Find Out If Your Child Has Flat Feet: 3 Simple Steps

September 7, 2026 Flat Feet Juan Valenzuela 6 - Comments

Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter

Did you know that most kids naturally start out with flat feet? This happens because of a soft “fat pad” in their arches, making their feet look flat in early childhood. As children grow — usually by age five — many develop visible arches. Some kids continue to have flat feet due to genetics or other underlying conditions. While flat feet can be perfectly normal, in some cases they cause pain, fatigue, or trouble walking. As a professional children’s shoe fitter with over a decade of experience assessing kids’ feet, I’m here to help you figure out whether your child has flat feet and what to do next.

Find Out If Your Child Has Flat Feet in 3 Simple Steps

First Step

Have your child stand barefoot on a flat, hard surface (avoid carpet), standing tall and looking straight ahead. Take clear side photos of both feet, just like the examples below. These images help me see whether your child has high, normal, low, or no arches at all.

child-with-flat-foot
child-with-flat-foot

If you prefer, you can follow the instructions in this video for a clearer visual walkthrough.

Second Step

With your child standing on a flat surface and looking straight ahead, step behind them and take a clear photo of their feet from the back, like the example below. This view helps me see whether your child’s heels are in a neutral position, tilting inward (everted), or tilting outward (inverted).

child-with-heel-eversion

Third Step

Email me the photos of your child’s feet at fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com, and feel free to include any additional images or video that could help.

This service is completely free, and you’ll typically hear back within 24 hours with whether your child has flat feet. This resource is meant as a guide, not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The Complications of Having Flat Feet

Don’t worry if you’ve discovered your child has flat feet — it’s a very common condition and often runs in families. Still, even if your child isn’t in pain, flat feet shouldn’t be ignored. Supporting your child’s feet properly can help prevent future issues with walking, balance, or fatigue. The best way to help is by choosing the right type of shoes, and in some cases, adding orthotics for extra support, depending on how pronounced your child’s flat feet are.

The Impact of Supportive Shoes: Before and After

toddler-with-flat-feet
A child standing barefoot with flat feet. Notice how the arches have collapsed and the feet roll inward — a classic sign of flat feet in kids.
toddler-wearing-supportive-shoes
The same child wearing a pair of the supportive shoes I recommend. The feet look much straighter and more aligned, showing how the right footwear can make a real impact.
child-with-flat-feet-and-a-strong-degree-of-pronation
Another child with flat feet standing barefoot. Notice how the right foot is rolling inward and collapsing — a clear example of how flat feet affect foot posture.
child-with-flat-feet-wearing-supportive-shoes
The same child after being fitted with a pair of supportive shoes. The right foot looks much straighter, and the arch is more lifted and better aligned.

What Are the Best Shoes for Kids with Flat Feet?

Proper footwear is crucial for managing flat feet in children — it supports the arch and promotes better foot mechanics. I’ve put together a list of supportive shoe options that cater specifically to flat feet.

While many children have flat feet and notice no problems at all, others may experience:

  • Feet that tire easily
  • Painful or achy feet, especially around the arches and heels
  • Swelling on the inside of the feet
  • Back and leg pain