Need rec's for playground shoes for new walker

[supersparkee]

Because Eva is now walking well, at daycare they take her outside to play on the playground in the afternoons. We usually keep her barefoot since she is inside most of the day but they require shoes to take her outside. And for good reason, the playground is covered in wood chips so it's not the softest surface!

I want to get her a new pair of shoes that I can just leave at daycare for her to wear when going outside. Right now, she only has one pair of shoes (dragonfly Robeez - so cute) but I worry if these give her enough foot protection in this situation. Plus these are her "nice" shoes so I don't want them to get completely trashed at daycare - a new pair is definitely in order!

Soooo, what shoes would you recommend? Keeping in mind it will be hot here until the end of September, are sandals a good choice or would closed shoes be "safer"?

TIA!

Amy, I think her Robeez would be enough protection but if you want to get something else, what about a pair of padded Shoo Shoos?

http://shooshoosusa.com/products.php/cPath/25

http://shooshoosusa.com/images/p03-l-lg.jpg

Try the Preschoolians "Watch Me Stand" shoes. These are super flexible, more than SR or similar, but provide more protection than the Robeez. This is the one product that really is unique to Preschoolians.

I would probably go with closed shoes for a new walker. If you're going to get sandals, get a fisherman style. Open toes just don't work very well for new walkers. I've seen several kids at daycare with open toed shoes - and I'm really pleased with myself for sticking with the fisherman style sandals.

HTH

Nita
mom to Neel, January 2003
dog mom to a cocker and a PWD

For a new walker I would definitely recommend closed toe shoes. Some sandals have well protected toes, but since it's so late in the season I would go for a closed toe.

I have a boy and you will most likely want something more girly, but I love Keds Scooters. I can get them for only $14.99 at Nordstroms. They have flexible soles and you can throw them in the wash when they get dirty and they come out like new. Any of the Keds would be a good option. Most of them are fairly inexpensive and have flexible soles.

You may also want to look at Baby Gap. They also have canvas shoes that are well-padded but wash well. IMHO the Keds wash up more nicely, but BG may give you a more stylish selection.

good luck finding something!

[lfp2n]

We had the same situation, DD attended daycare in her Robeez when she started walking but after a while they wanted to take her out to the mulched playground and 'required' that I got some proper soled shoes.
I ended up getting the StrideRite Guppies as its hot in VA , theyre a sandal but not open toed. Theyve worked out well, she walks well in them and they offer a lot of foot protection- not cheap though.

Lucy DD 3/03

[kaitlinsmommy]

I really like Merrell jungle mocs for dd's playground shoes. They are flexible & easy to slip on & off, plus they never show dirt & keep looking new.