Have your kids already outgrown their school shoes and need a new pair for summer camp? Here's a helpful guide to finding shoes that will properly support your child and keep him or her walking comfortably.  

Top Tips for Purchasing Kids' ShoesGreat father's day gift idea!!

 

If you want to ensure the shoes you pick will fit properly and offer your child’s growing foot enough support during the many varied activities they engage in during the summer, here are a few handy tips from your Houston podiatrist:

* Always purchase new shoes. Hand-me-downs or used shoes have already formed to another child’s feet and won’t give your little one the right fit.

* Before even trying on a shoe, test it for the following: a stiff heel (press on both sides of the heel to make sure it doesn’t collapse); a flexible toe (Bend the shoe with your hands to make sure it can move with your busy child’s toes); a rigid middle (try to twist the shoe. If it twists along the middle, put it down and try a different pair.)

* Get measured: have a professional in the store measure both of your child’s feet. If one is larger than the other, size to the larger foot. You should also shop later in the day, when feet are at their largest.

* Wear the pair: have your child wear the type of sock he or she is most likely to wear with the new shoes to ensure a good fit.

* Go for immediate comfort: your child’s feet should feel good in new shoes right away. A breaking-in period is a myth that you should forget about. 

Now that you know how to get your child the perfect fit, let's have some fun with a family shoe craft idea from the JDaniel4’s Mom blog.

Walk in Your Shoes Craft

Barefeet facing different shoes

Supplies

 
  • White paper
  • A large sneaker
  • Two colors of paint
  • Black Sharpie
  • Frame (if desired)

 

Directions

  1. Paint the bottom of a grown-up’s shoe or sneaker (it’s best if they are the gift recipent’s, but any bigger shoe will do) with blue paint and carefully place the shoe onto the paper. Press the sole of the shoe from the inside to make as deep a print as possible—rocking the shoe back and forth should help.
  2. After the shoe print dries, paint the bottom of your child’s foot green. Place his or her footprint on the paper within the boundaries of the shoe print.
  3. Finally, print out the words Some Day I Want To Walk In Your Shoes around the overlapping prints. Laminate and/or frame, as desired.

The image of your child’s precious foot holds so much promise—but that little foot may also experience a lot of pain! If it hurts your little one to run, walk or play, schedule an immediate appointment with Dr. Andrew Schneider!

Dr. Andrew Schneider
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A podiatrist and foot surgeon in Houston, TX.
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