We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
21 Shoes From Amazon Parents Say Their Kids Actually Don’t Mind Wearing
These shoes were made for walking, stomping, splashing, building snowmen, hiking, strutting, running, chasing — you get the idea.
1. A pair of Asics pre-school running shoes that’ll hold up to all sorts of kiddo shenanigans and are extra lightweight to give them extra zoomies power. (Look, whatever helps run them down before bedtime. Literally.)
Promising review: “Our family absolutely loves Asics, and we were thrilled to find their kids’ models! My son’s favorite sneakers so far have been these. Not only do they have a sporty look, but they also offer fantastic stability, support, and cushioning. The inner sole is super comfy, and the grip is excellent, which is perfect for active kids. Plus, they’re lightweight and easy for younger ones to put on and take off by themselves. This is our second pair, and we just got the first one for my little daughter. We couldn’t be happier with them. I highly recommend these shoes, much better value than other brands – 5 out of 5!” —Christine’s Elegance
Price: $37.69+ (available in sizes 10–3 little kid and in 26 colors)
2. A darling pair of Ikiki sandals with squeakers you can turn off. (Bless.) My son wore these all through his toddler years. He loved them for the squeaky stomps and bright colors, and my partner and I loved them because we could basically use echolocation in crowded settings to ensure he never slipped away unnoticed.
Ashley Schumacher/BuzzFeed
Promising review: “Got my granddaughter her third pair. First two were the closed sneaker. The sandals are equally fantastic. These are super easy to put on. She loves squeaking around in them and we get noticed when out and about. They seem to have a nice, wide sole which also helps her to walk. Love these! Highly recommended.” —CC Texas
Price: $32.21+ (available in sizes 3–9 toddler, 10–13 little kid, and in eight styles)
3. A natural rubber rain boot because puddles were made to be jumped in, and these boots were made to keep the littles in your life dry, safe, and (relatively) clean.
Promising review: “My daughter loves her new rain boots. They are PERFECT. They fit true to size, the color doesn’t fade on them, they keep my kiddo’s feet dry and warm, and they are perfect for puddle jumping! What kid doesn’t love to jump in puddles?!? My daughter says they are comfy and has never complained of blisters. The rainbow is such a cute look! Buy them and watch your kiddos smile as she/he jumps in puddles!” —Eliza
Price: $16.99+ (available in sizes 4–10 toddler, 1–13 little kid, 4 big kid, and in 33 styles)
4. A stylish PatPat slip-on canvas sneaker perfect for mixing and matching with all your kiddo’s cool tees. At a fraction of the price of some of the other canvas sneakers with the same ~look,~ do yourself a favor and grab a couple of pairs for a back-to-school or daycare wardrobe glow-up.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising reviews: “Kiddo loved them! They were perfect for what we needed them for. The color was vibrant, and the quality of them was good. She loves to wear them. I believe they are true to size, but I went a half size up, and they fit perfectly with a little room to grow.” —Jasmine
“I loveee these, so cute on my toddler. I couldn’t justify paying the price of Converse for a little person who is just going to mess them up while having fun! Got these and have no regrets. Would say they’re pretty true to size.” —Pilar W.
Price: $17.49+ (available in sizes 5–8.5 toddler, 9–13.5 little kid, 1–2 big kid, and in six colors)
5. A pair of Toy Story Crocs to let your kiddo know that they’ve got a friend in their footwear. Side note: Not sure why I fought the Crocs life with my kid — they’re comfortable, SO easy to clean, and the Jibbitz charms are just plain fun.
Ashley Schumacher/BuzzFeed, amazon.com
Promising reviews: “My son loves them. He has worn them every day, since we got them. He loves how comfortable they are and how easy they are to put on. They’re not heavy, they fit perfectly, he is going on 9 and we got a big kid 2 size, and they were perfect. He loves the design ’cause you can tell they’re Woody from far away. They’re great also ’cause they can get wet, and they dry pretty quickly. If you love Toy Story, these Crocs are for you.” —Aesir
“My son loves Crocs. He goes through pair after pair, but these are just so cute and fun for my 8-year-old that he had me get a pair, too, and I love wearing them with him!” —Calli Elizabeth Schuman
Price: $49.99+ (available in sizes 4–10 toddler, 11–3 little kid, 3–6 big kid, and in Buzz and Woody styles)
6. A pair of Sperry port boots for all manner of adventures, including (but obviously not limited to) the zoo, which is where my son insisted he take these to break them in. If you’ve owned or seen the adult versions, the kid sizes are JUST as high quality and they will long outlast your child’s next growth spurt or two.
Ashley Schumacher/BuzzFeed, amazon.com
Promising reviews: “I love Sperry and the second I heard they made boots I bought a pair and never regretted it. It was passed down in our family for three years and still looks like new. Keeps your little one’s toes super warm, and it keeps the snow and cold out.” —Nesrin Hanichet
“These might just be the cutest little boot ever! My son looks so handsome when he wears them with jeans and his Carhartt shirt. My goodness, they’re adorable. They keep his feet warm and dry, and the toddler girls love them too. Worth every dollar spent on them. Will definitely size up and buy these again!” —RPD
Price: $19.15+ (available in sizes 6–12 little kid, 1–13 big kid, and in 14 styles)
7. Or a PatPat lace-up waterproof boot if you want a different waterproof option with more funky colors and a different ~look~ while still protecting your kiddo’s feet on mucky exploits.
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising reviews: “My daughter loves them; they’re comfortable for her, nice color, and go with almost any outfit. Quality is good too!” —Chelsea B
“These boots are so cute for little girls! The quality of the material is good, and they have a good sole on them. My daughter loves them and wears them almost every day! They match everything and are true to size! Will be purchasing these again in a bigger size when she grows out of the ones she has!” —Megan
Price: $9.99+ (available in sizes 6–8.5 toddler, 8–13.5 little kid, 2 big kid, and in seven styles)
8. A pair of Merrell hiking boots to help your child climb every mountain, forge every stream, and dear gosh, please don’t get all that mud and bracken on your school shoes. We don’t have a governess who can make you new ones out of curtains.
Promising review: “Got these for my kids for a trip to Utah for hiking. I accidentally waited too long to purchase boots for them, and I hoped for the best with these even though we didn’t have time to break them in. I am happy to report they were perfect! No pain/complaints/blisters. I will continue to use the Merrell brand; these were great, sturdy, stylish boots.” —Maggie Garcia
Price: $28.79+ (available in sizes 1–13.5 little kid, 3.5–7 big kid, and in three colors)
9. Or a pair of Sorel winter snow boots if your outside adventures are going to be of a colder variety. These feature a multi-directional lug sole to keep your kid’s feet from turning into impromptu ice skates on slick surfaces.
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising reviews: “My son has been loving these. They keep his feet warm and dry while playing in the snow. He loves that he can independently put them on and take them off easily. That is a bonus.” —Neshat Tebyanian
“My granddaughter was very excited, especially about the color. I like the temp rating and removable liner, so in case some snow gets in and they get damp, you can remove the liner to dry overnight.” —Happy Customer
Price: $28+ (available in sizes 9–10 toddler, 8–13 little kid, 1–5 big kid, and in 19 colors)
10. A pair of slip-on laceless sneakers every small human guardian knows will come in handy for the fifteenth time you have to say, “We are leaving now.”
Promising reviews: “My son LOVES these shoes! He’s growing out of his 10s so we got 11; they fit a little big, but we are ok with that. They are SO soft, the sole is quality, nicer than his Skechers shoes. Easy to put on and off, no hassle at all, love these!” —Vanessa
“Tie-dye is all the rage with kids right now. And these shoes are a colossal hit! It is a great fit and is covered with sparkles in pastels. The granddaughter is thrilled. A great purchase!” —Jeanne Gall
Price: $14.99+ (available in sizes 7–10 toddler, 11–13 little kid, 1–3 big kid, and in 11 styles)
11. A light-up roller skate shoe you KNOW is going to make the light-of-your-life small person the light of the party. With detachable wheels and a hidden USB charging port, your kid will be ready to skate into the future that we adults dreamed of at their age.
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “My daughter loves these shoes. She put them on immediately and wouldn’t take them off until bedtime. Easy to take the front wheels off. Pretty sturdy.” —Herlz
“Our grandson (now 8) asked for these for his birthday. We used the sizing guide to measure his foot and select the appropriate size — perfect fit! He opened them at his party, and the kids all loved them! The combo of lights and two wheels per shoe is a real winner! Our grandson loves them!!” —Vickie Cleary
Price: $18.89+ (available in sizes 11—3 little kid, 3.5 —7.5 big kid and in 30 styles)
12. A quick-dry barefoot water shoe to keep little feet safe from river rocks, uneven pool bottoms, and everything in between.
Promising review: “These kids’ water shoes are fantastic! They’re incredibly light and easy to put on, which is a huge plus when you’re dealing with energetic little ones. My kids found them very comfortable, even after wearing them for hours at the beach or by the pool. The shoes provide a good grip on wet surfaces, making them safe and reliable. They also dry quickly, so there’s no fuss about them staying wet for too long. Overall, a great buy for active kids who love water play!” —Jackie Duval
Price: $14.87 (available in sizes 6—10 toddler, 11—3.5 little kid, 4 big kid, and in 41 colors)
13. Or a Mickey Mouse water shoe option if your kiddo is resistant to wearing shoes in the water and you need a little “hot dog” song as a backup.
amazon.com, Amazon
14. A pair of Velcro sneakers with retro designs that will have you and your kid grinning just to look at ’em. (Yes, there really is one with a smiley face on it!)
Promising review: “This shoe is so cute and fashionable while being comfy for my 3-year-old. Everyone always stops us and asks where we got them from and wants to buy them for their kids. It’s very durable and easy to put on and take off.” —Franseen
Price: $12.99+ (available in sizes 6—10 toddler, 10—14 little kid, 1—3 big kid, and in 22 styles)
15. A pair of Dearfoam critter slippers for making cold mornings and family movie nights infinitely snugglier for your own little critter. Best of all, there are enough options for different kids to pick different styles to avoid fighting or anyone screaming, “No, that’s my unicorn.”
Amazon
Promising review: “My kids love slippers and dinosaurs, so this makes for the perfect pair. We have always purchased Dearfoams for our slippers because they are comfortable and durable. This is another great pair for the kids.” —clinton p.
Price: $9+ (available in sizes 5—13 toddler, 1—8 big kid, and in 18 styles)
16. A Soda espadrille wedge sandal so chic and durable, you might as well buy another pair in the next size up because your kid is absolutely going to insist on wearing these forever.
Promising review: “My daughter wore these for our family pictures this year. She was so excited when I showed them to her and wanted to wear them right away. I wouldn’t let her until after the photos were done, but I could have. She wears them constantly and they’ve really held up well. She says they are very comfortable. And I think quite stylish!” —Erin Cooper
Price: $18+ (available in sizes 9—10 toddler, 1—13 little kid, and in 25 colors)
17. A pair of Oxford dress shoes to top off any outfit with the perfectly dapper touch and a wallop of comfort to quiet down any protests about dressing fancy.
Promising review: “These are so nice! I had to order dress shoes for my sons and ordered this brand for one son and another for the other. I immediately returned the other brand of shoes and now have both of them in this brand because they are so nice!! I’m really impressed with how the shoe looks, especially for such a great price, and they seem like they are really expensive! The boys are pretty proud of their dapper shoes. Definitely recommend, and they fit true to size, just had to get some thin dress socks for them!” —Jessi
Price: $32.99 (available in sizes 9—10 toddler, 11—3 little kid, 4—6 big kid, and in three colors)
18. A Mary Jane dress shoe that is a classic silhouette for a reason. They are Disney-princess cute while still being comfortable for little feet.
Promising review: “These shoes are the cutest ever. They look like they came straight out of a fairy tale. Perfect for everything from Easter to tea parties, and my daughter loves wearing them. They match every outfit, which is awesome. Totally adorable, and they’re actually comfortable, too!” —Maurissa
Price: $14.99+ (available in sizes 5—10 toddler, 11—13 little kid, 1—4 big kid, and in 79 colors)
19. A pair of cowboy boots that’ll have you and your kid trying to out-yeehaw each other. As a Texan, I feel uniquely qualified to say that these are charmingly adorable and would be welcome at any rodeo, restaurant, or playground in my neck of the woods.
Promising review: “The boots are perfect, the pictures online does the shoe no justice lol. The shoes look even better in person. I love how sturdy they are. My son says they are so comfortable. We had an event this weekend that was cowboy-themed, and those boots came in handy. I definitely will be buying more. My son loves them!! Thank you!” —Alaujua Hawthorne
Price: $35.99+ (available in sizes 8—13 toddler, 1—4 little kid, 5—7 big kid, and in 12 styles)
20. A Stride Rite athletic shoe designed to help early walkers feel stable and avoid bumping toes as they perfect their walking skills. (And in those little-kid color schemes that just scream childhood.)
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “My son is almost 2 and loves wearing these. We often let him pick which ones he wants to wear, and these are usually his pick when he has the choice. They are kind of heavy compared to others, but he doesn’t seem to mind. These shoes are very durable. Toddlers are so rough on their shoes, but these still look great after months of wear. Even though Crocs and Natives are super cute, I’m more comfortable with him wearing these types of sneakers to fully support and protect his feet and toes when we go to parks and run around all day. Definitely worth the money!” —Miranda Gromen
Price: $54.73+ (available in sizes 5—10 toddler and in wide, and in three styles)
21. And finally, a classic pair of Adidas tennis shoes because lets face it, our kids are cooler than we will ever be, and these will let the world know what’s up.
Promising review: “My son loved wearing these shoes to the point he’d cry to take them off. I want to get him every color because seeing him happy to wear these makes me excited to buy more. He seems to be comfortable in them and they go with everything!” —Laila Alexander
Price: $27.81+ (available in sizes 4 infant, 4—13.5 toddler, 10.5—3 little kid, 1—7 big kid, and in 27 styles)
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
