kids shoe size for a healthy fit:
Once you have the basic ideas out of the way, it’s on to the seemingly daunting shoe size charts.
- Infant: Soft sole shoes that are easy for babies to crawl, pull up and start walking in. Robeez, Bobux, and Freshly Picked are some favorites.
- Toddler: 0-13 (some companies follow these numbers with a T, for example, 4T)
- Youth/Child: 1-6 or 7 (some brands follow these sizes with a Y, for example, 6Y)
Some high quality, healthy fit, well-known, and loved brands for kid’s shoes:
If your child is ready for laces, check out our blog post on How to Tie Your Shoes (For Kids Who Need to Learn and People Who Need to Teach Them)
By Sarah Ann Harvey
