Kids Shoes for the Very Young Under 2 year old crowd

When my munchkins were little I really took time to think about their little feet and best bets for when they learn to walk.

The Mix of advice from the grandmas and the experts helped me make my mommy plan.

Barefoot is best. 

In safe places where we know there is no glass or HOT ground (in summer), well you can find us barefoot. The days gone by that meant - for my grandmas generation - you were too poor to own shoes. To her horror I let my kids run around barefoot, and they run fast!!

Mommy too walks barefoot whenever I can. In the yard we are constantly barefoot.

In the house we can be barefoot or with house slippers. 

We dont tend to wear socks or shoes at home to prevent bacteria from transferring indoors. We also dont wear socks on bare floors due to slip and fall danger.

Always be sensible about kids feet. 

Shoes matter for long lifetime impact and a pain free life. Stride rites are a great brand, as are Hannah Anderson. However sometimes the trendy design like a boot or clog is just too difficult to flex their foot in and makes tripping easy.

Stylish is fun, but comfortable is first.

We do not, ever, wear flip flops. Not for mom or the kids. Slides have a tendency to make kids trip when the tips get folded under. Flip flops flip right off when running and making scrapes so much more common. Gym shoes for running activities are always a great choice, for the 3 tear old and up crowd. But what a out the 2 year old and under kids. For these soft soles with snug fits are great for foot formation AND comfort.

As for Shoe Brands for kids:

'Skidders' are great for under 2YO -- rubber bottom and sock top. 

Great for in and outdoors w safety non skid. These flexible shoes allow babies feet to grip and get a good feel for standing and those first steps.

Also great for little feet are Soft sole leather bottoms with soft tops: 'Robeez' -- We loved them. 

These are fab for dry weather in and outdoors, altho use caution on playgrounds. The leather or soft bottoms can be slippery on some jungle gyms at the park. But for a walk around the block on cement is perfect.

Then the 3+ crowd believe it or not I love 'crocs.' 

As long as they are sized perfectly. Kids can put them on and off, and manage them alone. We are croc converts! Great for their foot shape growth, as long as they are snug. When we have hikes or we trek in wet and dry conditions like running thru sprinklers, snug crocs are a safe bet, and more durable them the more common "wet socks" or snug wet shoes that I have found fall apart after use in a season around chlorine water mix.

Where to buy?

Frequently you can find these in big box over run stores like Big Lots or TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Target recently carries Skidders.

For off mark brands, check the sole attachment and make sure the glue is durable. No separation should occur with slight pressure from your fingers. And when you do find the shoes on sale, but 1 size up for next year. You'll be thankful your not scrambling for another shoes when that growth spurt happens.


Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Kids shoes - make sure they fit

There are three key areas of the foot that you should focus on when buying toddler shoes: the front of the shoe, the back, and the width. All three will play a part in whether or not the shoe fits properly.

I started buying our kids shoes as they outgrew their little keen and slip on pre walking supports. And I realized I didnt know much about actual shoe buying procedures. 

So here are the results of my own homework.

"First, you want the appropriate length in the front of the shoe," says Tillett, who is also a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. "The general rule of thumb is you want about a centimeter to a half inch of space in the front of the shoe. Too big [and] they could be unstable; too small and it constrains the foot."

The tongue of the shoe and the edges where the laces or Velcro are usually located should be parallel; if there is too much space between them, the shoe maybe too tight, and if they overlap too much, the shoe is too loose, Tillett says.

The rule of thumb here is that you should be able to slip your pinky finger in the heel, but only up to the first knuckle. Anything more than that and the shoe is too big, and anything less and it's too tight."

follow one last simple test that worked for my mom, and is still my go to method. When buying toddler shoes: Ask your little one to walk around in them and then run a little. Their reaction speaks volumes.

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.