Five Shoe Buying Tips for Children

The following steps are recommendations from the American Podiatric Medical Association:

1. Take your child shoe shopping. It's important to have your child's feet measured before buying shoes. Letting a child have a say in the shoe buying process promotes healthy foot habits down the road.

2. Shop for shoes later in the day. Feet tend to swell during the day; it's best to be fitted while they are swollen.

3. Buy shoes that do not need a "break-in" period; shoes should be comfortable immediately.

4. Always buy for the larger foot. Feet are seldom precisely the same size.

5. Have your child try on shoes with socks or tights, if that's how they will be worn.