Find Your Child’s Perfect Fit at Shoe Carnival!
In part three of our four-part series, learn how to find the right fit every time – from crib shoes to youth cleats.
Kids. Constantly growing, it can be difficult to keep them in good shoes. It’s even harder when they are complaining that the shoes are “too scratchy” or that they “feel like cactus needles.” The good news is that many of your child’s shoe problems can be fixed by making sure they are wearing the correct shoe size. Check out the list below of frequently asked questions about kids’ shoe sizing and make sure your next children’s shoe purchase is the perfect fit.
“When Is It Time to Get the Kids New Shoes?”
Children’s feet can grow quickly and figuring out when it’s time to replace your little one’s shoes is easy! When checking to see if their current shoes still fit, press down with your thumb on the front of their shoes to make sure there is a comfortable gap, approximately a thumb’s width, between the toes and the end of the shoe. If there’s not even a pinky’s width of room left, they’ve grown out of that size and they are ready for new shoes!
If you’re still unsure if their shoes fit, watch how they walk. Do they walk like they normally do, or are they more tender with their steps? Have your child walk around, jump, and anything else they like to do, and ask them how their shoes feel during and after. It’s normal for some kinds of shoes to feel stiff, but it’s never normal for them to pinch or hurt.
“How Do I Measure My Child’s Foot and Find Their Current Shoe Size?”
You can successfully measure your child’s feet easily at home. Shoe Carnival has printable size charts for kids with easy-to-use instructions that will make finding the right fit easy.
Don’t have a printer? You can still find their size at home by following these simple steps.
“What’s the Best Time to Measure My Child’s Feet?”
Wait until the afternoon or evening to measure your child’s feet because feet swell and expand throughout the day.
“How Does Kids’ Shoe Sizing Work?”
Kids’ clothing sizes can be deceptively simple. A two-year-old is likely to wear around a 2T and a child’s small is often perfect for a first-grader. Shoe sizes, on the other hand, do not correspond neatly to a child’s age, so it’s important to measure their feet.
Children’s shoe sizes start at a 0 and run through a 13 ½. Then, they start back over at 1 and go up to a 7. This may sound confusing, but it is very easy to tell the difference between the little size 1 and the big size 1.
“What Shoe Size Does a 6-Month-Old Wear?”
Kids’ sizes 0-3 are typically worn by babies under 9 months old. These sizes are typically labeled as “infant” to prevent confusion with the larger sizes 1, 2, and 3. Baby shoes with soft soles may be called “crib shoes” and are designed for infants who are not yet walking.
“What Shoe Size Does a 2-Year-Old Wear?”
Children’s sizes 3 ½-10 are usually worn by infants and toddlers between 9 months and 4 years old. They are often labeled as “toddler” shoes to differentiate from the big kid sizes 3 ½-7. Some toddler shoes may also be called “first walker” and are specifically designed with a roomier toe and a traction sole perfect for mastering walking!
“What Shoe Size Does a 6-Year-Old Wear?”
Kids’ sizes 10 ½-3 are frequently worn by little kids between the ages of 4 to 7 years. This size grouping is sometimes called “little kid” or “preschool” to prevent confusion with infant sizes 1, 2, and 3.
“What Shoe Size Does an 8-Year-Old Wear?”
The largest children’s sizes are 3 ½-7, and are worn by older children from about age 7 until they transition to adult sizes. These sizes are variously labeled “big kid,” “grade school,” or “youth” to prevent confusion with the toddler sizes.
“When and How Do You Change from Kids’ Shoe Sizes to Adult Shoe Sizes?”
When your child outgrows youth sizes (often between the ages of 9-12), it’s time to start shopping in the men’s or women’s departments. While this can be emotional for the parent, it’s an exciting moment in your child’s life worth celebrating!
Converting from kids’ shoe sizes to adult shoe sizes is easy. Simply start by determining your child’s current size in youth shoes.
If your child is transitioning to the men’s department, use the same size in the men’s department. Believe it or not, a youth size 7 is the same as a men’s size 7.
If your child is converting to the women’s department, take their youth shoe size and add 1 ½ or 2 sizes. For instance, if your child is in a youth 6, start by looking at women’s 8. Keep in mind women’s shoes may be narrower than youth sizes, so a tween with wider feet may require a women’s wide-width shoe.
From infants to tweens, you’re sure to find their perfect fit at Shoe Carnival!