Are crocs OK for a 3-year old?

[Anonymous]

I found the crocling style to be better for smaller kids. The elastic around the back help them to stay on better than the standard croc style.

[cmkeough]

My almost 27 month old LOVES her crocs. She runs around in them and doesn't seem to trip any more so in them than any of her other shoes. I don't buy them too big for her though, I actually buy the size that fits her feet with and without socks.

But to answer your question are they "Okay" - not 100% certain but I would guess if they weren't okay there would have been some sort of recall/story or 20/20 show about how they're really bad for toddlers.

-CK

[Anonymous]

I thought crocks were ONLY ok for 3 year olds (and maybe 4 and 5, but that's it).

[Anonymous]

mom to an infant here (so no practical experience), but I thought that it was best for little feet to go barefoot with as little "support" as possible because it helps strengthen and develop their feet. When does that change to needing sneakers or something with more formal support?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:mom to an infant here (so no practical experience), but I thought that it was best for little feet to go barefoot with as little "support" as possible because it helps strengthen and develop their feet. When does that change to needing sneakers or something with more formal support?

It isn't so much that it changes as much as it is that it is harder to find shoes like that as kids get older (and parents think it is less of a big deal as the kids age).

[Anonymous]

We let our 3 year old wear them--he likes to decorate them with those buttons they sell for that purpose.

That said, we do limit when he can wear his Crocs. He can wear them for walks around the neighborhood, but not to school or to the playground. Those activities require more fitted shoes that provide better grip and traction. We will be taking his Crocs with us to the beach.

I don't understand the blanket statements. There are different shoes to be worn for different circumstances for adults and for kids.

[Anonymous]

Not a crocs fan here. My daughter had a pair around age 2 and she could barely walk in them without tripping. We instituted the "no running in crocs" rule and she did better but still was more comfortable in tennis shoes (she wore crocs mainly to/from the pool or for car rides). She's almost 6 now and still doesn't wear them much.

[Anonymous]

Well, they are OK, but you might as well look up the "My kid's feet are sooo stinky? Why?" posts. Wearing rubber shoes in the summer with no sock is a great recipe for stinky feet.

[Anonymous]

I've asked at the "good" shoe stores (where they sell Crocs) and have been told they're not really suitable for little kids b/c they don't have support, they slide off, and they're slippery. That said, I wouldn't be against a toddler wearing them now and then (definitely not at the pool). A pair of Keens is a much better option for waterproof, supportive, easy on and off sandals for summer. And they're cuter.