As your little ones start walking, you want to be sure that you have the very best shoes to help guide their little feet. You don’t usually need to buy your child shoes until they start walking, at around 10-18 months. It’s best to get shoes that are made with flexible, lightweight materials, such as leather or mesh. You don’t need to worry about arch or ankle support, as your child’s feet are still developing. In fact, it’s better to get shoes without ankle support to help them build vital muscles and prevent injuries. It’s also important to get your child new shoes once they start walking. Buying used shoes or using hand-me-downs will hinder your child when developing motor skills. Your child needs a new pair of shoes that will mold to their own unique feet for the best walking experience.

We picked out a couple of brands of children’s shoes that we love to help you find the best shoes for your new walkers! These comfy shoes will help your child develop their motor skills like running, walking and jumping. Not to mention, the adorable designs will have your kid wearing the sweetest kicks on the block.

Native Shoes are extra comfy and flexible, making them perfect for your new walker! They are made of ethylene-vinyl acetate or EVA, as it’s commonly called. Pretty much, wearing a pair of Native Shoes feels like you’re walking on clouds. EVA molds perfectly to your little one’s feet, helping them even more as new walkers. These incredibly lightweight shoes are shock absorbent, washable, waterproof and odor-resistant. Imagine being able to throw your kid’s shoes in the washer after a day of jumping in mud puddles! They come in a variety of fun colors and patterns that the kiddos love. Here are some other amazing reasons to get a pair of Native Shoes for your new walker:

Native Shoes don’t contain any harmful substances, such as BPA, phthalate or formaldehyde. They are REACH and CPSIA compliant.

They are animal by-product free.

Native’s production process is cleaner and greener. They utilize a unique low-emission and low waste manufacturing process.

Every shoe is packaged and shipped using recyclable materials.

With Native Shoes, you’re investing into a great pair of kicks to help your child learn how to walk. By buying a pair, you also know that you are giving to a green and eco-friendly company. At Sweet Threads, we strongly believe in supporting green companies and we thoroughly love Native Shoes. We carry sizes from 12 months to 6 years with many different styles, ranging from tennis shoes to rain boots. To get your kid a pair, visit us at our Long Beach store or online at www.shopsweetthreads.com.

There’s no doubt about it, the Nimble collection of children’s shoes are some of the cutest on the market! These shoes are handcrafted with natural, soft leather and a flexible gum sole. The design makes these shoes extra flexible and comfortable, perfect for your little one as they learn to walk. Their stylish look makes them some of the most popular shoes out there. We currently carry the in demand Babyseta shoe in two colors: safety orange, white & leopard and green camo. We carry sizes from 0-24+ months. Not only are these fashionable shoes designed to help your little one learn to walk, they will also instantly up your child’s cuteness factor. Come in to our Long Beach store to try some on today or visit us at www.shopsweetthreads.com. 

Picking the Perfect Pair of Shoes:

1. For their first pair, it is good to go into the store to get your child’s feet measured.
2. Once you have found an adorable pair, check the fit! Insert your pinkie into the heel and the point where the shoe meets the ankle. Your finger should fit snuggly.
3. Feel the shoe’s tip, while your child is standing, to make sure there’s about half an inch of space between their big toe and the tip of the shoe.
4. After you find a shoe with a great fit, have your child walk around the store. Look for a loose, slipping heel and any red marks on their feet once they take the shoes off. These are indicators that the shoes are not fitting well.
5. Kid’s feet grow rapidly. They need a new pair of shoes about every 2-3 months. When they start taking their shoes off constantly, hobbling around or rubbing their feet, you should start looking at buying them a bigger pair of shoes.

Come see us in our Sweet Threads store in Long Beach to find the perfect fit for your new walkers. If you already know what size and shoe you want, visit us on www.shopsweetthreads.com to order your favorite kicks. We have a great reputation for carrying the best in children’s apparel and shoes. You can be sure that you will find the best brands and companies when you shop with Sweet Threads. Our boutique is all you need to make your little ones the cutest around. Come by the store or visit us online and make sure your kid is the best new walker in town!