Light Up Shoes for Children – 4 Facts You Must Know Before Purchasing Them

As soon as children are old enough to start expressing their opinions, one of the first things that will come out of their mouths at the shoe store is: “I want light-up shoes!”

They might have seen a friend wearing light up shoes at school or watched one in a TV commercial. The shoe company Skechers is always promoting their shoes when your kids are watching their favorite shows. Children are really persuasive and they will continue to beg for the shoes until you get them.

Before you go shoe shopping, here is what you need to know:

1- Not all light up shoes are heavy and clunky, certain styles are lightweight and flexible.

2- Light up shoes are available in medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) widths.

3- Certain light up shoe styles can be worn as an everyday sneaker.

4- Stride Rite is not the only brand that makes light up shoes. There are other brands such as Geox, Clarks and Skechers which make several styles of light up shoes.

There are certain light up shoes that are made of high-quality materials and that provide better support than others, and I know exactly which styles these are because I have fitted them before.

In this article, I will provide you with a selection of the best light up shoes for children. The light up shoes that I am going to describe shortly are also capable of accommodating the shape of children with wide or extra wide feet, so please choose the shoe width accordingly: Medium (M), Wide (W), Extra Wide (XW)

Let me first answer some common questions that parents have asked me throughout the years since there seems to be a misconception when it comes to light up shoes for children.

Are Light Up Shoes Appropriate for Everyday Wear?

There are two most common questions I get asked by parents at the kids’ shoe store that I work for:

1️⃣ Are light up shoes supportive for everyday wear?

The answer is yes, depending on the style that you choose. Shoe companies are making lightweight and supportive light up shoes that are meant to be worn for every day activities. However, some light up shoes are too heavy and bulky, and are meant to be worn for only a couple of hours a day.

2️⃣ Are light up shoes dangerous?

The answer is no, they are not dangerous and they won’t harm your kids’ feet. I know there has been a trend about the batteries of these shoes catching fire and not working properly. However, I have been working at a children’s shoe store for over 10 years now and we have never had a single issue with light up shoes. Some of my co-workers have been in the shoe business for over 20 years, and they also have never heard of light up shoes malfunctioning (catching fire).

Once I am done fitting the child in a pair of light up shoes, the first question I get from many parents is:

“How long are the light going to last?” Your child will most likely outgrow the shoe before the lights stop working, but if the lights happen to be defective the manufacturer will most likely replace or refund you for the shoes.

Light up shoes have evolved over the years and are now in demand more than ever before. Every time there is a Disney movie coming out, Stride Rite is already manufacturing their light up shoes. Some examples are Frozen, Spiderman, Captain America, Hulk, Star Wars, and many more.

Do They Make Light Up Shoes for Kids with Wide or Extra Wide Feet?

Stride Rite makes plenty of characters and movie shoes that light up. Noticeably, they also come in wide and extra wide widths.

If you have been buying longer shoes to accommodate your child’s wide or extra wide feet, please stop doing that.

When you are fitting your child in shoes that are too long, you are not only compromising your children’s stability and making them prone to falls and injuries, but you are also making them more susceptible to developing foot problems such as blisters and calluses.

Please keep one thing in mind: Getting the right shoe width has the same importance as getting the right amount of length space. It doesn’t matter how much space your child has between the end of the toes and the end of the shoe, if the shoe is not wide enough, you will have to replace the shoes even though there is plenty of room in the front — since your child will outgrow the width faster than the length.

What Are the Best Everyday Sneakers for Kids with Wide Feet?

Here is an article that showcases the best wide and extra wide sneakers for children with wide feet.

Stride Rite provides certain light up shoe styles in wide widths. However, some of these shoe styles fit wider and provide more support than others, but I will show you below the styles I recommend the most.

Are Light Up Shoes Too Distracting for Children?

When a child tries light up shoes for the very first time, they start hitting the ground and staring down with their eyeballs wide open watching those lights shine. Even when I take them for a test run in the hallway, they walk with their head down so I have to keep reminding them to look straight ahead and focus on how the shoes feel.

Some parents often get worried that light up shoes might distract their children from walking the right way. While light up shoes might be distracting at the beginning, once the hype is gone (usually by the end of the day), your child will stop staring at the lights.

I only review shoes that I have fitted before, as that is the only way for me to tell how well-made the shoes are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit. 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.

The Best Light Up Shoes for Children

The light up shoes below can fit children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet. Just take a look at the description below each shoe to find out whether that specific model can accommodate your child’s foot shape.

In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.

How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape

To buy the correct shoe size online you need to know your child’s exact foot size and shape. There is a different article in which I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.

Saying “No” to Light Up Shoes: Does it Make You a Bad Parent?

For a fact, children will feel devastated when their parents tell them that they cannot get light up shoes. Some parents believe that their children should not wear light up shoes and this is totally fine because it is all a matter of freedom and choice. There can be many reasons as to why parents may be against light up shoes and they are all valid.

Some parents believe that:

  • “A toy should be a toy and a shoe should be a shoe.”
  • “The shoes won’t match any of their clothing.”
  • “The shoes can be too distracting for the children.”
  • “The shoes do not offer enough support.”

My advice to parents is that there are plenty of “cool” looking shoes that your children might like if you have to compromise, so do not feel like you are stuck with light up shoes.

Twinkle Toes Shoes for Girls – Are They Supportive Enough?

Twinkle Toes made by Skechers provide a myriad of light ups and sparkly shoes. These shoes are some of the most popular ones and girls love them. However, they do not offer the same amount of support you will get from a Stride Rite light up shoe.

So, if you decide to provide your little one with a pair of Twinkle Toes, then you should strongly consider providing her with an extra pair of every day supportive shoes for the playground or school. Twinkle Toes are meant to be worn for a maximum of 4 hours a day. For the rest of the day your child should wear good supportive sneakers.

I have put together a selection of the best Twinkle Toes shoes for girls.

Light Up Shoes for Children: Do I Recommend Them or Not?

I do recommend light up shoes that are lightweight and flexible, and that provide everyday support. I have fitted hundreds of them and the expression on the faces of children is priceless.

Don’t worry! You don’t have to compromise your child’s foot health. Get them a pair of good, supportive light up shoes so you don’t have to worry about their feet or legs hurting!

 I only recommend shoes that are appropriate and supportive for your kids’ feet. Light up shoes are appropriate as long as they fit, and yes, they can be worn as an everyday pair of shoes.

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child. My e-mail address is:

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

Is there a particular light up shoe style that you can recommend? Have you found a pair of light up shoes for your child that has wide or extra wide feet? Please share your experiences below so we can all benefit from them!