One thing most kids look forward to from time to time is shopping with their parents. As a child, going to the mall to go shopping with your parents can feel like a treat. You get to buy the clothes, snacks, and toys you want without spending a dime. When you’re the parent, meanwhile, you want to make sure that every item you buy for your child is functional and worth every penny, and one of these is shopping for their shoes.
Shoes are essential for everybody, especially for your kids. They may not care much about the style and design at their age, but the quality and comfort are important to ensure their feet are protected from all the running and playing. Sometimes, however, shoe shopping for your kids can be challenging, especially if they’re rapidly growing and you can’t figure out which foot size they currently have.
To reduce your hassle, here are five points you need to consider when shopping for shoes for kids to ensure you buy the best pair out there.
1. Measure Their Feet Regularly
Your child’s feet grow with their age, and sometimes, they grow faster than you could ever expect. Thus, it’s recommended that you measure their feet regularly, preferably once every three months. Then, you can compare the measurements from a kids’ shoe sizing guide to understand which shoe size you should buy. Furthermore, getting your child’s feet measurements before going shoe shopping is recommended as not all kids are patient enough to sit in one place for shoe fittings. You can also use the sole of their current shoe and measure it instead of directly measuring their foot.
2. Consider Your Child’s Current Needs
Now that you know their feet size, it’s time to buy a pair of shoes based on your child’s needs. There may be plenty of shoe options and designs out there, but you can narrow them down through your child’s preferences and needs. For instance, if your child constantly runs around or plays roughly outdoors, it’s a good idea to invest in high-quality running shoes that offer better resistance. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your child is safe from slip-and-fall incidents while playing.
Another is if your child’s too young to handle their shoelaces, it may be wiser to buy them shoes without shoelaces, like Velcro or slip-on shoes from Bobux Shoes Australia and other shoe stores near your area. As much as possible, never buy kids’ shoes just because the design or color looks cute on your child.
3. Pay Attention To Materials
Instead of focusing on shoe styles and colors, it’s important to pay more attention to the materials used to ensure the pair of shoes will best suit your child’s needs. For example, for children that are too playful and adventurous, consider buying them shoes with a leather or rubber sole as it provides more traction and friction, perfect for playtime and adventure.
Meanwhile, if you’re buying shoes for them during the winter season, go for water-resistant kids’ boots with lining to help keep their feet dry and warm. Lastly, if your child often gets sweaty feet, consider buying shoes made from breathable and porous materials to reduce sweating.
4. Examine The Heel
Before finalizing the purchase of your kid’s shoes, it might be a good idea to let your child fit into the shoe and practice walking or jumping with it. Then, examine the back part of the shoe and watch how the shoe slides up and down in his foot. If it’s too loose, your child will likely suffer from blisters after a few times of wearing it. So, remember to buy your child a pair of shoes that isn’t too loose in the back to prevent friction that would lead to blisters, or worst, a black toenail.
5. Consider Your Child’s Preference
Lastly, it’s important to consider your child’s personal preference. Kids will more likely wear a new pair of shoes more often if they genuinely love it. Thus, while you take note of the shoes’ material, quality, durability, and size, let your child choose the shoe style or design. Kids these days have a favorite color or cartoon character, so you may also get inspiration from them and choose shoes that feature those designs.
Better yet, let your kids join in walking around the shoe store with you as they pick their preference. If you’re shopping online, make sure they also participate in the picking. This will help foster self-expression and a sense of independence, which are both critical in building their confidence.
Final Thoughts
Overall, shoe shopping should be a fun and exciting experience both for the child and the parents. With these points, you can ensure that you and your child will have a smooth-sailing time shopping for shoes that will provide comfort, safety, durability, and style for your little one’s adorable feet.