Kids shoes

[lrab1126]

So what kind of shoes /sandals are your favs for kids to wear in the parks? My kids absolutley hate when their feet get hot, they rip off their sneakers like they are on fire or something...so I am really wanting to avoid sneakers there especially in august. The kids crocs look cute, but are they safe in terms of if the kids run? I am thinking maybe teva's or something the like are better?

 

[debster812]

They're a little spendy, but DS (and I for that matter) love Keen Newports or Keen Venice. I buy him a pair every year for camp, and he wears them to WDW as well. It's a lot of money for a kid's shoe, but he wears them every day all summer, so I feel like we get our money's worth.

 

[swillis]

My daughter wears her crocs to play soccer in the yard, and I wear mine all day at a busy animal hospital.
I would take your kids to try them on at the store (they sell them at Dicks Sporting Goods and Bobs Stores) because they are hard to find the right fit, and they are a very strong "like" or "hate" them kind of item.
Tevas would be good too, but I personally don't like the straps, they just irritate my feet.

 

[my3princes]

All 3 of my kids wear the older version of this NIKE sandal
http://www.nike.com/index.jhtml#l=nikestore,grid,_pdp,cid-1/gid-134136/pid-134134,_grid,s-kids%20sandals&re=US&co=US&la=EN

They say that they are very comfortable even when wet. They also stay on them well.

 

[design_mom]

Stride Rite has a line of sandals that offer the same support as a walking shoe. (I think it's called Toddler Tech or Kid Tech, depending on size). That's what my kids wear -- the coolness of a sandal, but the support of a shoe.

They're kind of spendy at the Stride Rite store, but you can find deals on them at the Stride Rite outlet and I've found them at Marshall's occassionally.

 

[CampbellScot]

My step son is quite possibly the clumsiest child on the face of the planet. He trips on air. He will be standing totally still and suddenly he's on the ground...SO we don't want to add to is clumsiness by getting him shoes that won't be secure on his feet. I got him a pair of Stride Rite water sandals which are great and very supportive. I also got him a pair of Timberland sport sandals and he got Keens for his birthday. All great sandal/sneakers, very supportive, not hot etc.

Then my SS sees that his sister is sporting crocs...she wears them from dawn to dusk...even in her PJ's she's got those crocs on. Well, he wants a pair too... We were worried that the intentionally loose fit would really trip him up. Then we found the Crocling...it's a croc for kids with a neoprene upper that straps around the back of the ankle. It makes for a secure fit that doesn't allow for flopping and accidentally kicking off. It's GREAT!!! My SS LOVES his crocs. He runs all over the place in them. He climbs trees and tears around playgrounds in them. He is thrilled to death with them. We like them too...I'm a little annoyed that since the Croclings arrived he hasn't looked at his pricey Stride Rite, Timberland and Keen sandals...but he's happy as a clam that he gets to enjoy the wonder that is the Croc(ling)!

 

[lrab1126]

thanks all...great tips ! I think i will have them try on the crocklings and see what they think. I also like the Nike sandals. I do love stride rite but at the rate my kids feet grow i really hate buying them pricey shoes. But I will check all yoru tips out and see what works.

 

[magchavez]

Last September I brought both Crocs and tennis shoes for my 3 and 4 year olds. They wore their Crocs the entire time. The tennis shoes never came out of the suitcase. Be careful though, one of my sons crocs came off on Big Thunder Mtn. Fortunately, I was able to step on it and hold it in place until the end of the ride