pretty sandals strong enough for play?

[maestramommy]

Dora and Arwyn have been wearing crocs for the last 3 summers now. I've never liked them because they always trip, though I have to admit they are very easy to take off and put on without help. Recently Dora has been noticing sandals on other girls and has decided she would rather wear those instead of crocs. So she is asking for sandals for next summer. Of course Arwyn has followed suit:p

They have smallish regular sized feet, so Target is a easy place to shop. The trouble is, the sandals there do not look appropriate for playing and running. I'm not looking for a replacement for sneakers, but sometimes it's just too hot and they want to wear sandals. So I'm looking for something that is at least closed toe. I just got some SKR for Laurel that are perfect, but Dora currently wears size 10, and Arwyn size 8, so they are getting too big for SKR. And since it's mainly for summer I don't want to spend $$$ if I don't have to, like getting Keens. Besides, I don't think they would think Keens are pretty enough:tongue5:

Any suggestions?

[HIU8]

What about a fisherman sandal like these:

http://www.striderite.com/store/SiteController/striderite/productdetails?catId=cat1530401SR&productId=prod950008&skuId=***8********CB34751*M065&stockNumber=CB34751&showDefaultOption=true&subCatId=cat1530707SR&subCatTabId=&viewall=

[Clarity]

I've been buying my girls skecher's sandals for the last two years. We really love them. They're croc-like material, closed shoes that scrub clean with a bit of soapy water. When we're desperate we can use a touch of bleach too. They wear them ALL summer. I couldn't find a picture of them on Skechers website, they must be off season right now. I buy them each year at our Skecher's outlet. They were $14.99 this past year. I could only find them on ebay right now, but they're Skecher's Cali Gear and this is what they look like:
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqQOKokE33L9BkGLBODj,Z1,TQ~~0_1.JPG?set_id=88 0000500F

[mommytoC]

At least your DDs aren't asking for flip-flops. DD#1 really, really wanted a pair this summer, but then her daycare banned them :thumbsup:

I think Keens are pretty, especially these purple ones I bought ahead for DDs. They were $24 last week, but unfortunately, are back up to $40 now :(.
http://www.endless.com/KEEN-Newport-Sandal-Toddler-Little/dp/B002R8JPTK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&cAsin=B003YUC4T8&fromPage=search&sr=1-1&qid=1314889903278&asins=B003YUC4T8%2CB003YUC4SY%2CB0037W2C7C&asinTitle=KEEN%20Newport%20H2%20Sandal%20%28Toddle r%2FLittle%20Kid%2FBig%20Kid%29&contextTitle=search%20results&clientPageSize=100&node=241745011&sort=relevance-fs-rank&keywords=keen+heliotrope

Keen Sunport, also nice:
http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Keen-Sunport-Grade-6--Heliotrope-Flower/dp/B004ZGNXCW/ref=sr_1_89?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1314890817&sr=1-89

DD#1 has had these Stride Rite sandals the past 2 summers, and I've been impressed by how flexible/comfortable they seem, and how well they've held up:
http://www.endless.com/dp/B000YE653S?_encoding=UTF8&tag=tinyprice-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000YE653S

A similar Stride Rite style, with the same faux buckle/velcro closure:
http://www.amazon.com/Stride-Rite-Cozumel-Sandal-Toddler/dp/B000N21ENC/ref=sr_1_65?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1314890520&sr=1-65

Or maybe your DDs would be happy with some "fancier" Crocs, like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Crocs-Shayna-Mary-Toddler-Little/dp/B004026QIO/ref=sr_1_40?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1314891230&sr=1-40
or:
http://www.amazon.com/crocs-Shirley-Sandal-Toddler-Ultraviolet/dp/B00401XEZI/ref=sr_1_1?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1314893753&sr=1-1

Edited to add my disclosure: These have worked well for my DDs, who have big feet. My DD#1 is the same age as your DD#1, and is wearing a size 1.5-2; my DD#2 is a couple of months older than your youngest, and currently outgrowing size 8. Hopefully, other mamas will have suggestions for shoes I never considered, since they weren't available in DD#1's size!

[newg]

DD has been wearing Salt Water Sandals this summer and we both seem to really like them.
I bought them for Easter and with a little Mr. Clean Magic eraser, they have looked white the entire summer!
http://saltwater-sandals.com/catalog.html#saltwater-sandals

[smiles33]

I bought some Umi pink fisherman sandals off Amazon last year and DD1 loves them. No longer available but they look a little like these toddler ones (but two-toned pink).

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KERDLnFqL._SY395_.jpg

[Canna]

I let my girly-girl 6 year-old pick out her own Keens - she chose the H2 in "Striking Purple" and loves them. Refers to the "Striking Purple" color by name often. They are great play sandals - and for hiking, water play, they are perfect for her at camp (where they hike and get wet a lot) etc.

We also have had a couple of pairs of white leather closed toed Stride Rite sandals that, while not indestructible and waterproof like the Keens, I would certainly consider good for the playground as well as dressier occasions.

ETA: Prior to the Keens, DD wore these as her everyday summer shoes and she loved them too. They're cute, versatile and waterproof. I think they got a little stinky and they showed more wear at the end of the season than the Keens. Her Keens last year were hand-down-able to my DD#2 - that's rare for us with shoes.
http://www.zappos.com/merrell-kids-waterpro-jump-toddler-youth-pink-raspberry

[Twoboos]

What about these? Not sure if they'd be considered pretty. :wink2:

http://www.amazon.com/Teva-Dozer-Closed-Sandal-Toddler/dp/B003Z9KA3A/ref=sr_1_29?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1314931028&sr=1-29

[KrisM]

DD has something similar to these: http://www.target.com/p/Girls-Circo-174-Fannie-Athletic-Mary-Jane-Pink/-/A-13182123, but hers have 2 straps across. I can't find them on Target's site.

She also has flip flops. But, flip flops are for the car and running errands. The others are for biking, playing outside, at the playground, school, etc.

[maestramommy]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! A lot of them are great. I actually like the look of the crocs that look like sandals.

Funny update: I was in the cedar closet purging old shoes, and Dora came in. She pointed to these lavender Keens that have been passed down almost brand new from an older cousin. She wanted to try them on, then she wanted to wear them to school today:p I told her she had to wait till next summer because they are still a little too big. When I said, "they can be your sandals next year," she said, "those are not sandals." Rats, I was almost off the hook!