Children are constantly on the go. They see something that interests them, and they’ll just take off full speed. As a parent, the last thing you want to worry about is your child’s sandals causing them to get injured. Loose shoes or even shoes that are too tight can cause discomfort, blisters and sprained ankles. Being a parent can be hard and stressful when you have to constantly think about every small detail of your child’s life and health, but that’s why we’re here to help provide you with knowledge and ease the pressure so you can feel confident that you’ve made the right decision.

Since children’s feet are always growing, it’s very important to find them sandals that provide a form fit that allows for comfort and security at the same time. Most commonly in any kids sandal, you’ll find some form of securing straps, whether they’re adjustable or made to stay in its place. The most resourceful and beneficial securing feature is the adjustable Velcro hook and loop closures. This is a fully functional strap that can be adjusted to the shape of your child’s feet, even as their feet are constantly growing. The simple and secure system also allows your little one to gain a sense of confidence and independence by making the shoes easy for them to put on by themselves.

Finding a secure fit in your child’s sandals also has to do with the shape of the shoes and the shape of their feet. The sandals you choose should match the shape of your child’s feet so that the fit can be accurate and not too loose or too tight. Most kids sandals are going to be created with an average width, but if your child has wide or narrow feet, you’ll want to find them shoes that are created to fit properly.

Along with the width of your child’s feet, you’ll want to keep an eye on the length as well. Children go through growth spurts quite often, and since the shape and size of their feet are always changing, you’ll need to provide them with a consistent, supportive fit. Shoes that do not fit properly can disrupt the natural growth process and may cause concerns in the later future. As long as you’re constantly checking your kid’s sandals to make sure they fit securely and comfortably, there should never be any risk of growth concerns.

Finding a secure fitting sandal isn’t too difficult these days with all the wide variety of styles and selections available. Just make sure that while you’re finding really cute styles, you also need to make sure the shoe forms correctly around the foot. Always avoid loose areas in the sandal that causes the foot to move inside the shoe and can potentially create blisters. As long as the shoe fits supportively around the foot and is created with comfortable materials, your child’s feet should always stay securely in their sandals.

There are many important aspects to consider when choosing the best sandals for your child, but comfortable cushioning is one that works together with all other aspects to provide ultimate comfort and protection. Children’s feet are always growing, so shoes that may fit perfectly today may not fit the same way in does in a few weeks and this can cause irritation or potential health concerns like blisters. Cushioning provided throughout the shoe can create a protective and plush feel that is truly needed for the child’s comfort.

One feature we mentioned previously is the adjustable Velcro straps that can constantly be changed to form to the ever-changing shape of their foot. This strap, however, would be completely uncomfortable without padding underneath. It’s comfortable cushioning like this that creates a barrier between the foot and any friction or harsh contact from the sandal. In this case, the cushioning lays gently on the foot so the strap itself doesn’t lie on the skin and cause irritation.

Cushioning is also extremely important to have around the ankles because this is the area of the sandal that constantly rubs against the backs of the heel during movements. To protect your little one’s heels, you’ll want to avoid sandals with hard, flat materials in the backs of the shoe. Instead provide them with sandals that either has a rounded, curved fit, thick padding or cushioned straps.

Aside from the main contact points, having lightweight cushioning is a great feature to have in any kids sandal. Even in leather sandals, cushioning can be provided underneath the upper material or featured in the footbed of the shoe. Sandals that come equipped with cushioning in the footbeds are more likely to provide stability and eliminate the ability for the foot to slide around in the shoe. This is a perfect feature for giving your child’s active feet the comfort they need to keep playing while being safe at the same time.

No one wants their kids to feel uncomfortable in the sandals they bought for them, so when searching through a large variety of sandal choices, narrow down on the key areas that need comfort and support. When you find a sandal that provides these features, you’re giving your kids a guarantee for long-lasting, secure comfort and less chance of potential injuries.

We all know how rambunctious and messy kids can be at times, but that’s just another reason why we admire their childlike simplicity and their ability to find entertainment in any situation. We all have to let children be themselves, but as parents, you also want to make sure that the sandals your child is wearing can withstand all of the rough use. Durable materials are just one way that the sandals can help protect your child’s feet while also extending their overall lifespan.

All kids love the fun designs and patterns featured in today’s sandals but its very common that these sandals are created with poor quality and irritating materials. Poorly made sandals can cause a variety of health concerns from hot spots, blisters, calluses and sweaty, odorous feet. They can also make a fun day at the park turn into tears and discomfort; nobody wants that! Instead of sacrificing your children’s sense of shoe style, you just need to make sure that the sandals you choose are created with durable materials and quality construction. These aspects are truly important to keep your kids happy in their sandals but since being a parent doesn’t leave much time for in-depth sandal research, we’ve made sure to only include quality created sandals in our best list and easily accessible information through this criteria section.

We understand, constantly buying new pairs of shoes for your child can be expensive over time, so it’s important to purchase quality shoes that last a long time and help you get your money’s worth. Giving your kids durable sandals will not only give the shoes the necessary value of your purchase, but they will also help protect your child’s feet, toes and ankles, give them a sturdy support system and provide them with long-lasting comfort.

The best and most common materials you’ll often see created in kids sandals are leather and synthetic materials. These materials are built to be strong, protective and long-lasting. While you’ll see synthetic materials much more often, they are both a great choice for durable sandals. Synthetic materials, however, are much more resilient and can take a significant amount of more roughness and dirt. Certain types are also created to feature special qualities like being flexible, breathable, quick drying and even machine washable. It’s important to consider the types of use your child is going to be getting out of the sandals so you can properly select materials and features to quit their needs.

Overall, it’s important for children to be active and safe while doing so. Sandals created with durable materials will give kids a comfortable, happy feel while as parents, you can know that your shoe choice is not only protective and reliable, but it’s also long-lasting and worth the hard earned money you spent on them.

Children don’t yet understand the concept of quality features and good value shoes; all they see is the attraction of the outside appearance. This is why as a parent, it’s important for you to make sure the sandals they choose aren’t going to be a style that is going to cause them pain or discomfort. While safety is important, the choices your child makes in footwear is also a beginning representation of their fashion sense, and it’s necessary to let them begin making their own choices. It may seem difficult to find a happy balance, but as you can see from our best list, you’ll find a wide variety of styles that can be enjoyed by boys and girls while also providing all the quality they need for a supportive sandal. To go more in depth, we’re going to explain the relevance of each style and the quality features that correlate with them.

One of the first things you’ll notice is that kids sandals are either open or close-toed. Open toed sandals allow for ultimate air circulation, the ability for their toes to move freely and is an easy transition from barefoot to beginning to wear shoes. Open toed sandals are better for warm weather near sand or water. Close-toed sandals are more commonly for the outdoors in grass, dirt, and rocky areas as they keep the toes more protected. For those who like to take an extra safety precaution for their children, close-toed shoes are also good for protecting their little toes from getting smashed by other objects.

Another extremely common design in kids sandals is the strappy look which creates an airy, lightweight style and also allows the ability for the sandals to be adjusted. If you want to create a long-lasting form fit in your child’s sandals, this is a great style option. The design is highly versatile due to the easy to use closure system which allows kids to independently take their shoes on and off while adjusting to the ever-changing shape of their feet. The Velcro enclosures are durable and create a simple style that can be worn by both boys and girls.

With kids sandals, you’ll also notice a large amount of cut out material provided throughout the entire designs. The perfectly shaped cutouts allow the sandal to form completely around the foot like a regular shoe but with the added amount of air flow and breathability with the extra benefit of less materials. Children’s feet can be sweaty during this time period of growth in their lives so the more air circulation allowed in the sandals will create a more dry and cool feel during use, also great for maintaining their health.

Now that you can understand the benefits of the most common sandal designs, when your child finds a sandal they like, you can feel at ease knowing the fashionable appearance is also functional as well. Colors and patterns are just an added benefit for the enjoyment of your child. As long as the sandals provide a supportive structure and comfortable materials, your child can start to create their unique sense of style.

I think it’s safe to say we’ve all seen kids slip and fall from running around too fast or playing too recklessly. While we all want kids to be themselves and have fun, no one wants to see their child cry from falling. Luckily though, a lot of this can be avoided with proper sandals that provide gripping outsoles or tight traction. There are sandals nowadays that are not only fashionable but functional as well for providing your children with the safety they need for their adventurous little feet.

From running to walking to jumping and climbing, kids are just curious beings that want to do it all! Versatility and lightweight materials are important aspects of functional outsole. While the sole of the sandal should be strong enough to support the child’s feet, it should also be light enough to allow them to move with ease and comfort. The versatility of the outsole should also allow the child to move flexibility in a variety of activities.

When looking for any child’s sandal, you’ll want to look for rubber outsoles. Rubber is such a simple, durable and lightweight way to create grip underneath the shoes. Rubber makes a great sole for any type of surface from the inside to outside, concrete and tile. While sandals don’t usually need a thick sole, even the smallest rubber sole can add grip and prevent your child from slipping in their sandals.

If your little one loves the outdoors and spending time in nature, you’ll probably want to consider some form of traction along with their rubber soles. Children’s feet don’t take as much pressure as adult’s feet because of their significant weight difference, so finding traction in your kid’s sandals should be easy, as you only need a small amount of it. This traction can be anything from cutout patterns, raised material or slits or cuts in the bottom soles. No matter what type you choose, you’re making the right decision in protecting your child’s feet and safety.

Overall, if you purchase a sandal that comes with some form of grip or traction in the soles, you’re giving your child and yourself an extra sense of protection and ease. The gripping soles will help prevent your child from slipping and still allow them to run around with all their energy while giving you a sense of relief knowing your children are safe from easily avoided injuries. You’ll find a good variety of gripping outsoles from all our sandals in our best list, from indoor to outdoor use. If you consider the ultimate use your child will be getting out of the shoe, again, you will be setting your child and yourself up for success.