How to Measure A Toddler’s Shoe Size
For more resources like this, check out these other Movement Mama posts:
Shoes for Chunky Toddler Feet
Shoes for New Walkers: A Pediatric Physical Therapist's Guide
7 Things to Look For in a Toddler Shoe
It seems like our little ones outgrow their shoes SO fast! And measuring their little feet can be a challenge. But I’ve got some amazing tips to help you ensure you get the right size every time!
Did you know there’s a big difference in shoe size when you measure in sitting versus in standing? That’s because the muscles and bones of your little one’s foot expands in a weight-bearing position, causing them to be up to a full shoe size different in standing versus sitting! We want to measure in STANDING to accommodate for that expansion of the foot in the weight bearing position.
Here you can see how I prefer to measure with them sitting in my lap and then standing up—marking it on a piece of paper. Certain brands’ shoe boxes (namely Ten Little and See Kai Run) also come with amazing measuring kits.
Note: I typically measure as I did in the video on a HARD floor, not soft, but alas with toddlers you take what you can get :) You will also want to use your old statistics class skills and measure 3 times, taking the average of the sizes you get. Don’t overcomplicate this—I just want you to measure a few times to be sure you’ve got an accurate number!
Mom hack: Allow them to hold your phone or turn on their favorite tv show (Cocomelon seems to induce some sort of weird trance so try that HA). This will help them to stay still!
Also note: for little ones, we don’t want to size UP if we can avoid it. The excess length can lead to tripping and difficulty walking! You can find more info about that in this post over on Instagram! If you’re struggling with getting their chunky feet in, check out this blog post which details multiple options for increasing the amount of space in your toddler’s shoe.
Once you’ve gotten the shoes, slip the shoes on your sweet babe and have them stand up (remember, unless they're independently standing and walking, they don't need to be in shoes like this, they should be in a soft-soled moccasin where able). Use your thumb or pointer finger to feel on top of the shoe where each toe is. This isn't the easiest thing in the world to do, but take the time to push your finger on either side of each toe to ensure there's adequate space. Observe how they look in standing--do their feet look scrunched or uncomfortable? Do they act like it's painful? Some resistance to shoe-wearing at first can be common: they've never worn shoes, after all. But you know your child best--trust your gut. If it's telling you it's not a proper fit, try a different size or a different shoe style.
You can find more information in my Guide to Fall + Winter shoes and in my Shoe Buying Guide all about what to look for when buying shoes based on your little one’s skill level.
You can find a list over on my Amazon Storefront of some shoes I recommend or shop one of my all-time favorite brands directly using my link to Ten Little Shoes here or my link to See Kai Run, which are another incredible minimalist shoe brand!
