Arch Support for Kids – The Solution to Your Kids Foot Pain!

Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes for your child that comes with built-in-arch support? Most children’s shoes don’t come with arch support anymore. Certain shoes provide supportive outsoles and firm heel counters, but they don’t provide targeted arch support. With that said, you can fit an arch support inside your kids’ shoes, and I will show you how to do this shortly.

Children might need extra arch support from their shoes when they are flat-footed, have overpronation, and are dealing with foot and leg pain.

Several physical and occupational therapists require parents to fit a “cookie” arch support inside their kids’ shoes. You might be wondering, what is a “cookie” arch support? They are adhesive-backed pads that fit below the arch of your kids’ feet to provide extra arch support. Let me show you how they look like:

If you are looking for extra arch support for your kids’ shoes with an easy fit these “cookies” will do the trick, and you won’t have to worry about inserting a bulk orthotic or insole inside your kids’ shoes. This product will alleviate your kids’ arch pain which can be associated with high arches, weak arches, fallen arches, flat feet, and overpronation.

To summarize, arch support “cookies” are ideal for children who have the following foot conditions:

1️⃣ Flat feet

2️⃣ Overpronation

3️⃣ Plantar fasciitis

4️⃣ Low Muscle Tone

One of the features that parents love the most about these arch supports “cookies” is how they can be fitted in most shoes such as everyday sneakers, dress shoes, boots and even sandals.

Most parents are not even aware that these arch support “cookies” even existed.

I will provide you with a selection of the best arch support for kids shortly and I will also show you how to fit them inside your kids’ shoes.

Arch Support “Cookies” – The Solution to Your Kids’ Foot Pain!

Arch support “cookies” are great for shoes that don’t offer enough arch support for your kids’ feet. They are inexpensive and will make a huge difference in the way your child walks and runs.

Something so simple as inserting an arch support “cookie” in your kids ‘shoes below their arches will prevent your kids’ feet from collapsing and straighten their feet and legs when walking and running.

The main advantage of this product is that it can be fitted in any type of shoes such as your kids’ dress shoes, boots, and even sandals. They are the best alternative to wearing an orthotic.

If you are tired of spending a lot of money on custom or over the counter orthotics, these “cookies” arch pads are the simple and perfect solution to help with your kids’ collapsed arches. 

Below you can find a selection of the best arch support “cookies” that you will be able to place in your kids’ shoes. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases. 

The Best Arch Support for Kids

Please order the size “pediatric” size for your child. 

How are Arch Support “Cookies” Supposed to Fit in Your Kids’ Shoes?

The ones that I fit at the store are a little more complicated to fit inside kids’ shoes since we measure where the navicular bone is and place the arch support accordingly. The next step is to glue it down with a pretty powerful glue to make sure it stays in place.

The “cookies” arch supports described in this article are easier to apply, since they are adhesive and all you have to do is peel off the backing and place it inside your kids’ shoes.

You must make sure you place the “cookies” arch support where your kids’ arches are on your first try since if you peel it off and stick it again it won’t stick as well as the first time.

What parents love the most about this product is how easy it is to apply and how it stays in place really well.

Remember that these “cookies” arch supports are for kids with minor foot issues that just need extra support in their shoes.

Several parents have contacted me telling me how their kids’ foot and leg painfully disappeared after wearing the “cookies” for only one week. Remember that all feet are different, so what worked for certain children doesn’t mean that it will work for your child.

How to Apply These Arch Support Cookies Inside Your Kids’ Shoes – East Steps!

1️⃣ The first step is to remove the original sole of the shoes — most insoles come out really easy, if you are having trouble use a screwdriver to help you pull it out.

2️⃣ The second step is to insert the “cookie” arch pad in the shoe below your kids’ arch.

3️⃣ The third step is to insert the inner sole back inside the shoe.

Have your child walk around and run to test the shoes. Keep in mind that your children might complain about feeling a “bump” in the bottom of their feet, and this is totally normal since they are just feeling the arch support below their feet.

Now your child is ready to go! Give it at least two weeks for your child to adjust to the feeling of the shoes. 

Where Can You Find Kids’ Shoes with Arch Support?

Some families would rather buy a pair of supportive shoes as they might find the process of fitting the arch support “cookies” themselves complicated. I created a different resource that showcases a list of the best children’s shoes with arch support.

Keep in mind that most of the shoes described in that article don’t come with built-in-arch support. They provide firm heel counters and substantial outsoles which are key features to help treat flat feet and overpronation, but you won’t feel an arch if you slide your hand inside of the shoes.

It’s hard to find shoes that provide good arch support, and while orthotics are a great way to keep your kids’ feet healthy, they tend to be a more expensive alternative.

Before and After Images of Children Wearing Supportive Shoes

When children are flat-footed, their feet collapse and turn inwards, which leads them to put pressure on parts of their bodies where they are not supposed to. This usually leads to foot and leg pain.

Let me show you a picture of a flat-footed child. Does it look familiar?

If you fit your child in a pair of shoes that are too flimsy and unsupportive, your child will keep overpronating. Let’s take a look at the image below, do you notice how the child’s feet are still collapsing and turning inwards?

Flat-footed children require a more substantial and supportive shoe. Now let me show you the same child wearing a pair of supportive shoes and notice how the shoes are preventing the child’s feet from collapsing, and straighten your kids’ feet and legs:

Providing your children with supportive shoes can help improve their posture and reduce or fully eliminate the pain that they might be experiencing.

Should You Provide Your Child with a Pair of Orthotics?

If after those two weeks your child is still complaining about foot and leg pain, you can proceed by trying an orthotic— they offer better support than the “cookies” arch pads.

Take a look at another article I wrote where I describe the best orthotics for kids with foot and leg pain.

Hopefully, the “cookie” arch support is all your kids need to prevent them from feeling foot and leg pain.

These “cookies” arch supports are a must for anyone with collapsed arches. Several parents have used these “cookies” arch pads for their shoes, and love how they feel. In addition to providing your child with a pair of good supportive shoes, it’s also important to remind them to stretch regularly.

Most children are not stretching enough these days and stretching plays a key role in preventing injuries and foot and leg pain.

Do you have a child who is experiencing foot and leg pain? Have you tried these “cookies” arch support before? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.