Buying shoes for kids can often be an all-day affair that is marked with tugging, crying, and frustration. Guess what? It doesn't have to be. If you follow these tips for fitting your child for shoes, you can eliminate many of your shopping hassles and also select a great pair.
Because children grow very quickly, their feet should be measured each time a new pair of shoes is needed. If your child does not like strangers, ask a shoe store employee if you may borrow his or her measuring device. Place your child's foot firmly in the device and measure it accordingly. Once you have determined what size the child is, head to the kids' shoe section and find that size.
Kids often become overwhelmed with too many choices, so if your child is old enough to make his or her own choice, only give them two choices at a time. If you're shopping for sneakers, you may want to take into account the child's favorite color or favorite animated character, as shoes often have these themes. If you're shopping for a dress shoe, keep in mind the type of event you will be attending and what kind of shoe would work best for your child. Select two pairs of shoes for your child to try on and sit him or her down on the bench located in most shoe store aisles.
Place one pair of shoes on your child's feet and examine them for fit. Make sure there is some room left between the toe of the shoe and the child's toes so that he or she will have room to grow a little without needing another new pair of shoes. If the shoe is falling off of the child's foot, or if there is no extra room at the toe, find another pair of shoes for your child to try.
You should also examine each pair of shoes you are considering for defects such as loose stitching, missing ornamental items, tears, rips, and scuff marks. You don't want to buy a pair of shoes that is not in top condition, so spend the extra time to check for any such defects. If you find a pair without any defects, it is more likely to last longer and hold up to the wear and tear of a child better. This will save you time and money in the long run, because it will reduce the number of shoe shopping trips you must make.
Following these simple rules will reduce your shopping frustrations and will also allow you to pick a great pair of shoes for your child.
