How to Make Sure Kids Shoes Fit Perfectly

Kids' feet are always growing, so it can be really difficult to find a perfectly fitting pair of shoes which will keep them comfortable, and perhaps have a little bit of growing room to extend their lifespan.

Learn why it’s important to get the size just right, how to measure your child’s feet at home, and how to check if your little one’s shoes fit correctly… all in one blog!

Why is it important to get your child’s shoe size right?

It’s so important to get your child’s shoe size right to prevent injuries, or foot problems which might occur from poorly fitting shoes. It will also protect against long term discomfort, especially for more active children (and what kid isn’t active?).

Here, we’ll look at some of these issues in more detail:

• Pain - Given that a kid's feet aren’t fully formed until the age of 18, shoes which are too tight can put pressure on the bones and soft tissues of feet. This could lead to pain for your child, as well as restricting their proper movement, which can cause a number of other issues too.

• Injury - In some cases, incorrectly fitting shoes can cause injuries. Shoes which are too tight might lead to blisters or sores, and shoes which are too loose may provide inadequate support and protection. This could increase the chances of a child tripping over, twisting an ankle, or obtaining other similar injuries. 

• Comfort - Even if not causing direct pain, poorly fitting shoes can lead to discomfort. If shoes are too tight, they may feel restrictive for your child. On the other hand, if they aren’t tight enough, your child may complain that their feet are slipping around in the shoes. Especially if you’re looking for shoes which your child will be happy to work for long periods of time, this is likely to be an issue.

• Confidence - The right shoes for your child are the ones which make them feel most confident within themselves. Balance or stability issues caused by a bad fit are going to inhibit your child from exploring the world with confidence. 
  
  

Measuring your child’s feet at home

We’ve already got some very helpful information on our website when it comes to measuring a kid's feet. The first thing you need to understand is children’s foot and shoe width, and what size fitting shoes you will need to buy to make sure your child is comfortable. You can check out the Lelli Kelly sizing guide to double check you’re getting the right size for your child.

To quickly learn how to measure little feet yourself using just a pen and paper, take a look at the following guide:

1. Ask your child to stand on the piece of paper, with their foot as flat as possible.

2. Use a pen/pencil to trace around the foot from heel to big toe.

3. Repeat on the other foot.

4. Use a tape measure or ruler to measure from the heel to the big toe.

5. Use our insole measurement table to determine the right size to order from Lelli Kelly.

Alternatively, you can take your child to any local shoe shop and they’ll likely be able to measure their feet too!

How to check if your child’s shoes fit correctly

To check if your child’s shoes fit correctly, there are a couple of tests you can perform as well as things to look out for:

Toe test - Ask your child to stand up straight and use your hands to determine where their toes are in the shoes. For the ideal fit, there should be roughly a finger’s width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. The most important thing is that none of the toes are pressed against the front of the toe box, as this is where most discomfort issues stem from. 

Width - Check your child’s shoes for their fit, checking that they fit snugly without pinching in any areas, especially in the middle of the foot or on the top. 

Heel test - Ask your child as well as observing them whilst walking to check whether the heel is comfortably in place. If the heel slips up and down/backward and forward, there’s a good chance that the fit isn’t quite right. 

Ask your child - Some kids won’t be vocal, even if their shoes aren’t comfortable. Ask your child if their current shoes give them any discomfort, or whether their feet start to ache. If they say yes, it may be time to start looking for a different size. 

Thankfully, Lelli Kelly stocks wide fit and standard fit shoes, so no matter the size and shape of your child’s feet, there are plenty of options for them!

If your child is in the middle of a growth spurt, we’d recommend choosing a maximum of 1 size up when it comes to shoes. With these, your child should be able to comfortably wear the shoes whilst having a little bit of growing room, increasing the shoes lifespan! 

Shop cute canvas shoes, baseball boots, school shoes, and more at Lelli Kelly shop.