These durable and comfortable shoes are perfect for the playground, sports, and everyday use.
![10 Best Kids Sneakers That Both Parents and Children Will Love (1) 10 Best Kids Sneakers That Both Parents and Children Will Love (1)](https://i0.wp.com/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/ghi-kids-sneakers-index-1571930742.png?crop=0.897xw:0.690xh;0.0593xw,0.249xh&resize=640:*)
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Every kid needs a good pair of sneakers, whether they play sports or wear them at school and playtime. The shoes need to be comfortable, supportive and lightweight to easily move around in, but they also need to be good-looking so your kid will actually want to wear them on a regular basis! On top of that, they shouldn't break the bank since children grow out of their shoes so quickly.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluates sneakers for all ages – from babies to adults – and looks at factors like comfort, weight, support, traction, and more. The picks ahead are from brands that have performed well in previous tests or have unique styles with excellent feedback from real users. In fact, many of these picks are sneakers our experts buy for their own kids. Read on to learn more about each shoe, but to summarize, here are the best sneakers to buy for kids:
Overall Best Kids Sneakers: Nike Revolution 4 Running Shoes
Best Value Kids Sneakers: Dadawen Children's Running Sneakers
Best Sneakers for Toddlers: Stride Rite Ocean Sneakers
Best Kids Sneakers for Wide Feet: New Balance 680V5 Running Shoes
Best Kids Sneakers for Narrow Feet: Puma Cabana Racer Sneakers
Most Comfortable Kids Sneakers: Adidas Cloudfoam Pure Shoes
Best Rugged Sneakers for Kids: Merrell Trail Chaser
Best Water Sneakers for Kids: Native Jefferson Slip-On Sneakers
Best Slip-On Sneakers for Kids: Vans Classic Slip-On
Best Light-Up Sneakers for Kids: Skechers Twinkle Toes Shuffle Lite
1
Overall Best Kids Sneakers
Nike Revolution 4 Running Shoes
1
Overall Best Kids Sneakers
Nike Revolution 4 Running Shoes
These popular sneakers from Nike are lightweight and flexible, yet still offer good cushioning and support. The fabric is a breathable mesh to help prevent overheating and the outsole has grips for traction. They come in variations for kids of all ages, from toddlers to big kids, with lots of color options for bothboys and girls. They even make them in adult sizes!
Also check out theNike Adventure Club, which is a kids shoessubscription servicethat helps save the time and hassle of shopping for new sneakers. Itcreates a fun unboxing experience, including a personalized package with stickers and activities inside.
2
Best Value Kids Sneakers
DADAWEN Children's Running Sneakers
2
Best Value Kids Sneakers
DADAWEN Children's Running Sneakers
If it seems like you're spending a fortune on sneakers that your kid constantly outgrows, these shoes are under $20 and have hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon. Like the previous style, the upper fabric is a flexible, breathable mesh to keep active feet comfy.
The unisex style comes in four different solid colors that can match almost any outfit and unlike most sneakers,they don't have any branding or logos on the shoe. Just note that these only go up to little kid size 11.5.
3
Best Sneakers for Toddlers
Stride Rite Ocean Sneakers
3
Best Sneakers for Toddlers
Stride Rite Ocean Sneakers
Stride Rite designs shoes specifically for the different stages of developing children's feet, and these ones are ideal for younger kids that have recently moved on from baby shoes. They're breathable and lightweight like the others, plus they have an easy-on opening with elastics instead of laces.
Other standout features include a memory foam insole that gives excellent cushioning and machine washable capabilities (so it's no big deal if they become a total mess). The shoes are unisex, and come in multiplecolors.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Best Kids Sneakers for Wide Feet
New Balance 680V5 Running Shoes
4
Best Kids Sneakers for Wide Feet
New Balance 680V5 Running Shoes
It can be tricky to find good kids shoes that fit wider feet, but this style from New Balance comes in regular, wide and extra-wide. Not only that, they're available in half sizes and have options forinfants, toddlers, little kids, and big kids in each of the widths. In other words, it'll be hard not to find a good fit with this one!
The shoe itself is designed for both running and everyday use with shock-absorbing cushioning, a breathable upper, and lots of colors to choose from.
5
Best Kids Sneakers for Narrow Feet
PUMA Cabana Racer Sneakers
5
Best Kids Sneakers for Narrow Feet
PUMA Cabana Racer Sneakers
Reviewers call out these sneakers for runningnarrow compared to other shoes, which is ideal if most sneakers your kid tries on are too loose and wide. They're what the brand calls "casual athletic"sneakers, meaning they're made foryour little one to wear every day.
They also come in toddler sizes and color variations for boys and girls. And if you prefer to buy shoes with laces, Puma has plenty of options for these as well.
6
Most Comfortable Kids Sneakers
adidas Cloudfoam Pure Shoes
6
Most Comfortable Kids Sneakers
adidas Cloudfoam Pure Shoes
The Cloadfoam cushioning from Adidas is exactly what it sounds like:lightweight and super soft for pillow-like comfort.The top of the shoe is designed to feel like a sock to give asnug yet flexible fit.
These lace-up shoes come in little kids and big kids sizes (no toddlers), and they're also available in versions for adults, which are best-sellers on Amazon.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Best Rugged Sneakers for Kids
Merrell Trail Chaser
7
Best Rugged Sneakers for Kids
Merrell Trail Chaser
Merrell is best known for its hiking boots, and this kid version uses the same construction in the comfy footbed and slip-resistant outsole that makes it perfect for outdoor adventures.The shoes also havemesh fabric to keep them breathable and a velcro closure to make sure they fit snug.
They're available in little kid and big kid sizes, with variations in color and wide sizes available.
8
Best Water Sneakers for Kids
Native Jefferson Slip-On Sneakers
8
Best Water Sneakers for Kids
Native Jefferson Slip-On Sneakers
These slip-on shoes look like sneakers, but they're made entirely out of EVA foam and rubber (no fabric) sothey dry quickly. They're also lightweight and super easy to clean.
The ventilated holes throughout keep them feeling breathable and there's traction underneath to help prevent slips. These come in more colors than you can imagine with sizes for the entire family.
9
Best Slip-On Sneakers for Kids
Vans Vans Classic Slip-On
9
Best Slip-On Sneakers for Kids
Vans Vans Classic Slip-On
These best-selling shoes have an easy slip-on opening with elastic at the sides, alow profile around the ankle, and a grippy rubber bottom. The checkerboard print is a classic, but there are tons of prints for every style preference.Kids can even create their own customized shoes, choosing everything from colors and patterns to uploading their own image.
This style is for little kid and big kid sizes, but you can also buy them for infants and toddlers.They're even more popular in the unisex adult sizes.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Best Light-Up Sneakers for Kids
Skechers Twinkle Toes Shuffle Lite
10
Best Light-Up Sneakers for Kids
Skechers Twinkle Toes Shuffle Lite
For the kids who love sparkle, these shoes have glitter, sequin, and light-up accents at the toes that flash with the impact from each step. These havevelcro closures for younger kids, but there are tons of variations in style and colors in theTwinkle Toes assortment.
They're not particularly suited for athletic activity likeother picks in this roundup, but they're perfect as lifestyle sneakers. They still have cushioing and traction to keep kids comfy and safe from slips.
Lexie Sachs
Executive Director, Strategy & Operations
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.