what age can they wear flip flops without tripping?
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Anonymous
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Our DS is about 3.25 yrs old and we are trying to decide between flip flops and water shoes for hot pool decks/sand.
Are flip flops harder to wear for preschoolers? |
Anonymous
| We got our 3 year old flip flops this year for the first time. They're the kind with the heel strap. At first - he did trip over them. Now he does better but we still discourage running in them (DS realizes the limitation as well). We say no flip flops on the playground or school, but let him wear them for casual walking around. His summer shoes are: sneakers, keens, and flip flops. For got them more b/c he wanted to be like us than for any practical reason. |
Anonymous
| Make sure to get sturdy flip flops. I was desperate for a pair and picked some up at the Dollar store. Bad move because I trip over those darned things. |
Anonymous
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why not just do crocks?
Overall I prefer something closed toe for kid to protect them from stubbed toes. |
Anonymous
| My kid is 4 and definitely wouldn't want to wear them. Not good for running etc. Just get Crocs or keens. |
Anonymous
| 6 year old can do errands with them. No running - does not work. Mini golf was challenging at first with all the level changes and compulsion to run, but he figured out that wouldn't work pretty quickly. |
Anonymous
My 11 year old still can't. 
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Anonymous
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Do Tevas. They have arch support and can get wet without stinking. Flip flops are terrible for the feet and if your kid trips in them now, then steer clear.
Crocs aren't a bad choice for the pool. Just know that in really hot weather, they have been known to melt. They did a write up in the Post how crocs were melting into the escalators on the metro. |
Anonymous
| flip flops, crocs, and the like are all crappy for young children. They do not offer good coverage and the support is terrible. Go with tevas or keens. |
Anonymous
I am 50 and still haven't mastered it. 
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Anonymous
| My 2-year-old can wear the flip-flops with the back strap, so we use those for around the pool, but for anything else, we use water sandals, which fit and stay on better. |
Anonymous
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My 3yo wears them but takes them off after about 20 minutes or less because it hurts between his toes. That's something to keep in mind. But I got them at target for $4, and he just wears them to the pool.
He tripped twice so far, in the grass. |
Anonymous
+1 we do Keens instead |
Anonymous
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Honestly, I think the answer is "never." Even adults don't walk quite right in flip flops, and they aren't recommended by most doctors. They cause a lot of foot/ankle injuries and provide terrible support.
If you're only using at the pool, it's probably okay, but I wouldn't use on any other situation. With a kid this age, why not get regular water shoes, crocs, or waterproof sandals? |