Best Rain Boots for Kids: Easy On, Budget-Friendly, and for Every Foot Shape
Last updated: November 2, 2026 · By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter
Most rain boots look alike, so it’s easy to grab the first pair you see. But some are lighter, more flexible, and grippier than others, and some are much easier for kids to pull on by themselves. As a certified children’s shoe fitter with over 10 years of experience, I’ll show you what to look for, how to get the right size, and the rain boots I recommend for kids who love puddles.
Why Rain Boots Matter
Kids love jumping in puddles, and most won’t tell you their socks are soaked. Wet socks rub, cause blisters, and leave feet cold and uncomfortable for the rest of the day. A good pair of rain boots keeps them dry, so the fun doesn’t end early.
What to Look for in Kids’ Rain Boots
Pull Handles
Handles at the top of the boot are the biggest help. Kids can grab them and pull their boots on by themselves, and they don’t stretch or tear the rubber.
Lightweight and Flexible
Heavy, stiff rubber tires kids out and makes them clumsy. Choose a boot that feels light in your hand and bends a little at the toes.
A Wide Enough Calf
If your child has chubby legs, check the calf opening. A tight calf is one of the most common reasons rain boots won’t go on.
A Grippy Outsole
Wet sidewalks and playgrounds are slippery. Look for a sole with deep tread.
Truly Waterproof
Look for “waterproof,” not just “water-resistant,” and quality rubber. I’ve seen cheap boots with cardboard insoles and “waterproof” labels that weren’t true.
Best Rain Boots for Kids
These rain boots are all waterproof, grippy, and easy to pull on. They come in lots of fun colors, so click through to see them all. Bogs, Crocs, Norty, Reima, Okabashi, and Kamik are my picks here, and Western Chief and Stephen Joseph also make good kids’ rain boots.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click and make a purchase.
Skipper by Bogs
Best for: toddlers
Lightweight and flexible, with pull handles and a cushioned footbed that wicks away sweat.
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% waterproof
- Side pull handles for a secure fit and easy on and off
- Cushioned footbed with Max-Wick technology to keep feet dry
- Sizing tip: order the next whole size up from your child’s current foot size
Handle It Rain Boot by Crocs
Best for: the lightest boot
Super light, with big handles kids can grab. Roomy in the foot, but the calf runs a bit snug.
- Available for toddlers, little kids, and big kids
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% waterproof
- Oversized handles make the boots easy for kids to pull on and off
- Sizing tip: order the next whole size up from your child’s current foot size
Rubber Rain Boots by Norty
Best for: a budget-friendly classic
A sturdy, affordable rubber boot in fun designs like fire trucks, with handles kids can pull on by themselves.
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% waterproof
- Rubber handles for easy pull-on
- Removable footbed
- Sizing tip: order the next whole size up from your child’s current foot size
Abstract Shapes by Bogs
Best for: easy on and off, thanks to its pull handles
A Bogs boot with bold, fun prints, pull handles, and a grippy, slip-resistant sole.
- Available for toddlers, little kids, and big kids
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% waterproof
- Side pull handles for a secure fit and easy on and off
- Cushioned footbed with Max-Wick technology to keep feet dry
- Sizing tip: order the next whole size up from your child’s current foot size
Rain Boots by Reima
Best for: a short, easy-on boot
A short, slip-resistant rain boot with a removable insole that doubles as a sizing guide.
- Available for toddlers, little kids, and big kids
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% waterproof
- Shaft circumference: 9.5 inches
- Removable insole with a printed size guide
- Sizing tip: order the next whole size up from your child’s current foot size
Rain Boots by Okabashi
Best for: toddlers and easy cleanup
Lightweight, flexible boots that go straight in the washing machine after a muddy day, with side handles little hands can grab.
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% waterproof
- Machine washable
- Side handles make it easy for toddlers to pull them on or off
- Sizing tip: order the next whole size up from your child’s current foot size
Raindrops by Kamik
Best for: narrow calves
A rain boot with an adjustable buckle at the top, so you can snug the fit around slim legs and keep rain from getting in.
- Available for little and big kids
- Order on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Adjustable buckle at the top for a snugger fit around the calf
- Made in Canada
- Waterproof
- Synthetic lining and insole
- Sizing tip: order the next whole size up from your child’s current foot size
Need Help Choosing?
If you’re not sure which rain boot will fit your child, email me with their age, size, and whether their feet or calves are wide or narrow, and I’ll point you to the best option.
How to Get the Right Size
- Order the next whole size up from your child’s current foot size. Most rain boots come in whole sizes only, so if your child measures 8 or 8½, order a 9.
- Don’t go bigger than that. A little extra room is fine, since kids don’t wear rain boots every day, but boots that are too big slip off and make kids trip.
- Try them on with the socks your child will wear. Thicker socks take up extra room.
Not sure of your child’s size or width? Here’s how to measure your child’s feet.
Common Rain Boot Problems
“The Boots Won’t Stay On”
They’re likely too big or too heavy. A little extra room is fine, but they shouldn’t slip off when your child walks. Exchange them for the next size down or a lighter boot.
“The Boots Won’t Go On”
Your child may have wide feet, a high instep, or wide calves. Try a size with a roomier calf, or see my guides to rain boots for wide calves and toddler rain boots for wide feet.
“The Boots Are Too Wide”
If your child has narrow feet or slim legs, most rain boots will feel loose. The Kamik Raindrops above has a buckle to snug the calf, or see my guide to rain boots for kids with narrow feet.
What Socks Should Kids Wear with Rain Boots?
Rubber boots don’t breathe, so a slightly thicker sock helps. It keeps feet warmer, absorbs sweat, and fills a little of the extra room in a boot that’s sized up. Choose wool-blend socks in cold weather, and avoid thin cotton, which gets damp.
Can One Boot Work for Rain and Snow?
Yes. Some insulated, waterproof boots, like many Bogs styles, work for both snow and rain. They cost more, but you only buy one pair. They’re warmer than plain rain boots, though, so they can be too hot on mild spring days. See my guide to snow boots for kids.
Are Light-Up Rain Boots Any Good?
Yes, as long as they fit well and are truly waterproof. The lights don’t change how the boot keeps out water. Most kids outgrow them before the lights stop working.
Need Boots That Go Over Shoes?
For school or daycare, waterproof overshoes slip over your child’s regular shoes, so there’s nothing to change at drop-off. See my guide to overshoe boots for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
They’re probably too big or too heavy. Try a smaller size or a lighter boot.
Look for a boot with a roomier calf, or see my guide above to rain boots for wide calves.
Boots with pull handles, like Bogs and Crocs, are the easiest for kids to pull on by themselves.
A slightly thicker sock. It keeps feet warmer, absorbs sweat, and fills a little extra room.
Plain rain boots aren’t insulated, so feet get cold. For snow, choose an insulated, waterproof boot.
We tried the crocs boots and they are not very wide at the calves for my 1.5 year old. It’s too bad because the rest of the boot is wide… just not the calves. Are there any other rain boots you would suggest?
Hello Frances,
I am sorry to hear that. What shoe size does your child wears?
Here are two styles that also fit toddlers with wide feet:
Wide Rain Boots for Toddlers: Option 1
Wide Rain Boots for Toddlers: Option 2
I hope this helps!
Hello, there,
Thank you so much for your wonderful article about children rain boots.
Finding a good type of rain boot for kids is not a puzzle so easy to solve since there are many to offer in the market and we know very little about them.
Now I won’t have problem when my nice tries to run around into puddles.
Cheers!
Caito,
I am glad that you found the website informative. If you have any further questions please do not hesistate to contact me.
I have 2 young kids and always have a hard time finding rain boots that fit well. My children both have narrow feet and I find that the boots are always too wide for them.
A few of my friends have started purchasing the combo boot for their children to get more use out of them since we have cold winters where I am. These boots can be used in cold temperatures up to -30 (celcius) but they also work well in the rain. What are your thoughts on these? They are pretty expensive but it would be nice to not have to have rain boots and winter boots.
Simone,
What is the brand name that your friend purchased? I am familiar with Bogs, who you can wear in the snow and the rain. The quality is superb, they are great for the snow and your child can also use it as a rain boot in the Spring. The price is higher, but you are getting a great quality boot that serves both purposes, so in a way, you might be saving money. Read my post where I describe several boot styles that can be used for the rain and the snow:
The Best Snow Boots for Kids – Keep Your Child’s Feet Dry and Warm!
Thanks! I will check out the best winter boots article. Yes, the brand my friend was talking about is Bogs. Maybe I will invest in some for my kids.
I wish I would have found your article when my kids were growing up! As a new parent, I realized that I did not know much about the basics of raising kids including how to pick out raingear. Having the information from your article would have spared me a few headaches by making sure my kids were ready to face mother nature.
John,
Thank you. I do care about children, and I try to provide parents with good advise so they can make the most informative decision when it comes to footwear. I am sure you will be back once your grandchildren start playing in the rain 😉
Hi Juan,
Thank you for an informative article, as a parent in the not so sunny but really wet UK, I never gave much thought to my child’s rain boots or wellies as we call them here.
Would you advise a child wear “normal” socks or thicker socks, I only ask this because that would effect the width of the boot.
Thank you again for this article.
Steve T
Steve,
When you first purchase rain boots or wellies I will advise your child to wear thicker socks since you will want to leave some extra growing room. Rain boots are the type of footwear your child will not wear often, only in rainy days, so a little bit of extra room is something that we want when we are fitting rain boots. Thank you for stopping by!
When I have children, they will definitely need rain boots. I used to love jumping in puddles and playing out in the rain. We used to collect rain water from puddles in the driveway and make ‘soup’ out of it (we never consumed it).
It’s important to have the right equipment for different situations such as being out in the rain. So, yes to rain boots!
Gina,
I never heard of children collecting water from puddles and making “soup”with it, that was too funny. I guess I was too busy splashing my sister every time there was a puddle. You are 100% correct that it is important to have the right equipment when children are playing in the rain.