Best Kids’ Shoes for the Beach – Top 3 Choices to Protect Your Kids’ Feet!

Are you wondering what type of summer shoes your child should wear to the beach? It doesn’t matter whether you have a toddler or an older child, if you are planning on taking your child to the beach you must find a pair of shoes that will protect their feet from the hot sand and sharp objects. I am going to show you a list of the best kids’ shoes for the beach based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.

What Are Parents Favorite Shoes for the Beach?

Most parents want durable, comfortable, and easy to put on summer shoes that their child can wear to the beach. I suggest that you choose your child’s beach shoes carefully, as it’s during the summer when children are more prone to developing blisters.

Some parents want to provide their children with a supportive beach shoe while for some others support is not as important as their child won’t be wearing the shoes for long periods of time.

There are 3 different types of shoes that children can wear to the beach:

1️⃣ Aqua Socks: These are neoprene foot coverings that provide slip resistance and keep the sand out. The downside to these types of shoes is that the outsole is very thin and it doesn’t offer as much protection if your child is swimming in the ocean. They work great for the swimming pool.

2️⃣ Water Shoes: These look like typical sneakers and they can be made of plastic (big downside) or mesh. Water shoes usually have a thick outsole that provides protection against unseen underwater objects. They are not as effective in keeping sand out of the shoes.

3️⃣ Sandals: These are the most versatile types of summer shoes. The only downside is that they are not great for swimming inside of the water as they tend to be heavier than aqua socks or water shoes.

My goal is to help you find a summer shoe that helps keep your child’s feet comfortable and protected against the hot sand and sharp objects. It is always a plus when summer shoes can be worn in and out of the water. It is also important for your kids’ summer shoes to be easy to put on and that they stay on, too.

Best Kids’ Shoes for the Beach – Prevent Your Child from Getting Blisters!

The most important factor is for the water shoes to fit the shape of your child’s feet correctly. It doesn’t matter how well-made, supportive, lightweight, and easy to put on the shoes are, if they are not the correct size, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.

Remember that the season in which children develop most blisters is during the summer, and this is directly related to wearing summer shoes that don’t fit. Believe me when I tell you that your child will end up getting blisters this summer if the water shoes that you buy don’t fit correctly. Sometimes children can get blisters from wearing summer shoes that are made from low-quality materials.

I am not saying you should invest a lot of money in a pair of shoes for your child to wear to the beach, but stay away from shoes that are offered at prices that seem too good to be true, as they tend to be made out of plastic.

Children’s feet come in all different shapes and sizes. For example, children might have narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. Some children might even have high insteps. All of these factors can limit the summer shoe choices that your child can wear.

First Things First – Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size?

Before we move any forward let’s make sure that you know your child’s exact foot size. If you are 100% sure of your child’s foot size you can scroll down to see a selection of the best kids’ shoes for the beach.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best kids’ shoes for the beach. Make sure that you take a look at the description on the right where it says “fits the following foot shapes” as this indicates whether your child can wear that particular shoe or not.

Best Kids’ Shoes for the Beach

#1 Merrell Bare Steps H20 Water Shoes

These water shoes can be worn inside the ocean or the swimming pool. They will protect your child’s feet against unseen sharp underwater objects. If you are looking for a summer shoe that your child can wear inside of the water this should be your number one choice. These water shoes are not meant to be worn for walking long periods of time.

Style: Merrell Bare Steps H20 Water Shoe
Can my child swim in these shoes? Yes
Fits the Following Foot Shapes: Medium – Wide – Extra Wide
Cheapest Place to Buy: Amazon

Why Are These Water Shoes the Top Choice for Kids to Wear to the Beach?

1️⃣ Children who were getting blisters from other water shoes didn’t get any blisters from these shoes.

2️⃣ Quick dry and don’t retain any water.

3️⃣ The shoes stay on when swimming.

4️⃣ The outsole provides exceptional traction in wet and slippery conditions.

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#2 Aqua Drift by New Balance

These New Balance water shoes are designed with an open mesh upper for breathability and quick-drying capabilities. They are made with a flexible and super-cushioned sole design that offers protection and comfort. These water shoes are easy to slip on and off during water play.

Style: Aqua Drift by New Balance
Can my child swim in these shoes? Yes
Fits the Following Foot Shapes: Medium – Wide – High Insteps
Cheapest Place to Buy: Amazon

Parents rave about these water shoes saying they are versatile, fit well, and kids love them. They note that they’re nearly indestructible, don’t smell, and are easy to wash.

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#3 Natives 

Native has become one of the most popular summer shoe brands for kids and parents love how versatile and stylish these summer shoes are.

If your child usually gets blisters on his or her feet I suggest that you go with any of the other 2 options I recommended as Natives are not as padded around the heel backs.

Style: Natives
Can my child swim in these shoes? Yes
Fits the Following Foot Shapes: Medium – Wide Feet
Cheapest Place to Buy: Amazon

Keep in mind that each Native shoe style fits a little bit differently, so if you decide to try a different style let me know and I will tell you whether it’s capable of fitting the shape of your child’s feet.

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There you have it, these are the top 3 summer shoe choices children can wear to the beach!

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

If you are still not sure what shoe your child should wear to the beach you can contact me directly and I will get back to you as soon as possible:

[email protected] 

What type of shoes does your child usually wear to the beach? If you know of a summer shoe that has worked well for your child’s feet let us know in the comment section below so other families can benefit from your experiences.