Shoes for happy little feet
Jul 17, 2008
CHOOSING shoes for children is one of the most challenging shopping activities for most parents. Yet one has got to do it with great care in order to choose the right shoe and to avoid affecting the child’s feet. Below are tips to help you choose the right shoe for your child.
By Agnes Kyotalengerire
CHOOSING shoes for children is one of the most challenging shopping activities for most parents. Yet one has got to do it with great care in order to choose the right shoe and to avoid affecting the child’s feet. Below are tips to help you choose the right shoe for your child.
Booties
Booties are good for babies of zero to nine months because they are light and have got a soft sole making it difficult for babies to hurt themselves since they are found of rubbing their feet.
While shopping, you will find booties in different designs, colours and sizes.
Choose light and soft shoes with a lot of children character. Booties stuffed with sponge are a better option because they make the baby’s feet comfortable.
A pair of booties costs you between sh3,000 to sh10,000 at Kiddiez Closet outlets on Cham Towers, Pioneer Mall and other shops dealing in children wear.
For toddlers (babies learning to walk), Kasaija, an attendant at Kiddiez Closet recommends light shoes to encourage the baby to walk faster.
“To make walking fun and exciting, go for shoes that produce melodies as the child walks,†he says. Such shoes can be got in different designs. They cost sh2000 and above in shops dealing in children wear.
Choose shoes with rubber soles. The rubber prevents children from sliding and falling. Secondly, the shoes should have a rough sole with ridges engraved to enhance the gripping.
Flats/open shoes
These are ideal because they allow aeration of the feet and can be worn out to occasions especially over weekends. Flats/open shoes come in different brands like Kiddiez, mother care and Clarks for both boys and girls.
While buying flats or open shoes for children choose those with flap stickers to help keep the shoes in the feet at the same time making the wearing and removing easy.
A pair of open or flat shoes will cost you from sh5,000 to sh10,000 in down town shops along Nabugabbo Street and Owino market, while those in uptown shops and boutiques prices range from sh15000.
Closed shoes
Closed shoes are ideal for occasions and school because they make the child appear formally dressed and smart. Kasaija explains that though the tradition for closed shoes has been shoes with laces, the new innovation is that of shoes with stickers.
She adds that children like shoes with flap stickers because they are not cumbersome to put on and remove as opposed to those with laces.
Though closed, Kasaija explains that they should not be with a high heel to strain the child’s legs Prices for closed shoes range from sh6,000 in town shops while in up town shops like Kiddiez Closet on charm towers and Pioneer Mall out lets, Bata outlets you will part with sh20,000 to sh35,000 a pair.
Sneakers
Though people think sneakers are worn for sports activities only, it is not the case.
Besides sports, sneakers can be worn over the weekend or evening provided they are matched with casual clothes like jeans and T-shirts.
While shopping, choose sneakers with bright colours because childrenlove them.
Sneakers with flap stickers are a better deal as opposed to those with laces.
A pair of sneakers will cost you from sh5000 in down town shops while a pair in up town shops goes between sh15,000 to sh30,000.
CHOOSING shoes for children is one of the most challenging shopping activities for most parents. Yet one has got to do it with great care in order to choose the right shoe and to avoid affecting the child’s feet. Below are tips to help you choose the right shoe for your child.
Booties
Booties are good for babies of zero to nine months because they are light and have got a soft sole making it difficult for babies to hurt themselves since they are found of rubbing their feet.
While shopping, you will find booties in different designs, colours and sizes.
Choose light and soft shoes with a lot of children character. Booties stuffed with sponge are a better option because they make the baby’s feet comfortable.
A pair of booties costs you between sh3,000 to sh10,000 at Kiddiez Closet outlets on Cham Towers, Pioneer Mall and other shops dealing in children wear.
For toddlers (babies learning to walk), Kasaija, an attendant at Kiddiez Closet recommends light shoes to encourage the baby to walk faster.
“To make walking fun and exciting, go for shoes that produce melodies as the child walks,†he says. Such shoes can be got in different designs. They cost sh2000 and above in shops dealing in children wear.
Choose shoes with rubber soles. The rubber prevents children from sliding and falling. Secondly, the shoes should have a rough sole with ridges engraved to enhance the gripping.
Flats/open shoes
These are ideal because they allow aeration of the feet and can be worn out to occasions especially over weekends. Flats/open shoes come in different brands like Kiddiez, mother care and Clarks for both boys and girls.
While buying flats or open shoes for children choose those with flap stickers to help keep the shoes in the feet at the same time making the wearing and removing easy.
A pair of open or flat shoes will cost you from sh5,000 to sh10,000 in down town shops along Nabugabbo Street and Owino market, while those in uptown shops and boutiques prices range from sh15000.
Closed shoes
Closed shoes are ideal for occasions and school because they make the child appear formally dressed and smart. Kasaija explains that though the tradition for closed shoes has been shoes with laces, the new innovation is that of shoes with stickers.
She adds that children like shoes with flap stickers because they are not cumbersome to put on and remove as opposed to those with laces.
Though closed, Kasaija explains that they should not be with a high heel to strain the child’s legs Prices for closed shoes range from sh6,000 in town shops while in up town shops like Kiddiez Closet on charm towers and Pioneer Mall out lets, Bata outlets you will part with sh20,000 to sh35,000 a pair.
Sneakers
Though people think sneakers are worn for sports activities only, it is not the case.
Besides sports, sneakers can be worn over the weekend or evening provided they are matched with casual clothes like jeans and T-shirts.
While shopping, choose sneakers with bright colours because childrenlove them.
Sneakers with flap stickers are a better deal as opposed to those with laces.
A pair of sneakers will cost you from sh5000 in down town shops while a pair in up town shops goes between sh15,000 to sh30,000.