Shoes Your Toddler Can’t Take Off (and Might Actually Want to Wear)

Sensory-Friendly Shoes That Stay On

We’ve noticed at Nest & Sprout that many families of sensory-sensitive toddlers struggle most with shoes. If your child loves being barefoot, they might not want a stiff, structured shoe .  They’re craving freedom of movement and softness.

That’s why this indoor shoe from Wheat Kids has become an all-time favourite. It’s soft, flexible, and wide-fitting. This is ideal for kids who want that barefoot feeling without actually being barefoot. Inspired by other neurodiverse parents who were bringing us felted wool shoes, the Mulle from Wheat has proven to be a favourite amongst many of our autistic and sensory aware families. 

For many kids, comfort and control matter more than structure. And while that might not always align with your physiotherapist’s top pick, it can make the difference between a meltdown and a happy, confident walker. Sometimes the first step is getting the shoe on the foot more often than not. 

Tips for Helping Toddlers Keep Their Shoes On

1. Involve Them in the Process

Bring your toddler along to choose their shoes. Give them two or three parent-approved options and let them pick the pair they love, that sense of control can work wonders. Sometimes though - we also just let them run wild and do what they want, when they want knowing that the shop is a safe space to be. 

If you need assistance, and want to scout out some shoe choices ahead of time, please do. You're welcome to come visit the shop and get us to put a few aside. 

🕒 Try visiting at a time of day when they’re rested, fed, and ready to play.  they’ll need to move around and test how the shoes feel, a child that refuses to walk in a pair of shoes i not a good start to the day. 

2. Make Sure They Actually Fit

We get it — shoes are expensive, and it’s tempting to size up -- truthfully, most parents are squeezing their kids into too small of shoes. Either way, the wrong size is asking for trouble because it'll fall off or make their toes curl (literally).

This is part of the adventure where you really do need your kids to come try on yourself because even if we can get their foot outline to perfectly match the shoe there might be other factors we like depth, ankle, and width that hard to accomodate with just a measurement alone. 

Stick with a proper fit and limit how many pairs you buy per season; just the essentials for everyday wear and weather conditions.

Shown below is the Reima Happy Insoles that have been a game changer for helping us understand how shoes fit. It also has really reinforced that kids need space in their shoes not jsut for growth but for rolling through the shoe. And if the shoe does fit but falls off then we need to control for other factors such as ankle straps, and overall fit. 

3. Add a Little Fun

For some toddlers, motivation is everything. Squeaky shoes like Wee Squeak turn walking into a game; perfect for early walkers, hesitant steppers, or kids who love feedback. We don't reguarly carry these shoes anymore but they are one inspiration to help your kids have fun. Sometimes it's lights, sparkles, or all that jazz. You'll find all sorts of fun shoes in our preloved footwear collection. 

4. Look for Easy-On, Easy-Off (for You, Not Them)

Shoes that are easy for parents but still secure for toddlers are key.

Jan & Jul’s “Me-Put-On” designs feature wide openings, pull tabs, and adjustable straps. This gives toddlers independence while keeping shoes snug during play.

Look for:

• Wide openings for chubby toddler feet
  

• Adjustable closures (Velcro, toggles, zippers)
  

• Flexible soles that bend with movement
  

🧦 Bonus: Match Their Habits to the Shoe

Think about when and why your toddler ditches their shoes.

In our house, one kid always kicks them off when their feet get warm. So now, we focus on breathable, sock-free-friendly designs like Jan & Jul’s Knit Shoes or Native’s Jefferson slip-ons. This gives them all-day comfort. But that's not always every kids delima. 

Remember to think through when, why and how your kid removes their shoes. 

Shop Toddler-Approved, Parent-Tested Shoes in Prince George

While toddlers will always test limits (and your patience), the right shoes can make a huge difference. Look for pairs that balance comfort, fit, and fun. Together these features can help give you a shoe that your toddler actually enjoys wearing.

You can find many of our toddler favourites in-store and online at Nest & Sprout:

• Wheat Kids Indoor Shoe,  soft, flexible, sensory-friendly
  

• Jan & Jul Me-Put-On Shoes, independence-friendly and secure this is noticed throughout their entire collection of shoes and for different kids different levels of functionality will meet the job.
  

•  Reima Barefoot & Roll-Through Styles – designed with foot health and natural movement in mind; flexible soles and room for toes to move freely support growing feet
  

• Reebok Runners, built for active little ones who are always on the move; supportive soles and sporty comfort make them great for playgrounds, parks, and beyond

• Wee Squeak Shoes , perfect for early walkers and heel awareness
  

Every child is different and that’s okay. Our job as parents is to find what works for their little feet, personalities, and adventures. Discover an ever growing collection of toddler and youth footwear at Nest & Sprout in Prince George, BC with shipping across Canada