Shoes for Children

For parents, buying shoes for children can seem like a perpetual expense. Children's feet grow rapidly, and they may need several pairs from birthday to birthday. With the amount of daily activity children are engaged in, it's also necessary to have the right shoe and the proper fit. Read on for some kids' footwear essentials and money-saving tips.

With children's clothing, parents are often tempted to buy items slightly big so that children can grow into them. This idea can be disastrous when it comes to footwear. Wearing the wrong size of shoe can not only cause painful blisters and be uncomfortable, it can lack the adequate support the child needs in his or her daily activities. There should be a slight give between the child's big toe and the end of the shoe. The shoe should fit comfortably, not rubbing up and down against the heel or pinching the sides or fronts of the toes.

Choose shoes that are the proper width and length for your child's foot. The best method is to have your child's feet measured from a professional shoe salesperson, or you can measure the child's size yourself with the store's shoe-sizing guide. Plant your child's foot firmly upright on the measuring apparatus and measure from the toe to the heel. Be sure to measure both feet; some children's feet differ dramatically, and they may need a half or even a whole size different for each foot.

Another important aspect of children's shoes is ensuring your little ones have the appropriate shoes for different activities. For active play and running, children should have sturdy athletic shoes. Lace-up shoes are often preferable for athletic activities as Velcro does not have as much precision for a snug fit. Various sports may require different types of shoes in lieu of standard athletic shoes, such as cleats for baseball and soccer.

Dress shoes for children are safest with little or no heel and a skid-resistant bottom to avoid falls and injuries. No matter how cute your little darling looks in platform heels, no one will be smiling if she obtains an injury. Sandals and thongs are great for summer's heat, but for outdoor and active play, opt for close-toed sport sandals.

How many children's shoes does a parent need to buy? A little boy may feel like one pair of beat-up tennis shoes is enough, while some little girls would be happy with a closet filled with glittering dress shoes.

For typical children, the following children's shoe wardrobes will suffice:

If you live in a cold or snowy climate, you should plan on:

• One pair of insulated snow boots.
• One pair of athletic or gym shoes.
• One pair of dress shoes.
• One pair of school shoes.

For most areas, spring brings plenty of rain and mud along with new flowers. Plan on:

• One pair of rain boots or galoshes.
• One pair of school shoes.
• One pair of athletic or gym shoes.
• One pair of dress shoes.
• One to two extra pair of play shoes that are permitted to get dirty.

The warm weather may bring visions of running barefoot in the grass to children, but parents know better. Your children's shoes for summer should include:

• One pair of sandals, flip-flops, or sports slides for the beach or pool.
• One pair of rubber soled water shoes for rivers, lakes, or pools with roughened concrete.
• One pair of sports sandals or athletic shoes.
• One pair of dress sandals or shoes.

The whisper of cooler weather and a new school year may prompt:

• One pair of lightly lines boots.
• One pair of school shoes.
• One pair of dress shoes.
• One pair of athletic/gym shoes.
• One pair of "mudding" or play shoes.

Particularly in cases when families have multiple children, buying shoes can cause a squeeze on the budget. Unlike hand-me-down clothes, pre-worn shoes are not generally recommended, since the sole can be worn and the shoe molded from the other child's foot.

As an alternative, shop mid to end of season at department and shoe stores for mark-downs on name brand shoes. Sign up for online announcements of new sales from stores that sell children's shoes. In addition to pre-notification of their upcoming sales, you may often receive additional coupons or discounts as well.

Shopping online can also yield incredible savings. For great savings on children's shoes, check out online-only specials such as Famous Footwear's "famous finds: quality, name-brand shoes that are available in select sizes for savings up to 90% off.

• Authoritative Parenting
• 3 Parenting Styles
• Children Playing
• Bible Trivia for Kids
• Trivia Questions for Kids

• Disney Princess Coloring Pages
• Teen Birthday Party Ideas
• Pros and Cons of School Uniforms
• Children's Birthday Cake Ideas
• Kids' Hair Styles