High Heels for Kids – Don’t Buy Them Until You Read This!

April 20, 2023 Dress Shoes Juan Valenzuela 15 - Comments

Have you ever seen your kid step into your high heels and try to walk in them? It sounds funny, but it happens! If you have a little girl, you probably know by now how persistent they can be when it comes to getting what they want. There are certain high heels for kids that are safer and more comfortable for them to wear. While your kids grow, they have a quest to follow the new trend in fashion. But the big question then is:  When is the right time to allow your kids to wear high heels? Could it eventually jeopardize their physical development?

When parents ask me if they should allow their children to wear high heels I always tell them that it’s fine as long as they are fitted properly and the child wears them for a short period of time.

Not All Kids’ High Heels Are the Same

The high heels I will show you are the most comfortable ones that I fitted before and they come with extra padding around the heels to prevent your child from developing blisters or other foot issues. Let’s start by learning when it’s a good time for your child to wear high heels.

When Should Kids Start Wearing High Heels – Let’s Find Out!

I would say that a child is ready to wear high heels when they have grown old enough to walk with confidence in them. While there is no pre-set age that it is appropriate for kids to wear high heels, most children start wearing them between the ages of 12 to 14. However, you should use your best judgment to determine if a child can start wearing high heels at a younger age.

Did you know that wearing high heels at an early age can have a negative impact on your kid’s musculoskeletal health? From the age of 3 and up until they are 12 years old, your kids’ bones are still forming and developing. If you allow your kids to wear high heel shoes for long periods of time, you are making them more prone to developing foot and leg problems, such as the shortening of their tendons.

At about the ages of 12 and 16, your kid will have an easier time handling high heels, but you shouldn’t allow them to wear them for long periods of time, just for as long as that particular special occasion lasts. You must pay attention to things such as how stable your child is when she walks, how well she follows instructions —you want to emphasize to your child to never run in heels— and how well the shoe fits the shape of her feet.

Brown high heel boots for kids.

By the way, I created a different resource that has a list of the best high heel boots for kids, in case you decide to go that route instead.

How Safe Are High Heels for Growing Girls? 

It is one thing to allow your child to walk around the room in your heels for a few minutes or to attend a special occasion for a few hours, but another thing to buy her high heels to wear frequently, which could potentially damage her still-developing feet!

Did you know that ankle injuries in children can be more severe than in adults due to their developing bones? Normally; your feet act like spring-loaded, weight distributing shock absorbers, cushioning your entire body from crazy amounts of pounding. Letting your kids walk in high heels for long periods of time might stiffen their Achilles tendons, it does for you, too, mom! So, what are some of the other consequences of wearing high heels shoes for longer periods of time?

  • Joint Pains
  • Shortened calf muscles
  • Lower back pain
  • Sprained ankles from falling
  • Bunions
  • Hammer toes
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Callouses
  • Tightened of the heel cord

Do Fashion Shoes Always Lead to Pain? – They Don’t Have To!

When it comes to kids’ shoes, there are a ton of fashion shoes I have fitted to perfection, made by quality brands and from the softest products. There are a ton of dressy flats or Mary Jane shoes that would look great on your kids’ feet, and feel way more comfortable than wearing high heels. I actually created a different resource where I describe the best dress shoes for girls that they can wear for longer periods of time.  

The height of the heel, the amount of time she spends wearing the shoes and the frequency of wear all contribute to high-heels associated foot problems.

Let’s look at the most comfortable and best-made high heels for kids that I have fitted before. 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.

Most Comfortable High Heels for Kids – Extra Cushion

The high heels below can fit children with narrow, medium, or wide feet.

  • Order the shoe style Lil-Seeley Mary Jane by Nina on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Leather upper
  • Padded insole
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
  • Order the shoe style Buckle Mary Jane by Nina on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • 100% leather 
  • Heel measures approximately 1.25″ 
  • Memory foam insole
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
  • Order the shoe style Cera by Nina on Zappos
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Heel measures approximately 1.25″ 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
  • Order the shoe style Rejina by Nina on Zappos
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Heel measures approximately 1.25″ 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
  • Order the shoe style EKM7015 by EIGHT KM on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • TPR outsole for anti-slip 
  • Cushioned padded insole
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
  • Order the shoe style Glitter Leatherette by Olivia K on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Heel measures approximately 1.75″
  • Cushioned footbed with padded insole
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
  • Order the shoe style Zelia Heel Buckle by Nina on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Heel measures approximately 1.25″ 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size

I will also describe the best alternative to high heels which is wedges and they still look stylish, prevent some of the damages that high heels cause, and allow your child to feel more stable and confident when walking.

What Alternatives Do You Have to High Heels?

As a parent, you must have heard more than once about how bad it is to wear high heels for long periods of time. I am not telling you that your child should never wear high heel shoes; I am stating the consequences of wearing high heel shoes for long periods of time.

At the shoe store that I work for, several parents have asked me about the difference between high heels and wedges, and which may be more appropriate for the child to wear. Here is how I look at it:  A wedge is where the whole sole of the shoe from the toe to the heel makes contact with the floor. The bottom part of the shoe where the heel is located is higher than the portion at the toe, while a high heel is where there are two separate parts in contact with the floor, one at the toe and one at the higher heel.

For better clarification purposes, below you can find how a wedge shoe looks like:

If you believe your child is not ready for high heels, you should definitely consider wedges as a way of providing her with a fashionable alternative. Your child will be happy since she will still look stylish, and you will prevent some of the damage that high heels cause by allowing your child to feel more stable and confident when walking.

High Heels Vs Wedges – Which One is Better?

Wedges have a safer platform than high heel shoes, which provides your kid with better cushioning and support from the ground. Wedges also have better padding than high heels, which lowers the impact on your kid’s feet and legs each time they hit the ground. There is a considerable difference between the stress kids put on their feet and legs in high heels than when they wear wedges.

Most Comfortable Wedges for Kids for Better Comfort and Stability

  • Order the shoe style Blowfish by Malibu on Amazon
  • Order the shoe style Blowfish by Malibu on Amazon
  • Order the shoe style Espadrille by Soda on Amazon

Wedges play a huge role when it comes to stability since they distribute most all of the weight more evenly. I believe it is safer for kids to wear wedges than it is to wear high heels. The main reason is that wedges will allow your child to feel more stable.

When providing children with fashion shoes, we must consider stability as the main priority. High heels shoes simply put all of your kids’ weight on the front part of their feet leaving them no choice but to balance all their weight in the front, which eventually leads to having them to arch their back and walk that way for the entire time that they wear them.

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

If none of these shoes are available in your child’s shoe size or if you need the shoes to be made of a specific color don’t hesitate to email me at: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

What is the Aesthetic Difference Between High Heels and Wedges?

I think most parents agree that high heels look best with more formal and elegant dresses while wedges suit more casual outfits. I am by no means a fashion adviser, but I have heard moms at the store say that the combination of wedges and dresses are very cute, especially in the spring and summer seasons.

Should Kids Wear High Heels or Not? – Fit Them Right!

My answer to this question is: use your parenting best judgment. The purpose of this post is to inform parents about how high heels can affect their kids’ feet, leg, and back health, but this can also be minimized by following certain guidelines.

If your child really wants a pair of high heels, there are things you can do to try to prevent and minimize injuries and foot pain, and it all starts by getting her the right high heel style in the correct size. Remember that there are a ton of dress shoes that may be safer and more comfortable, such as wedges, a sparkly pair of flats, or a black patent Mary Jane.

For parents who appreciate the aesthetic appeal of kids’ high heels, occasional use is generally considered acceptable. Wearing these shoes for short periods, such as during a special event or for dress-up play at home, is less likely to cause harm. It’s important to monitor your child’s comfort and ensure they are not wearing heels for extended durations.

What do you think is the right age for kids to start wearing high heels? Have you found a particular high heel shoe style that has worked well for your child’s feet? Please share your findings below so we can all benefit from your experiences!