How to Prevent the Tongue of Your Child’s Shoes from Sliding – Works for Shoes with Laces or Velcro!

August 9, 2025 Shoe Hacks Juan Valenzuela 0 - Comments

If your child is complaining that their shoes feel uncomfortable, the culprit might be the tongue slipping out of place. When the tongue of a shoe shifts, it can cause uneven pressure, irritation, and even lead to your child refusing to wear the shoes altogether. The tongue plays an important role—it cushions the top of the foot from lace pressure and helps keep the fit secure. This issue is especially common in active children who are always on the move. In this post, I’ll show you simple and effective ways to stop the tongue of your child’s shoes from sliding.

How to Prevent the Tongue of Your Child’s Shoes from Sliding

Scenario One. If your child is wearing shoes with laces (not Velcro or alternative closures), check for a small loop on the shoe tongue—many parents overlook it, but it’s there for a reason! That loop can be your best tool for keeping the tongue in place. By threading the laces through it, you help anchor the tongue and prevent it from shifting. Here’s how to do it in 4 easy steps:

Start by lacing the shoes in a standard crisscross pattern, just like you normally would.
Thread the lace through the tongue loop, then bring it back through the same side to help keep the tongue securely in place.
Repeat the process on the other side, threading the lace through the loop and back to lock the tongue in place.
Continue lacing the shoes as you normally would, securing the fit as you go.

Scenario Two. Some shoes are missing that helpful loop on the tongue to thread laces through — but don’t worry. In these cases, I recommend using a special lacing technique passed down to me by a seasoned shoe fitter with over 20 years of experience. This simple trick can go a long way in keeping the tongue centered and preventing it from shifting around inside the shoe.

Step One: Begin lacing the shoes in a standard crisscross pattern, but stop before the top two eyelets — leave those open for now.
Step Two: Thread the laces through the top eyelets first, skipping the second-to-last ones for now.
Step Three: Loop the laces back through the open eyelets you skipped earlier.

Scenario Three. If your child’s shoes have Velcro or another closure instead of laces, begin by ensuring the Velcro straps are snugly secured for a comfortable, supportive fit. In this case, I recommend adding a tongue pad inside your child’s shoes for extra comfort and a secure fit. This will help prevent the tongue of your child’s shoes from moving excessively.

A tongue pad is a simple, adhesive-backed cushion that’s easy to apply and remove—perfect if your child needs a little extra comfort or decides it’s not quite right.

When selecting tongue pads, quality is key. I recommend investing in high-quality leather shoe tongue pads. These are not only comfortable but also durable, ensuring they last as long as your child’s shoes.

Leather tongue pads for kids' shoes.
  • Order these Pedag Supra leather tongue pads on Amazon
  • Made from high-quality skin safe vegetable tanned suede leather
  • Adjusting memory foam cushion
  • Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you click our links and make a purchase

Is Your Child Wearing the Correct Shoe Size?

A sliding shoe tongue often signals shoes that are too big, too wide, or stretched out over time. To help, I created a virtual shoe fitting service so you can easily measure your child’s exact foot length, width, and instep from home—no store visit needed.

Reach Out for Personalized Advice

If you have specific questions or need shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s foot shape, don’t hesitate to reach out. I can provide personalized guidance and help you find the perfect pair of shoes to meet your child’s needs.